
The Dinner Party Download
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.
Latest episodes

Jun 23, 2017 • 53min
Look Up and Listen!
Neil deGrasse Tyson, Feist, Fleet Foxes, a talking wolf named Nick Offerman, and more join us on an audio odyssey designed to reacquaint you with the wonders of nature! Hosts Brendan and Rico — two city slickers — stumble their way through the great outdoors (and outer space!), gleaning wisdom from unexpected sources. This hour […]

Jun 16, 2017 • 28min
Dinner for One: Giancarlo Esposito, Master Character Actor… and One-Time Aspiring Reiki Master
This week, instead of a rerun, we’re serving up a Dinner for One special with one of the most celebrated character actors ever — Giancarlo Esposito. Known for roles in “Breaking Bad,” “Better Call Saul,” “Do the Right Thing,” “The Get Down,” and more, Rico talks to Giancarlo about his carefully crafted acting method and […]

Jun 9, 2017 • 50min
346: Saoirse Ronan, Cameron Diaz, Solomon Georgio
Encore Broadcast: Oscar-nominee Saoirse Ronan sharpens her skills in Broadway’s Crucible… Actor-and-author Cameron Diaz gives us impeccable advice — for the long haul… A new doc paints a portrait of David Hockney, an artist both bright and blue… One-man-band Kevin Morby recommends a few other artists (and BBQ masters) who went solo… Comedian-on-the-rise Solomon Georgio recalls […]

Jun 2, 2017 • 50min
386: Damon Lindelof, Phoenix, Farewell to Frank Deford
Showrunner supreme Damon Lindelof (“Lost,” “The Leftovers”) hops into Rico’s hot tub time machine, then considers the paradoxes of fandom… The band Phoenix toasts a purring Bryan Ferry, video games in Japan, and the sounds of le cinema… We pay tribute to late great sportswriter Frank DeFord, who throws us some etiquette curveballs… Musician Lynn […]

May 30, 2017 • 26min
Dinner for One: Damon Lindelof, Creator of ‘Lost’ and ‘The Leftovers,’ Goes Hot Tubbing With Rico
We’re back with another digital delight! It’s another installment of our almost-unedited “Dinner for One” series. For this mini-episode, Rico chats with former co-worker Damon Lindelof. Yes, it’s true! Listen as he and Damon reminisce about their days working together on MTV’s “Undressed” as writers (of many hot tub scenes). Damon also reflects on how […]

May 26, 2017 • 49min
385: Paul Feig, Samantha Irby, Danger Mouse & Sam Cohen
Director Paul Feig tracks your laughs, fights T-shirt tyranny… Producer duo Danger Mouse and Sam Cohen say Vive la “Resistance” (and French party music)… Writer Samantha Irby (of the B**ches Gotta Eat blog) fakes her way into pregnant yoga… Burlesque meets baseball (meets cocktail!)… And the Posts lead us into the ‘gaping maw’ of yawning […]

May 24, 2017 • 31min
Dinner for One: Paul Feig, Champion of Female Friendships… And Walking Sticks
We’re serving up something different today! It’s the second installment of our new “Dinner for One” series — a single, almost-unedited conversation with a luminary in arts and entertainment. This time around, Brendan talks with writer, director, and producer extraordinaire Paul Feig. Listen as the two examine how “Bridesmaids” led to more creative freedom when […]

May 19, 2017 • 49min
384: Kathryn Hahn, Tituss Burgess, Mac DeMarco
The irrepressible Tituss Burgess from “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” doles out etiquette advice and plays matchmaker… “I Love Dick” actor Kathryn Hahn pokes fun at the high-art world… Indie musician Mac DeMarco DJ’s his Italian family dinner… A visit to a vegan butcher… Wisdom from New York Times bestselling author Anne Lamott. Plus, a cocktail tribute […]

May 16, 2017 • 16min
Speakeasy Special: Charlamagne Tha God, Aimee Mann, Thomas Middleditch
Surprise! It’s an all-new Speakeasy Special — a bonus mid-week treat filled with unheard bits and bobs from our interviews. Listen as “Silicon Valley” star Thomas Middleditch flexes his improv muscle and invents an entire fictional food chain (with a signature drink!) in less than 60 seconds. Then, get a mint condition etiquette answer from […]

May 12, 2017 • 49min
320: Peter Capaldi, Paul Scheer, Shamir
Encore Broadcast: 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 […]
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