I cannot say that I recall the Mike Wallace interview but the response you paraphrase seems quite accurate since he makes mention of his interest in religion(s) as they pertain to mankind being just to one another (a paraphrase). We also talk of the Pope's visit to the Middle East---a brief but fascinating part of our conversation.

A bit of thread drift now---Mike Wallace. Dating myself now I recall an interview he did with Burt Lancester on Live TV (1950s) and asked him some personal questions in a most intrusive manner. Lancester said--point blank---that is not why I am here. Wallace said you are here to promote a film and I will ask what I want--it is ---this is a direct quote I recall--Quid Pro Quo. At that point Lancester said something to the effect that that is your opinion---stood up and walked out. Wallace sat there on an empty stage on live TV. Never forgot it.

Back to Bikel---I think you will find some of the music interesting and next week on SUNDAY SIMCHA I focus more on his Yiddish music. On TRADITIONS we will also feature some of the great artists that will join him for his 85th Bday Bash at Carnegie Hall--Tom Paxton, Peter/Paul/No Mary)Susan Werner, etc.

Bill Hahn