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.

The comedic creative force of Lily Tomlin and Tomlin's comedy writer Jane Wagner discuss the character of Edith Ann as well as the bag lady, Trudy. The comic geniuses discuss with Studs Terkel the new release "Edith Ann: My Life So Far". Tomlin assumes the character of Edith Ann to relay stories of her life in a dysfunctional family as a six year old. Edith Ann writes letters to Rush Limbaugh, Howard Stern, and Senate representatives to get her message heard. She tells the Senator that kids model grownups and grownups need to act better to protect the kids.

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.

Sterling "Red" Quinlan discusses his book "Inside ABC: the American Broadcasting Company's rise to power" published in 1979. Sterling "Red" Quinlan was a pioneering Chicago TV executive that worked for ABC (which later became WLS-Ch. 7), WFLD-TV, WTTW (Chicago's public television station) and founding member of the Museum of Broadcast Communications.

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(1863252-3-1).

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).

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.

Studs Terkel and Dave Garroway intertwine jazz music with conversation. The voices of Doris Day, Peggy Lee, Charlie Ventura, Duke Ellington, Erroll Garner, and Nellie Lutcher are heard between conversations ranging from Garroway's start in radio while in the United States Navy. Garroway discusses the changing technology and the thrill of it. Also includes the progress that has been made in race relations and the death of Duke Ellington.

Phil Donahue discusses his book "Donahue: My Own Story." 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).

Actor Peter Sellars takes on a different role as director of the Los Angeles Festival. The sixteen day event will happen in parks, streets, churches and community centers all over Los Angeles, says Sellers. With all the diverse groups living in Los Angeles, there's so much culture to share with one another & Sellers wanted people to get out and see things that they never experienced before.