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 14, 2011 • 13min
Episode 118: Little Dragon and Big Small Talk
This week: As we ready for next week’s hour-long show premiere, we serve up two more courses from the DPD test kitchen. You’ll hear suggestions for your dinner party soundtrack from Swedish band Little Dragon. Plus, author Alexander Maksik flies into a moth-joke trap.
Oct 7, 2011 • 16min
Episode 117: Etiquette with Jackie Collins & more from the DPD Test Kitchen
This week: 28-time bestselling novelist Jackie Collins drops by to give Etiquette lessons… and to dish about Michael Caine’s birthday bash. Plus, more experimentation from the DPD test kitchen, a call for your calls, and a track from phenom Luke Rathborne.
Sep 30, 2011 • 17min
Episode 116: Jeanne Darst, Gary Hustwit, and the DPD Hotline
This week, we continue to prepare for the hour-long version of the show by serving up some new courses. You’ll “overhear” a story from author Jeanne Darst, take a Chattering Class on urban design with filmmaker Gary Hustwit, and learn the number of our new dinner-party hotline. (Drunk dialing allowed.) Let us know what you think! Plus, a traumatizing joke from debut novelist Justin Torres, and a new tune from the Stepkids.
Sep 21, 2011 • 47min
Episode 115: What if the DPD was an hour-long show?
Welcome to *The Dinner Party* – a culture show that gives you everything you need to win this weekend’s dinner party.. On the menu: Pulitzer Prize winner Jennifer Egan quacks us up, comedian Demetri Martin takes us on a dietary journey, and we pose our burning etiquette questions to Broadway sensation Elaine Stritch. Plus, an interview with breakout actress Greta Gerwig, poetry from Billy Collins, and lots more.
Sep 14, 2011 • 11min
Episode 114: Steve James, Must-See Docs, and Jens Lekman
This week: Steve James, director of “Hoop Dreams” and “The Interrupters,” interrupts our regularly scheduled programming to list some docs you’ll love, even if you’re doc-avoidant. Plus, Swedish singer-songwriter Jens Lekman gets up in his own grill. Much more to come as we prep for a longer, tastier DPD… stay tuned.
Sep 8, 2011 • 22min
Episode 113: Gus Van Sant, Government Lunches, and Glutenny
This week: Filmmaker Gus Van Sant gives us the silent treatment… America says Uncle… And Brendan gets the lowdown on gluten from Erin “Babycakes” McKenna. Plus, Soleil Moon Frye (a.k.a. Punky Brewster) kids around, and Feist offers up a bluesy new tune.
Sep 1, 2011 • 14min
Episode 112: Terry Allen, Swedish Rights, and Sissy Bounce
This week: Musician/Artist Terry Allen re-mystifies love… Sweden gets on the right track… And tennis superstar Novak Djokovic eggs himself on. Plus, a joke from a bitter Kiwi and a bouncin’ track from Big Freedia.
Aug 25, 2011 • 20min
Episode 111: TV on the Radio, Moonicorns, and Sophisticake
This week: TV on the Radio explains why it’s raining milk…The Sun talks craziness about the moon…And we treat ourselves to the cake to end all cakes. Plus, a joke from actress Claire Sloma and a fierce new track from Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks.
Aug 18, 2011 • 17min
Episode 110: Miranda July, a Stolen Smile, and the Waterguns of Brixton
This week: Filmmaker and artist Miranda July reveals her secret identity…The Mona Lisa takes an Italian vacation…And Bobbies crack down on super-soakers. Plus, a joke from musician Forrest Day and a mesmerizing tune from Lana Del Rey.
Aug 12, 2011 • 18min
Episode 109: The Icebreaker Episode (2nd Ed.)
Back by popular demand, it’s another all-star, all-icebreaker show: Almost every joke we’ve aired in the last year, collected in one convenient podcast. Patton Oswalt, Miranda July, Spike Jonze, Lemmy and many, many more regale you with miniature tales of animals in bars, drummers in hell and dumb dictators. It’s a veritable feast of corn and cheese. Click here for the list of jokes and their tellers…
