Terry Gross

Actor, comic, writer, director Albert Brooks. Other comics revere him, although he's never been a huge commercial success. The films he's written, directed and acted in are "Real Life," "Modern Romance," "Lost in America," and "Defending Your Life." And he's acted in the films "Taxi Driver," "Broadcast News," and "I'll Do Anything." His latest film which he co-wrote, directed and stars in is "Mother." It's now out on video.

Comedian and current Tonight Show host Jay Leno relates the first time he performed on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show. (REBROADCAST from 10/21/1996)

Actor/Comedian/Screenwriter/Playwright Steve Martin. He's the author a book of plays, and a collection of short stories. His screenwriting credits include "L.A.

Actor/Comedian Richard Pryor. In 1995 he published an autobiographical novel, "Pryor Convictions and Other Life Sentences" (Pantheon Books). A strong man who has overcome such ordeals as a drug addiction, self immolation, and six marriages, Pryor is determined to overcome his most recent battle with multiple sclerosis. (REBROADCAST from 5/22/95.)

Comedian and actor Garry Shandling. He stars in HBO's parody of talk-shows, "The Larry Sanders Show." It features Shandling as a veteran talk-show host. His guests have included Mimi Rogers and Robin Williams, playing themselves. Shandling also starred in "It's Garry Shandling's Show" a few years back. (REBROADCAST from 12/3/92.)

Record producer and songwriter Neil Innes. He is a founding member of the comedy-rock group "The Bonzo Dog Band." He's also a member of "Rutles" the band which he and Eric Idle of Monty Python, created as a spoof of the Beatles. The band recently reunited and recorded a new collection "The Rutles Archaeology" (Virgin Records). Innes is also considered the "seventh Python" player (as in the Monty Python) because he provided and performed comedy music for the troupe.

Comic Lea DeLaria. Don't call her a lesbian. She's a dyke. . . who does standup, and jazz singing. (REBROADCAST from 4/29/93)

Actor John Leguizamo. Leguizamo created and starred in the hit one-man show "Mambo Mouth," based on his experiences as a Latino growing up in Jackson Heights, Queens. "Mambo Mouth" premiered on HBO's Comedy Hour. He has appeared in movies such as "Executive Decision" and this summer's "Spawn." (REBROADCAST from 10/24/91.)

The former president of NBC Entertainment Brandon Tartikoff died yesterday at the age of 48 from complications from treatment for Hodgkin's disease. We remember him with a 1992 interview excerpt. While at NBC, he was responsible for such hit series as "The Cosby Show," "Cheer," "Miami Vice," and "Hill Street Blues." He went on to become chairman at Paramount Pictures. He wrote a book about his NBC years, "The Last Great Ride." (Turtle Bay Books). (REBROADCAST from 10/20/92)

Comedian Richard Belzer. For a number of years now, he's played a detective on the show "Homicide." This interview was conducted before he took on that role. Belzer also appeared frequently on "Saturday Night Live" "The Tonight Show" and "Late Night with David Letterman." He's also written a book titled "How To Be a Stand-up Comic." (Originally broadcast 12/31/87.)