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
Jun 13, 2015 • 50min
Episode 309: Paul Dano, Jackie Collins, Hot Chip
On this week’s show: Actor Paul Dano channels his inner Beach Boy…The always saucy novelist Jackie Collins heats up our etiquette segment with talk of models, lost underwear, and a stolen microwave… Crystal Moselle reflects on her unique new documentary, “The Wolfpack,” an extreme case of pop culture-as-parent… Alexis Taylor of the band Hot Chip […]
Jun 5, 2015 • 50min
Episode 308: Marion Cotillard, Kenny G, High Maintenance
Encore Broadcast: Marion Cotillard shines a light … Kenny G goes Brazilian … The challenges and rewards of working with a spouse … How what we feel affects our feelings … A totes fake resto … A picky bit of history … Corin Tucker calls … Kelly Link’s story of an unusual relationship … New […]
May 30, 2015 • 50min
Episode 307: Alison Bechdel, Chuck Palahniuk, Colleen
On this week’s show: Alison Bechdel — whose graphic memoir “Fun Home” is now a 12-time Tony-nominated musical — tells us how she gets comfy, with her life on stage… “Fight Club” author Chuck Palahniuk schools us in prank-ology, to celebrate his new sequel… The Posts tackle some especially hairy etiquette hang-ups… We tune into […]
May 23, 2015 • 50min
Episode 306: Michael Ian Black, Angel Olsen, Marlon James, Lizzo
This week, it’s a special live(ly) edition of the DPD, recorded at the historic Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, Minnesota. Comedian Michael Ian Black comes bearing terrible casseroles and terribly funny etiquette advice… Rocker Angel Olsen plays the lights out… Acclaimed novelist Marlon James remembers the time when his inner diva took center-stage, then introduces […]
May 15, 2015 • 50min
Episode 305: Blondie, Oscar the Grouch, Thomas Vinterberg
This week: The band Blondie talks mod style and hoarding habits… Danish filmmaker Thomas Vinterberg ponders the vicissitudes of fate – and then yodels… Oscar the Grouch deigns to give us etiquette advice (DON’T thank him for it)… Comedian Maz Jobrani gets his dream gig, with a nightmarish caveat… We digest some Knish Knowledge… British […]
May 12, 2015 • 13min
Speakeasy Special #2: Remembering Chris Burden
Today we bring you the second installment of “Speakeasy,” an occasional special podcast in which we chat off-the-cuff, and share never-before-heard bits that didn’t make it into our weekly episodes. In this edition, Rico and Brendan talk about Chris Burden — one of America’s most important and respected conceptual artists — who died this Sunday at the […]
May 8, 2015 • 50min
Episode 304: Mike Leigh, Gina Rodriguez, Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Encore Broadcast: Filmmaker Mike Leigh talks about crop circles (yes, those crop circles) … Actor Gina Rodriguez explains how “Breaking Bad” is crazier than a telenovela … What we can learn about dictators from thier food obsessions … A replay of the history of the replay … Joseph Gordon-Levitt on art outside the Hollywood machine […]
May 2, 2015 • 50min
Episode 303: Amy Schumer, Cokie Roberts, Kurt Cobain in His Own Words
This week: Peabody Award-winning comedian Amy Schumer talks on the wild side… NPR correspondent Cokie Roberts celebrates our female forebears, then offers some civil advice … A new documentary is at home with Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain… Improv wizard and general smartypants Greg Proops challenges three brains to a battle… Nashville’s hot chicken lives up to […]
Apr 24, 2015 • 50min
Episode 302: Mark Ronson, Young Fathers, ‘War Fries’
This week: Mark Ronson makes a new Macarena, dissects the many roles of a modern-day music producer… Writer Amelia Gray imagines a world of competitive grieving… Scottish hip-hop artists Young Fathers – winners of the Mercury Prize for Best 2014 British Album – deejay a deep dinner party… The Posts return with gripping advice … […]
Apr 17, 2015 • 51min
Episode 301: The 2015 All-Music Episode
This week: Just in time for the last Coachella weekend and Record Store Day, it’s a special ALL-MUSIC EPISODE! We’ve got tunes and tales from Nancy Sinatra, Miguel, Carrie Brownstein, Weird Al Yankovic and Steve Martin. Also, David Crosby chats about crafting his classic California album… Classical maestro Gustavo Dudamel declares his love for all […]
