Filed under: Ben Stein • Gulf Oil Spill • Larry King Live

In 1991, Jaycee Dugard was abducted near her home in South Lake Tahoe, California, and was held in captivity for 18 years. Today, at age 29, her smiling face is on the cover of People magazine on newstands everywhere. We'll talk to the editor of People magazine, which features the story about Jaycee's road to recovery. We'll also talk to the families of two missing girls, whose cases police are investigating in connection to Dugard's alleged abductor Phillip Garrido. Does Jaycee Dugard's story give these families hope?

PLUS: Dr. Mehmet Oz! He'll talk about the health care debate and the special free one-day clinic he's offering tomorrow on his show. And last but not least, it's Arianna Huffington vs. Ben Stein! They'll go head to head on health care reform and what it means for you and your family. You won't want to miss it! That's all tonight at 9ET/6PT.

And we want to hear from you:

Do you think a People magazine cover showing Jaycee Dugard's photo is good for her recovery?

Filed under: Arianna Huffington • Ben Stein • Justice • Larry King Live

Note: Ben Stein played the nameless, yet unforgettable, economics teacher in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," which John Hughes wrote and directed.

John Hughes was a stunningly talented director, a wildly funny writer, a great friend, a Republican in a town where being a Republican takes some courage. But most of all, he was a poet. He was to the postwar middle class white kid what John Keats was to the age of upheaval during The French Revolution and the Napoleonic wars.

John Hughes had many brilliant insights: his portrayal of the carnage that modern business travel wreaks in men's lives in "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" was by far the best evisceration of what deregulation has wrought, and a powerful comment about the loneliness of the life of the working middle aged traveling man.  His understanding of the mind set of the rich preteen child–total paranoia combined with almost Hitlerian fantasies of power and sadism, was made funny in his "Home Alone" movies.  His thought that family is far more of a combined prison and circus than a heaven was brought to hilarious life by his "National Lampoon's Vacation" series.

But the insight that will make him immortal came in his teen movies, "The Breakfast Club," "Pretty in Pink", "Sixteen Candles" and my favorite, the one that changed my life, "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." This insight was that the modern American white middle class teen combines a Saudi Arabia sized reservoir of self obsession and self pity, with a startling gift for exultation and enjoyment of life. No one had ever thought to note that along with James Dean's sulky self obsession might also come a shriek of happiness at just being alive.

John Hughes–Republican–saw that potential, saw that the individual still had the ability to transcend whatever was weighing him or her down and come out leading a parade down Michigan Avenue.

This insight sized up teens perfectly but also ennobled them, which made them–and all of us–love him. In a way, he was describing modern man of any age.

There is no one else who can lay a glove on this insight or portray it so magnifcently in the young American.

John Hughes was irreplaceable.

Filed under: Ben Stein

Filed under: Ben Stein • Larry King Live • Michael Eric Dyson

Tonight: Outrage over insurance giant AIG paying millions in bonuses to 73 employees AFTER our government pledged $170-BILLION of taxpayer money to keep the company afloat!  President Obama expressed dismay and anger over the payouts, some politicians are even calling for exorbitant tax rates on those bonuses to help recoup some of the taxpayer's money!  One senator even suggested AIG representatives should "resign, or commit suicide." 

WE WANT TO KNOW WHAT YOU THINK! We're inviting you to sound off!

COMMENT HERE! Then, tune-in to the live show tonight at 9 p.m, ET.  We may use you comment during our blog segment.

Also tonight, Donald Trump joins Larry to talk AIG, Bernie Madoff and how he's weathering uncertain economic times.

Then, Ben Stein and Arianna Huffington debate the issues, including AIG, Pres. Obama's recovery plan, Megan McCain vs. Laura Ingrahm and more!

But first, actress Natasha Richardson was reportedly injured on a ski slope in Canada - and one website even reported her death!  What really happened and how is she doing?  Reporters and people-in-the-know join Larry tonight with the latest.

Please:

1) Stay on topic.
2) Keep it short
3) No curse words

4) No links

5) Use a name (no initials or screen names)

Filed under: AIG • Ben Stein • Larry King Live • Trump

Tonight, Larry talks to financial experts Ben Stein, Dave Ramsey, Don Peeples and CNN's Ali Velshi, host of "Your $$$$."  Is the recession deepening?  Is there more bad news to come?  With that, we want to know what YOU are doing to save money now.  So, that's our "Question of the Day!"

"What are YOU doing to save money during these uncertain economic times?"

Share you money-saving tips with us.  And tune-in to the live program tonight at 9 p.m.  We just may use your comment on the air.

Also tonight, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal talks to Larry in his first interview since responding to Pres. Obama’s congressional address.   It's a Larry King exclusive.  We'll also ask him about Rush Limbaugh and the current state of the Republican Party.

Please:
1) Stay on topic.
2) Keep it short
3) No curse words
4) No links

5) Use a name (no initials or screen names)

Filed under: Ben Stein • Bobby Jindal • Larry King Live • Question of the Day

by Ben Stein

In Biblical times, the Pharisees were a class of people who claimed superior religious and sacred status by virtue of their modest living and supposed lack of ostentation. Jesus railed against them as hypocrites because while they claimed to be humble, they really engaged in the worst possible sin: spiritual pride.

This subject comes to mind because of the New Phariseeism taking place in Washington under President Obama (and during the waning days of George W. Bush). Please understand that I like Obama and wish him success in his endeavors, especially in keeping this nation safe and prosperous. And I do not share the contempt that many in this country have for Congress.

But in the recent behavior of some of Obama's colleagues - especially those in the Treasury and Congress - we are seeing some extremely naive Pharisaical acts and attitudes that could cause real harm.

(Read More of Stein's commentary HERE)

Filed under: Ben Stein • Economy

Tonight, a stimulating debate on Obama's stimulus package.  Will the president achieve passage of this rescue plan?  And, what do YOU think of the proposal?  That's our "Question of the Day!"  Sound off and tune-in tonight. 

"Do YOU Support the 819 Billion-Dollar Economic Stimulus Package?"

Join us tonight at 9 p.m., ET, as Ben Stein, Paul Begala, Rep. Barney Frank and Rep. Marsh Blackburn talk about the economic stimulus bill that the U.S. House of Representatives passed this evening.    

Then, personal finance experts Jean Chatzky and "The Motley Fools," David & Tom Gardner offer their advice on how to stimulate YOUR finances.   Have a question or comment for them?  CLICK HERE!  And tune-in tonight.  We may use it on the air!

Filed under: Ben Stein • Economy • Larry King Live • Question of the Day

Today, the $700 billion dollar Wall Street bailout did not pass in Congress, and the stock market tanked. What does this mean for your wallet, your 401k, and your job security?
How will the world financial crisis affect the U.S. elections, and who is to blame?
Suze Orman, Ben Stein, and others join Larry. Ask our experts, and chime in with your opinions. We might even use your questions and comments on air!

Filed under: Ben Stein • CNN • Larry King Live • Suze Orman