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.
Film maker Marlon Riggs. His documentary about the lives of gay black men in America "Tongues Untied," airs next week on the public television series, "P.O.V." However, many PBS stations will not be showing the film, citing the films strong language and imagery. We'll also talk with three public broadcasting executives involved in the controversy:
Actor Gary Busey. Busey electrified audiences and the critics with his starring role in "The Buddy Holly Story." More recently, Busey was the arch villain in "Lethal Weapon." He co-stars with Patrick Swayze and Keanu Reeves in the new movie, "Point Break."
We talk with Jodi Jacobson, senior researcher at the World Watch Institute, and the author of a new report on the state of women's health around the world.
Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "Luck of the Draw," the new album from Bonnie Raitt. It's the follow-up to her hugely successful 1989 album, "Nick of Time."
Former Costa Rican president Oscar Arias. Arias received the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to bring peace to Central America, a task he still pursues.
