Terry Gross

Israeli poet Yehuda Amichai (ya-HOO-da AH-muh-kye, rhymes with pie) died Friday at the age of 76, and we feature a 1991 interview from the archives. Amichai was a celebrated poet whose subjects were love and loss, and more recently, aging and mortality. The New York Times wrote that he had a “gift for poeticizing the particular: the localized object or image in everyday life.” (originally aired 2/27/91)

Novelist David Leavitt. His new book is “Martin Bauman; or, A Sure Thing.” (Houghton Mifflin) It is a look at the Manhattan publishing scene as viewed through the eyes of 19-year-old Martin Bauman. Leavitt’s own first book, “Family Dancing,” was published when he was just 23. Leavitt’s other books include “The Lost Language of Cranes,” “Equal Affections,” and “While England Sleeps.”

Film critic Henry Sheehan has a review of the re-release of the horror classic “The Exorcist.” Some new scenes have been added.

Comedian Marc Maron. His hit one man show in Manhattan, “Jerusalem Syndrome,” is described as a “poetically paranoid rant on corporate culture and the quest for spiritual fulfillment.” Maron has appeared on David Letterman, Conan O’Brien, and was the host of Comedy Central’s “Short Attention Span Theater.” He appears in Cameron Crowe’s new film, “Almost Famous.”

Gossip columnist Liz Smith. She’s just written a memoir called “Natural Blonde” (Hyperion) about her dealings with the rich and famous throughout her career. Smith boasts that she’s the highest paid print journalist in the world. He bylined column has appeared daily since 1976 and is syndicated to millions of readers in over 70 newspapers. She was recently named a “Living Landmark” by the Landmarks Conservancy of New York.

Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. The actor-driven theatre is known for its ensemble acting, and cutting-edge acting style. It’s members include John Mahoney (Martin Crane on “Frazier”), John Malkovich, Kevin Anderson and four actors whom we’ll hear from: First, founding members Gary Sinise (films: “Mission to Mars,” “Apollo 13,” “Of Mice and Men,”) and Terry Kinney (a regular on HBO’s “Oz”).

Actresses Joan Allen (Pat Nixon in “Nixon,” “The Ice Storm,” “Pleasantville” and the upcoming film “The Contender”) and Laurie Metcalf (a regular on TV’s “Norm”, longtime co-star of “Roseanne”).

Dr. Lynn Ponton is a psychiatrist who specializes in treating troubled teenagers and their parents. Her new book is “The Sex Lives of Teenagers: Revealing The Secret World of Adolescent Boys and Girls” (Dutton). In the book, Ponton uses case studies to take a look at the role of sexuality in adolescent development, and the conflicting messages teenagers receive about sexuality.

Judith Wallerstein is an expert on the effects of divorce on children and is the co-author of the new book “The Unexpected Legacy of Divorce” (Hyperion) which is based on a 25 year study following the lives of children whose parents had divorced. The book explores how the divorce of their parents decades ago continues to affect them into adulthood. She is also the founder of the Judith Wallerstein Center for the Family in Transition

Dr. Zahi Hawass (ZA-hee HA-WAAS), Director of excavations at the ancient cemetery at Bahariya Oasis, 200 miles outside Cairo. Known as “the Valley of the Golden Mummies,” this area in Egypt has yielded over 100 mummies just in the last year. Hawass will talk about these recent archaeological discoveries. Hawass also lead the teams that discovered the tombs of the workmen who built the pyramids. His new book is called “Valley of the Golden Mummies” (Harry N. Abrams Inc.) Hawass is currently a visiting professor at University of California at Los Angeles.