Terry Gross

Writer Alice Walker. She's best known for the novel The Color Purple, a seminal account of the life of poor, rural blacks in the south as experienced by the women. The novel revolves around letters that Celie, the principal character, addresses to God after her father has impregnated her for the second time. The Color Purple won the American Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, and was later adapted for the screen by Steven Spielberg.

Critic Laurie Stone reviews British performer and clown Geoff Hoyle. In his solo piece, "Feast of Fools," Hoyke uses physical and verbal comedy to portray a series of caricatures. Though Hoyle has training in classical theatre and mime, STONE says his performance is anything but refined. Hoyle is performing "Feast of Fools," in New York.

Journalist Robert Cullen. He's a former Moscow correspondent for Newsweek, and he writes regularly on Eastern Europe for The Atlantic and the New Yorker. An eyewitness to the fall of the Ceaucescu regime in Romania, Cullen discusses with Terry the difficulties that country faces in setting up a democracy after so many years under a dictatorship.

Film critic Steven Schiff reviews the latest media breakthrough of those heroes on a half-shell, "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,"--the movie.

Political cartoonist Pat Oliphant. His jabs at the high and mighty are seen in more than 500 newspapers and numerous collections. Oliphant's depictions of American politics have earned him the anger of presidents and a Pulitzer Prize. The National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC, has just opened an exhibit of 41 of Oliphant's cartoons, as well as his lesser-known sculpture, lithographs, and color work. The exhibit runs through November 25th, then tours nationally.

Novelist Tom Robbins. His latest book "Skinny Legs and All," (Bantam Books) involves a young Virginia artist, Ellen Cherry, who moves to New York to pursue an art career and ends up a waitress at Isaac & Ishmael's, a restaurant owned by an Arab and a Jew which sits across the street from the United Nations. Other characters of note: Salome, the teenage belly dancer, and some magical objects: a conch, a stick, a sock, a can o'beans, and a spoon.

Dancer Edward Villella. For thirty years he was a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet where his performances in Balanchine's "Apollo" and "Prodigal Son," first brought him to critical acclaim. Though shorter in stature than most dancers, Villella, has been heralded for his ability to handle vigorous athletic roles with grace. Villella developed his dancing style under the guidance of choreographer George Balanchine. He was also influenced by choreographer Jerome Robbins.

Anthropologist Richard Nelson. His recent book, "The Island Within," is an account of Nelson's explorations of an uninhabited island near his Pacific Northwest home. (Rebroadcast. Original date November 9, 1989).

Actor Matthew Modine. He played an arrogant first-year medical student in the movie, "Gross Anatomy." Modine's earlier films include "Birdy," "Full Metal Jacket," and "Married to the Mob." (Rebroadcast. Original date October 19, 1989).

Filmmaker John Waters. His latest film is "Cry Baby," a juvenile delinquent love story set in the 1950's, which brings together such performers as Patty Hearst, Johnny Depp (of Fox's tv show "21 Jump Street"), Ricki Lake, David Nelson, and Polly Bergen. Waters is known for his independent, off-beat films, such as "Pink Flamingos," "Female Trouble," and "Polyester." In 1988 Waters entered the mainstream with his popular film, "Hairspray."