From 2007, Milt talks with humorist P.J. O’Rourke on his great book looking at the works of economist Adam Smith.

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 makes Jewish humor different and unique? Or is it all that unique? We talk about that with one of our favorite guests, Ruth Wisse, who’s just written an excellent new book on the topic called No Joke: Making Jewish Humor.