England

Novelist/screenwriter Hanif Kureishi. Kureishi has been termed by the British press a "literary terrorist" for his works which encompass racist and sexual themes. He wrote the screenplays for "My Beautiful Laundrette," and "Sammy and Rosie Get Laid." Both were directed by Stephen Frears. His new novel is "The Black Album," (Scribner). Kureishi was born and brought up in south London; his father is Pakistani, his mother English.

Film director Ang Lee. He grew up in Taiwan, but studied theater and film production in the United States. His second feature film, "The Wedding Banquet," was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, as was his next film, "Eat Drink Man Woman." Lee's films often portray family relationships with poignancy, respect, and a light comic touch. His latest film is "Sense and Sensibility," the film based on the novel by Jane Austen.

TV critic David Bianculli reviews the fourth season of MTV's "The Real World " documentary series, which is set in London.

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews "Priest," the new movie that has been condemned by many in the religious community.

Commentator Maureen Corrigan reviews two new murder mysteries: the London-set "Original Sin," by P.D. James and "Cranks and Shadows" by K.C. Constantine, which takes place in post-industrial Pennsylvania.

Poet and novelist Michael Ondaatje. He won Britian's highest literary prize, the Booker Prize, for his novel set in post World War II, "The English Patient," (Vintage Books). Ondaatje was born in Cyelon (now Sri Lanka), emigrated to England, and now lives in Canada. He also has written a personal memoir, "Running in the Family," (Vintage) about his eccentric family. Both books are now out in paperback. (Interview by Marty Moss-Coane)

Critic Maureen Corrigan reviews Jacqueline Deval's new book, "Reckless Appetites" (Ecco).

Book critic John Leonard reviews the novel "In the Eye of the Sun," by Ahdaf Soueif, about young Egyptian woman's life in England.

Linguist Geoffrey Nunberg comments on "Estuary English", a new accent in London that combines high and working class modes of speaking.

Rock historian Ed Ward reviews Rhino Record's DIY anthology series chronicling the punk music of the 70s and 80s.

Commentator Maureen Corrigan reviews the author's debut crime novel, "Bucket Nut."

TV critic David Bianculli reviews the sequel to "Prime Suspect," the miniseries on PBS about a woman who becomes a chief inspector, played by Helen Mirren.

British writer Richard Rayner. His new semi-autobiographical novel is "The Elephant," about a son's relationship with his father. The father steals a lot of money, fakes his own death, and disappears for ten years. Once reunited, the two engage in scandalous exploits. One reviewer wrote that the novel progresses from the picaresque to the poignant "densely woven with brilliantly macabre, hilarious details..." (published by Random)

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "England's Dreaming," Jon Savage's new book on the English punk movement.

Filmmaker Isaac Julien. His new movie, "Young Soul Rebels," explores the rise of British funk clubs in late 70s London.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews Graham Parker's new album, "Struck by Lightning." He says it breaks the singer's streak of flops.

Book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews "Possession" by A. S. Byatt. It's a throwback to the big Victorian novels of the 19th century, but with postmodern nods to contemporary literary theory.

Political journalist Christopher Hitchens. His latest book, "Blood, Class, and Nostalgia," looks at the ironic relationship between America and Great Britain.

Writer Hanif Kureishi (kah-REE-she). He wrote the screenplays for the critically-acclaimed movies "Sammy and Rosie Get Laid," and "My Beautiful Launderette." Now he's just published his first novel, called "The Buddha of Suburbia." It's published by Viking.

Actor, comedian, filmmaker, and author Michael Palin. In the fall of 1988, Palin set out to recreate the journey Jules Verne described in "Around the World in 80 Days." Palin circled the globe by using just about every means of transportation except airplane (since that wasn't available in Verne's time). Palin turned his journey into an 8-part TV BBC series (it aired in this country on the A&E network) and a book that's a bestseller in England.