Comedian and actor Bill Murray. Murray first came to prominence as a cast member of "Saturday Night Live." He then went on to appear in movies such as "Ghostbusters," "Caddyshack," "Meatballs," "Stripes," and "Quick Change." His latest role is in the comedy, "What About Bob?"
Critic Maureen Corrigan reviews "The Adventures of Amos and Andy," writer Melvin Patrick Ely's look at the comedy series, and the controversy it caused.
Writer Howard Rheingold. Rheingold's new book, "Virtual Reality," is a look at the growing promise and impact of a radical new technology. By combining computers with sophisticated equipment (such as 3-D video glasses and gloves that sense how the wearer is moving their hands), it's possible to create the illusion that one is in another world, one that may exist only inside the computer. The technology has implications for everything from space exploration to entertainment, medicine to warfare. (The book's published by Summit Books).
Actor Samuel Jackson. Jackson's won critical raves for his portrayal of a crack addict named Gator in the new Spike Lee film, "Jungle Fever." That role's a breakthrough for Jackson after 20 years of bit parts, commercials, and all types of theater. He also put in two years as Bill Cosby's stand-in on The Cosby Show.
Part two of our interview with Sonny Bono. Today, he talks about the Sonny and Cher years, their breakup, and his going on to be elected mayor of Palm Springs, California. Bono has a new autobiography, called "And The Beat Goes On" (published by Pocket Books).
A live concert with The Jolly Boys. They're a Jamaican band that plays a style of music called mento (It's the Jamaican analogue to calypso, and it paved the way for reggae and ska). The Jolly Boys have a new album on Rykodisc, called "Sunshine 'N' Water." The Jolly Boys include: Moses Deans on banjo, drummer and singer Allan Swymmer, Noel Howard on guitar, and Joseph Bennett on thumb piano.
The first of a two-part interview with Sonny Bono. Today, Bono discusses his early years in the record business, his work with Phil Specter, and his meeting Cher. Tomorrow, he talks about the Sonny and Cher years, their breakup, and his going on to be elected mayor of Palm Springs, California. Bono has a new autobiography, called "And The Beat Goes On" (published by Pocket Books).
Record producer and consultant Colin Escott. Escott's had a long association with Sun Records, the company responsible for many of the great acts from the dawn of rock and roll. Escott has a new book about Sun, called "Good Rockin' Tonight" (published by St. Martin's Press).
Writer John Strawn. Strawn's new book, "Driving the Green," chronicles the process of designing and building a new golf course. (It's published by Harper Collins).
Television critic David Bianculli reviews the new summer series, "Stephen King's Golden Years," about a man who's doused with some evil chemicals and finds himself getting younger with each day. It premieres this week on CBS.
Reporter Leonard Lee. Lee's new book, "The Day the Phones Stopped: The Computer Crisis-- The What and Why of It, and How We Can Beat It," examines how our growing dependency on computers, and the growing complexity of computer programs, have led to expensive, and sometimes deadly, computer failures. Prior to becoming a journalist, Lee was a systems engineer for IBM. ("The Day the Phones Stopped" is published by Donald I. Fine).
Book critic John Leonard reviews two collections of essays about Africa; "African Silences" by Peter Matthiessan and "Maneaters Motel" by Denis Boyles.
Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews "Regarding Henry," staring Harrison Ford as a man who's world changes, not totally for the worse, after he's shot in the head. The film is directed by Mike Nichols and written by J. J. Abrams.
Industrial designer Peter Bressler of Bresslergroup. When the city of Philadelphia wanted to put new trash receptacles in the downtown area, they hired Bressler's firm to figure out which trash can worked best. Bressler talks with us about the difficulties of making a simple object.
We examine recent developments in the Iran-Contra Affair, and how those developments is affecting the nomination of Robert Gates to head the CIA. We speak with Tim Weiner, (wi-ner, not we-ner) who covers national security issues for the Philadelphia Inquirer.
