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Jason Diamond tried to write a biography of John Hughes, director of classic '80s teen movies, but along the way, the story became more about his search for Hughes than the elusive filmmaker himself.

The historian, soon to turn 91, says he always hopes for "a better life... not merely for me, but for all of us," adding: "The only way we can have real peace and happiness in this country and in the world is for everybody to have peace and happiness. And that's what I want."

Malcolm "Mac" Rebennack's music evolved from psychedelic voodoo-rock in the 1960s to classic piano. He's still known for the 1973 single "Right Place, Wrong Time." (This interview was first broadcast in 1986 and 1988.)

This week's puzzle guru is so major, he's a Giant! They Might Be Giants' John Flansburgh recounts past odd jobs and TV show theme songs he never got to write.

As a major retrospective in Los Angeles shows, the modern American artist got us to take a second look at even common objects like numerals, archery targets and, yes, flags.

South African journalist JOHN MATISONN. MATISONN is white and grew up in the suburbs in Johannesburg. (His grandparents emigrated to South Africa at the turn of the century). To N-P-R listeners he's best known for his coverage from South Africa from 1986 to 1991. MATISONN also worked in Washington, D.C. He's now the head of elections for the South Africa Broadcasting Company, S-A-B-C, (which before the end of apartheid, broadcast purely government propoganda). He also co-founded the P-B-I, Public Broadcasting Initiative, to train and recruit South African journalists for the SABC to teach them about balance and fairness in the media.

Spy novelist JOHN LE CARRE. His novels, almost every one of which is considered a masterpiece of the genre, include "The Spy Who Came In From the Cold," "A Small Town in Germany," "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" and "The Little Drummer Girl." To many critics, Le Carre is not simply the finest spy novelist of his era, but perhaps the finest all-around novelist. Several of his works have been made into movies, most notably "Spy Who Came In From the Cold," which starred Richard Burton and Claire Bloom. His new best-seller is called "The Night Manager." (Knopf) (REBROADCAST FROM 5

Actor John C. Reilly co-stars in the hit film Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby with Will Ferrell, which will soon be released on video. Probably best known for his association with writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson in the films Hard 8, Boogie Nights and Magnolia, Reilly got his start with the Chicago-based drama troupe The Steppenwolf Theatre. His other films include The Perfect Storm, Dolores Claiborne, The Thin Red Line, Chicago and The Aviator. This interview originally aired on Aug. 7, 2006.

Filmmaker John Huston -- born 100 years ago Saturday, on Aug. 5, 1906 -- made some of cinema's most enduring classics, among them The Maltese Falcon and The Treasure of the Sierra Madre.

On his latest album, the guitarist puts his funky jazz-rock stamp on compositions that nod to Al Green, Afro-pop and rhythm & blues, with a couple old collaborators in tow.

Writer John Hodgman expounds on a variety of fascinating and sublimely ridiculous subjects — historical, literary and hobo — in his book The Areas of My Expertise.

Last winter’s “Polar Vortex” has unleashed a particularly harsh allergy season, dubbed “The Pollen Vortex.” Baltimore’s asthma-related deaths are almost…

John McCormack was one of the greatest, most versatile singers of the last century. Not only did the Irish tenor sing famous folk songs like "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling," he also was a much-admired opera singer. Commentator Miles Hoffman and NPR's Bob Edwards offer a special St. Patrick's Day retrospective of McCormack's career. Hear samples of Irish folk songs performed by McCormack.

John Williams was already an established composer when he took on Star Wars. That was long ago and far away, in 1976. Nearly 30 years later, he reflects on his role in the making of a cultural milestone.

Cake has five albums to their credit. The band includes trumpeter Vincent DiFiore, bassist Gabriel Nelson, and guitarist Xan McCurdy. The popular alt-rock group combines caustic lyrics with pulsing guitar music and is influenced by many different styles: rock, funk, synth-pop, mariachi and cuban. Sometimes they shoot for a cheap, lo-fi sound, says McCrea. Their new CD is Pressure Chief.

He is one of few western reporters to interview Osama bin Laden, which he did in 1998. Hes collaborated on the new book, The Cell: Inside the 9/11 Plot, and Why the FBI and CIA Failed to Stop It. (Hyperion). In the book they retrace the movements of al-Qaeda leading up to the September 11th attacks.

If this TV cop looks familiar, that's no surprise. All told, Detective Munch (played by Richard Belzer) has appeared in more than 300 individual episodes of eight different television programs.

A century of chemicals from Bethlehem Steel ended up in creek.

Jorgenson's fingers are nothing but a blur when he's notes-deep into a song on his unique guitar. The veteran gypsy-jazz guitarist has performed with Elton John, Bob Dylan and Sting, and was a member of the hit-making Desert Rose Band.

Rock writer Jonathan Cott met John Lennon in 1968 and formed a working relationship with him, as well as with Yoko Ono, that would span more than two decades. Cott was the last journalist to interview Lennon, just three days before the singer was killed.