Ethlie Ann Vare and Greg Ptacek, authors of the book Mothers of Invention, a compilation of inventions by women. Some have been rather mundane, like Liquid Paper and drip coffee. But others include radium, the computer language COBOL and the first computer compiler. The authors are better known for their writing about rock and roll. (Interview by Faith Middleton)
Andrew Weil. He's a doctor of holistic medicine and an ethnobotanist, which is the study of how medicinal plants are used in different cultures. (Interview by Faith Middleton).
Book critic John Leonard reviews The Ark Sakura, a new novel by Japanese writer Kobo Abe (Koe-boe Ah-bay). Abe's other books include The Woman in the Dunes and The Ruined Map. The Ark Sakura is a surreal vision of contemporary social and environmental problems.
Violinist Yehudi Menuhin (Ya-hoo-dee Men-you-in). Menuhin's career began early: he was a child prodigy and made his debut in 1924 when he was seven. Since then, he has toured extensively and developed into one of America's most celebrated violinists. In recent years, he has become almost as well known for his deep interest in art, politics, psychology and philosophy. (Interview by Faith Middleton).
Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews the new album "Whatever Next!," from Wally Fawkes and his Soho Shakers. Fawkes is an English clarinetist who has been a part of the British traditional jazz scene since its beginnings in the 1940s.
Television critic David Bianculli reviews a new HBO documentary "Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam." It's combines footage of the war with the voices of actors like Robert De Niro and Sean Penn reading letters the troops wrote home.
Pianist and conductor Leon Fleisher. After a neurological disorder disabled his right hand, he turned to piano works written for the left hand alone, and also began a successful career conducting. (Interview by Faith Middelton).
Nicholas Daniloff. He was a reporter in the Soviet Union for U.S. News and World Report when he was arrested and accused by Soviet authorities of being a spy. He was eventually released after President Reagan agreed to swap a Soviet KGB agent arrested on charges of spying in New York.
Jean-Claude Lauzon. This French Canadian filmmaker talks about his journey from the reform schools of Montreal to becoming an award winning filmmaker. His first feature film "Night Zoo" recently won 13 Genie awards, the Canadian equivalent of the Oscar.
Arthel "Doc" Watson, one of America's premier acoustic folk guitarists. His flat-pick style of playing traditional folk and bluegrass has made his sound one of the most distinctive of any folk artist. His 24 albums have earned him four Grammys. In the folk music community, Watson is best known for his part in preserving the traditional ballads and melodies of southern Appalachia.
Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews a recording featuring British conductor Simon Rattle and his City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in Mahler's "Resurrection Symphony," with contralto Janet Baker and soprano Arlene Auger.
The second of a two-part interview with comedian and political satirist Al Franken. Along with partner Tom Davis, Franken has written for and performed on "Saturday Night Live" since 1975. This second part focuses on Franken's stint with "Saturday Night Live," where he has worked since high school. He discusses his relationship with the NBC censors and performs a skit that never made it on the air.
Language Commentator Geoffrey Nunberg on shibboleths, those subtle points of grammar and usage that linguists' consider vital but which most people have never heard of.
