Writer Michael Lewis is the author of "The New New Thing" (Norton) about the Silicon Valley and the man behind the newest billion dollar-making venture. Lewis is also the author of the bestseller, "Liar's Poker" and has been the American editor of the British weekly, "The Spectator" and senior editor at The New Republic.
TV writer, director and producer Marshall Herskovitz. With his partner Edward Zwick, Herskovitz created "Thirtysomething," "My So Called Life," and the new show "Once and Again."
We remember crime novelist George V. Higgins. He was found dead at his home on Saturday, apparently of natural causes. He was 59. He was best known for his best seller, "Friends of Eddie Coyle," published in 1972. (REBROADCAST from 9/30/1986)
Critic Milo Miles reviews two reissues -- cult favorites -- by the Holy Modal Rounders: Holy Modal Rounders 1 and 2 (on the Fantasy label) and their new album "Too Much Fun" (Rounder Records)
Writer and director Ziad Doueiri ("ZEE-odd Doe-AIR-ee") is making his feature film debut with, "West Beirut." It's set in 1975 during the Lebanese civil war and is largely autobiographical. The film received accolades from the Cannes Film Festival, and the Toronto International Film Festival. Doueiri and his family left Lebanon for California in 1983. Before making this film, Doueiri, was cameraman for all of Quentin Tarantino's films.
Writer and Emergency doctor Frank Huyler (HIGH-ler). Huyler has transformed his experiences working in emergency rooms and hospitals into a series of short stories. His new book is called "The Blood of Strangers: Stories from Emergency Medicine (University of California Press)." His poetry has appeared in a number of publications including the Atlantic Monthly.
Stage legend Elaine Stritch. In a career spanning more than 40 years, she has received acclaim for her work on stage, as well as on television and in motion pictures. She starred in the original 1961 Broadway production of Noel Coward's musical Sail Away. In honor of Coward's upcoming centenary, she'll reprise her role in a concert production at Carnegie Hall.
Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "Looking Forward" the new album by the reunited Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. It's only their 4th album in three decades.
Former Archbishop of Cape Town, South Africa, and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, Desmond Tutu. He is currently a visiting professor at Emory University in Atlanta. He's written a new book about South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission which he was Chairman of: "No Future Without Forgiveness" (Doubleday).
Another edition of our American Popular Song Series, profiling composer Jerome Kern. He wrote the songs "All the Things You are," "Can't Help Lovin' That Man," "I'm Old-Fashioned," "Ol' Man River," and "The Way You Look Tonight." A number of those songs are from the broadway musical "Showboat" which he wrote. We'll focus on the music he wrote before then, before 1927.
Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews "Britten as Performer" a collection of five CDs on the BBC label featuring composer Benjamin Britten as pianist and conductor.
Victoria Price is the daughter of actor Vincent Price, who was best known as the "King of Horror" for his performances in horror films. Victoria is the author of the new book: "Vincent Price: A Daughter's Biography." (St. Martins).
Soul singer Barry White, the sweet-talking, deep-voiced performer who rhapsodizes about love. His hits include "My First, My Last, My Everything," "Never Never Gonna Give Up," and "I'm Gonna Love You Just a Little More." Before he became a hit as a solo performer, White put together the female vocal trio, Love Unlimited and founded the Love Unlimited Orchestra, a 40 piece ensemble to accompany himself and the trio. White has a new autobiography, "Barry White: Love Unlimited." (written with Marc Eliot, published by Broadway books).
Violinist Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg. Born in Russia, she emigrated to Philadelphia with her family when she was eight so that she could attend the Curtis Institute. Later her unorthodox playing, and unconventional attire on stage earned her a reputation as the "bad girl" of classical violin. In 1994 she nearly sliced the tip of her finger off chopping onions, and after surgery and painful practicing, she returned to the stage. Sonnenberg has played with just about every major orchestra and has recorded 15 albums.