Terry Gross

Rapper and actor ICE-T...one of the original "gangsta" rappers. He’s got a new CD,”Greatest Hits: The Evidence” (Atomic Pop). Greg Knot of The Chicago Tribune has written that "ICE-T is that rare gangster rapper who leads with his brain instead of his gun or his crotch." ICE-T's 1992 song "Cop Killer" landed him at the center of a controversy about gansta rap--is it a legitimate form of expression or is it incendiary hate-mongering? In addition to his singing career, ICE-T is an actor.

Film Director Arthur Penn. At the age of 77, he’s just been hired as executive producer of the T-V show “Law and Order.” The appointment is seen as a breakthrough for the elderly in Hollywood. Penn’s films include "Bonnie and Clyde," "Little Big Man," "The Miracle Worker," "Alice's Restaurant," and "The Missouri Breaks." His film career lost steam in the 80s, and he went to Broadway. His shows included “Two for the Seesaw” and “The Miracle Worker.” He’s also made several T-V films.(Originally aired 9.29.89)

Film critic Henry Sheehan reviews the new film, “Bring it On.”

Working cop and writer Richard Rosenthal. For 20 years, Rosenthal was a detective for the New York Police Department where he dealt with homicide, narcotics, and armed robbery. Now he is the chief of Police in a small village on Cape Cod. He’ll talk about the differences between the two kinds of police work. Rosenthal is the author of two books about police work called Sky Cops and K-9 Cops. He also wrote a novel called The Murder of Old Comrades. His new book, Rookie Cop(Leapfrog Press), is a memoir about his time undercover in the Jewish Defense League.

Jazz saxophonist James Carter. He has just released two new CDs— “Chasin’ the Gypsy” and “Layin’ in the Cut” (Atlantic Records). The 31-year-old New York based musician was discovered at the age of 17 by Wynton Marsalis. He’s played with Marsalis, the late Lester Bowie and Kathleen Battle. He has been praised by jazz musicians and critics alike; Richard Harrington of the Washington Post once wrote, “To hear saxophonist James Carter is to be blown away.”

Writer Samuel Freedman. He’s just written a book about the state of the American Jewish Community called “Jew vs. Jew: The Struggle for the soul of American Jewry." (Simon & Schuster) Freedman believes that three fundamental questions are rending the American Jewish community today: "What is the definition of Jewish identity? Who decides what is authentic and legitimate Judaism? And what is the Jewish compact with America?" We talk with Freedman following the recent nomination of the first Jewish vice presidential candidate, Democrat Joe Lieberman.

We’ll speak to Kathryn King about her mother, jazz singer Jeri Southern. King co-produced a new re-issue of her Southern’s work from the fifties (The Very Thought of You: Jeri Southern/The Decca Years, 1951-57/GRP Records). Miles Davis once said she was his favorite singer. She’s been described as “smoky-voiced.” Southern died in 1991 at the age of 64. King has worked in the record industry for 25 years as a corporate executive and independent producer.

Neurosurgeon Frank Vertosick (ver-TAH-sick) writes about the history and management of chronic pain in the new book “Why We Hurt: The Natural History of Pain.” (Harcourt Inc.) (THIS INTERVIEW CONTINUES INTO THE SECOND HALF OF THE SHOW)

Filmmaker Jim Jarmusch (“JAR-mush”). His most recent “Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai” is now out on video. It stars Forest Whitaker. Jarmusch often acts as writer, director, and producer of his films. His other films include Stranger Than Paradise, Down by Law, Mystery Train, Night on Earth, and Year of the Horse. (REBROADCAST from 4/11/2000)

Prize winning author John Irving. He's turned his novel, "The Cider House Rules," into a movie. Irving writes about the Cider House Rules and the process of turning it into a screenplay, in "My Movie Business, A Memoir (Random House). Irving is the author of 9 novels, including "The World According to Garp," "A Prayer for Owen Meany," and "Hotel New Hampshire." “The Cider House Rules” is now out on video. (REBROADCAST from 1/24/2000)