The Dinner Party Download
American Public Media
Welcome to The Dinner Party Download, a fast and funny hour of culture, food and conversation: “public radio’s arts & leisure section.” In every episode you’ll learn a joke; bone up on an odd bit of history and then wash it down with a themed cocktail recipe; meet artists of note; have your burning etiquette questions answered; savor an emerging food trend; and hear your new favorite song. Plus, unconventional wisdom from hosts Rico Gagliano and Brendan Francis Newnam.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 9, 2015 • 51min
Episode 322: Tony Bennett & Bill Charlap, Kurt Vile, J. Kenji López-Alt
This week: Legendary singer Tony Bennett, with collaborator Bill Charlap, color our world joyful – then compliment Rico’s dad… Rocker Kurt Vile spins a soundtrack for cowboys, outlaws, and toddlers… Mad food scientist J. Kenji Lopez-Alt solves a few kitchen mysteries… The Posts run etiquette circles around us… A fascinating new documentary puts a face […]
Oct 2, 2015 • 51min
Episode 321: Run The Jewels, Elizabeth Gilbert, Pauline Black
This week: Hip-hop duo Run The Jewels explains the cat sounds in their new album… Graphic novelist Adrian Tomine tells us why he writes about confused dads… “Eat, Pray, Love” author Elizabeth Gilbert gives us passive-aggressive advice… Ska legend Pauline Black of The Selecter spins us a spunky and soulful soundtrack… We learn about the […]
Sep 25, 2015 • 51min
Episode 320: Peter Capaldi, Paul Scheer, Shamir
Peter Capaldi — star of the beloved sci-fi series “Dr. Who” — brings etiquette advice via TARDIS… Funnyman Paul Scheer revels in terrible movies, pseudo-reality… Filmmaker Alexandra Pelosi explores how the tech boom and gentrification have remade San Francisco, her hometown… Dance-pop star Shamir works it, while working retail, and whips up a party soundtrack… […]
Sep 23, 2015 • 54min
2015 LA Podfest Bonus: Paul Scheer, Aisha Tyler, Ann Friedman
Folks! We’re unleashing here a special BONUS EPISODE, taped this past Sunday at the Los Angeles Podcast Festival. Funnyman Paul Scheer (“The League” and “How Did This Get Made?“) explains what makes awful films awful, and tries really hard to make Russell Crowe laugh. Comedian Aisha Tyler (“Archer“) relives her “Rockapella” days (feat. tons of […]
Sep 18, 2015 • 51min
Episode 291: Eddie Redmayne, Issa Rae, Andrew Jarecki
Encore Broadcast: Eddie Redmayne reveals his egg-y fears … Issa Rae gives tips for shutting down awkward asks … Why not leaving a tip might be the nicest thing you can do for a waiter … Swedish star Seinabo Sey warms us up … A documentarian tells us why audiences love true-crime stories … We […]
Sep 11, 2015 • 50min
Episode 319: Emily Mortimer, Julie Klausner, Destroyer
This week: Writer-actor Emily Mortimer (“Doll & Em”) puts friendships under the lens, makes us laugh and squirm… Julie Klausner, co-mastermind of the new comedy series “Difficult People,” tackles your questions with ease … Pop musician Destroyer (a.k.a. Dan Bejar) invites Van Morrison to the party, three times… The day the sun (almost) exploded, as […]
Sep 4, 2015 • 50min
Episode 318: Salman Rushdie, Alice Cooper, Carly Rae Jepsen
This week: Novelist Salman Rushdie stirs up age-old mischief – and magic… Shock rock legend Alice Cooper tells wild tales of Groucho Marx, Paul McCartney, and his “Hollywood Vampires” crew, then slays us with sensible etiquette advice … Carly Rae Jepsen DJs our party (you’ll really, really like her soundtrack)…. We shed light on the […]
Aug 29, 2015 • 51min
316: Uzo Aduba, Yo La Tengo, Doug Aitken
This week: Emmy-nominated actor Uzo Aduba (“Orange is the New Black”) on what keeps “Crazy Eyes” grounded – and wild fan run-ins…Indie rockers Yo La Tengo cook up a cover-rich soundtrack… Artist Doug Aitken breathes life (and art and music) into old rail hubs, in his new documentary “Station to Station”… The most elaborate college […]
Aug 29, 2015 • 51min
Episode 317: Uzo Aduba, Yo La Tengo, Doug Aitken
This week: Emmy-nominated actor Uzo Aduba (“Orange is the New Black”) on what keeps “Crazy Eyes” grounded – and wild fan run-ins…Indie rockers Yo La Tengo cook up a cover-rich soundtrack… Artist Doug Aitken breathes life (and art and music) into old rail hubs, in his new documentary “Station to Station”… The most elaborate college […]
Aug 21, 2015 • 50min
Episode 269: Mel Brooks, Greta Gerwig, and AC Newman
Encore Broadcast: Comedy legend Mel Brooks reanimates “Young Frankenstein” then offers priceless etiquette advice (warning: may include death threats, flatulence, gallows humor, and uncontrollable laughter)… Actress Greta Gerwig (“Frances Ha” and “Mistress America”) tries a love story on for size… AC Newman of indie rock super-group The New Pornographers spins a party soundtrack that’s so […]
