Discussing past and present trends in American writing and interviewing distinguished American literary critic Malcolm Cowley.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

Discussing the novel, Hot to Trot, and interviewing the author, John Lahr, also well-known as a drama critic.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

Discussing the book "Downsize This!" (published by Crown) with the author, filmmaker and social critic Michael Moore.

Euthanasia is the topic of Marya Mannes' book, "Last Rights: A Case for the Good Death". With cases of terminally ill patients, Mannes advocates having compassion and allowing one to chose a good and gentle death.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

Pauline Kael (National Book award winner) discusses contemporary films and her recent publications. Much of the conversation is focused on Stanley Kubrick's work and the role of violence in movies.

Discussing the book "Smoke and Mirrors: Violence, Television and Other American Cultures" (published by The New Press) with the author, media critic John Leonard.

Interviewing tenor saxophonist Stan Getz and jazz promoter and critic Penny Tyler.

Writer and critic Walter Kerr discusses his book "The Silent Clowns," about the film era's greats including Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, Raymond Griffith, and Harry Langdon. Studs begins by reading an excerpt from James Agee's "Death in the Family" with music in the background followed by Kerr reading from his book. They begin talking about how silent films affected the audience, lesser known stars Lloyd Hamilton and Charley Chase, and then analyze several famous Charlie Chaplin scenes to assess the complex nature of his characters.