Terry Gross

Playwright Neil Simon. He's about to receive the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival Writers Award in Aspen. This is the Festival's 5th annual event. SIMON's plays and movies include, "Barefoot in the Park," "The Odd Couple," "The Goodbye Girl," "The Out-of-Towners," and "The Sunshine Boys." He won a Pulitzer Prize for his play "Lost in Yonkers." Terry talked with him after his 1996 memoir, "Rewrites" was published. (REBROADCAST from 10/17/96).

Analyst for the National Security Archives, Kate Doyle. She directed the Guatemalan Documentation Project, which lead to the declassification of documents from the CIA, the State and Defense Departments on Guatemala. These documents were handed over to the commission and filled the gap left by Guatemalan military which claimed its files had been lost.

Professor of international law Christian Tomuschat, headed the Historical Clarification Commission on Guatemala, a United Nations-supported truth commission on human rights abuses in Guatemala during that country's 36 year civil war. A peace treaty was signed in Guatemala in 1996. The report was issued last month. It finds that the U.S. agencies knew far more about atrocities committed by the Guatemalan Army and its death squads than the United States acknowledged.

Political anthropologist Jennifer Schirmer. Beginning in 1986, she interviewed Guatemalan military officials of all different levels, getting them to talk about their participation in atrocities. Her new book based on that research is "The Guatemalan Military Project: A Violence called Democracy." (University of Pennsylvania Press)

Tuvan throat singer Ondar and producer Ralph Leighton. Tuvan throat singing is a biphonic sound in which the performer produces two or three distinct tones at the same time. It originates from Tuva. Leighton co-produced Ondar's debut CD, "Back Tuva Future" (Warner Bros/Reprise)

Writer Evan Hunter. Under his own name he is the author of "The Blackboard Jungle," and "Privileged Conversation." He also wrote the screenplay for Alfred Hitchcock's film "The Birds" (based on the Daphne Du Maurier short story). (WE WILL TALK WITH HIM AT ANOTHER TIME ABOUT HIS WORK WITH HITCHCOCK) Under the pseudonym Ed McBain, he is the author of a series of mystery novels for which he won the British Crime Writers Association's highest award, the Diamond Dagger, and the Mystery Writers of America's Grand Master Award.

Screenwriters Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard. The two wrote the screenplay for "Shakespeare in Love" which has been nominated for an Academy Award for best original screenplay. Norman's other screenwriting credits include "The Aviator" and "Waterworld." Stoppard is also the playwright of "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead," and "Travesties." His screenwriting credits include: "Brazil," "The Empire of the Son," and "Billy Bathgate."

Writer Gail Godwin. Her latest novel "Evensong" (Ballintine) is about the inner spirituality of a modern woman and continues the story of Margaret Bonner began in "Father Melancholy's Daughter." Godwin's other books include "The Odd Woman," "Violet Clay," and "A Mother and Two Daughters." Godwin is the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship and the 1981 Award in Literature from the National Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters.

Composer and musician Isaac Hayes. He's being recognized for his work as a songwriter by the Rhythm & Blues Foundation. Hayes rose to the top of the charts in the 1970's on the Stax label, a soul record label. He released his first solo album, "Presenting Isaac Hayes," in 1968. His next album, "Hot Buttered Soul," became a gold record in the 1970's.

Guitarist Mickey Baker. The 74 year old musician is about to receive a pioneer award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation for his work as a sideman on hundreds of recordings of R&B and rock & roll records from the 50's and 60's. He recorded with Ray Charles, Dinah Washington, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Ruth Brown, and many more. The Awards banquet takes place in L.A. February 25th. (The Rhythm and Blues Foundation is located in Washington D.C.)