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A Son Reflects on His Father's Letters

Writer Benjamin Cheever is the son of the late novelist and short story master John Cheever. Benjamin collected and edited a collection of his father’s letters. The letters tracked the elder Cheever’s secret bisexuality. Later, Benjamin wrote two novels, The Plagiarist, and The Partisan. (REBROADCAST from 11/11/88)

13:42
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Other segments from the episode on June 16, 1995

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, June 16, 1995: Interview with Chris Elliott and Bob Elliott; Interview with Benjamin Cheever; Interview with Walter Mosley; Interview with Bruno Kirby; Interview with Jim…
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08:49

Father and Son Comedians Tell All

Entertainers Bob and Chris Elliott. Bob has entertained generations as half of the legendary comedy team of Bob and Ray. His son Chris was a writer and performer for Late Night with David Letterman, creating such characters as the Panicky Guy, and the Fugitive Guy. The two of them starred in the Fox comedy, Get A Life. Together, the two wrote a memoir, Daddy’s Boy: A Son’s Shocking Account of Life with a Famous Father. Chris Elliott was a member of the team this past year. (REBROADCAST from 6/7/89)

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02:52

Film Actor Bruno Kirby

Kirby has had prominent roles in films like Good Morning, America, The Godfather II, and When Harry Met Sally. In this 1990 interview, he talks about how his father influenced his acting.

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08:14

An L.A. Cop on How His Father Turned His Life Around

Probation officer for Los Angeles County. Jim Galipeau. He works with gangs and older gang members in Los Angeles. Galipeau has been a probation officer for over 27 years. He’s a Vietnam vet and when he was a teenager he was a street fighter and drug addict. He credits his father with getting him back on track.

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11:18

Writer Ben Cheever

Writer Ben Cheever's new book is called Selling Ben Cheever: Back to Square One in a Service Economy (Bloomsbury). In 1995, Cheever lost his publisher and was not able to sell his third novel. To continue working, he decided to take jobs at chain bookstores, car dealerships, and sandwich shops. His book is about his 5 years working in the 'service economy.' Cheever's novels include The Plagiarist, The Partisan, and Famous After Death. He has been a newspaper reporter and an editor at Reader's Digest.

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16:22

Novelist Benjamin Cheever.

Novelist Benjamin Cheever. He's written a second novel, "The Partisan," (Atheneum). It follows on the heels of his first novel, "The Plagiarist." Both books are funny novels. Of his first, one reviewer wrote, "Wit and pathos, so finely meshed they become inseparable, buoy the main events in this achingly funny first novel. . . This is a touching, entertaining debut." Ben is the son of the late writer John Cheever. In writing his novels Ben said he finally found his own voice, separate from his father's.

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