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
Dec 23, 2011 • 51min
Episode 128: The Best of 2011
This week: We celebrate the best of 2011 Hear Guest of Honor interviews with Spike Lee, Carrie Brownstein, and Randy Newman… groove to disco godfather Nile Rodgers’ tale of the birth of “Le Freak”… feast on a heart-stopping sandwich and a 100-year-old egg… toast Sweden’s turn to the right… ponder a bigger Small Talk… then set your New Year’s playlists with Song Of The Year picks from listeners like you.
Dec 16, 2011 • 51min
Episode 127: Patton Oswalt, Dinner for Breakfast, & Pre-Holiday Post Etiquette
This week: Patton Oswalt rocks our public radio world… A travel list from essayist Sloane Crosley… A shot-less heist inspires a shot-full cocktail… The “Rules of Regifting,” according to etiquette royalty… Author Jay Kirk tells the tale of Barnum versus Britannia… a dinner party soundtrack from Kathryn Calder of the band The New Pornographers… and Rico gets a brief history of breakfast.
Dec 9, 2011 • 51min
Episode 126: Gary Oldman, Top Chef: Etiquette, and Instant History
This week: Actor Gary Oldman turns our world upside-down… Top Chef’s Gail Simmons spills some sweet and saucy etiquette tips… Artist/Musician Terry Allen uncovers 3 lost gems… We toast the instant replay (twice)… and author Lou Beach tells 6 stories with 420 characters. Plus, a crash course in video games, a joke from Brit-com phenom Stephen Merchant, and a tune from Chairlift.
Dec 2, 2011 • 51min
Episode 125: Michelle Williams, Inspired Vodka, and GZA the Genius
This week: Actress Michelle Williams channels Marilyn… GZA of the Wu-Tang Clan proves his Genius… New Yorker critic Alex Ross shares the best of his “Best Of”… child star Barry Livingston picks his favorite characters… Gossip and Etiquette collide… Rico inhales some world-class vodka… and 7 ways to read a sandwich.
Nov 23, 2011 • 51min
Episode 124: David Cronenberg, Miranda July’s PennySavior, and Real Estate in Paris
This week: David Cronenberg plays with our minds…We toast the phonograph with a drink that sounds like it…PennySaver 101 from Miranda July…Odd Future goes Pop…We’re thankful for Elaine Stritch…Sarcasm in the Smithsonian?…And we check in on Real Estate in Paris.
Nov 18, 2011 • 52min
Episode 123: John Jeremiah Sullivan, Dick Cavett-iquette, and Wild Flag
This week: Essayist John Jeremiah Sullivan takes a hard left turn…Talk show giant Dick Cavett spits out etiquette tips… We learn the meaning of “peplum”… Mega-producer Nile Rodgers gets revenge on Studio 54… The Edsel flops right into a cocktail glass… And Caldecott Award-winner Brian Selznick (Hugo) shares unforgettable picture books – for adults. Plus a playlist from indierock supergroup Wild Flag.
Nov 8, 2011 • 51min
Episode 122: Sir Richard Branson, Jonathan Lethem, and Masters of Etiquette
This week, Sir Richard Branson drops the ‘sir’ for us… writer Jonathan Lethem squeezes Gertrude Stein, Jack Kerouac, and Drew Barrymore into a hot tub…. why we wanted our MTV… the (non-Portland) trailblazer of b-ball backboard-breaking… “Extreme Makeover: Urban Food Store Edition”… and iconic singer-songwriter Judy Collins muses on being a muse.
Nov 2, 2011 • 51min
Episode 121: Cyndi Lauper, Thanksgiving’s New Black, and Punk Rock Etiquette
This Week: Cyndi Lauper reveals that her true colors are the blues… Comedian Jenny Slate hears voices and tells us her faves… a seasonal organic, free-range serving of New Yorker Mag’s Adam Gopnik… Henry Rollins punks your etiquette questions… and why Thanksgiving won’t let you eat cake.
Oct 28, 2011 • 51min
Episode 120: Chuck Klosterman, Diabolical Hawkes, and Zagats in the Zeitgeist
This Week: Author Chuck Klosterman tosses aside salad… Rap diva Big Freedia on booty etiquette… And the Zagats guide Brendan through the history of the Zagat guide. Plus, the Beatles’ rooftop concert in first-person, John Hawkes on playing a monster, and a soundtrack from a Little Dragon.
Oct 21, 2011 • 51min
Episode 119: Antonio Banderas, Old-School Candy, and Music from a Non-belieber
This Week: The Dinner Party Download fattens up to become *The Dinner Party* – a cool hour of culture. Actor Antonio Banderas talks about learning to talk… jazz phenom Esperanza Spalding cues up her party soundtrack… and Rico tastes Turkish Delight. Plus, killer beer, documentaries for the doc-averse…and etiquette from Jackie Collins.
