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Actor, writer, and Monthy Python member JOHN CLEESE. Post-Python, CLEESE is best known for "Fawlty Towers," and a number of movies, including his 1988 comedy, "A Fish Called Wanda." He's also written a book called "Families and How to Survive Them" with therapist Robyn Skinner, and he makes training films for corporations. (REBROADCAST FROM 6

A concert and interview with SHIRLEY HORN. Playing with her will be drummer Steve Williams and bassist Charles Ables. HORN recorded with Miles Davis and Quincy Jones in the 1960s and sang on the movie soundtrack of "For Love of Ivy." After a hiatus in which she stayed home and raised her daughter, she returned to performing and recording in 1988. Her latest album is "The Main Ingredient" (on Verve). (REBROADCAST. Originally aired 6

Host Bob Edwards talks with author Gore Vidal about his new novel, The Golden Age. In the final volume of a series of historic novels, Vidal writes about the 1940's, a decade that saw the end of World War Two and the dawn of American dominance in everything from business to ballet. Vidal says it was during this time that marked the death of the American republic, as the U-S transformed into a global empire. (6:38) {Stations: "The Golden Age" by Gore Vidal is published by Doubleday ISBN: 0-385-50075-0}

In the first part of a series on female vocalists, NPR's Special Correspondent Susan Stamberg profiles singer Stacey Kent. Kent's, new album was inspired by the singing and dancing of Fred Astaire. It's called, Let Yourself Go: Celebrating Fred Astaire. (6:42) Let Yourself Go: Celebrating Fred Astaire by Stacey Kent is available on Candid-Navarre; ASIN: B0000

Host Renee Montagne talks to author, Michele Serros about her new book, How to Be a Chicana Role Model. The book tells the story of a Chicana writer who's trying to find a way to embrace two very different cultures--without losing her identity in the process. (6:53) Stations: How to Be a Chicana Role Model by Michele Serros is published by Riverhead Books; ISBN: 15732

Talk of tax cuts continues to dominate both chambers of Congress. The tax writing committee of the House this week approved a second phase of President Bush's proposed $1.6 trillion package of tax cuts, this one eliminating the so-called marriage penalty and increasing the child tax credit. But on the Senate side, talk turned to another concept -- the granting of a swift tax rebate that might pump new money into the consumer economy relatively quickly. No sooner did one Republican mention the idea than several leading Democrats adopted it. NPR's Steve Inskeep reports.

NPR's David Welna reports on the Democratic tax-cut proposal. Led by Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, Democrats are pushing for a $300 rebate to every taxpayer (and a $600 rebate to every couple), using about $60 billion from the budget surplus. They are also proposing an immediate cut in the lowest tax rate. Their proposal would be separate from President Bush's signature $1.6 trillion tax-cut plan, and Republicans fear that such a proposal would take the momentum away from Mr. Bush's program.

After 25 years as the host of ABC's Nightline, news anchor Ted Koppel is retiring. Nightline started out in March 1980 as extended news coverage of the hostage crisis in Iran. Koppel has won 37 Emmys and 6 Peabody Awards, as well as many other honors.

A gas station in Rancho Cordova was charging only 69 cents a gallon. The price was supposed to be $6.99. The mistake cost the station $16,000 and the manager his job.

Azaria is also currently starring in the Broadway production of Spamalot the musical version of Monty Python and the Holy Grail. He along with Tim Curry has been nominated for a Tony. He also stars in the Showtime series Huff, about an urban psychiatrist with troubles of his own. Azaria does the voices of Apu the convenience store owner and Moe the bartender, among others, on The Simpsons. This interview was originally broadcast on Dec. 6, 2004.