up next, jeffrey wright. tavis: jeffrey wright is a terrific actor which many of us know from his award-winning performance in "basquiat." his latest project of john guerre, "a free man of color." here, a sneak preview of "a free man of color." >> didn't you used to be a slave? >> don't be fresh, mama. even though born of a slave, i purchased my freedom and became my father's heir. >> my father's heir, a very rich, very white father left my boss everything, including me. i do all the work, he does nothing. >> i beg your pardon, each morning i may be found at my desk writing a play. >> where did you get the nerve to write a play? does your masterpiece have a title? >> "a free man of color," the sanctity of surfaces, the value of veneer, lift the curtain, we begin! tavis: jeffrey, good to have you back on the program, sir. >> thank you, travis. tavis: you guys have been in previews and the show has a lot of good buzz. how do you know -- i know you are a serious thespian, how do you know after all these previews

tavis: join me next time for our conversation for a conversation with -- for a conversation with jeffrey wright. >> all i know is his name is james, and he needs extra help with his reading. >> i am james. >> yes. >> to everyone making a difference, you help us all live better. >> nationwide insurance supports tavis smiley with every question and every answer, we are proud to join the tavis to improve literacy and to remove obstacles to economic empowerment one obstacle at a time. >> and by contributions to a pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. [captioning made possible by kcet public television] captioned by the national captioning institute --www.ncicap.org--

then on thursday, jeffrey wright. on friday, a conversation with rebecca costa.more on the fallout on last week's elections with jm> my pleasure. tavis: speaking of fear driving, i have been asking this question. how much of these results last tuesday have to do with fear versus bankert? >> there is a lot of fear at this point which leads to anger. it leads to enter rather than analysis or inquiry. i think we see there have been people rolling up americans, telling them that everything the democrats are doing is putting social security or their savings at risk at a time of great anxiety. with all the misinformation and the rabble rousing and fear mongering, people react defensively. i may not have much, but i want to hold on to a. i do not want those other people to get it. that is never a good reaction. america it is stronger when we believe we can do things for one another with one another and we have a common purpose in terms of rebuilding our country and putting peopl