"Girlfriend" is one of the hip-est words in the language, but it's never been tougher for women to be friends. Just ask Monica Lewinsky. In this hour of To the Best of Our Knowledge, a psychologist probes the perils of girls' friendships. Also, Paul Theroux tells tales on his former friend V.S. Naipaul, and Andrew Sullivan considers the nature of friendship.

Best-selling novelist Cathleen Schine ("The Love Letter," and now, "The Evolution of Jane") offers her take on the Monica Lewinsky/Linda Tripp friendship; reads the opening of her new novel; and talks with Jim Fleming about the friendship at the heart of the story. Also, psychologist Ruthellen Josselson talks with Judith Strasser about why girls and women have such a hard time being open and honest with each other. Josselson is co-author (with Terri Apter) of "Best Friends: The Pleasures and Perils of Girls' and Women's Friendships."

Paul Theroux tells Steve Paulson that his new book is not a betrayal of former friend V.S. Naipaul. Theroux explains how he and Naipaul became friends; why the friendship ended; and how the friendship challenged him to match Naipaul's brilliance. The book, which shows Naipaul to be a complex and difficult man, is called "Sir Vidia's Shadow: A Friendship across Five Continents."

Andrew Sullivan, former editor of The New Republic, and an outspoken advocate of gay rights, tells Steve Paulson that friendship is as important as romantic love; that marriages may become friendships; and that he's a much better friend than lover. Sullivan's new collection of essays is "Love Undetectable: Notes on Friendship, Sex and Survival."

Distribution dates:

• week of 01/02/2000 - hour 2
• week of 12/6/98 - hour 3