Weekend Edition Saturday

Hill leaders have been invited back to the White House for more talks on raising the debt ceiling and averting default on U.S. obligations.

Host Scott Simon talks with Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-ND) about the breakdown in federal debt negotiations. This week, the bipartisan "Gang of Six" — to which Conrad belongs — revived hopes of a grand bargain on a budget deal.

Host Scott Simon talks with NPR's Mike Pesca about the latest in the NFL labor talks, a self-assessment effort on behalf of the NCAA and more.

Host Scott Simon talks about the latest debt negotiation impasse with Republican Congressman Mick Mulvaney. The House freshman, who represents South Carolina's 5th district, serves on the House Budget Committee.

Jake Marlowe is a man you'd want to sit next to at a dinner party. He's cultured and debonair; he savors fine literature, food and female companionship; he quotes Vladimir Nabokav, D.H. Lawrence and Starsky and Hutch.

In his 200 years, Marlowe — the world's last werewolf — has learned a lot about the finer things in life.