Political analyst John Ellis. Ellis has recently proposed that George Bush and whoever wins the Democratic nomination for president engage each other in a series of nine Sunday night debates in the weeks before the 1992 election. Ellis says this would counteract the trend toward soundbites that have defined recent elections. (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane).
After decades of domestic bliss, the comic strip character Blondie is venturing out into the work force. Commentator Maureen Corrigan tells us what she thinks of that development.
Writer David Rieff (pronounced "reef"). he's the author of the new book, "Los Angeles: Capital of the Third World,"(published by Simon and Schuster). He'll talk to Marty about the recovery movement, the proliferation of such self-help books as "Healing the Child Within," and "Choice-Making for Co-dependents," and the popularity of such pop-psychology gurus as John Bradshaw.
Film critic Owen Gleiberman reviews "The Fisher King" the new film by Terry Gilliam, the director of "Brazil." It stars Robin Williams and Jeff Bridges.
International Lawyer and senior associate at the Carnegie Endowment for Peace David Scheffer. His writings appear in the book, "Right v. Might," (published by Council on Foreign Relations Press). He's been following the progress of the UN resolutions since the end of the Gulf War. He'll tell Marty how Iraq has been underreporting its weapons and what the United States is allowed to do about it. (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)
World music critic Milo Miles checks out "Dig," the new album from The Burning Flames, a Caribbean band that started out playing soca, added a strong rock beat, and came up with some of the most infectious dance music anywhere. (It's on Island Records).
Writer Carl Hiaasen (produced "hi-ah-sen"). Hiaasen's latest crime novel, "Native Tongue," continues his tradition of poking fun at his native Florida. When he's not writing crime stories, Hiaasen is an investigative journalist and columnist for the Miami Herald. (It's published by Knopf). (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)
Novelist Russell Banks. In his new novel, "The Sweet Hereafter," Banks explores the aftermath of one of those tragedies that occasionally appear in the news and then quickly fade away. Banks' story revolves around a school bus crash that kills 14 children in a rural New York town. (It's published by Harper Collins). (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)
Editor and columnist Raymond Sokolov. His new book is "Why We Eat What We Eat: How the Encounter Between the New World and the Old Changed the Way Everyone on the Planet Eats." (published by Summit Books) His premise is that Christopher Columbus initiated a worldwide culinary revolution when he discovered the New World. Sokolov is the editor of the Leisure & Arts page of "The Wall Street Journal," a columnist for "Natural History" magazine, and a contributor to "Food and Wine" magazine. (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane).
Writer David Rieff (pronounced "reef"). his new book, "Los Angeles: Capital of the Third World," looks at how the millions of poor immigrants that have come to the Los Angeles area in the past two decades have changed the shape of that city...changing it from the "City of Dreams" that's long been L.A.'s popular image, to a much poorer, problem-ridden,and diverse, place. Rieff says something similar is in store for many other American cities. (The book's published by Simon and Schuster).
Rock historian Ed Ward looks at some of the bands that have changed their identities, and names, along the way, including: the Gladiolas/Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs, James Brown, and the Primettes/Supremes.
Actor David Carradine. He's still known as the star of the 70s TV series, "Kung Fu." Carradine's written a new book about his personal journey through the martial arts, called "Spirit of Shaolin." (It's published by Tuttle).
Former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop. He's written a new memoir, called "Koop: The Memoirs if America's Family Doctor." (It's published by Random House).
Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews "The Death of Klinghoffer," the new opera from composer John Adams. It recently had its American premiere at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
A live concert with jazz pianist, singer, and lyricist Dave Frishberg. Frishberg's long been known for his satirical songs, such as "My Attorney Bernie," and "I'm Hip." His new album, "Classics," is a collection of some of his best-known songs from previous albums. (It's on Concord Jazz records).
Author Shelby Steele. Steele's best-selling book, "The Content of Our Character," is a personal analysis of racism in America. Steele says it's time Blacks in America stopped using racial victimization as a crutch and started to rely on their own efforts to gain access to the mainstream. (It's newly published in paperback by Harper).
