The movie mogul Louis B. Mayer emigrated as a child with his parents from Russia. He began his road to success when he purchased a house, refurbished it as a nickelodeon, and opened one of the earliest custom-designed cinemas. He established theaters throughout New England, which led him to Metro Films and the formation of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1924. He helped create the Hollywood star system and hatched the idea for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and his successes included The Big Parade, Ben-Hur, Grand Hotel, Dinner at Eight, the Andy Hardy series, and countless others.

The story of Howdy Doody, the famed children's TV program of the 1940's and 50's. Traces the radio career of the show's host, Buffalo Bob Smith, and tells the tale of the invention of Howdy, the freckle-faced puppet. Clips recall the show's colorful characters, including Clarabell the clown.

Profile of the vaudeville and TV star who made audiences laugh, but who suffered from depression and gambling addiction. Includes interviews with Milton Berle and Jonathan Winters.

A look at the incredible life of the singer, TV star, producer, and hotel tycoon who overcame business setbacks and cancer to create such shows as The Wheel of Fortune and build a financial empire.

Includes a look back at Peter Graves' starring role in Mission: Impossible and his hilarious performance in Airplane!.

Tale of the "Clown Princes of Basketball," who, for nearly 75 years have brought laughs and ball-handling wizardry to fans in 114 countries. Traces their early days, when owner Abe Saperstein dubbed them the "Savoy Big Five," to the Trotters' halcyon days, when Goose Tatum and Curley Neal ranked among the world's best players.

Meet the bad boys of rock 'n' roll in this fascinating portrait of Axl Rose, Slash, Tracii Guns and their mates. The group took the music world by storm with their aptly titled first album, "Appetite for Destruction." They brought new influences such as blues, classic rock, and punk to heavy metal before internal pressures blew the band apart. Today, Axl Rose is the only original member still with the band, which has played only a sporadic concert schedule. Meanwhile, Rose has been working on his masterpiece, "Chinese Democracy," which may never be released. And other big questions haunt the band: Will it ever regain the magic of its early albums? And just who is Axl Rose?

A behind-the-scenes look at the appeal and staying power of the TV soap opera that has kept devoted fans glued to the tube since 1970. Includes a look at how an episode goes from the idea stage to the sound stage and out to one-and-a-half million viewers.