But some of the zaniest observations are simple distortions of the interviewees' vague memories. Like the young hippie in Southern California who says the Mormon Church has something to do with lizards, and then proceeds to meander through a bizarre monologue.

A Gypsy in New York has her own singular views, as does a Baptist in Washington, D.C. And let's not forget the two young women in Hollywood dressed as superheroes.

To his credit, Tufts never talks down to anyone, and he genuinely seems to be enjoying himself as he listens intently to whatever these folks have to say.

It's even fun when the interview goes in a wildly unexpected direction, as when Tufts stumbles onto a pair of punk rockers in Las Vegas, only to discover they are actually young LDS kids from Utah, celebrating high school graduation with a naive impersonation of punkers.

Tufts' charm helps carry "American Mormon," and his audio commentary with Knudsen is also entertaining. This one is great fun.

P.S. to Tufts: Yes, Rick Schroder is a Mormon, having joined the church after marrying an LDS woman, and he hasn't been shy about the subject in published interviews.

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E-mail: hicks@desnews.com