T.V. critic David Bianculli explains how two programs are making changes to appease their respective audiences: "Murder One" and Dana Carvey's Variety Show.
Amherst College professor Austin Sarat, a Ph.D. in political science with a law degree from Yale University, is teaching a course on Murder which is the most popular in the school's history--with one fifth of the entire student body enrolled. It breaks the record of a course on Human Sexuality offered in the 70's. The syllabus includes selections from literature, film, and television like "Crime and Punishment," and "Macbeth," as well as "Pulp Fiction," and "Psycho." (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)
The Very Rev. James Parks Morton, Dean of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine has announced his intentions to resign on Jan. 1, 1997. He will be leaving after 25 years of leadership at the world's largest Gothic cathedral to head a new organization, the Interfaith Center of New York. During his tenure as Dean of the nation's largest church he has created a congregation of 1,000, built 20,000 apartments for the poor, and established a living community of faith having much of the same energy and intellectual stimulation possessed by medieval cathedrals.
China scholar Orville Schell, and Vice Chairman of Human Rights Watch, Asia. He will be talking about the crisis between China and Taiwan. SCHELL has written nine books on China, as well as contributing to magazines and television. His latest book is "Mandate of Heaven: A New Generation of Entrepreneurs, Dissidents, Bohemians, and Technocrats Lays Claim to China's Future." (Simon & Schuster, 1994). Schell is also a board member of Human Rights in China. (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)
Part Two of Rock historian Ed Ward's piece on the burgeoning Austin, Texas music scene. The SXSW (South by Southwest Music & Media Conference) is meeting at the Austin convention Center March 13-17.
Internationally renowned professor of behavioral pharmacology at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, Nicholas Dodman, is an expert in domestic animal behavior and psychology. In the new book "The Dog Who Loved Too Much" (Bantam) he illustrates his unique treatments and creative cures for pet disorders with stories from his own practice. Dr. Dodman's therapeutic innovations include, changes in the dog's diet, exercise regime, and even the prescription of some "human" personality drugs. (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane).
Rock historian Ed Ward on the burgeoning Austin, Texas music scene. The SXSW (South by Southwest Music & Media Conference) is meeting at the Austin convention Center March 13-17.
Internationally renowned professor of behavioral pharmacology at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, Nicholas Dodman, is an expert in domestic animal behavior and psychology. In the new book "The Dog Who Loved Too Much" (Bantam) he illustrates his unique treatments and creative cures for pet disorders with stories from his own practice. Dr. Dodman's therapeutic innovations include, changes in the dog's diet, exercise regime, and even the prescription of some "human" personality drugs. (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)
Photographer Fazal Sheikh. Since graduating from Princeton University in 1987 he has won an impressive collection of awards including the Leica Medal of Excellence, The Ruttenberg Award, and a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship. His new book "A Sense of Common Ground," (Scalo) presents a series of photographs taken of African refugees from several different camps. The book was published along with a traveling exhibition, opening at the International Center for Photography in New York City. (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)
President of the Social Democratic and Labour Party of Northern Ireland, John Hume. He's been an advocate of nonviolence throughout the 25 years of violence in Ireland. He has received numerous peace and humanitarian awards, has been nominated several times for the Nobel Peace Prize, and is thought to be a leading contender for the award this year. He has a new memoir "A New Ireland: Politics, Peace, and Reconciliation" (Roberts Rinehart Publishers). (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)
National Correspondent for U.S. News and World Report Scott Minerbrook. He writes regularly for public radio and his work has appeared in a myriad of publications including The New York Times, and Emerge, where he is a contributing editor. He has received several awards, most recently one from the National Association of Black Journalists. His new book "Divided to the Vein: A Journey into Race and Family" (Harcourt Brace & Co.) discusses the racism he encountered within his own family as the son of a white woman and a black man. (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)
Veteran music businessman Bill Alder, and poet Bob Holman are partners of Mouth Almighty Records which is distributing the condensed soundtrack of the PBS series, "The United States of Poetry", a MTV version of the spoken words featuring everything from rappers to beat poets. (the label Mouth Almighty, is distributed by Mercury Records, in New York, 212-333-8000)
Poet, musician Dave Alvin, is best known for his songwriting and guitar playing for the Blasters and the influential punk band X, as well as his solo career. He has a new collection of his poems and writings called, "Any Rough Times Are Now Behind You,"(Incommunicado)
Journalist Gregory Vistica, has received numerous local and national awards including the George Polk Award for exposing the sex-abuses and irresponsible authority of the Tailhook scandal. He has written a book entitled, "Fall from Glory: The Men Who Sank the U.S. Navy" (Simon & Schuster) detailing his investigation into the failed Navy leadership which has fostered the growth of wide spread dissipation in Navy conduct.