Dorothy Parker’s thoughts as a critic and writer on the state of American literature.

Studs Terkel discusses Russian theater with Stanislaw Pchenikov and Theater director Valentin Nikolaevich Pluchek.

Maxene Andrews reminisces over Andrews Sisters songs with Studs Terkel. She acknowledges the heavy influence the Boswell Sisters played in the creation of their image. She relays musical stories surrounding songs in Abbott and Costello such as "Bugle Boy" from their movie "Buck Privates". How they found the song "Mir Bist Du Schon" and Sammy Cahn and Saul Chaplin helped with the lyrics. How song pluggers brought The Andrews Sisters "Tip-Pi-Tin". How "Apple Blossom Time" helped an injured soldier at Oak Knoll Hospital upon his return to the states.

Martin Gottfried discusses his book "Broadway Musicals" and the history of the musicals by evaluating the different big name composers, lyricists, and directors of Broadway.

Interviewing with the very "u" girl at the establishment (Part 2) while Studs was in England.

Cole Porter biographer Robert Kimball talks with Studs about his book "Cole" and his subject's life and work as they listen to classic performances of some of his most beloved songs. They marvel at how Porter perfectly captured the zeitgeist of the times in his lyrics, his lyrical influences, his unique method of outside-in composing lyrics and music simultaneously, Bobby Short's masterful interpretations, controversies over some of his works, and how well his material holds up.

Anna Deavere Smith discusses and demonstrates her unique character portrayals from her works "Fires in the Mirror" and "Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992."

Tribute to Bill Leonard

Studs Terkel interviews Valentin Pluchek and Stanislaw Pchenikov on Russia theater, focusing mainly on the city of Moscow.

Arnold Wesker, English playwright and writer in several genres discusses scenes from the play "Roots". Mr Wesker further discusses his plays and the current cast traveling around England performing several of his plays. The interview tape ends and Studs recalls the remainder of the interview alone as a postscript.