Terry Gross

Elisabeth Sifton is the daughter of American theologian Reinhold Niebuhr, who wrote the Serenity Prayer. The prayer appeals for grace, courage and wisdom. It has become a mantra of Alcoholics Anonymous, but has appealed to, and been quoted by, many people all over the world. Niebuhr wrote it in 1943. Sifton's new book about her father and the circumstances that led to the prayer is The Serenity Prayer: Faith and Politics in Times of Peace and War. Sifton is senior vice president of Farrar, Straus and Giroux and has been an editor and book publisher for 40 years.

Earlier this year The Simpsons celebrated its 300th episode, making it the longest-running animated series on TV.

He's starring in the new film The Singing Detective, based on the Dennis Potter PBS mini-series. He received an Academy Award nomination and won the British Academy Award for best actor, for his performance in the title role of Chaplin. He starred in Wonder Boys, Two Girls and a Guy, Natural Born Killers and The Pick-Up Artist. He also made his primetime television debut on Ally McBeal. Now in recovery, Downey has struggled with drug addiction for years.