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.
Episode 1
Dick Cavett narrates and steps into a vivid panorama of legendary figures, events and locations which made up the history of the Old West.
Episode 2
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.
Episode 3
Dick Cavett traces the history of American transportation from the covered wagon of the Old West to the newly developed space shuttle.
Episode 4
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.
Episode 5
Dick Cavett unfolds the story of the American free press, its printers and publishers, headlines and by-lines, scandals and scoops.
Episode 6
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.
Episode 7
Dick Cavett looks at the traditions and revolutions, the rigidities and liberties that make up America's always-changing sexual standards.
Episode 8
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.
