Terry Gross

Buckley is the author of the political satire, "Thank you for Smoking," which pokes fun at everything and everyone associated with the tobacco industry- from anti-smoking advocates to tobacco company executives. Buckley was George Bush's speechwriter from 1981-1983 when Bush served as Vice President. The son of William F. Buckley, he is the author of other political and social satires, including "The White House Mess" and "Wet Work." (Originally aired 8/29/94)

Peters has a new album, "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight." She made her theatrical debut at the age of 9. Since then she's been on Broadway with "Sunday in the Park with George," "Into the Woods." She's starred in 14 movies including, "Silent Movie," "The Jerk," "Pennies from Heaven" and "Impromptu."

Two British actresses: Brenda Blethyn and Marianne Jean-Baptiste. Blethyn is one of the UK's best-known stage and television actresses. She's currently starring in the new Mike Leigh film "Secrets & Lies." Jean-Baptiste also co-stars. The two talk about the unique way Leigh directed them on set.

In the United States, Leigh's best known for his more recent films "Life is Sweet" "High Hopes" and "Naked." But he's been making movies for British television and theatre for nearly 30 years. His social-realist comedies depict British working class life. He begins work on his films without a script, piecing them together from improvisations with his cast. His latest is "Secrets & Lies."

Historian and author Nell Irvin Painter is a Professor of American History at Princeton University. She's written a biography of the ex-slave and fiery abolitionist who was born Isabella Van Wagenen and rechristened herself Sojourner Truth, called "Sojourner Truth: A Life, A Symbol."

Director of Political Coverage for ABC News Hal Bruno. He'll talk with Terry about how the network is covering the upcoming election. As political director, Bruno works with the producers and correspondents for all ABC news programs including "World News Tonight," "Nightline" and "This Week With David Brinkley." He's been with ABC News since 1978.

Sociologist and foremost authority on urban poverty William Julius Wilson. He was with the University of Chicago for 24 years before becoming the Malcolm Wiener Professor of Social Policy at Harvard. His new book is "When Work Disappears: The World of the New Urban Poor" (Knopf). He looks at how joblessness has affected inner city neighborhoods. He says that the consequences of high joblessness in the inner city are more devastating than those of high neighborhood poverty.

Memphis based musician Sid Selvidge. He's a guitarist whose music synthesizes classic blues styles and Appalachian traditions. Selvidge has been part of the Memphis music scene for 30 years, learning from such Delta blues legends as Bukka White, and Mississippi Fred McDowell. Selvidge is also senior producer of the new public radio blues show, "Beale Street Caravan" which premieres on October 1.

Professor of Sociology Charles Moskos. He teaches at Northwestern University. He's written many articles on race relations in the military for the New York times, the Washington Post, the Chicago Tiribune, and The New Republic. He's co-authored a new book about the U.S. Army's success at integration: "All That We Can Be: Black Leadership and Racial Integration the Army Way."

The Australian-born activist helped found and was the first president of the Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) and the Women's Action for Nuclear Disarmament (WAND). Her new autobiography "A Desperate Passion" is about her life, activism, and the effect of notoriety on her personal life. In 1985 PSR's umbrella affiliate, the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, received the Nobel Peace Prize.