Stretching Old Forms to Their Breaking Point

McInerney's first novel -- Bright Lights, Big City -- delved deep into the drug-fueled world of the New York City club scene. His revisits Manhattan's nightlife in his new book, Story of My Life, about an aspiring actress. A movie version of Bright Lights, Big City, starring Michael J. Fox, was released this year.

Beard lives in London, and still hasn't seen The Last Temptation of Christ, which he worked on with director Martin Scorsese. He join Fresh Air to talk about his decision to shoot the film in Morocco, and the history and traditions informing his design choices. His previous films include Brazil and Life of Brian.

TV critic David Bianculli says USA Today: The Television Show is glitzy and stupid and, unlike the newspaper, doesn't give viewers the chance to skip past what they don't like.