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Last Updated: August 20, 2008 04:04 am

Michael Beschloss: Tales Of The LBJ Tapes

President's daily conversations shed light on the aftermath of the Kennedy assassination, the progress of the civil rights bill and the escalation of the Vietnam War.

Political Comedian Mort Sahl: Still Laughing

Mort Sahl has skewered presidents from Eisenhower through George W. Bush. The political comedian broke ground back in the late 1950s and early 1960s as a stand-up who looked to the day's headlines for his routines rather than relying on one-liners.

Reporter Helen Thomas Gets An HBO 'Thank You'

Documentarian Rory Kennedy, who's won acclaim and awards for her documentaries <em>American Hollow</em> and <em>The Ghosts of Abu Ghraib</em>, turns her lens on legendary White House correspondent Helen Thomas. David Bianculli has a review.

Tracking TV Politics: 'The Living Room Candidate'

Starting in the '50s, TV became an indispensable tool in any presidential candidate's belt. David Schwartz, Chief Curator of Film at the Museum of the Moving Image, talks with Terry Gross about some of the earliest campaign ads &mdash; and the most influential ones.

Legendary Hitmaker Jerry Wexler

Record producer Jerry Wexler died on August 15. He was 91. Wexler created the careers of some of the greatest musicians of the time, including Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and Led Zeppelin.

The Postmodern Films Of Guy Maddin

Critic-at-large John Powers looks at the recent work of Canadian filmmaker Guy Maddin. His film <em>Brand Upon the Brain!</em> is now out on DVD, and his movie <em>My Winnipeg</em> is currently playing in theaters.

Ted Solotaroff, Literary Talent And Publishing Power

Theodore Solotaroff, founder of <em>The New American Review</em>, died Aug. 8 of complications from pneumonia. He was 79. An influential man in the publishing world, Solotaroff helped writers like Philip Roth achieve recognition.

David Simon, At The End Of His 'Wire'

Critically acclaimed HBO series <em>The Wire</em> came to its close earlier this year; its fifth and final season was released on DVD on August 12. Creator David Simon talks about the show, his career, and the city of Baltimore.

Glen Campbell, Platinum Cowboy

He's put out hit records for half a century, toured with the Beach Boys, even hosted his own TV show. So why is the latest album from the indefatigable country-pop singer called <em>Meet Glen Campbell</em>?

A Filmmaker's Excruciating Return To Adolescence

One of the worst fears of adolescents everywhere is throwing a party that no one attends. This actually happened to director Paul Weiland, who was left alone at his Bar Mitzvah because of the 1966 World Cup. Now, Weiland recreates his embarrassment for the amusement of others in his new movie, <em>Sixty Six</em>.

Alejandro Escovedo: Music To Heal The Spirit

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews <em>Real Animal,</em> the new album by Austin, Texas-based underground legend Alejandro Escovedo.

James Traub On The Russia-Georgia Conflict

Russia and Georgia have signed a cease-fire, but the conflict continues. Journalist James Traub, author of <em>The Freedom Agenda: Why America Must Spread Democracy (Just Not the Way George Bush Did)</em>, discusses the latest developments.

John Geddes: In Defense Of The Soldier Of Fortune

There are 100,000 private military contractors in Iraq. Mercenary John Geddes explains why he thinks this is a good thing. His new book <em>Highway to Hell</em> is an account of his experiences in Iraq as a soldier for hire.

Journalist David Carr Fact-Checks His Own Story

Hostile womanizer, crack addict, <em>New York Times</em> journalist &mdash; David Carr has been all of those, sometimes simultaneously. For his memoir <em>The Night of the Gun</em>, Carr put on his investigative-reporter hat &mdash; to reconstruct his various sordid lives.

Remembering Soul Icon Isaac Hayes

Award-winning soul singer Isaac Hayes died August 10. Hayes' "Theme From Shaft" won both Academy and Grammy awards, and his album <em>Hot Buttered Soul</em> helped pave the way for disco.