Content Warning: This conversation includes racially and/or culturally derogatory language and/or negative depictions of Black and Indigenous people of color, women, and LGBTQI+ individuals. Rather than remove this content, we present it in the context of twentieth-century social history to acknowledge and learn from its impact and to inspire awareness and discussion. After hearing Martin Luther King, Jr.

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.

Studs interviews Bobby Short, an African American composer, vocalist, and pianist. Short describes his performances and interpretations of songs by Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter, Noel Coward, and George Gershwin. Studs reads a letter written to short from Coward requesting that Short sing his songs. Studs and Bobby discuss composer and singer styles. The musical pieces are removed from this edited version of the original recording.

Bob Sandidge and Kathy Smith discuss a documentary film directed by Sandidge about a mock ward experiment at the Illinois State Hospital in Elgin, Illinois. The documentary investigates the experiences of hospital staff who participated in an experiment in which some of them were hospital staff and others were patients. Topics of discussion in the interview include the ways that institutionalization shapes behavior and how the experiences influence the way participants believe patients should be treated.

Comedian and actor Bob Newhart discusses his career and his life before becoming a comedian; excerpt from his stand-up performance is played.

Bob Koester, record producer and owner of Delmark Records, the United State's oldest independent jazz and blues label, talks about jazz, blues, and bebop musicians.

Journalist Bob Greene joins Studs Terkel to talk about his book “Billion Dollar Baby” and about his experience on tour with rock and roll band Alice Cooper. Greene talks about the band’s inception and their grotesque performance style, and comments on society’s (particularly the youth’s) acceptance and adoration of this band despite their violent message, and the irony of that adoration. Studs connects the band’s success to the society’s acceptance to the Vietnam War.

Promoting Hobson's Choice with Bob Gibson and Hamilton Camp

Interviewing folksingers, songwriters and musicians Bob Gibson and Hamilton Camp.

Interviewing folksingers, songwriters and musicians Bob Gibson and Hamilton Camp.

Interviewing folksingers and songwriters Bob Gibson and Anne Hills.

Terkel presents musical performance by Bob Gibson