Terry Gross

Documentary film producer Paul Stekler. He co-produced the new film series, "Vote for Me - Politics in America," a look at how American culture is reflected in local politics. This PBS series examines the various things candidates will do in their campaigns to be elected. Also interviewed was Maggie Lauterer, the subject of one "Vote for Me" episode. She's a former journalist and first-time candidate who ran for Congress in North Carolina, and lost.

Hass has written several books of poetry including "Praise," "Human Wishes," He also edited "The Essential Haiku: Versions of Basho, Buson & Issa." He's been nominated to receive the National Book Award for his latest collection of poems, "Sun Under Wood." In addition to his job as a Poet Laureate, which will continue through to this May, Hass is involved in environmental activism and he continues to teach in the English department of the University of California at Berkeley. (REBROADCAST from 4/23/96)

Throughout his solo career, Costello has performed and recorded with diverse artists like The Brodsky Quartet and jazz guitarist Bill Frisell. He's written about 300 songs. His latest release is "All This Useless Beauty," which he recorded with The Attractions. (REBROADCAST from 6/4/96)

Pacino talks with Terry Gross about his new movie "Looking for Richard." He directed, produced and stars in this experimental film. It takes us behind the scenes of a production of Shakespeare's Richard the Third, and features Winona Ryder, Alec Baldwin, Vanessa Redgrave and Kenneth Branagh. Pacino currently stars in the Broadway production "Hughie" by Eugene O'Neil.

The sixty-year-old writer talks with Terry Gross about his new book "Angela's Ashes." The memoir recounts his childhood experience growing up in the slums of Ireland. McCourt lives in New York.

We continue our conversation with Rabbi Burton Visotzky. He talks about being an academic rabbi, whose role is to teach rather than lead a congregation.

Rabbi Burton Visotzky teaches at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City. Since 1987 he's been leading seminars on the Book of Genesis. The seminars gained a following among novelists, poets, editors, filmmakers, CEOs, and attorneys. The New York Times described the them as "the best conversations in New York City." His new book is called The Genesis of Ethics: How the Tormented Family of Genesis Leads Us to Moral Development.

He's known as the King of the Blues. King was born on a cotton plantation in Mississippi before moving to Memphis where he began his career. Since then, among numerous other awards, he's received seven Grammies, an MTV award, and a Presidential Medal of the Arts. He is also a member of the Rock-and-Roll Hall of Fame. In his biography, entitled "Blues All Around Me" he recounts his life from his early days in Mississippi, to breaking into the music business in Memphis, to his career today. He has over 74 albums to his credit.

Part 2 of Terry's interview with the influential blues guitarists and singers. In this segment, he talks about making it to Memphis, a city that expanded his musical horizons.

Terry continues her interview with Jay Leno. He talks about his early career and how he developed his style of humor.