From a radio program of a few years ago, we talk with the brilliantly pessimistic and combative playwright and filmmaker David Mamet. He brings those same qualities to the old and persisting question: “Why the Jews?” Notably, Mamet turned to this subject as his conversion to conservatism was becoming more publicly proclaimed.

From April 2, 2003, Milt talks with film critic Richard Schickel about his book Good Morning Mr. Zip Zip Zip: Movies, Memory and World War II.

From March 12, 1980, Milt talks with playwright and humorist Abe Burrows about his life and works, including How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and Guys and Dolls, among many others.

Joseph Epstein sees through all of our foibles, affectations, eccentricities and higher-level stupidities including his own (though he is very light on the last!). Here he is in a rambling 2013 conversation which, like all his contributions to this most basic human art form, delights, illuminates and provokes. Simple impression: If Dr. Samuel Johnson were with us today, this is probably what he would sound like.

What goes on in and around Chicago? We talk edwith one of the finest feature writers in the business, the Chicago Tribune’s Ron Grossman. Topics included the quality of undergraduate education, the overrun of the academy by political correctness (including a story about one academic’s quest to question the sexuality of Sherlock Holmes), and the political history of Chicago.