Pokemon (POH-kay-mahn) is the latest kid craze and worldwide phenomenon. It hails from Japan, and began as an Nintendo game, featuring the superpowered animals called Pokemons. There are 150 characters in all. After the game came the trading cards, comic book series, and weekly cartoon. Now there's the Pokemon movie. We meet the American translator of the Pokemon characters, Gerard Jones.
We remember jazz trumpeter Lester Bowie. He died Monday at the age of 58 from liver cancer. Bowie was a founding member of the Art Ensemble of Chicago, founded in 1969. Bowie was known for his flamboyant performing, his sense of humor and theatrics, and his off kilter interpretations of R&B classics. (REBROADCAST from 11/3/89) (THIS INTERVIEW CONTINUES AFTER THE FLOATER).
Manager to TV and film stars, Bernie Brillstein ("STEEN"). His clients include John Belushi and Garry Shandling. He developed a very hands-on style of management, and has written a new memoir about his work, "Where Did I Go Right?: You're No One in Hollywood Unless Someone wants You Dead" (Little, Brown & Co.).
Writer Michael Lewis is the author of "The New New Thing" (Norton) about the Silicon Valley and the man behind the newest billion dollar-making venture. Lewis is also the author of the bestseller, "Liar's Poker" and has been the American editor of the British weekly, "The Spectator" and senior editor at The New Republic.
TV writer, director and producer Marshall Herskovitz. With his partner Edward Zwick, Herskovitz created "Thirtysomething," "My So Called Life," and the new show "Once and Again."
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)
Critic Milo Miles reviews two reissues -- cult favorites -- by the Holy Modal Rounders: Holy Modal Rounders 1 and 2 (on the Fantasy label) and their new album "Too Much Fun" (Rounder Records)
Writer and director Ziad Doueiri ("ZEE-odd Doe-AIR-ee") is making his feature film debut with, "West Beirut." It's set in 1975 during the Lebanese civil war and is largely autobiographical. The film received accolades from the Cannes Film Festival, and the Toronto International Film Festival. Doueiri and his family left Lebanon for California in 1983. Before making this film, Doueiri, was cameraman for all of Quentin Tarantino's films.
Writer and Emergency doctor Frank Huyler (HIGH-ler). Huyler has transformed his experiences working in emergency rooms and hospitals into a series of short stories. His new book is called "The Blood of Strangers: Stories from Emergency Medicine (University of California Press)." His poetry has appeared in a number of publications including the Atlantic Monthly.
Stage legend Elaine Stritch. In a career spanning more than 40 years, she has received acclaim for her work on stage, as well as on television and in motion pictures. She starred in the original 1961 Broadway production of Noel Coward's musical Sail Away. In honor of Coward's upcoming centenary, she'll reprise her role in a concert production at Carnegie Hall.
Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "Looking Forward" the new album by the reunited Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. It's only their 4th album in three decades.
Former Archbishop of Cape Town, South Africa, and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, Desmond Tutu. He is currently a visiting professor at Emory University in Atlanta. He's written a new book about South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission which he was Chairman of: "No Future Without Forgiveness" (Doubleday).
Another edition of our American Popular Song Series, profiling composer Jerome Kern. He wrote the songs "All the Things You are," "Can't Help Lovin' That Man," "I'm Old-Fashioned," "Ol' Man River," and "The Way You Look Tonight." A number of those songs are from the broadway musical "Showboat" which he wrote. We'll focus on the music he wrote before then, before 1927.
Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews "Britten as Performer" a collection of five CDs on the BBC label featuring composer Benjamin Britten as pianist and conductor.
Victoria Price is the daughter of actor Vincent Price, who was best known as the "King of Horror" for his performances in horror films. Victoria is the author of the new book: "Vincent Price: A Daughter's Biography." (St. Martins).
