Having seen a one-man puppet show at a young age, creator and puppeteer Burr Tillstrom knew that's what he wanted to do. Kukla was the first puppet Tillstrom created. Kukla was Tillstrom's right-hand man, as Tillstrom always and only used his right hand to make Kukla come alive.

Puppeteer Burr Tillstrom plays several different characters as he discusses his upcoming TV special for Easter Sunday on NBC with Studs Terkel. A recording of the song “The Cuckoo” is played.

Burr Tillstrom discusses his career, his collaborators, and the characters on his show, as well as his love for the city of Chicago.* Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations.

Studs Terkel plays a variety of audio clips pertaining to the concepts of life and mankind destroying itself. The audio clips featured are from various established and respected writers, social leaders, and musicians.

In this interview with Terkel, folk singer-songwriter Arlo Guthrie talks about what influences his songwriting and the new definition of folk music. They touch on the shared experience of humanity, the role of the entertainer in society, and the older generation’s contributions to society. Guthrie expresses a desire to create a music “carnival” where performers and audience members both participate together. Guthrie also discusses how he began playing the banjo, and Studs comments on how Arlo has grown as a musician since his father's, Woody Guthrie, death.

Singer and storyteller Anndrena Belcher discusses her life growing up in the Appalachian mountains of Kentucky and the damaging effects industrialization and coal mining had on the economic, environmental, health, and social conditions of its communities. These experiences and stories serve as inspiration for Belcher as she travels across the country singing and storytelling to raise awareness about Appalachian life. Belcher sings Jean Ritchie’s 1972 song “West Virginia Mine Disaster”.

Terkel presents musical performance of Texas songs with Allen Wayne Damron

Discussing the book "Alistair Cooke's America" and interviewing the author Alistair Cooke.

Studs interviews Alan Stone, Steven Larson, and Judith Erickson about the opera, "Regina," playing at the Chicago Opera Theater. They describe the variety of music and dances in the opera. Stone, Larson, and Erickson name the cast and their roles and describe the characters. Each share how they came to be in theater. Stone explains how the company started. Larson describes the orchestra and the chorus. Erickson reads some of the lyrics of the aria, "The Best Thing of All," at the end of act one. Stone, Larson, and Erickson read various lines from the opera.

Studs interviews Abraham Chasins about his book, “Leopold Stokowski: A Profile.” They discuss Stokowski’s life in great detail as they discuss different parts of the book. Chasins describes the amazing career and life of Stokowsky who revolutionized the symphony orchestra. Studs reads a few excerpts from the book. Chasins shares some background behind some of the stories from his book. Studs and Chasins discuss the various orchestras Stokowsky worked with. Chasins notes that Stokowski taught his audience how to behave and never used a baton when he conducted.

The journalist and writer discusses his controversial writings, his time spent as a celebrity figure, and his thoughts about writers as celebrities.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

Studs talks with the lead actor and director of The Eleventh Street Theater's stage production of Kaufman and Hart's musical, I'd Rather Be Right. Farrell offers some dramatic readings from his role as President Franklin D. Roosevelt. This program also includes clips of FDR himself speaking.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

The puppeteer and creator of the Kukla, Fran, and Ollie television show talks about his new book, The Dragon Who Lived Downstairs. He also offers some dramatic readings in the voices of some of the book's characters.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations