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Rhythm and blues singer ETTA JAMES. She was a teenager when she was discovered by bandleader/talent scout Johnny Otis, who helped her record her first single, "Dance with Me Henry." Her career took off in the sixties, until she battled a drug addiction at the end of that decade. Although JAMES mostly sang R&B, she recently released "Mystery Lady," (Private Music) on which she covers songs by her favorite jazz singer, Billie Holiday. She has a new live album, "Etta James Live From San Francisco," a recording of a 1981 performance at the Boarding House. (On the Spot Live Recordings) (REBROADCAST FROM 8

TV critic David Bianculli will review the television coverage of the Olympic skating showdown.

Editor, author, and Jewish theologian MICHAEL LERNER is founder and editor of "Tikkun" magazine, a bimonthly Jewish critique of politics, culture, and society. In his new book, "Jewish Renewal: A Path to Healing and Transformation" (G.P. Putnam's Sons), LERNER presents a new interpretation of Jewish texts and history, and a new approach to God and prayer.

Writer PHILIP ROTH. He's best known for his books, "Goodbye, Columbus," and "Portnoy's Complaint." Since the publication of his first book, ROTH has been controversial for his treatment of Jewish themes. Some readers think his satirical take is anti-Semitic. His book "Portnoy's Complaint," (1969) a sexual autobiography of a young lawyer, was labeled obscene by some because of its descriptions of masturbation and sexual conquest. Though the literary critics liked it, "a deliciously funny book, absurd and exuberant, wild and uproarious." He's written a number of books since then, including an autobiography, "The Facts," and a portrait of his father, "Patrimony: A True Story," (1989) which was admired for being "deeply resonant." Roth has also edited the Writers from Other Europe series for Penguin Books. He has a new book, "Operation Shylock." (Simon & Sch

WORLD music commentator Milo Miles on the rebirth of rock and roll -- in Mexico.

Film critic STEPHEN SCHIFF reviews "The New Age," starring Judy Davis and Peter Weller. The film is directed by Michael Tolkin, author of "The Player."

2:Writer HOWARD RHEINGOLD. In his newest book, "The Virtual Community: Homesteading on the Electronic Frontier" (Addison-Wesley) he argues that although computer mediated communication has made it possible for people to have access to almost anything, it is dangerous as well. RHEINGOLD says individuals must keep using the internet as a way to express their views or they will loose the ability to do so, as the government and large corporations become more aware of the technology's capabilities. RHEINGOLD is the author of "Virtual Reality" and three other books and editor of "Whole Earth Review."

Classical music critic LLOYD SCHWARTZ reviews "Vivaldi: 6 Cello Sonatas," by Peter Wispelwey and Florilegium (Channel Classics).

Film critic STEPHEN SCHIFF reviews the new summer thriller, "Speed," starring Keanu Reeves and Dennis Hopper.

RICHARD PRICE wrote and produced the new movie "Mad Dog and Glory," which stars Robert Deniro, Bill Murray and Uma Thurman. His most recent novel is the best seller, "Clockers," (published by Houghton Mifflin). Christopher Lehmann-Haupt of The New York Times wrote "the signal achievement of "Clockers' is to make us feel the enormous power of these giants that are drugs, alcoholism, poverty." PRICE also wrote the screenplays for, "The Color of Money," "Sea of Love," and Martin Scorcese's section of "New York Stories.

Television executive GRANT TINKER has written a memoir about his life in TV. "Tinker in Television: From General Sarnoff to General Electric" (Simon & Schuster). TINKER was co-founder of the production company MTM Enterprises with his then wife Mary Tyler Moore. He left MTM at the peak of its sucsess to become the chairman of NBC, and made it the top-rated network, with shows like "Cheers," "The COsby Show," and "St. Elsewhere."

Film critic STEPHEN SCHIFF reviews the film "Reality Bites," a comedy about Love in the ''90''s, directed by Ben Stiller and starring Winona Ryder and Ethan Hawke.