Samples of American humor from the beginnings till now are examined. A host of stars participate including Phil Silvers, Bob Hope, Jimmy Durante, Eddie Cantor, Burns and Allen, Buster Keaton, Fred Allen, Laurel and Hardy, W.C. Fields, Groucho Marx and Jack Benney. This premiere show for the series was produced by Donald B. Hyatt and his Project 20 staff. Written by Richard Hanser and Rod Reed. Original musical score by Robert Russell Bennett.             

The history of television is examined.
Complete with original commercials.

Host: Charles Kuralt     

  The special is a retrospective of the social history of television programming, circa 1948-1960's. Host Charles Kuralt describes 
 live television and illustrates the kinescope process. Excerpts include coverage of the following topics and people: Burns and Allen; news programs with Edward P. Morgan and Douglas Edwards; newsreels and propaganda; Art Carney and Jackie Gleason; children's programs, including "Captain Video"; the growth of television; performers Milton Berle, Ernie Kovacs, Red Skelton, Alan Young, Dick Van Dyke and Lucille Ball; reporter Edward R. Murrow; the Korean War; blacklisting; Sen. Joseph R. McCarthy; Mary Martin and Noel Coward; the 1954 Army-McCarthy hearings; Sid Caesar; President Harry S Truman's 1951 dismissal of General MacArthur; Bishop Fulton J. Sheen; a comedy and entertainment montage; quiz show scandals with comments by Frank Stanton of CBS and a look at how shows were rigged; Rex Harrison rehearsing for "My Fair Lady"; anthology drama with Charlton Heston, James Dean, and others; the 1952 Republican Convention; John F. Kennedy's 1956 bid for vice president; the 1960 presidential campaign; and Don Larsen's perfect game in the 1956 World Series. Includes commercials.