Terry Gross

Washington Post reporter, Peter Slevin, talks about his colleague and friend, Elizabeth Neuffer. He was called to the scene of her car accident. We talked to him on his satellite phone from Baghdad.

For years he collaborated with music writer Burt Bacharach. Between them they've written such famous songs as Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head, Close to You, What's New, Pussycat?, and That's what Friends are For. This interview first aired October 22, 1997.

omposer Burt Bacharach will turn 75 on May 12. Bacharach is said to have revolutionized the sound of the 1960s. Along with lyricist Hal David, he wrote dozens of hits during the 60s including "What's New Pussycat," "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head" and "This Guy's In Love With You." The songwriting team received every major music industry award in addition to 20 gold records — plus an Academy Award, a Grammy and induction into the Songwriters' Hall of Fame. A new Broadway musical, The Look of Love, is based on their work.

His TV series on Comedy Central, Primetime Glick, is a spoof of celebrity talk shows. Short plays Jiminy Glick, the self-absorbed host of the fictitious talk show. He interviews A-list celebrity guests, but often gets information about these guests wrong. The third season of Primetime Glick premiered April 30. Martin Short was a cast member on both Saturday Night Live and SCTV and is starring in the L.A. production of The Producers. His movies include Father of the Bride, The Three Amigos and Innerspace. This interview first aired February 21, 2002.

Chayes is a former NPR reporter, is now field director of Afghans for Civil Society. It's a non-profit, non-governmental organization founded to promote a democratic alternative and to assist in the development of a civil society. ACS involves the community in reconstruction efforts, from physical reconstruction of a bombed-out village, to organizing a women's income generating project, to launching an independent radio station. The new independent documentary Life After War chronicles the group's efforts. While at NPR, Chayes reported from Paris, Kosovo and Afghanistan.

Writer Sarah Waters is the author of three novels which she calls "lesbo-Victorian romps." The lesbian-themed books are: Tipping the Velvet (about "a sort of Moll Flanders in drag"); Affinity (a historical book set in a Victorian women's prison); and Fingersmith (a gothic melodrama). Fingersmith was shortlisted for the Booker Prize. Tipping the Velvet was made into a BBC miniseries and it will be shown on BBC America, beginning Friday, May 23.

Actor John Malkovich is making his directorial debut with the new film The Dancer Upstairs. Malkovich has been nominated twice for an Academy Award for his work in the films In the Line of Fire and Places in the Heart. His other films include Heart of Darkness, Being John Malkovich, Shadow of the Vampire, Woody Allen's Shadows and Fog and Steven Spielberg's Empire of the Sun. Malkovich is also a founding member of Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre Company.

Author of The Iron Triangle: Inside the Secret World of the Carlyle Group (Wiley). The Carlyle Group is one of the most powerful and well-connected private equity firms in the world. Its investments — most notably — in timely defense and aerospace industries has made it highly profitable. The group's roster includes or has included former President George Bush, Sr., (advisor), former Secretary of Defense Frank Carlucci (former chairman), Saudi Arabian Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal (investor) and former Secretary of State, James Baker III (managing director and senior counselor).

Vice President for Corporate Communications and spokesman for The Carlyle Group, Christopher Ullman.

Christian missionaries — mainline and evangelical — want to go to Iraq to provide humanitarian aid. But their presence would be troubling for many Muslims who are suspicious that aid is just a cover for another motive — converting Muslims to Christianity. We talk with two individuals with opposing views on the subject: Albert Mohler is a minister and president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He's considered a leader among American evangelicals. Southern Baptists are pledging to go into Iraq to provide humanitarian aid.