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 29, 2010 • 14min
Episode 68: Noomi Rapace, World War Welles, and Legitish Quidditch
This week: Swedish starlet Noomi Rapace removes her Dragon Tattoo… America’s fake World War… And Quidditch vies for legit-ish-macy. Plus a joke from Talking Head Chris Frantz, and music from The Smith Westerns.
Oct 22, 2010 • 20min
Episode 67: Judd Apatow, Beer Tsunamis, and Conflict Cuisine
This week: Comedy juggernaut Judd Apatow courts disaster… London’s suds flood… and Rico experiences the sweet taste of Conflict. Plus, a joke from author du jour Dinaw Mengestu and new music from Kiwi band Secret Knives.
Oct 15, 2010 • 14min
Episode 66: Paul F. Tompkins, Uncivil Wars, and Tennis Marathons
This week: Comedian Paul F. Tompkins is no longer driven…A congressional beatdown for the ages…And the cult draining Seagram’s…Plus, new music from the band Tennis.
Oct 8, 2010 • 18min
Episode 65: Robert Reich, Killer Talkies, and Illegal Eats
This Week: Former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich gets exposed… the death of silent movies… and Rico is presented with a menu of crimes. Plus Small Black… Guam’s rain of rodents… and a so-so So So Glo joke.
Oct 1, 2010 • 15min
Episode 64: Sam Taylor-Wood, Unhappy Happy Meals, Inventions that Suck
This week: Artist-turned-filmmaker Sam Taylor-Wood reveals a secret… San Francisco takes the happy out of meals… And we learn about an invention that really sucked. Plus: new music from Deerhunter.
Sep 24, 2010 • 13min
Episode 63: Davis Guggenheim, Driving then Drinking, The Situation 2.0
This week: Oscar-winning filmmaker Davis (“An Inconvenient Truth”) Guggenheim schools us on his latest movie… We take a trip down memory superhighway… Apple’s got a Situation… and a meta joke.
Sep 17, 2010 • 14min
Episode 62: Dave Eggers, Longshot Journalism, and pseudo-Millionaires
This week: Author/artist/publisher Dave Eggers tells us something he CAN’T do… A British Major fails the cough test… and a long-shot Longshot. Plus a joke from Tony Millionaire and music from Belle & Sebastian.
Sep 10, 2010 • 19min
Episode 61: Panda Bear, Bare Naked Faces, and Baked Goods
This week: Noah Lennox (a.k.a. Panda Bear) gives us a sporting shot… Peter the Great wages war on the hirsute… And Rico meets the baker behind some medical munchies.
Sep 3, 2010 • 12min
Episode 60: Alasdair MacLean, Flaming Cocktails, and Empty Stadiums
This week: The Clientele’s Alasdair MacLean is a minotaur… London’s burning… and the NFL tackles falling attendance. Plus: Moody humor, and a lost gem from the Neil who isn’t Diamond.
Aug 27, 2010 • 19min
Episode 59: Spike Jonze, Potato Chips, and Grilled Cheese Dealers
This week: Director Spike Jonze channels Flava Flav… We dig up the salty story behind America’s favorite snack… and Brendan learns what it’s like to hustle grilled cheese on the mean streets of NYC.
