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The Dinner Party Download

American Public Mediawww.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.
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Episodes

Episode 108: Don Cheadle, Shredding History, and Speculoos

This week: Actor Don Cheadle (“The Guard”) kisses and doesn’t tell… Music history gets a blast to the eardrums… And Rico discovers the best waffle topping you’ve never heard of. Plus, an uncool joke from Emma Straub, and new old soul sounds from The Shakes.

Aug 04, 201119 min

Episode 106: Errol Morris, Mammoth Cheese, and 4000 Years Of Food

This week: Documentary auteur Errol Morris reluctantly joins the party… A half-ton cheese rolls up to the White House… and we dig into millenia’s worth of food with culture critic Lewis Lapham. Plus, a joke from author Ransom Riggs, and a new tune from The War on Drugs.

Jul 20, 201124 min

Episode 105: Shabazz Palaces, Disco Bashes, and Cola Wars 2.0

This week: Shabazz Palaces’ Ishmael Butler gives us something to chew on…A disco bash breaks a ton of records…And Dr. Pepper sues Dr. Pepper. Plus, a touchy joke from The Low Anthem and a groovy song from Real Estate.

Jul 15, 201114 min

Episode 104: Shepard Fairey, Menu Mania, and Sliced Bread

This week: Street art superstar Shepard Fairey tags our table… An uncut history of sliced bread… And stacks of historic menus finally get their (web) close-up. Plus, a joke from celt-folk phenom Julie Feeney and a scorching tune from Ty Segall.

Jul 08, 201121 min

Episode 102: John C. Reilly, Lady Umpires, and the ‘Buch

This week: Actor John C. Reilly fights the meanies… A housewife breaks through baseball’s grass ceiling… And Brendan fact-checks “magical” drink kombucha. Plus, a duck-duck joke from Pulitzer-winner Jennifer Egan and a new tune from Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. [sic]

Jun 24, 201122 min

Episode 101: Richard Ayoade, Translantic Transfusion, and Jagger Elks

This week: “Submarine” filmmaker Richard Ayoade starts his own cult… The blood of a sheep breeds some hair of the dog… and Swedes lose the faith — but only on the inside. Plus, an “Aggie” joke from Texan director Richard Linklater, and a song from the band Cults – in keeping with the theme.

Jun 16, 201114 min

Episode 100: Randy Newman, DPD History, and the 100-Year-Old Egg

This week: It’s our 100th episode! To celebrate, Brendan talks to one of his dream guests, music icon Randy Newman… Rico excavates a 100-Year-Old Egg… And we delve into our own history (with booze). Also, listeners share their own dream dinner party guests. Plus, we make a long overdue call to the Sea and Cake, and spin a historic cover song from Dr. Dog.

Jun 10, 201129 min

Episode 98: Fleet Foxes, Pac-Man Pizza, and a Michelin Man

This week: Fleet Fox Robin Pecknold talks helplessness and hair…A ladies’ Man enters the video game world…And three stars are borne – by master chef Paul Liebrandt. Plus, a joke from street artiste Shepard Fairey, and a dreamy tune by the Dirty Projectors.

May 26, 201118 min

Episode 96: Billy Collins, Food Raves, and Wandering Waste

This week: Former poet laureate Billy Collins talks death and baseball… The lonely journey of the Gar-Barge… And Rico survives a San Fran food rave. Plus, new music from Black Lips, and jokes from a Vivian Girl.

May 12, 201119 min

Episode 94: Dinner Party Etiquette with Elaine Stritch

This week: A special DPD, as Broadway legend Elaine Stritch answers listeners’ etiquette questions in a most “ladylike” way. She’s dated Brando, dissed Sinatra, and conquered the Great White Way… but can she handle the social graces of a dinner party?

Apr 26, 20119 min

Episode 93: An East-Over Feast

This week, feast upon our favorite food segments from podcasts past: Rico attacks a WWII-era sandwich… Brendan warily bites into a sushirrito… and we learn about twice-”baked” goods. Don’t call them leftovers; they’re *East-Overs.* Plus! Feast your ears on a waiter joke, and scarf down a food tune from Brendan himself.

Apr 22, 201113 min

Episode 91: Greta Gerwig, Ping Pong Politics, and the Sleep Elite

This week: Actress Greta Gerwig finds the right dress for the big time… Two ping pong players thaw the Cold War… And the “sleep elite” put shuteye to rest. Plus a joke from Texas musician/artist Terry Allen and “The Morning” from The Weeknd [sic].

Apr 07, 201114 min

Episode 90: Bellflower, Guillotin’s Machine, and the Cheesesteak Challenger

This week: “Bellflower” filmmakers Evan Glodell and Tyler Dawson set the film-fest circuit ablaze… A Philly sandwich takes on the cheesesteak… And the tale of a most enlightened killing machine. Plus unholy laughter from bestselling author Tea Obreht and a new tune from Vetiver.

Mar 31, 201121 min

Episode 89: Neil Strauss, Cold (Con)fusion, and Rabbit Rex

This week: Author/Interviewer Neil Strauss inhales rock-n-roll… Science gives cold fusion the cold shoulder… And *Radiolab*’s Jad Abumrad unearths a giant rabbit. Plus music from Bright Eyes, and a joke from top tailor Vahram Mateosian.

Mar 24, 201116 min

Episode 88: Willie Nelson, Frontier Justice, and Tex-Next Cuisine

This week: From SXSW comes our all-Texas show. Music legend Willie Nelson talks Crazy… Judge Roy Bean serves justice on the rocks… And Rico explores tex-next cuisine. Plus laffs and music from two SXSW buzz bands: a thilly joke from Toro y Moi and and a tasty tune from Yuck.

Mar 17, 201118 min

Episode 87: Cary Fukunaga, Historic Headaches, and a Painless Brunch

This week: “Jane Eyre” director Cary Fukunaga horses around… The history of a not-so-bitter pill… and we toss back a painkiller brunch. Plus, a joke from jewelry designer Annie Costello Brown and a truth-telling tune from Dutch indie-modster M-JO.

Mar 10, 201115 min

Episode 86: Gabrielle Hamilton, The Peacemaker, and Smokeavores

This week: Celebrated author and chef Gabrielle Hamilton reveals a sweet secret… the Peacemaker breaks the peace… and a hipster crop lights up Brooklyn. Plus, rise and shine with a new tune from Manchester, UK’s Star Slinger.

Mar 04, 201113 min

Episode 83: Chris Burden, Small Weddings, and Sushi Burritos

This week: Artist Chris Burden revokes your driver’s license… We look back on the biggest little wedding of the 19th century… And the “Sushirrito” is born. Plus, PJ Harvey’s new tune kills, and Weird Al Yankovic makes a rare foray into comedy.

Feb 11, 201120 min

Episode 82: John Lithgow, Undying Birds, and Lost H-Bombs

This week: Actor John Lithgow gives Brendan a killer look.. .An H-Bomb goes MIA… And we visit a city whose birds never sleep. Plus, a dulcet tune from Fleet Foxes and a wooden joke from Motorhead frontman Lemmy.

Feb 04, 201117 min

Episode 81: Dan Bejar, Big In Japan, and Double Ducks

This week: Indie rocker/wordsmith Dan Bejar finds himself caught in a (quiet) storm… An athlete goes far – and very wide – to get big in Japan… and we roast awful restaurant websites. Plus, rockabilly legend Wanda Jackson quacks us up, and a new tune from Ducktails.

Jan 28, 201120 min

Episode 79: Paul Giamatti, Political Animals, and Moby Drinks

This week: Golden-globe nominated actor Paul Giamatti tells a tall tale… Whale secretions wash up in cocktails… And we toast the cartoonist who gave birth to a couple of political animals. Plus, a joke from troubadour Henry Wolfe and a tune from The Radio Dept.

Jan 14, 201119 min
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