Text links indicate transcripts. Transcripts edited for clarity.
1st season
101: Robert Redford discusses how
he has included the causes closest to his heart in his choices of acting and
directing projects. VIDEO
102: Music/jazz critic and
First Amendment activist Nat Hentoff discusses his 50 years in
journalism. VIDEO
103: Janis Ian, who
first met music censorship when she had a Top 10 hit at age 15, discusses her
work and the importance of free expression. VIDEO
104: Harry
Belafonte, a stage and film star, calypso singer and a tireless worker
for civil rights, discusses how he has mixed his art and his activism. VIDEO
105: Chip Taylor, who wrote “Angel of the
Morning” and “Wild Thing” — two of the biggest songs of the past 30 years —
discusses his work. VIDEO
106: Author David
Margolick discusses the book he wrote about “Strange Fruit” — perhaps
the most-censored song of the 20th century. VIDEO
107: David
Crosby, rock star and activist, discusses his life, his music and his
causes. With co-author David Bender. VIDEO
108: Jane
Alexander, a great actress of stage and film, discusses her career and
her role as chair of the National Endowment for the Arts. VIDEO
109: “The Cradle
Will Rock” is a 1930s-era play whose themes of free expression still
resonate today. VIDEO
110: Tom Paxton,
one of the most important songwriters of the last 40 years, talks about his
work. VIDEO
111: Holly Hughes
explains how she sued the government for the right to freely express herself on
stage. VIDEO
112: Judy Blume,
author of many popular books that often are banned by libraries, talks about her
work, joined by author Carolivia Herron and bookseller Cammie Mannino. VIDEO
113: Ossie Davis, a playwright, actor and
activist for more than 60 years, discusses his career. VIDEO
2nd season
201: Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright
Edward Albee talks about “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” and
other powerful works. VIDEO
202: Tom Smothers
discusses comedy, censorship and his legendary television show, “The Smothers
Brothers.” VIDEO
203: Eartha Kitt,
whom Orson Welles called “the most exciting woman on earth,” works to live up to
that title. VIDEO
204: Judy Collins
discusses her career in art and activism. VIDEO
205: Andres Serrano discusses his
photographs, which deal with religion, death, sex and other basics of life. VIDEO
206: Paul Kantner
recalls the glory days of Jefferson Airplane — the band he helped found — and
the era of radical free expression in San Francisco. VIDEO
207: The History of Comic-Book Censorship
examines the birth of the Comics Code Authority and how it affected artistic
freedom. VIDEO
208: Bill T.
Jones, legendary dancer and choreographer, discusses "dangerous" art and
self-censorship. VIDEO
209: Bo Diddley,
whose lyrics, music and guitar licks helped invent what we call rock ’n’ roll,
talks about his work. VIDEO
210: David
Halberstam, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author, discusses the
First Amendment as it applied to the civil rights movement. VIDEO
211: Chuck D, legendary hip-hop artist,
discusses free expression and rap music. VIDEO
212: Phil
Donahue, the man who redefined television talk shows, discusses the
importance of letting all citizens speak. VIDEO
213: John Kay of the band Steppenwolf
discusses his group’s bouts with censorship. VIDEO
3rd season
301: Academy Award-winning actress Susan
Sarandon has not shied from controversy in her acting (“Dead Men
Walking,” “Thelma & Louise”) or in her activism. She talks about her career,
from “Rocky Horror Picture Show” to “Bull Durham,” and her activism, from
arrests during her college days to the controversial 1993 Academy Awards
appearance in which she brought public attention to the Haitian AIDS situation.
VIDEO
302: Janeane
Garofalo, outspoken actress (“The Larry Sanders Show,” “Saturday Night
Live”) and comic, talks about political comedy — its risks and rewards — and her
thoughts on everything from popular music to Joan Rivers. VIDEO
303: Singer-songwriter
Charlie Daniels joins us for a free-wheeling discussion on America
and politics, from flag-waving to flag-burning. He also plays highlights from
his storied musical career, including the much-debated song, “This Ain’t No Rag,
It’s a Flag.” VIDEO
304: Tony Award-winning actor
Eli Wallach (“The Good, the Bad and the Ugly,” “The Magnificent
Seven,” “Mr. Freeze” on TV’s “Batman”) reflects on his distinguished career on
stage, screen and television, and how the creative community has been affected
by forces as wide-ranging as McCarthyism and age bias. VIDEO
305: Entrepreneur
Russell Simmons, founder of Def Jam Records, discusses the birth of
hip-hop music and its impact in America as a political and cultural force, and
his latest project bringing contemporary poetry to clubs and cable television.
VIDEO
306: “South Park” creators
Matt Stone and Trey Parker are joined by Larry Divney,
president and CEO of Comedy Central, in a lively discussion of censorship,
comedy and commercialism — direct from the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen,
Colo. VIDEO
307: Actor Tony
Danza (“Taxi,” “Who’s the Boss”) joins us to talk about acting, civic
activism and his emerging music career. VIDEO
308: Felix
Cavaliere, who rocked generations as a founding member of the Rascals,
talks about artistic freedom and performs some of his classic hits, including
“Groovin',” “People Got To Be Free” and “It’s A Beautiful Morning.” VIDEO
309: Norman Lear, producer of such
classic sitcoms as “All in the Family,” “Maude,” “The Jeffersons” and “Mary
Hartman, Mary Hartman,” talks about obstacles to getting the programs on the air
and the struggle between public interest and commercial restraints. VIDEO
310: Actor William
Baldwin (“Backdraft,” “Flatliners”), president of the pro-arts
performers’ group Creative Coalition, discusses his longtime interest in
politics and activism and the coalition’s work on First Amendment issues, arts
advocacy and education. VIDEO
311: Singer-songwriter
Richie Havens recounts his experiences as the first performer on
stage at Woodstock, the evolution of his well-known song “Freedom” and his
relationship with the Beatles. VIDEO
312: Filmmaker Oliver
Stone talks about “JFK,” “Nixon,” “Natural Born Killers” and “Born on
the Fourth of July” and criticism of his work. VIDEO
313: Actor Jimmy Smits (“LA Law” and “NYPD
Blue”) and Felix Sanchez, co-founders of the National Hispanic
Foundation for the Arts, discuss the underrepresentation of Hispanics in movies
and on television and their efforts toward greater inclusion. VIDEO
314: Singer, songwriter and humorist Ray
Stevens reflects on his musical career and performs many of his hits,
including “Everything is Beautiful,” “Ahab the Arab” and “Mr. Businessman.” VIDEO
315: Alice
Randall, author of the novel The Wind Done Gone, discusses the
legal effort to suppress her book, a satirical work based on the Margaret
Mitchell classic Gone With the Wind. VIDEO
316: A look inside the creation and inspiration for
the Tony Award-winning Broadway play “Urinetown: The Musical,” featuring
star John Cullum (“Northern Exposure,” “ER”), author Greg Kotis
and composer Mark Hollmann. VIDEO
317-318: Comic, producer
and director David Steinberg discusses his colorful career, including
the role his sermon sketch played in getting “The Smothers Brothers” TV series
pulled off the air in 1969 (Part 1, VIDEO). In Part 2, Steinberg continues his
discussion, with fresh insights into the aftermath of “The Smothers Brothers”
controversy, the monitoring of his work by the government and his friendship
with Johnny Carson. VIDEO
319: In this special episode of
“Speaking Freely,” taped on location at the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in
Aspen, Colo., we pay tribute to the careers of George Carlin, the Smothers
Brothers, Dick Gregory and Bill Maher. VIDEO
320: Journalist and author
Carl Bernstein — best known for his coverage of Watergate — shares
his thoughts on the evolution of reporting from the 1970s to today. He also
recounts stories of his childhood when his family was monitored by the FBI. VIDEO
321: Actor Jeff
Daniels (“Terms of Endearment,” “Gettysburg,” “Dumb and Dumber,”
“Pleasantville”) has amassed a diverse list of comic and dramatic credits. He
talks about his career, including his commitment to community theater. VIDEO
322: Music journalist and author Dave
Marsh talks about music censorship — from the song “Louie, Louie” (about
which he has written a book), to Tipper Gore and the music-labeling debate, to
present-day controversies over rap music. VIDEO
323: Screenwriter
Walter Bernstein recounts his experiences with the Hollywood
blacklist. VIDEO
324: Filmmaker William
Greaves talks about his groundbreaking documentary work, including
biographical projects on Ida B. Wells and Ralph Bunche. VIDEO
325: Author and scholar bell hooks shares
her strong views — as a woman, writer and African-American — on race, gender,
class and free speech. VIDEO
326: Harry Belafonte (encore).
327: Eartha Kitt (encore).
328: Tony Award-winning
playwright and screenwriter Terrence McNally (“Frankie and Johnny,”
“Ragtime,” “Kiss of the Spiderwoman”) discusses his many works, as well as the
protests and death threats surrounding his play “Corpus Christi.” VIDEO
329: Comic actor
Michael Richards talks about his days as “Kramer” on “Seinfeld,” his
comic heroes and his working relationship with comedian Andy Kaufman. VIDEO
330: Playwright and
screenwriter Arthur Laurents discusses his many works, including
“Gypsy,” “West Side Story,” “The Turning Point” and “The Way We Were.” VIDEO
331: Stand-up
comics and writers Louis CK and Steve Marmel participate in a
lively discussion of comedy and its different outlets, from clubs to talk shows
to movies — and what you can joke about today in America. VIDEO
332: Comics Michelle Krusiec and Alonzo
Bodden join us from the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, Colo., to
discuss their breakthroughs in comedy and acting and how ethnic stereotypes have
both helped and hurt them. VIDEO
4th season
401, 416: Actor-director-writer Tim
Robbins pulls no punches, from “Dead Man Walking” to his anti-war stance
and a collision with baseball’s Hall of Fame. Part 1, VIDEO / Part 2, VIDEO
402: Grammy-winning singer and songwriter Kim
Carnes (“Bette Davis Eyes” and “Don’t Fall In Love With A Dreamer”)
shares her stories and her music. VIDEO
403: Kevin Smith, a filmmaker for a new
generation, talks about his irreverent and groundbreaking work, from “Clerks” to
“Dogma.” VIDEO
404-405: The legendary
Art Garfunkel continues to make moving music. Part 1 (VIDEO) covers the words, music and
poetry of this music great. Part 2 (VIDEO) continues the discussion
with Garfunkel and his two new musical collaborators, Maia Sharp and
Buddy Mondlock.
406: As newsman Lou Grant, Ed Asner
created one of the television’s most memorable characters – but his outspoken
political views helped end "The Lou Grant Show." VIDEO
407: Musician/composer
Arturo Sandoval talks about his life as a world-class musician and
his flight to freedom from Cuba to America. VIDEO
408: Comedian/actress
Julia Sweeney, known for her characters on “Saturday Night Live” and
for her poignant one-woman show, “God Said 'Ha!',” discusses comedy and a new
solo performance that touches on adoption, dating, motherhood and work. VIDEO
409: Rodney
Crowell offers what critics have called “a distinctly American roots
music sound” as one of the most respected singers and songwriters in music
today. VIDEO
410: Tony Award-winning
composer Marc Shaiman talks about how to write music for movies and
the stage — and the creative process behind his hit musical, “Hairspray.” VIDEO
411: Comedian Lewis Black, a passionate
proponent of free speech both on and off the stage, offers his unique view of
humor, politics and society. VIDEO
412: Critically praised singer-songwriter Amy
Rigby brings her decidedly different perspective to her music. VIDEO
413-414: John
Mellencamp is still rocking – and still rolling, with his new,
critically acclaimed CD, “Trouble No More,” an exploration of blues and folk
music that includes “To Washington,” a passionately anti-war song. In the second
of a two-part conversation, Mellencamp talks about his lengthy career and what
interests him in music and art. Part 1
(VIDEO) / Part 2 (VIDEO)
415: Author and former major league pitcher Jim
Bouton (Ball Four) changed the face of sports journalism and has
given generations of readers and baseball fans an insider’s look at the sport.
VIDEO
417: Yoko Ono, musician, avant garde
artist in art, film and theatre, and peace activist, talks about her career and
her partnership with John Lennon. VIDEO
418: Felix Cavaliere (encore).
419: Charlie Daniels (encore).
420: Jimmy Smits and Felix Sanchez
(encore).
421: Oliver Stone
(encore).
422:
Richard Belzer discusses his on-screen work as one of television’s
longest-running policemen, “Detective Munsch,” and his real-life passion as a
conspiracy theorist. VIDEO
423-424: David Steinberg parts 1 and 2
(encore).
425: From
“Romeo’s Tune” to his recent tribute to Jimmie Rodgers, singer/songwriter
Steve Forbert offers a unique voice and perspective. VIDEO
426: “Cowboy” Jack
Clement, legendary singer/songwriter who has worked with — and sometimes
discovered — some of the greats of country and rock music, talks about his
extraordinary career and the artists he's known. VIDEO
427: Texas singer/songwriter
Rosie Flores celebrates the spirit of rock and rockabilly with a
powerful voice and a guitar to match. VIDEO
428: Harvey Pekar and
Joyce Brabner, groundbreaking comic-book creators, talk about their
innovative work and "American Splendor," the award-winning film based on their
lives. VIDEO
429: Jackie
DeShannon discusses her career as one of music's first female
singer/songwriters. VIDEO
430: Harry Shearer,
comedy writer and performer ("Spinal Tap," "Saturday Night Live") joins writer
Tom Leopold ("Seinfeld") to talk about comedy, satire and their new
play about J. Edgar Hoover. VIDEO
431: One of America's most critically acclaimed
singer/songwriters, Steve Earle, talks about the death penalty, his
most controversial song and free speech in America. VIDEO
432: Black History
Month special: Features interviews with Harry Belafonte, Ossie Davis, David
Halberstam and others about the civil rights movement and its impact on America.
VIDEO
433: John
Sebastian, one of the most recognizable voices of the '60s and '70s, has
a career that spans the legendary rock group The Lovin’ Spoonful ("Do You
Believe in Magic," "Summer In the City," "Nashville Cats,") and work as a
songwriter, solo artist and children’s book author. VIDEO
434:
Bob Odenkirk and David Cross, two of America’s most innovative
comics and writers, talk about their ground-breaking television production, “Mr.
Show.” VIDEO
435: Kris
Kristofferson, recipient of the 2003 “Spirit of Americana” Free Speech
Award, in Part 1 of a two-part conversation, talks about his extraordinary
career, from his beginnings as a Nashville songwriter to fame as both musical
performer and actor. VIDEO
436: Gretchen
Peters sings and discusses her controversial song, "Independence Day,"
and other songwriting issues. VIDEO
437: Tom Morello, guitarist with "Rage
Against the Machine" and "Audioslave," talks about the potent mixture of rock
and politics. VIDEO
438: Marcus
Hummon, a versatile playwright, singer and songwriter, talks about a
career that has led him to both the Nashville stage and recording studios. VIDEO
439: Actor Richard
Masur, whose face you know from dozens of television and movie
productions and who is a former president of the Screen Actors Guild, talks
about the entertainment industry and free expression. VIDEO
440: A free spirit and
compelling songwriter, Marshall Chapman discusses her new book,
Goodbye, Little Rock and Roller. VIDEO
441: The Chambers
Brothers wrote and recorded “Time Has Come Today” and other ground-breaking
music during the turbulent ‘60s. Lead singer Lester Chambers talks
about the roots and legacy of this innovative American band. VIDEO
442: A British folk singer in the tradition of Woody
Guthrie, Billy Bragg sings and talks about songwriting, social change
and free expression in both the U.S. and Great Britain. VIDEO
443: Arthur Laurents (encore).
444: Jimmy Smits and Felix Sánchez
(encore).
5th season
501: Pat
Mitchell, president and CEO of PBS, talks about the place of public
broadcasting in the turbulent world of American television, and why Americans
may need — and want — PBS more than ever. VIDEO
502: Grammy and Emmy
award-winner Kenny Loggins (“House at Pooh Corner,” “What a Fool
Believes”) talks about his career as a performer, songwriter and success at
movie soundtracks, including “Top Gun,” “Footloose” and “Caddyshack." VIDEO
503: Film producer and
author Christine Vachon, recipient of the “Freedom in Film Award,”
discusses — as part of the 2004 Nashville Film Festival — her ground-breaking
role in bringing to the screen independent films that include "Poison," Swoon,"
"Go Fish" and "Boys Don't Cry." VIDEO
504-505: Legendary singer/songwriter John
Prine talks about his Grammy Award-winning career and his recent
induction into the Nashville Songwriters' Hall of Fame, in Part 1 (VIDEO) of a conversation during
the 2004 Tin Pan South Festival. In Part 2
(VIDEO), John Prine continues
his conversation about his career.
506: Comedian and actor Yakov Smirnoff
recounts his career from comedian in the Soviet Union to theaters (from Broadway
to Branson, Mo.), and his one-man touring show, "As Long As We Both Shall
Laugh.” VIDEO
507:
Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Rickie Lee Jones talks about what has
influenced her remarkable career, her hits ("Chuck E's in Love" and "Easy
Money"), as well as her concerns that democracy is threatened in today's world —
and her efforts in response. VIDEO
508: Little
Richard, one of the architects of rock ‘n’ roll, may best be known for
his flamboyant presence on stage and screen — but there’s another side to his
life that’s focused on issues of religion and matters of faith. VIDEO
509: Two-time Grammy winner
Kathy Mattea ("Where've You Been?" and "Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen
Roses") has a career that spans her being named “CMA Female Vocalist of the
Year” to being known as "Nashville's conscience on AIDS." VIDEO
510: Larry Flynt, owner and publisher of
Hustler magazine, self-described pornographer and pundit, gives his views
about freedom, the First Amendment and American attitudes. VIDEO
511: Emmylou
Harris is a singer/songwriter with multiple Grammy awards (11 to date)
and eight gold albums. While she’s best known for her music and collaborations
with artists from Dolly Parton to Roy Orbison to Linda Ronstadt to Neil Young,
she also campaigns for causes that range from animal rights to eliminating land
mines throughout the world. VIDEO
512: George
Schlatter, prolific TV producer, director and writer ("Rowan and
Martin's Laugh-In,") — also a pioneer in "reality television" and a guiding
force in variety specials — talks about where television entertainment has been
— and where it’s headed. VIDEO
513: Darryl
Worley, the singer/songwriter who captured the country music world’s
heart with his hit "Have You Forgotten?,” talks about his life-changing USO tour
of Afghanistan and his ongoing focus on support for American troops. VIDEO
514: Roger
McGuinn, the extraordinary frontman for the Byrds, talks about a career
that influenced many from the Beatles to Tom Petty; his landmark debut with the
single "Mr. Tambourine Man," and his latest career — as a folk musician. VIDEO
516: James Earl
Jones — The "voice" of several generations, from Broadway stage to "Star
Wars," discusses his life as an actor and the challenges he overcame. VIDEO
517: Billy Corgan
— The former leader of "Smashing Pumpkins," Billy Corgan talks about his careers
as singer, songwriter and now, poet and author. VIDEO
302: Janeane
Garofalo (encore)
423: David Steinberg - Part 1 (encore)
424:
David Steinberg - Part 2 (encore)
301: Susan Sarandon
(encore)
404: Art Garfunkel - Part 1 (encore)
405: Art
Garfunkel - Part 2 (encore)
502: Kenny Loggins (encore)
503:
Christine Vachon (encore)
504: John Prine - Part 1
(encore)
505: John Prine - Part 2 (encore)
506: Yakov
Smirnoff (encore)
509: Kathy Mattea (encore)
513: Darryl
Worley (encore)
113: Ossie Davis (encore)
216: Jill Sobule (encore)
312: Oliver
Stone (encore)
334: Robert Redford (encore)
432: Black
History Month compilation (encore)
211: Chuck D (encore)
332:
Michelle Krusiec & Alonzo Bodden (encore)
501: Pat Mitchell
(encore)
307: Tony Danza (encore)
320: Carl Bernstein
(encore)
403: Kevin Smith (encore)
406: Ed Asner
(encore)
408: Julia Sweeney (encore)
444: Jimmy Smits &
Felix Sanchéz (encore)
409: Rodney Crowell (encore)
112:
Judy Blume (encore)
410: Marc Shaiman (encore)
417: Yoko
Ono (encore)
507: Rickie Lee Jones (encore)
512:
George Schlatter (encore)
303: Charlie Daniels (encore)
335:
Tom Smothers (encore)
440: Marshall Chapman (encore)
508:
Little Richard (encore)
301: Susan Sarandon (encore)
Additional transcripts
Elizabeth Catlett discusses her
career as a sculptor, painter and printmaker.
Songwriter Jill Sobule sings and
discusses some of her controversial songs. VIDEO
Artist Hans Haacke talks about his work,
which has often dared to "bite the hand that feeds it."
Chris Finan of the
American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression talks about book
censorship.
Marjorie Heins, author of Not In Front
of the Children: Indecency, Censorship, and Innocence of Youth, talks about
censorship.
Former
chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, Bill Ivey, talks
about the role of art in free society.
Artist Renee Cox
and William Donohue, of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil
Rights, talk about Cox's controversial work Yo Mama's Last Supper.
Dr. William
Holda, president of Kilgore College in Texas, talks about his decision
to allow students to stage “Angels in America.”
Professor Susan
Ford Wiltshire, a professor of classics at Vanderbilt University, talks
about the origins of the First Amendment.
Jen Miller and Robert Pritchard of
Dance Liberation Front talk about their organization.
Jef Bourgeau, the
director of the Museum of New Art in Pontiac, Mich., talks about his battle
to protect sometimes controversial art.
Sonny Ochs, sister of late 1960s
songwriter Phil Ochs, talks about the lessons of her brother's life and his
music.
Don Henry,
Nanci Griffith and Sonny Curtis talk about the Tin Pan South
Festival.