September 3, 1981 - Foxfire, a dramatization of a series of novels based on Appalachian folk tales, opens at the Guthrie Theater. MPR’s Nancy Fushan talks with actors Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy about the play and the Minneapolis stage itself.
September 5, 1981 - On this Weekend program, MPR host and moderator Lee Axdahl speaks with former U.S. senator Eugene McCarthy, who speaks about his possible candidacy for United States Senate in 1982 and other issues.
September 25, 1981 - Nancy Fushan presents an interview with playwright Paula Cizmar about her play Death of a Miner. The drama is about a female coal miner who dies in a mining accident.
September 26, 1981 - An interview with author and photographer Gordon Parks about his writing. Parks details his interest in Ireland and the resulting novel Shannon.
October 7, 1981 - MPR's Nancy Fushan interviews 1980 Nobel Prize for Literature winner Czeslaw Milosz. Born in Poland but now living and teaching in the United States, Milosz talks about his poetry, the United States, his native country of Poland, and writing.
October 29, 1981 - All Things Considered’s Gary Eichten interviews Tom Scallen, president of the Minnesota Kicks. The local professional soccer team is in dire financial straits as a new owner is sought.
October 31, 1981 - MPR’s Dale Connelly interviews Fred Suppe, a medieval professor at the University of Minnesota. Suppe provides details on the Celtic origin of Halloween, and its adaptation over the years.
October 31, 1981 - MPR’s Dale Connelly interviews Australian author Colleen McCullough about her book An Indecent Obsession and it’s potential adaptation to the screen. The book tells the story of a nurse who works in a psychiatric ward for World War II soldiers and develops a forbidden attraction to a new, highly decorated patient.
November 7, 1981 - MPR’s Dale Connelly talks with author Paul Dickson about his book The Official Rules, which examines humorous cynical laws and statements.
November 12, 1981 - MPR’s Rich Dietman presents audio profile within the cockpit of a Republic Airways commercial airline during air traffic controller strike.