Videos

The U.S. Capitol Historical Society presented its 2017 Freedom Award to playwright and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda for his work on the musical “Hamilton.” Mr. Miranda spoke at the ceremony in the…

Marc Eliot talked about his book, Charlton Heston: Hollywood’s Last Icon. He was interviewed at FreedomFest, one of the largest libertarian conferences in the country.

Bill Stimson shared the story of twentieth century entertainer Bing Crosby. Mr. Stimson talked about Mr. Crosby’s legacy and how he helped transform and define cultural life in the U.S. and around the world. He also…

Christie Hefner talked about comedian Lenny Bruce’s life and legacy. Ms. Hefner focused on Mr. Bruce’s use of social commentary in his stand-up routines, and how he pushed the boundaries of…

Lenny Bruce’s lawyer, writing collaborator, and friends shared personal accounts of the comedian’s life and legacy. This program was part of a two-day conference commemorating the recent…

Harry Katz talked about his book Mark Twain’s America: A Celebration in Words and Images, a collection of photographs, illustrations, and newspaper clippings that depicts the world that inspired Mark…

Kelly Carlin talked about her memoir, A Carlin Home Companion: Growing Up with George, about her late father, George Carlin. She spoke at the 22nd annual Virginia Festival of the Book, held…

President Obama spoke about the arts in America at a Kennedy Center Honors reception. The 2015 honorees were singer-songwriter Carole King, filmmaker George Lucas, actress and singer Rita…

Actors talked about their concern with the lack of bipartisan cooperation in politics. They solicited comments from members of the audience. “A View from Hollywood: The Creative Coalition…

President Obama spoke about the arts in America at a Kennedy Center Honors reception. The 2014 honorees were actor Tom Hanks, musician Sting, singer Al Green, comedian Lily Tomlin, and…

Celebrities speaking during 2014 about issues that concerned them were shown in a collection of video clips. Seth Rogen spoke about Alzheimer’s Disease; Montel Williams on a Marine being…

Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, and Lizz Winstead spoke with Harvard Lampoon President Alexis Wilkinson about politics and humor. Clips of their work were shown. Topics discussed included Mr. Rogen’s advocacy on Alzheimer’s…

Mark Whitaker talked about his book, Cosby: His Life and Times, in which he chronicles the life and career of Bill Cosby, including Mr. Cosby’s political activism since the 1960s, his education…

Norman Lear talked about his memoir, Even This I Get to Experience, in which he discusses growing up during the Depression, the social commentary he presented in TV shows like “All in the Family” and…

Lewis Black spoke about political and social issues. He described growing up in the middle class and becoming a socialist. Following his speech, he answered written questions submitted by…

This film is an historic recording of comedian and entertainer Bob Hope’s travels across the Pacific for an annual United Service Organizations (USO) tour of Southeast Asia in 1967. The…

Joe Mathews moderated a panel discussion on the role of journalism and the pressures of the entertainment industry. Among the topics they addressed were the coverage of political news and events as…

Panelists talked about Hollywood’s portrayal of politics and policymaking in movies and television shows. Featured panelists included Howard Gordon the Creator and Executive Producer of the show…

Telephone lines were open for comments on the role of celebrities in public policy. A video clip was shown of comedian Stephen Colbert testifying before a congressional committee the previous day. A…

At the 13th annual charity contest politicians, journalists and political activists tried their hand at stand-up comedy. George Stephanopoulos and his wife Ali Wentworth made the ceremonial…