Randy Shilts, author of And the Band Played On - Politics, People and the AIDS Epidemic, a controversial book that reveals the identity of the first person to the bring AIDS to the United States. The book also raises questions about the government's response to the crisis.
Book Critic John Leonard reviews The Dresden Gate the novel by Michael Schmidt that explores the misbegotten efforts of Europeans to export their systems of civilization - religion, government, culture - on the Latin American soul.
Character actor Ned Beatty. He spent 15 years in theater before making his film debut in "Deliverance." Since then, he's played everything from a sinister executive in "Network" to a clownish sheriff in the Burt Reynolds film "Stroker Ace." In all, Beatty has acted in 37 feature films, and 44 television movies or series.
Hanif Kureishi, a Pakistani-Briton, wrote the screenplay for 1985's surprise hit "My Beautiful Laundrette," which explored the oppression of Pakistanis in England. His new film is titled "Sammy and Rosie Get Laid."
Jazz Critic Kevin Whitehead reviews "It Just So Happens," the new album by trombonist Ray Anderson, whose style draws on the technique of the old New Orleans jazzmen.
Television Critic David Bianculli previews "Echoes in the Darkness," an upcoming CBS miniseries about the murder of schoolteacher Susan Reinert and her two children in the Philadelphia suburb of Upper Merion. The principal of the school, Jay Smith, and a fellow teacher, William Bradford, were later convicted of the murder.
Poet and playwright Kenneth Koch. He has written books on working with children to get them to write poetry. He is one of the most respected of the New York poets.
Novelist and screenwriter William Goldman. His 1973 novel, The Princess Bride, was just made into a movie by director Rob Reiner. The movie is based on a screenplay Goldman wrote shortly after completing the novel. Goldman also wrote the screenplays for "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" and "All The President's Men."
Ellen Pfeifer, music critic for The Boston Herald, reviews the brief career of cellist Jacqueline Du Pré, who died on Monday from the effects of multiple sclerosis. Her playing was a described as a mixture of elegance and ferocity. When the disease struck at the age of 26, it cut short one of the most promising solo careers in all classical music.
Playwright Wendy Wasserstein, author of an upcoming episode on the new PBS comedy series "Trying Times." Her other plays include Isn't it Romantic and Uncommon Women and Others.
Film Critic Stephen Schiff will review "Hope and Glory," starring Sarah Miles and Ian Bannen, and directed by John Boorman, ("Deliverance"). Told from the point of view of a 9-year-old, it is the story of a family trying to survive during the terror that gripped London during World War II.
Rock Critic Ken Tucker reviews "Introducing The Hardline According to Terrence Trent D'Arby," the most recent album by British rock and soul singer Terrence Trent D'Arby.
Comedian Yakov Smirnoff. He arrived in the U.S. from the Soviet Union 10 years ago with $100 in his pocket. Today he is a leading comic who has appeared in movies and had his own syndicated TV show called "What A Country."
Father Niall O'Brien. He has worked for over 20 years as a missionary priest in the Philippines. He was imprisoned by the Marcos regime because he helped the poor to start self-reliant Christian communities. He continues his work in the Philippines under the Aquino government.
Ed McBain (also known as Evan Hunter), prolific writer of detective fiction, best known for his "87th Precinct" series of police procedurals and mystery novels. His most recent novel is titled Tricks. McBain writes in other genres under different pseudonyms.
Book Critic John Leonard reviews Belfast Diary, the non-fiction account of the civil war that has flared through Northern Ireland. The author is Chicago journalist John Conroy.
