Now being a professional playwright, William Gibson talked about being able to write one of his plays in 8 days. A lot of the discussion is about his play, "The Miracle Worker". After reading one of Annie Sullivan's letters, and learning about a battle royale that Sullivan had with Helen Keller, Gibson envisioned what that battle royale would look like. It became a now famous part of the play.

W.H. Ferry discusses his article "Masscomm as guru" regarding mass communication outlets including newspapers, television, and radio, and their ethical responsibility to teach the public about social issues rather than only present them with current news.

Discussing the book "The Experts Speak: The Definitive Compendium of Authoritative Misinformation" (published by Pantheon) with the authors, music and television producer Christopher Cerf and "The Nation" editor Victor Navasky.

Johnson had recently released a book, "How to Talk Back to Your Television Set". Topics of conversation include the history and role of advertising in television and radio programming, and how advertising revenue influences the media. Emphasis is placed on cigarette advertising, which was particularly prevalent and controversial at the time of this interview.

Studs Terkel discusses television and advertising with Nicholas Johnson, Commissioner at the Federal Communications Commission. Johnson had recently delivered a speech in Dubuque, IA about possibilities for the future of broadcasting, and had released a book a year prior, "How to Talk Back to Your Television Set". Topics of conversation include censorship, the role of advertising and corporate sponsorship of radio and television, and the hope and promise of public television.

Mr Quinlan a pioneering Chicago TV executive and one time general manager of Chicago's ABC affiliate WBKB, discusses the book "The Hundred Million Dollar Lunch." Mr Quinlan and Studs converse about the trials against RKO General/General Tire, a struggle that lasted 15 years. Includes an excerpt of an interview with Denis Mitchell.

Sterling "Red" Quinlan discusses his book "Inside ABC: American Broadcasting Company's Rise to Power". Quinlan was a pioneering Chicago TV executive who worked for ABC (which later became WLS-Ch. 7), WFLD-TV, and WTTW, Chicago's public television station.

Discussing prejudice in communities with Dr. St. Clair Drake and Dr. Paul Mundy. They discuss stereotypes, racism, and race relations.

Excerpts of interviews with Simone Signoret (actress and author), Simone de Beauvoir (author), and Francoise Rosay (actress).

Comedians Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca talk about their work together. They explore the meaning and emotions behind comedy, improv, and pantomime and how the audience is involved with their shows. Sid recalls several of their skits and does a few examples of his dialects.

Studs interviews Vietnam veteran and anti-war activist Ron Kovic upon the paperback release of his autobiography "Born on the Fourth of July." Kovic recounts his All-American upbringing and unblinking faith in the country and its ideals before volunteering for the Marines and Vietnam.

Robert Vaughn takes time out from his Drury Lane appearance in "Tender Trap" to discuss his new book "Only Victims" with Studs Terkel. The discussion spans the years 1938 when Martin Dies became the first House Committee on Unamerican Activities (HUAC) chairman to Vice President Spiro Agnew's condemnation of the "New York Times" and "Washington Post". Vaughn created the title of his book "Only Victims" from a Dalton Trumbo speech that reflected back on the era of HUAC as being one where there were no heroes, no villains, only victims.

Mr. Donahue talks about the audience and the guests of his talk show, and the changes that have come for the groups he talked with (women, homosexual persons, minorities, political freedoms).