Lawyers
Bob Odenkirk Brings Some Laughs To 'Breaking Bad'
Fast-talking, sleazeball lawyer Saul Goodman knows how to bend the law, or break it, depending on his clients' needs. Odenkirk tells Fresh Air's Terry Gross about playing the AMC drama's most comedic character, and the origins of Saul's comb-over.
For Two Decades, Defending Death Row Inmates.
Attorney David Dow has spent his career representing inmates who have been sentenced to death. Despite his efforts, many of his clients have been executed — and most of them were guilty. He details what it's like to become emotionally involved with the people living on death row in a new memoir.
This interview was originally broadcast on Feb. 8, 2010. 'The Autobiography of an Execution' is now available in paperback.
'Law & Order' Moves Back To Wednesdays
Dick Wolf created the longest-running drama on network TV, Law & Order. NBC is moving the procedural back to Wednesday's 'Crime Time' after it opened to a poor showing on Friday nights this year.
John Grisham
One of the most popular writers of the legal thriller genre, John Grisham, talks to Terry about writing and law. His new book is called The Summons. It's about two brothers, their recently deceased father, and a mysterious stash of $3 million. Grisham is the author of Skipping Christmas, A Painted House, The Brethren, The Testament, The Street Lawyer, The Partner, The Runaway Jury, The Rainmaker, The Chamber, The Client, The Pelican Brief, The Firm, and A Time to Kill. Rebroadcast from Feb. 27, 1997.
Remembering George V. Higgins.
We remember crime novelist George V. Higgins. He was found dead at his home on Saturday, apparently of natural causes. He was 59. He was best known for his best seller, "Friends of Eddie Coyle," published in 1972. (REBROADCAST from 9/30/1986)
The Two Best Dramas on TV Return for New Seasons
TV critic David Bianculli reviews "The Practice" and "Homicide."
Novelist John Grisham on Escaping -- and Returning to -- His Lawyering Life
Memorial Day Weekend kicks off the summer season -- time to pick out those beach side books. One name on many people's reading list will be John Grisham - a name synonomous with the legal thriller. The prolific writer has seven novels to his credit. His eighth and newest is "The Partner." (Doubleday) He recently returned to practicing law. Grisham spoke to Terry about writing and lawyering. (REBROADCAST from 2/27/97)
TV Gets Better After the February Sweeps
TV critic David Bianculli previews two new TV shows that are popping up in this post-sweep period: "The Practice" on ABC and a revamped "EZ Streets" on CBS. He says both are worth watching.
Novelist John Grisham on Escaping -- and Returning to -- His Lawyering Life
One of the most popular writers of the legal thriller genre, John Grishim. The prolific writer has seven novels to his credit. His eighth and newest is "The Partner." He recently returned to practicing law.
The Newest Grisham Adaptation is a Dark Twist on "To Kill a Mockingbird"
Fresh Air film critic John Power reviews the movie version of John Grisham's novel, "A Time To Kill."