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 31, 2008 • 16min
Episode 8: Robert Wagner, War of the Worlds, Anti-cupcake
This week: Hollywood icon Robert Wagner feels at home on the range… How to mix a cocktail from hell… Orson Welles declares “War” on the radio… and Brendan declares war on cupcakes.
Oct 17, 2008 • 16min
Episode 7: Irvine Welsh, D.C. Homes, Sushi Guide
This week: superstar author Irvine Welsh talks about his sexual prowess… We learn the history of the only home in Washington, D.C. that hasn’t lost its value… And the Monterey Bay Aquarium ruins dinner.
Oct 3, 2008 • 15min
Episode 6: MC Frontalot, The Internets, Fall Food
This week: “nerdcore” rapper MC Frontalot rhymes the unrhymeable… take a trip down Memory Superhighway… and Brendan gets fat on the tastes of Autumn.
Sep 19, 2008 • 15min
Episode 5: Sarah Lyall, Duck Fries, Military Drinks
This week: NYTimes reporter/author Sarah Lyall asks a stupid question… we learn the offal truth about “duck fries”… and the French army invades our cocktail glass.
Sep 5, 2008 • 16min
Episode 4: Ezra Feinberg, London’s Burning, Coffelympics
This week: a sober chat with Ezra Feinberg about his psych-rock band Citay… We remember the Great Fire of London with a conflagrant cocktail… and a champion barista drinks deep the mad flava of competitive coffee-making.
Aug 22, 2008 • 16min
Episode 3: David Carr, Lolita, Wine Snobs
This week: author/columnist David Carr discusses ping-pong as a contact sport… Lolita turns 50, but she’s still too young… and how to defraud wine snobs.
Aug 8, 2008 • 14min
Episode 2: Girl Talk, Ein Berliner, Patriotic Fruit
This Week: the artist known as Girl Talk tells us about his explosive high school band… A short history of Jesse Owens… How to mix a “Berliner Olympic” cocktail… An introduction to the All-American fruit most Americans have never tasted. [Photo: Girl Talk performs live at the Virgin Festival, August 2007. Credit: Joe Cereghino]
Jul 25, 2008 • 13min
Episode 1: The Watson Twins, Dillinger, Hot Sauce
This week: indie-folk duo The Watson Twins shares their secret fantasy…A short history of John Dillinger… How to mix an Old-Fashioned cocktail… Taste a hot sauce 8 times more potent than pepper spray.
