Terry Gross

The novelist has been described by Kirkus Reviews as "The British master of social satire." He's written nine novels, short stories, and written for radio, television, and the stage. His newest novel is "Footsucker," whose narrator is a serious man with a full life and a foot fetish.

O'Brien took over David Letterman's spot in 1993, and his "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" has just celebrated it's third birthday. Previous to that, he was a writer for Saturday Night Live and The Simpsons.

He's the man who wrote "Blue Suede Shoes," the hit song sung by Elvis Presley which became the first Sun label record to sell over a million copies. Carl Perkins has also written the songs, "Matchbox," "Honey Don't," and "Everybody's Trying to Be My Baby" which have been recorded by the Beatles. Born in Tennessee, he's a pioneer of rockabilly music. His new memoir and CD are both called "Go Cat Go!"

Kingsley is the British actor who won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in the film, "Ghandi." He's also known for his roles in "Bugsy," Schindler's List," "Sneakers," and "Species," and many more movies and plays. Kingsley was a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal Court in London and the National Theatre. His new film is "Twelfth Night."

Documentary film producer Paul Stekler. He co-produced the new film series, "Vote for Me - Politics in America," a look at how American culture is reflected in local politics. This PBS series examines the various things candidates will do in their campaigns to be elected. Also interviewed was Maggie Lauterer, the subject of one "Vote for Me" episode. She's a former journalist and first-time candidate who ran for Congress in North Carolina, and lost.

Hass has written several books of poetry including "Praise," "Human Wishes," He also edited "The Essential Haiku: Versions of Basho, Buson & Issa." He's been nominated to receive the National Book Award for his latest collection of poems, "Sun Under Wood." In addition to his job as a Poet Laureate, which will continue through to this May, Hass is involved in environmental activism and he continues to teach in the English department of the University of California at Berkeley. (REBROADCAST from 4/23/96)

Throughout his solo career, Costello has performed and recorded with diverse artists like The Brodsky Quartet and jazz guitarist Bill Frisell. He's written about 300 songs. His latest release is "All This Useless Beauty," which he recorded with The Attractions. (REBROADCAST from 6/4/96)

Pacino talks with Terry Gross about his new movie "Looking for Richard." He directed, produced and stars in this experimental film. It takes us behind the scenes of a production of Shakespeare's Richard the Third, and features Winona Ryder, Alec Baldwin, Vanessa Redgrave and Kenneth Branagh. Pacino currently stars in the Broadway production "Hughie" by Eugene O'Neil.

The sixty-year-old writer talks with Terry Gross about his new book "Angela's Ashes." The memoir recounts his childhood experience growing up in the slums of Ireland. McCourt lives in New York.

We continue our conversation with Rabbi Burton Visotzky. He talks about being an academic rabbi, whose role is to teach rather than lead a congregation.