Terry Gross

The comic whose Beyond the "Seven Dirty Words" routine that sparked a famous obscenity case in the 1970s, George Carlin has been an icon of American humor for decades. Now he has a new HBO special, Life is Worth Living — a parody on life, death and suicide. The show, Carlin's 13th HBO special, will air on Nov. 5.

Actor and writer Steve Martin's novella Shopgirl is now a new film — he wrote the screenplay and stars in it as well. It's the latest turn for the comedian who also pens plays and novels.

Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer has written about his interpretation of the constitution in the new book Active Liberty.

Editor and writer Walter Kirn's latest novel, Mission to America, is about a fictional quasi-religious group, the Aboriginal Fulfilled Apostles, seeking new converts to help them survive. The topic is one Kirn has experience with: When he was 12, Kirn's family became Mormons.

Actor, producer, writer, director George Clooney directed and co-wrote the new film Good Night, and Good Luck, about the showdown between legendary journalist Edward R. Murrow and Sen. Joseph McCarthy that took place in 1954.

Director/producer Nick Park is the three-time Academy Award-winning creator of the much-loved animated British characters Wallace and Gromit.

Radio host Bob Edwards is the author of the book Edward R. Murrow: and the Birth of Broadcast Journalism. It covers some of the same ground as a new feature film, Good Night, and Good Luck, which chronicles Murrow's conflict with Sen. Joseph McCarthy.

Martha Stewart turned her lifestyle advice into a billion-dollar business: Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. In addition to her magazines, Stewart has a new book, The Martha Rules: 10 Essentials for Achieving Success as You Start, Grow, or Manage a Business. She also has new shows on television and radio this fall.