The Dinner Party Download

American Public Media•www.dinnerpartydownload.org

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.

Last refreshed: March 2nd, 2026 at 1:06 PM ⓘ

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Episodes

Episode 18: Benjy Ferree, Planet X, Joel the Knife

This week: rocker Benjy Ferree’s ode to Peter Pan… We discover the planet that dares not speak its name… and Rico sharpens his conversation skills with Brooklyn’s new king of cutlery.

Mar 13, 2009•16 min

Episode 17: Larry Wilmore, The Peacemaker, Noodle What?

This week: “The Daily Show’s” Larry Wilmore is pure magic… We learn why even grownups shouldn’t play with guns… star mixologist Todd Thrasher mixes a drink fit for a vampire… and Rico pounds down a serious noodle with a funny name.

Feb 27, 2009•16 min

Episode 16: Howard Zinn, Censors, Piggin’ Out

This week: Historian/Activist Howard Zinn recalls a different kind of flower power… We learn what happens when TV censors can’t take a joke… and Brendan pigs out on lard pigs.

Feb 13, 2009•16 min

Episode 15: Sarah Shun-lien Bynum, Drink Clone, Donut Training

This week: award winning author Sarah Shun-lien Bynum uses her children to live out her own teen fantasies…We replicate a cocktail recipe… And Rico celebrates athletes by stuffing his face with dough and butter.

Jan 30, 2009•15 min

Episode 14: Lamont Dozier, Cryonic Cocktail, Korean Tacos

This week: legendary Motown songwriter Lamont Dozier gives candy to children… We chill out with a cryonic cocktail… And Brendan discovers the three most beautiful words in the English language: Korean, BBQ, Tacos.

Jan 16, 2009•16 min

Episode 13: Best of 2008

This week: what do Lolita, duck testicles, Chevys, cows, Robert Wagner and booze have in common? This show in 2008, that’s what. We take a look back at the first 12 episodes of the podcast that shocked a nation… and toss in a few new facts for the first dinner parties of 2009.

Jan 02, 2009•17 min

Episode 12: David Fincher, Tom Jones, Mozzarella

This week: Director David Fincher isn’t afraid of the dark… We unite our nation with an All-American cocktail… Brendan is granted an audience with the king of mozzarella… plus a joke from THE Tom Jones.

Dec 19, 2008•14 min

Episode 11: David Heatley, Killer Fog, PB&J

This week: Cartoonist David Heatley literally tells all… we inhale a glassful of London’s killer fog… and star pastry chef Adrian Vasquez makes a peanut butter sandwich that’ll make your brain hurt.

Dec 05, 2008•15 min

Episode 10: Of Montreal, Edison, Bird-munching

This week: Kevin Barnes of the band Of Montreal defines “sexualien”… Thomas Edison lights up a martini glass… and Rico gets permission to eat endangered birds.

Nov 21, 2008•16 min

Episode 9: Iran, Football Names, White House Garden

This week: we seek direct engagement with Aaron Aites of the band Iran… We learn the greatest name in football… Pittsburgh gets drunk on black gold… and Obama supporters dream of home-grown on the White House lawn.

Nov 14, 2008•17 min

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 31, 2008•16 min

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 17, 2008•16 min

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.

Oct 03, 2008•15 min

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 19, 2008•15 min

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.

Sep 05, 2008•16 min

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 22, 2008•16 min

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]

Aug 08, 2008•14 min

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.

Jul 25, 2008•13 min

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