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
Jan 7, 2011 • 12min
Episode 78: Tennis, Epic Losers, and Happy Birthday
This week: Indie-pop duo Tennis live la vida luddite… A London conference aims for new, boring heights… We unveil the story behind sports’ biggest losers… Plus a joke from director Spike Jonze and a new Happy Birthday song.
Dec 31, 2010 • 33min
Episode 77: The Best of 2010
This week: Our favorite stuff from the last 12 months – starring Das Racist, Rainn Wilson, Molly Ringwald, Sebastian Junger, mutant barnyard animals, drunken traders, adult kamikazes and a goat named Lincoln. Plus music from Ariel Pink & Sage Francis… and an easter egg omelet.
Dec 23, 2010 • 11min
Episode 76: Sofia Coppola, Air-ial Assaults, and Superflops
This week: Writer-director Sofia Coppola reveals she was heir to *another* Hollywood legend… A killer smog chokes London… And Broadway’s Spiderman breaks several legs. Plus: a dear joke from Badly Drawn Boy, and a holiday tune from Bishop Allen.
Dec 17, 2010 • 17min
Episode 75: Christian Lander, See No Weevil, and Stealth Miso
This week: Satirist Christian Lander talks about Stuff White People Like… a town goes nuts after a boll weevil blight… and Brendan looks into the future of food, but can’t see the stealth miso. Plus, a joke from Los Lobos and a tune from Toro y Moi.
Dec 10, 2010 • 11min
Episode 74: Kid Cudi, Starstruck, and Reindeer a la Palin
This week: Rap iconoclast Kid Cudi comes in for a check-up… An Alabama woman gets star-struck… And Sarah Palin slays a reindeer. Plus, a joke/hallucination from Bob Odenkirk, and a classic track from Thin Lizzy.
Dec 3, 2010 • 17min
Episode 73: Diplo, Tofu U, and Pong Pong
This week: Global DJ and music mogul Diplo takes a call… The besotted birth of the video game industry… and Rico gets schooled at America’s most vegan-friendly campus. Plus “medicinal” vodka and a new tune from Cloud Nothings.
Nov 25, 2010 • 10min
Episode 72: A Three-Course Thanksgiving
This week, a Thanksgiving meal for your ears, in three courses: Brendan braves the mean streets of NYC to score contraband grilled cheese… Rico daintily dips his tongue into the hottest of hot sauces… and we launch a unilateral war against the cupcake.
Nov 19, 2010 • 18min
Episode 71: Sally Hawkins, Fossil Follies, and Chinese Thanksgiving
This week: UK movie star Sally Hawkins crows about her new film… we unearth the missing drink… and Brendan has an early Thanksgiving in Chinatown. Plus, a joke from Procol Harum’s Gary Brooker, and a new track from A-D-D D.J. Girl Talk.
Nov 12, 2010 • 14min
Episode 70: Huey Lewis, Le Situation, and The Birth of Football
This week: Pop ‘n’ soul star Huey Lewis gets dressed… Canada takes out our TV trash… We learn the greatest name in football… Plus Kai Ryssdal kids around and Sonny and the Sunsets supply a tune.
Nov 5, 2010 • 19min
Episode 69: Chris Morris, Black Bart, and Getting Your Goat
This week: Brit actor/director/provocateur Chris Morris terrorizes US movie screens… Black Bart’s last verse… and urban farmers get their goats. Plus, Curative new music from Crystal Castles, and an-”other” joke.
