About this season
HBO's eight-part monthly series recalls the places, the people and the events relevant to eight major strands in America's cultural and social fabric -- cowboys, radio, transportation, sex, journalism, sports, inventions and advertising -- via newsreel clips, period music, theatrical movie sequences, and on-location shootings. Host Dick Cavett steps in and out of historic scenes in this follow-up to his earlier HBO series entitled Time Was.
Episodes (8)
1. Way Out West
Aired 11 May 1981 • 58 min
Dick Cavett narrates and steps into a vivid panorama of legendary figures, events and locations which made up the history of the Old West.
2. On the Air
Aired 8 June 1981 • 58 min
Dick Cavett traces the history of American radio, from the first signals sent by Marconi to the days when audio comedy and adventure shows were in their prime.
3. Wheels, Wings and Whistles
Aired 6 July 1981 • 59 min
Dick Cavett traces the history of American transportation from the covered wagon of the Old West to the newly developed space shuttle.
4. It'll Never Fly
Aired 3 August 1981 • 59 min
The determination of American inventors, whose concepts and ideas changed the face of the entire nation as they went into widespread use, is examined by Dick Cavett.
5. Page One
Aired 7 September 1981 • 59 min
Dick Cavett unfolds the story of the American free press, its printers and publishers, headlines and by-lines, scandals and scoops.
6. Go Team, Go!
Aired 5 October 1981 • 59 min
Host/narrator Dick Cavett cheers America's love of sports with a close look at the superstars and great teams, grand goofs, big brawls and the unique dedication of fans and players.
7. The Birds and the Bees
Aired 2 November 1981 • 58 min
Dick Cavett looks at the traditions and revolutions, the rigidities and liberties that make up America's always-changing sexual standards.
8. The Image Makers
Aired 7 December 1981 • 59 min
Dick Cavett reviews 200 years of American commercialism -- the posters and propaganda, hyping and huckstering, commercials and come-ons -- from the early colonial period through today's $54 billion advertising industry.