Comedy

We hear an excerpt of an interview with Lenny Bruce's mother, Sally Marr. The interview was conducted in 1989 by radio producer Larry Josephson for his program "Modern Times." (Josephson's radio documentary "Lenny Bruce Remembered" can be ordered by calling, 1-800-528-4424, or writing Radioart, Box 2000 GPO, New York, N.Y. 10116. The cost is $30 for 2 tapes. The documentary is 4 hours long).

Documentary filmmaker Robert Weide ("WHY-dee"). He's made his reputation making films about comedy and comediennes. His films include: "The Marx Brothers In a Nutshell" (PBS), "The Great Standups" (HBO), and the Emmy Award winning "W.C. Fields Straight Up." His latest project is the HBO documentary "Lenny Bruce: Swear to Tell the Truth" (on HBO). It premiered on HBO August 9th.

Documentary filmmaker Robert Weide ("WHY-dee"). He's made his reputation making films about comedy and comediennes. His films include: "The Marx Brothers In a Nutshell" (PBS), "The Great Standups" (HBO), and the Emmy Award winning "W.C. Fields Straight Up." His latest project is the HBO documentary "Lenny Bruce: Swear to Tell the Truth" (on HBO). It premiered on HBO August 9th.

Stand-up comic Margaret Cho. Her new one-woman show "I'm The One That I Want" is about her foray into the TV sitcom, when she was the first Asian-American to star in her own TV show. The series, "All-american Girl" was short lived, and a nightmare for Cho.

Scott Dikkers is editor-in-chief of The Onion, an alternative weekly based in Madison, Wisconsin. He along with the editors of The Onion, have published the new book "Our Dumb Century" (Three Rivers Press) It's a parody of newspaper headlines spanning this century.

Comedian and actor Damon Wayans talks about his new book "Bootleg." (Harper Collins) It features a collection of his humorous observations and advice on everything from relationships to race relations. After making a name on the stand-up comedy circuit in the 1980's Wayans moved on to become one of the original stars of "In Living Color" the show that launched Jim Carrey's career. Damon's film include Hollywood Shuffle, Mo' Money, The Last Boy Scout, Major Payne and Great White Hype.

Janeane Garofalo and Ben Stiller have co-written the new book "Feel this Book: As Essential Guide to Self Empowerment, Spiritual Supremacy, and Sexual Satisfaction." (Ballantine Publishing) In this parody of self-help books, the two dispense such wisdom as "You mother lied; looks are everything," to "Being poor sucks.

Comedienne Joy Behar. She can be seen regularly on the ABC women's talk show, "The View." She also appears as a neurotic patient on "Dr. Katz: Professional Therapist for Comedy Central." She has a new book, "Joy Shtick: or What is the Existential Vacuum and Does it Come with Attachments?" (Hyperion)

Former writer and producer for "Seinfeld," Peter Mehlman. Thanks to him, the terms "shrinkage" and "Yada-Yada" as used on "Seinfeld" became a part of popular culture. Now Mehlman has created the new sitcom "It's Like, You Know" about a transplanted New Yorker in L.A., and the clash of East and West culture

TV critic David Bianculli previews this Sunday night's debut of Matt Groening's "Futurama." Groening is the creator of "The Simpsons."

TV critic David Bianculli reviews tonight's debut of the CBS sitcom "Payne". It was inspired by the British hit "Fawlty Towers."

Writer for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Jon Macks. He has a new book that spoofs books about spiritualism. It's called "Heaven Talks Back" (Simon & Schuster).

Host Garrison Keillor of Minnesota Public Radio's "A Prairie Home Companion." His new book has caused quite a stir. "Me: by Jimmy (Big Boy) Valente as told to Garrison Keillor" (Viking) satirizes Minnesota's new state governor, and former professional wrestler, Jesse Ventura. The governor, who plans to write his own autobiography, called Keillor's book "cheating" and proposed gradually eliminating state funding for Minnesota's public radio and TV. He also singled out Keillor saying he'd like to see his W-2.

Satirist Harry Shearer. His new book is "It's the Stupidity, Stupid: Why (Some) People hate Clinton and Why the Rest of Us Have to Watch." (The Library of Contemporary Thought, The Ballintine Publishing Group). He'll discuss the Impeachment proceedings.

Actor Bill Murray. He stars in the new film "Rushmore" which opens nationally this weekend. Murray began his career in Chicago with the improv troupe Second City. He joined Saturday Night Live in its second season. After leaving SNL, he starred in such films as "Meatballs," "Stripes," "Ghostbusters," "Caddy Shack," "What About Bob?" "Groundhog Day." He received an Emmy Award for his writing in SNL and was named 1985 Star of the Year by the National Association of Theater Owners.

Satirist Al Franken, former writer for Saturday Night Live, and creator of Stuart Smalley (author of "I'm Good Enough, I'm Smart Enough, and Doggone It, People Like Me!"). His new book is "Why Not Me: The Inside Story of the Making and Unmaking of the Franken Presidency" (Delacorte Press). It's the story of America's first jewish president, himself, Al Franken!

A few months ago, critic David Bianculli identified five shows to follow this season. Of them, he says "Sports Night" is the best.

We'll feature a live, on-stage interview recorded with the Farrelly Brothers from this year's New York Comedy Film Festival. Peter and Bobby Farrelly wrote and directed this summer's hit film "There's Something About Mary." They also collaborated on Dumb and Dumber and Kingpin. Slated for release later this year is the film version of Outside Providence (penned by Bobby Farrelly), starring Alec Baldwin and directed by Michael Corrente.

New York writer Daniel Drennan has written a new collection of essays about life in Manhattan. His book "The New York Diaries: Too True Tales of Urban Tramau" is published by Ballantine Books.

Political satirist and impressionist Jim Morris. He began lampooning the presidents at about the time Ronald Reagan was sworn into office. Since then he's impersonated George Bush and Bill Clinton. He'll discuss what he's done with his act since the Clinton scandal broke.