Tomlin talks in depth about the characters she has created and played (Trudy the Bag Lady, Kate, Agnus Angst, Chrissy, Lynn, Marie, ) in the play "The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe" by Jane Wagner. Tomlin talks in detail about each character and inspirations and influences behind each, especially Trudy.

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.

When Cliff Norton performed his first live gig, he tried out his comedy on the band. Norton credits having good performances because of being given good material, funny material. Norton further explained that being an entertainer, one always has to be writing in order to maintain their creative edge.

Anna Moffo discusses her career as an opera singer, opera composers, and opera music.

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.

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.

Author and historian Jeff Kisseloff discusses his book “The Box: An Oral History of Television, 1920-1961” and the major changes seen in the television industry. This program includes an excerpt of an interview with Charlie Andrews in which he discusses how the television industry is moving away from spontaneity. Studs plays "The Cuckoo" - Kukla, Fran and Ollie and "Wanderin'" - Win Stracke (1957).

Jerzy Kosinski discusses his book "Being There". Includes Studs Terkel reading from Kosinski's book "Being There".

Discussing "Les Brown's Encyclopedia of Television," (published by Visible Ink Press)with the author and television critic Les Brown.