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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 309: Paul Dano, Jackie Collins, Hot Chip

On this week’s show: Actor Paul Dano channels his inner Beach Boy…The always saucy novelist Jackie Collins heats up our etiquette segment with talk of models, lost underwear, and a stolen microwave… Crystal Moselle reflects on her unique new documentary, “The Wolfpack,” an extreme case of pop culture-as-parent… Alexis Taylor of the band Hot Chip […]

Jun 13, 201550 min

Episode 308: Marion Cotillard, Kenny G, High Maintenance

Encore Broadcast: Marion Cotillard shines a light … Kenny G goes Brazilian … The challenges and rewards of working with a spouse … How what we feel affects our feelings … A totes fake resto … A picky bit of history … Corin Tucker calls … Kelly Link’s story of an unusual relationship … New […]

Jun 05, 201550 min

Episode 307: Alison Bechdel, Chuck Palahniuk, Colleen

On this week’s show: Alison Bechdel — whose graphic memoir “Fun Home” is now a 12-time Tony-nominated musical — tells us how she gets comfy, with her life on stage… “Fight Club” author Chuck Palahniuk schools us in prank-ology, to celebrate his new sequel… The Posts tackle some especially hairy etiquette hang-ups… We tune into […]

May 30, 201550 min

Episode 306: Michael Ian Black, Angel Olsen, Marlon James, Lizzo

This week, it’s a special live(ly) edition of the DPD, recorded at the historic Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, Minnesota. Comedian Michael Ian Black comes bearing terrible casseroles and terribly funny etiquette advice… Rocker Angel Olsen plays the lights out… Acclaimed novelist Marlon James remembers the time when his inner diva took center-stage, then introduces […]

May 23, 201550 min

Episode 305: Blondie, Oscar the Grouch, Thomas Vinterberg

This week: The band Blondie talks mod style and hoarding habits… Danish filmmaker Thomas Vinterberg ponders the vicissitudes of fate – and then yodels… Oscar the Grouch deigns to give us etiquette advice (DON’T thank him for it)… Comedian Maz Jobrani gets his dream gig, with a nightmarish caveat… We digest some Knish Knowledge… British […]

May 15, 201550 min

Speakeasy Special #2: Remembering Chris Burden

Today we bring you the second installment of “Speakeasy,” an occasional special podcast in which we chat off-the-cuff, and share never-before-heard bits that didn’t make it into our weekly episodes. In this edition, Rico and Brendan talk about Chris Burden — one of America’s most important and respected conceptual artists — who died this Sunday at the […]

May 12, 201513 min

Episode 304: Mike Leigh, Gina Rodriguez, Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Encore Broadcast: Filmmaker Mike Leigh talks about crop circles (yes, those crop circles) … Actor Gina Rodriguez explains how “Breaking Bad” is crazier than a telenovela … What we can learn about dictators from thier food obsessions … A replay of the history of the replay … Joseph Gordon-Levitt on art outside the Hollywood machine […]

May 08, 201550 min

Episode 303: Amy Schumer, Cokie Roberts, Kurt Cobain in His Own Words

This week: Peabody Award-winning comedian Amy Schumer talks on the wild side… NPR correspondent Cokie Roberts celebrates our female forebears, then offers some civil advice … A new documentary is at home with Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain… Improv wizard and general smartypants Greg Proops challenges three brains to a battle… Nashville’s hot chicken lives up to […]

May 02, 201550 min

Episode 302: Mark Ronson, Young Fathers, ‘War Fries’

This week: Mark Ronson makes a new Macarena, dissects the many roles of a modern-day music producer… Writer Amelia Gray imagines a world of competitive grieving… Scottish hip-hop artists Young Fathers – winners of the Mercury Prize for Best 2014 British Album – deejay a deep dinner party… The Posts return with gripping advice … […]

Apr 24, 201550 min

Episode 301: The 2015 All-Music Episode

This week: Just in time for the last Coachella weekend and Record Store Day, it’s a special ALL-MUSIC EPISODE! We’ve got tunes and tales from Nancy Sinatra, Miguel, Carrie Brownstein, Weird Al Yankovic and Steve Martin. Also, David Crosby chats about crafting his classic California album… Classical maestro Gustavo Dudamel declares his love for all […]

Apr 17, 201551 min

Episode 300: DPD Special!

This week: To celebrate our 300th episode, we’re telling the DPD origin story! You’ll hear pieces of our first-ever episode (yes, spooky)… highlights from format-busting conversations with Spike Lee and Elaine Stritch… Advice (and jeers) from our public radio peers… Behind-the-scenes tales that we’ve never shared before… And a chat with two very special guests, […]

Apr 10, 201533 min

Episode 299: Oscar Isaac, Fran Drescher, Wayne Coyne

This Week: Actor Oscar Isaac (“Ex Machina,” “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”) isn’t bullish on ‘the future’ (but his is bright)… Fran Drescher and her dog laugh in the face of our etiquette questions… The Flaming Lips’ Wayne Coyne turns our party into a Lynch-ian dreamscape… Mary Norris, copy editor at the New Yorker, shares […]

Apr 03, 201550 min

Speakeasy Special #1

Welcome to the first episode of “Speakeasy,” an occasional special podcast in which we share never-before-heard bits that didn’t make it into our weekly episodes. Think of it like the casual little bistro beside our bustling restaurant. On this inaugural podcast, Aubrey Plaza and Brendan invent a new morning beverage – the breakfast martini; Zachary […]

Mar 31, 201512 min

Episode 298: Aubrey Plaza, Laura Marling, Scharpling & Wurster

Actress Aubrey Plaza needs no introduction (because she’s got it memorized)… Singer-songwriter Laura Marling has a soundtrack for evenings warm and chilly… Writer Jon Ronson looks at shaming on social media and sees our modern pillory… The comic duo Scharpling & Wurster take our etiquette segment to the strangest of places, which might be a city […]

Mar 27, 201551 min

Episode 297: Zachary Quinto, Sara Schaefer, Leon Bridges

This week: Actor Zachary Quinto gets a memento from Tennessee Williams… Soul singer Leon Bridges steps back in time… Comedian Sara Schaefer aces her hygiene homework… Beating food waste, in new ways… The most costly art heist in US history inspires a bitter cocktail (made by a former art guard!)… A soundtrack from post-punk band […]

Mar 21, 201550 min

Episode 296: Ethan Hawke, Broad City, David Duchovny, Vetiver

This week: Ethan Hawke’s intimate portrait of an artist… The ladies of “Broad City” riff on their fave BFFs… Newly-minted *novelist* David Duchovny sees a baby wolf and flees… Troubadour Vetiver serenades our party with the sounds of Brazil… One modern man’s quest to find Atlantis… An artist types his way through the canon… And […]

Mar 14, 201551 min

Episode 295: Dev Patel, Dave Barry, Lady Lamb

This week: “Chappie” star Dev Patel on acting alongside robots and Dames… Dave Barry brings a machete to our etiquette segment… Author Tania James sees life (and loss) through the eyes of a child elephant… Singer Lady Lamb makes a playlist for us, and for her best friend Shervin…”The Cat in the Hat” trumps Dick […]

Mar 07, 201553 min

Episode 294: Jason Schwartzman, Weezer, Barbara Kruger, Tenacious D

Encore Broadcast: Actor Jason Schwartzman – star of the new film “Listen Up Philip” – pits his ego against Brendan’s… A soundtrack from Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo inspires hand-holding… Iconoclastic artist Barbara Kruger points and doesn’t shoot… And Jack Black and Kyle Gass of Tenacious D shred etiquette to pieces. Also, humorist Simon Rich ponders barbarism […]

Feb 28, 201550 min

Episode 293: Titus Welliver, Sleater-Kinney, Tracee Ellis Ross

This week: Actor Titus Welliver on shooting a gun, canonically … Corin Tucker doesn’t think her band’s music is too awful … Tracee Ellis Ross shares the gift of laughter and a loopy life coach … Comedian Maz Jobrani helps our listeners confront stereotypes and racism, with jokes … Hollywood costume creator Colleen Atwood reveals […]

Feb 21, 201550 min

Episode 292: Marion Cotillard, Kenny G, High Maintenance

Marion Cotillard shines a light … Kenny G goes Brazilian … The challenges and rewards of working with a spouse … How what we feel affects our feelings … A totes fake resto … A picky bit of history … Corin Tucker calls … Kelly Link’s story of an unusual relationship … New tune from […]

Feb 14, 201550 min

Episode 291: Eddie Redmayne, Issa Rae, Andrew Jarecki

Eddie Redmayne reveals his egg-y fears … Issa Rae gives tips for shutting down awkward asks … Why not leaving a tip might be the nicest thing you can do for a waiter … Swedish star Seinabo Sey warms us up … A documentarian tells us why audiences love true-crime stories … We get some […]

Feb 07, 201552 min

Episode 290: Patricia Arquette, Weird Al, and Jenny Lewis

Pop-parodist “Weird Al” Yankovic on being weird (and Weird, and “Weird”) … “Boyhood” star Patricia Arquette’s stolen Santa Clauses … How singer Jenny Lewis kicks people out … A trademark-licensing dispute that lead to a big hit … Visiting a magical-realist Virgin Islands with author Tiphanie Yanique … New York Philharmonic conductor Alan Gilbert counts coughs to judge […]

Jan 31, 201553 min

Episode 289: Frank Gehry, Miranda July, Dame Edna

This week: A musical peek into Frank Gehry’s house … Dame Edna delivers ‘glorious’ advice … Miranda July builds a system … The children raised amid resource extraction … Adding butter to coffee to make it ‘Bulletproof’ …Natalie Prass curates a list of sisters and goddesses … A trip to Robinson Crusoe’s island … And […]

Jan 24, 201551 min

Episode 288: Nick Kroll, Laura Poitras, Eddie Huang

This week: The filmmaker who documented Edward Snowden (but didn’t decorate his hotel room) … Comedian Nick Kroll goes in search of the weirdest voices in America … Chef and author Eddie Huang tries to bring authenticity to a network sitcom … Kolache pastries heat up … An opera star shares moments when music made […]

Jan 17, 201550 min

Episode 287: J.C. Chandor, Mark Duplass, Twerps

This week: Actor-writer-director Mark Duplass on brotherly love – without eye-contact … A spicy, south-of-the-border drink trend … Filmmaker J.C. Chandor makes art inspired by tragedy … FM radio is invented, and we’re pretty grateful … An ex-Aerosmith roadie/sailor/journalist settles down on an unlikely farm … Aussie rockers Twerps turn up the volume … Latin […]

Jan 10, 201550 min

Episode 286: Best of 2014

We are kicking off 2015 by rounding-up some of our (and your!) favorite moments from 2014. Actor Jeffrey Tambor talks parenting — in real life and television … Grilled cheese sandwiches fall from the sky … Anjelica Huston will not be forgotten … A collection of all-star etiquette wisdom from Billy Eichner, Mel Brooks, Betty […]

Jan 02, 201551 min

Episode 285: Wes Anderson, Dave Barry, and Real Estate

This Week: Filmmaker Wes Anderson on stoves that witnessed history… Humorist Dave Barry takes aim at your etiquette questions… Real Estate play party DJ… Lit phenom Helen Oyeyemi gazes into the mirror, mirror….And Noah Strycker opens up his bird-brain. Plus: wild camels roaming Texas, the strangest cleanse ever, and Mac DeMarco’s tuneful “Brother.”

Dec 27, 201450 min

Holiday Bonus: Frolic with Molly Ringwald and Friends

We’re issuing you a holiday bonus — in the form of an extra podcast. We know, it’s what you wanted most of all. So we’ve wrapped up the contents of our recent Holiday Frolic live event staged in Los Angeles. You’ll hear an extended version of the B.J. Novak story and conversation from last week’s […]

Dec 24, 201439 min

Episode 284: B.J. Novak (live!), The Dukes of Hazzard, and Miriam Toews

A special fireside chat with writer-actor B.J. Novak, from our “Holiday Frolic” road show … Also: Canadian author Miriam Toews’ tale of two sisters… We tag along on “The Search for General Tso” … The stars of classic 1970’s “The Dukes of Hazzard” play holiday DJ for us … Actor Joel Edgerton swims right into a punchline […]

Dec 20, 201450 min

Episode 283: Mike Leigh, Gina Rodriguez, Joseph Gordon-Levitt

This week: Filmmaker Mike Leigh talks about crop circles (yes, those crop circles) … Actor Gina Rodriguez explains how “Breaking Bad” is crazier than a telenovela … What we can learn about dictators from thier food obsessions … A replay of the history of the replay … Joseph Gordon-Levitt on art outside the Hollywood machine […]

Dec 12, 201449 min
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