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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 350: Rashida Jones, Yo-Yo Ma, Tegan and Sara

Multi-hyphenate Rashida Jones — one of the forces behind TV’s police farce “Angie Tribeca”– comes bearing wisdom for ‘overdogs’… Cello maestro Yo-Yo Ma gets existential… Pop sensations Tegan and Sara craft a party playlist that’s frank — and French… The man and myth behind the donut, as we know it… Photographing your dinner makes you […]

Jun 24, 201650 min

Speakeasy Special: Sam Heughan, Dick Cavett, Saoirse Ronan, Opus Moreschi

It’s an all-new episode of our off-the-cuff Speakeasy podcast! “Outlander” star Sam Heughan has a failsafe way to look buff (hint: tiny clothing)… Dick Cavett reveals his hidden talent and has a little fun at Spiro Agnew’s expense… Opus Moreschi, head writer of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” gets crafty with cocktails during our […]

Jun 22, 201616 min

Episode 349: Barney Frank, Anna Chlumsky, Hailu Mergia

This week, it’s a special edition of the DPD, taped in front of a D.C.-area crowd! Think of it as a political party: Former congressman Barney Frank pines for pragmatism and left-(handed) progress… Anna Chlumsky of HBO’s “VEEP” swears she can leave her character’s quirks on-set… Local keyboard legend Hailu Mergia, once a part of […]

Jun 17, 201649 min

Episode 307: Alison Bechdel, Chuck Palahniuk, Colleen

Encore Broadcast: 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 an avant-garde-tinged […]

Jun 10, 201649 min

Episode 328: Ian McKellen, Cindy Crawford, Wine Crime

Encore Broadcast: Master thespian Sir Ian McKellen with etiquette advice and real talk about his least favorite co-stars… supermodel Cindy Crawford recalls her photo shoot with a 40-pound python… Investigative journalist Christine Haughney on why in wine, there’s not always truth… Will Toledo — of lo-fi indie rock band Car Seat Headrest — DJs your […]

Jun 03, 201649 min

Episode 348: Sam Heughan, Sebastian Junger, Moshe Kasher and Natasha Leggero

“Outlander” star Sam Heughan drops by to deliver some hair care tips before answering a few of our listeners’ etiquette questions… Filmmaker and journalist Sebastian Junger tells us why some prefer wartime to peacetime… Comedians/spouses Moshe Kasher and Natasha Leggero list a few road trips gone wrong… Brendan visits a cheese cave… Actor and writer Faith Salie […]

May 27, 201650 min

Episode 347: Colin Farrell, Maria Bamford, Frankie Cosmos

Movie star Colin Farrell considers his new film, “The Lobster”… Comedian Maria Bamford channels her mother (and her mother’s hairdresser) to give us etiquette advice… Writer and activist Lindy West stands up for Kermit the Frog… Musician Frankie Cosmos DJs your dinner/pajama party (no boys allowed!)… Writer and rocker John Doe regales us with stories of […]

May 20, 201650 min

Speakeasy Special: Ellie Kemper, Cameron Esposito, Michael McKean, Emmy the Great

It’s an all new “Speakeasy” — our occasional, off-the-cuff, slightly profane, online-only podcast where we share some of the great stuff we had to leave on the cutting room floor. This time around you’ll hear Ellie Kemper of “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” attempt to raise the bar for improv (or is it the roof?)… Plus, Comedian […]

May 17, 201618 min

Episode 252: Marc Maron, Philippe Petit, and Soylent

Encore Broadcast: Marc Maron gives etiquette AND time-travel advice… Graphic novelist Mimi Pond lists criminals, spies, and other bohemians … “Man On Wire” tightrope-walker Philippe Petit explores creative chaos… “The Descendants” author Kaui Hart Hemmings tells a new tale… load up on Kleenex ’cause here comes SADvertising… the history of the least respected trophy in […]

May 13, 201651 min

Episode 346: Saoirse Ronan, Cameron Diaz, Solomon Georgio

Oscar-nominee Saoirse Ronan sharpens her skills in Broadway’s Crucible… Actor-and-author Cameron Diaz gives us impeccable advice — for the long haul… A new doc paints a portrait of David Hockney, an artist both bright and blue… One-man-band Kevin Morby recommends a few other artists (and BBQ masters) who went solo… Comedian-on-the-rise Solomon Georgio recalls his […]

May 06, 201651 min

Episode 345: Jessica Williams, Dick Cavett, Michael McKean

“The Daily Show” Senior Correspondent Jessica Williams dishes about her most devastating moment (in an olive oil shop in Park Slope)… Talk-show legend Dick Cavett waxes poetic on playing himself… Comedian Jen Kirkman loses her cell phone and changes her life… Actor Michael McKean, of “This is Spinal Tap” and “Laverne and Shirley” fame, briefs […]

Apr 29, 201655 min

Episode 344: Anderson Cooper, Nahnatchka Khan, Parquet Courts

Journalist and TV host Anderson Cooper dazzles us with details from the new memoir he co-wrote with his heiress mom, Gloria Vanderbilt… Nahnatchka Khan, showrunner for the sitcom “Fresh Off the Boat,” thanks her Dad for trapping her in a car… Atlas Obscura’s Reyhan Harmanci regales us with tales of lab rats with cold feet… […]

Apr 22, 201650 min

Episode 318: Salman Rushdie, Alice Cooper, Carly Rae Jepsen

Encore Broadcast: Novelist Salman Rushdie stirs up age-old mischief – and magic… Shock rock legend Alice Cooper tells wild tales of Groucho Marx, Paul McCartney, and his “Hollywood Vampires” crew, then slays us with sensible etiquette advice … Carly Rae Jepsen DJs our party (you’ll really, really like her soundtrack)…. We shed light on the daguerreotype, […]

Apr 15, 201650 min

Episode 343: The ALL-TV Episode

It’s a special “ALL-TV” Episode, featuring big talent from the small screen! Ellie Kemper of “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” smiles into the void… T.J. Miller (“Silicon Valley”) recommends wedding gifts for the budget-minded (just make sure you have your tetanus shot)… “Orange is the New Black” star Uzo Aduba invites Shakespeare to the slammer… TV mastermind […]

Apr 08, 201650 min

Episode 342: Nicholas Hoult, Tatiana Maslany, Duncan Sheik

“Orphan Black” star Tatiana Maslany plays clones, twins, and Ying Yang Twins… Nicholas Hoult (“Mad Max: Fury Road,” the new “Kill Your Friends”) revels in a bit of depravity – and a good fanny pack… “American Psycho” gets the Broadway treatment, from Tony winner Duncan Sheik… A portrait of Georgia O’Keefe as a young woman… […]

Apr 01, 201650 min

341: Daniel Clowes, Cameron Esposito, Quilt

Graphic novelist Daniel Clowes on his unusual and endangered drawing utensils… Newly-married comedian Cameron Esposito describes her very public bachelor party and gives us etiquette advice… Sabri Ben-Achour of “Marketplace” and “Actuality” ponders the ghosts of peanuts past… The band Quilt DJs the chillest dinner party ever… NYMag’s Sierra Tishgart dishes on the deal with […]

Mar 25, 201650 min

340: Jeff Nichols, Lauren Weedman, Tindersticks

Southern filmmaker Jeff Nichols (“Mud,” the new “Midnight Special”) brings sci-fi down to earth, then offers up some pearls of wisdom… One of the art world’s bright lights, Dan Colen, muses on his new visions– part-Disney, part-J.M.W. Turner… Scene-stealer and storyteller Lauren Weedman tells a tale of moms and “Miss Fortune”… We recall the day […]

Mar 18, 201650 min

Speakeasy Special #6: Alan Cumming, Adam McKay, Dave Navarro

It’s an all new “Speakeasy” — our occasional, off-the-cuff, slightly profane, online-only series in which we give you a peek behind the scenes… and share some of the great stuff we had to leave on the cutting room floor. In this newest installment you’ll hear Brendan and Rico make a few martini recommendations for folks […]

Mar 15, 201614 min

Episode 329: Alicia Vikander, Randall Munroe, EL VY

Encore Broadcast: Alicia Vikander, star of “The Danish Girl,” on why she hates Pictionary… “xkcd” cartoonist Randall Munroe helps us keep it simple… Matt Berninger and Brent Knopf of the band El Vy quarrel over Cat Stevens… Emily Post’s great-grandchildren on whether it’s OK to bring a half-empty bottle of wine to a party (or is […]

Mar 11, 201651 min

Episode 339: Viola Davis, Alan Cumming, Dave Navarro

Actor Viola Davis — star of the ABC hit show “How to Get Away with Murder” — waxes poetic on the wonders of Vaseline… Broadway star Alan Cumming gives us an etiquette lesson and reminds us that he is NOT a performing poodle… Jane’s Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro navigates the darkest moment of his life […]

Mar 04, 201650 min

Episode 338: The NOTscars Special

It’s our first NOTscars show — for everything you won’t find at the Oscars! “Tangerine” star Mya Taylor on Hollywood realness and her rural refuge… New York Times film critic AO Scott lists his favorite Academy-ignored films… Heben Nigatu and Tracy Clayton of the “Another Round” podcast on tired movie tropes and #OscarsSoWhite… “Mad Max: […]

Feb 26, 201650 min

Episode 337: Adam McKay, George Miller, Santigold

Two Oscar-nominated filmmakers tell us about finding stories in unexpected places — Adam McKay (“The Big Short”) and George Miller (“Mad Max: Fury Road”)… Santigold revives our spirits with her party soundtrack… The down-and-up history of the Ferris Wheel… Star L.A. chef Roy Choi reinvents fast food, in the heart of Watts… And more!

Feb 19, 201650 min

Episode 336: Jason Schwartzman, Jenny Slate, Father John Misty, Lena Waithe

It’s a special live(ly) edition of the DPD, recorded in front of a sold-out L.A. crowd! Actor Jason Schwartzman revisits his “Rushmore” audition… Comedian Jenny Slate talks Marcel the Shell and Michael Dukakis the Hottie… Father John Misty plays a few party-stopping songs… And TV writer-producer Lena Waithe (currently starring in “Master of None”) tells […]

Feb 12, 201656 min

Speakeasy Special #5

It’s an all new “Speakeasy” — our occasional, off-the-cuff, slightly profane, online-only series in which we give you a peek behind the scenes… and share some of the great stuff we had to leave on the cutting room floor. This time around, you’ll hear how Sir Ian McKellan‘s “Gap of Rohan” icebreaker came together (and […]

Feb 09, 201613 min

Episode 323: Olivia Wilde, Elvis Costello, Paul F. Tompkins

Encore Broadcast: “Meadowland” actor Olivia Wilde tells us about non-nurturing female characters… Music legend Elvis Costello chats about his new memoir… We toast to Little Richard’s religious awakening… Art god Laurie Anderson weaves together a gripping tale about her rainy stint at an Amish farm… Young adult novelist Leigh Bardugo gives us her list of […]

Feb 05, 201651 min

Episode 325: Brie Larson, Gloria Steinem, Raury

Encore Broadcast: Actor Brie Larson, star of “Room,” talks about being trapped on a plane while passengers watch her movie… The esteemed Gloria Steinem answers etiquette questions and gives you permission NOT to smile… folk-hip-hop artist Raury DJs your dinner party in a futuristic forest… Mary-Louise Parker reads a letter from her new book (don’t call it a […]

Jan 29, 201650 min

Episode 315: Jason Segel, Diablo Cody, and Three Cool Cats

Encore Broadcast: This week we revisit one of our favorite 2015 episodes: Actor Jason Segel turns over a new leaf, as David Foster Wallace, in the biopic “The End of the Tour”… Rock star writer Diablo Cody (“Ricki and the Flash”) comes bearing etiquette (and karaoke) tips … Bobcat Goldthwait remembers Barry Crimmins, the man who brought conscience (and […]

Dec 30, 201551 min

Best of 2015: Carrie Brownstein, Oscar Isaac, Shamir

Sit back, relax, and aim your ears at these standout moments from punk singer Carrie Brownstein, artist Laurie Anderson, actor Oscar Isaac, comedian Michael Ian Black, and dance-pop maestro Shamir. Plus, your favorite icebreaker and history lesson of the year… and a Small Talk mash-up. (We’ll call it Tiny Talk!) Here’s to lots more phenomenal […]

Dec 23, 201551 min

Episode 331: Gael Garcia Bernal, Molly Crabapple, Hannibal Buress

Gael Garcia Bernal — a Golden Globe nominee for the series “Mozart in the Jungle” — goes from messiah to maestro… Comedian Hannibal Buress offers up etiquette advice for humans, from dogs… Illustrator and commentator Molly Crabapple likens drawing to dancing – to picking scabs… We tune into an offbeat holiday soundtrack, courtesy British song-smith […]

Dec 18, 201550 min

2015 DPD Holiday Special: Darryl ‘DMC’ McDaniels, Fran Lebowitz, Macklemore

We’ve made a special episode of “The Dinner Party Download” stuffed with holiday goodness. Hip-hop legend Darryl McDaniels (the “DMC” of Run-DMC) riffs on his mega-hit “Christmas in Hollis”… TV’s “Naked Chef” Jamie Oliver injects some health into our holiday menu (but don’t mess with his decadent cheese toasty)… Humorist Fran Lebowitz keeps the season […]

Dec 17, 201555 min
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