Dive into the empire that Cheers built. Whether it was The Cosby Show, Seinfeld, Frasier, or Friends, Warren Littlefield oversaw all of it. NBC was a Thursday night powerhouse in the 80s and 90s. But now? That's all pretty much crumbled. Hear an extended interview with a real-life television executive. His book is called Top of the Rock: Inside the Rise and Fall of Must See TV. Plus, Oliver Wang explains how a forgotten Al Green record helped create a new kind of soul music.

Simon Rich is an absolutely hilarious writer. He sits down with Jesse, and says that he doesn't write about the way love happens, he writes about the way love feels. Rich has a new book out -- Last Girlfriend on Earth. Plus, we revisit an interview with comedian Bill Burr. The first time you hear Burr, you might think he’s just a macho, in-your-face type of comic. But most of the time you’ll find him pointing that aggression at himself.

Plus, Eugene Mirman finds an old notebook in his parents basement and hear how soul singer Solomon Burke absolutely, positively tears the house down.

Lynda Barry is a legend of alternative comics. Her strip Ernie Pook's Comeek earner her a reputation as sweet, funny and fearless. Her two most recent books are about how to create art and writing.

Matt Berninger is the frontman of the Brooklyn indie rock band The National.  The band's latest album is High Violet.

Judah Friedlander is a regular on NBC's 30 Rock and the author of How To Beat Up Anybody.  He is the World Champion.

Lee Unkrich is the director of Toy Story 3.  He's worked at Pixar for more than 15 years, and co-directed Finding Nemo, Monsters Inc. and Toy Story 2. 

Chris Morris is a comedy writer, director and performer.  He was voted one of the all-time top 12 "comedians' comedians" in a BBC poll, and his past work includes the news satires Brass Eye and The Day Today.  His new film is a farce about a group of would-be suicide bombers called Four Lions.

William Gibson is a science fiction writer whose works, increasingly, take place in a realistic present.  His latest book, Zero History, is about fashion, authenticity and identity.

Jordan Ranks America for October of 2010.

Dave Tompkins is an acclaimed music journalist.  His new book, How To Wreck A Nice Beach, is a history of the vocoder from its military applications to its musical ones.