The Dinner Party Download

“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 […]

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… […]

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, […]

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 […]

“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… […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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: […]

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!

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 it […]

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 laid-back dinner […]

Encore Broadcast: “Magic Mike” star Joe Manganiello strips away our bad etiquette habits… Artist-musician Devendra Banhart ruminates on art, ritual, and everlasting honey… Grammy-winner Joy Williams (formerly of The Civil Wars) shares a party soundtrack, direct from her Nashville “Night Circus”…The pros and cons of dining with dogs… Nina Simone gets a close-up, from acclaimed documentarian […]

Just in time for a week of feasting, it’s our special All-Food Show! Chefs Gabrielle Hamilton and Dan Barber turn food afterthoughts into fine dining … We ruminate on the history of the toothpick… Questlove and Conor Oberst play dinnertime DJ… Eddie Huang, of “Fresh off the Boat” fame, addresses do’s and don’ts about donuts… […]

Allison Janney, star of the CBS sitcom “Mom,” on the humor in life’s heavy stuff… Alan Palomo, better known as Neon Indian, DJs your bomb shelter dinner party (but you’ll have to bring your own food)… Bon Appetit’s Adam Rapoport on how to pre-game for a food coma… The veteran producer behind “The Jeffersons” and […]

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 memoir!)… Plus, […]

Indie rock god Carrie Brownstein on the troubles and triumphs of touring, as outlined in her new memoir… “Silicon Valley” star TJ Miller recommends wedding gifts for the budget-conscious (make sure you have your tetanus shot!)… Actor and first-time director Colin Hanks guides us through the rise and fall of Tower Records… Rising opera star […]

Surprise! It’s a new “Speakeasy” — our occasional, off-the-cuff, slightly profane, online-only series in which we give you a peek behind the scenes at the making of the DPD… and give a listen to some of the great stuff we had to leave on the cutting room floor. This time around: never-before-heard snippets of actor […]

Encore Broadcast: Al Pacino reflects on playing himself (method, of course), improvising with Sidney Lumet, and watching YOU from the corner booth… Adam Scott and Jason Schwartzman, two forces behind the risque new comedy “The Overnight,” pass our etiquette pop(corn) quiz… Precocious singer Flo Morrissey fashions a soundtrack for lovers, dreamers, and an international man of […]

This week: “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 […]

This week: Legendary singer Tony Bennett, with collaborator Bill Charlap, color our world joyful – then compliment Rico’s dad… Rocker Kurt Vile spins a soundtrack for cowboys, outlaws, and toddlers… Mad food scientist J. Kenji Lopez-Alt solves a few kitchen mysteries… The Posts run etiquette circles around us… A fascinating new documentary puts a face […]

This week: Hip-hop duo Run The Jewels explains the cat sounds in their new album… Graphic novelist Adrian Tomine tells us why he writes about confused dads… “Eat, Pray, Love” author Elizabeth Gilbert gives us passive-aggressive advice… Ska legend Pauline Black of The Selecter​ spins us a spunky and soulful soundtrack… We learn about the […]

Peter Capaldi — star of the beloved sci-fi series “Dr. Who” — brings etiquette advice via TARDIS… Funnyman Paul Scheer revels in terrible movies, pseudo-reality… Filmmaker Alexandra Pelosi explores how the tech boom and gentrification have remade San Francisco, her hometown… Dance-pop star Shamir works it, while working retail, and whips up a party soundtrack… […]

Folks! We’re unleashing here a special BONUS EPISODE, taped this past Sunday at the Los Angeles Podcast Festival. Funnyman Paul Scheer (“The League” and “How Did This Get Made?“) explains what makes awful films awful, and tries really hard to make Russell Crowe laugh. Comedian Aisha Tyler (“Archer“) relives her “Rockapella” days (feat. tons of […]

Encore Broadcast: 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 […]

This week: Writer-actor Emily Mortimer (“Doll & Em”) puts friendships under the lens, makes us laugh and squirm… Julie Klausner, co-mastermind of the new comedy series “Difficult People,” tackles your questions with ease … Pop musician Destroyer (a.k.a. Dan Bejar) invites Van Morrison to the party, three times… The day the sun (almost) exploded, as […]

This week: 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 […]

This week: Emmy-nominated actor Uzo Aduba (“Orange is the New Black”) on what keeps “Crazy Eyes” grounded – and wild fan run-ins…Indie rockers Yo La Tengo cook up a cover-rich soundtrack… Artist Doug Aitken breathes life (and art and music) into old rail hubs, in his new documentary “Station to Station”… The most elaborate college […]

This week: Emmy-nominated actor Uzo Aduba (“Orange is the New Black”) on what keeps “Crazy Eyes” grounded – and wild fan run-ins…Indie rockers Yo La Tengo cook up a cover-rich soundtrack… Artist Doug Aitken breathes life (and art and music) into old rail hubs, in his new documentary “Station to Station”… The most elaborate college […]

Encore Broadcast: Comedy legend Mel Brooks reanimates “Young Frankenstein” then offers priceless etiquette advice (warning: may include death threats, flatulence, gallows humor, and uncontrollable laughter)… Actress Greta Gerwig (“Frances Ha” and “Mistress America”) tries a love story on for size… AC Newman of indie rock super-group The New Pornographers spins a party soundtrack that’s so […]

Witness the 2015 all-joke extravaganza! Per DPD tradition, we’ve crammed a year’s worth of so-bad-they’re-good icebreakers into one nifty little package. You’ll hear enough lightbulb-changing jokes to last you a lifetime, along with witty one-liners and groaners, from guests including Adam Scott, Marion Cotillard, Joe Manganiello, Tracee Ellis Ross, Oscar the Grouch, Jenny Slate, David […]

“Speakeasy #3″ is here! It’s our special podcast where we share behind-the-scenes bits and never-before-heard snippets that didn’t make it into our weekly episodes. In our newest installment, Jason Schwartzman and Adam Scott talk power bar problems, Al Pacino invites Brendan on a play date in NYC, and Jason Segel “freaks” out (in the most […]

Encore Broadcast: 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 we […]

This week: Actor Jason Segel turns over a new leaf, as David Foster Wallace, in the biopic “The End of the Tour”… Etiquette (and karaoke) tips from rock star writer Diablo Cody (“Ricki and the Flash”)… Bobcat Goldthwait remembers Barry Crimmins, the man who brought conscience (and anger) to comedy… A taste of haute cuisine […]

This week: Actor Abigail Spencer cherishes the Southern truths — and roots — of TV’s “Rectify” … Comedian Riki Lindhome, co-everything of the new parody series “Another Period,” gives real talk to Lolitas and ‘Downton’ divas …Rico hops off-menu to try Oaxacan pickled bread a.k.a. “Piedrazos”…A most absurd list, from the masterminds of “Aqua Teen […]

On this week’s show: Liev Schreiber, star of the hit hit-man series “Ray Donovan,” brings stories of his dog days… A follow-up documentary from Oscar nominee Joshua Oppenheimer (“The Act of Killing”) looks into the eyes of mass murderers… Mega-producer Mark Ronson DJs our dinner party, gets us out of our seats… A requiem for […]

Encore Broadcast: 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 a […]

This week: Comedy duo Tim and Eric get into the Etiquette Zone… New U.S. Poet Laureate Juan Felipe Herrera wears many hats, counts many lizard tails… An “UnREAL” new show skewers reality TV… Debut novelist Naomi Jackson links Brooklyn and Barbados…The best form-breaking talk shows, handpicked by comedian Chris Gethard (“The Chris Gethard Show”)… And we […]

This week: “Magic Mike” star Joe Manganiello strips away our bad etiquette habits… Artist-musician Devendra Banhart ruminates on art, ritual, and everlasting honey… Grammy-winner Joy Williams (formerly of The Civil Wars) shares a party soundtrack, direct from her Nashville “Night Circus”…The pros and cons of dining with dogs… Nina Simone gets a close-up, from acclaimed […]

This week: Al Pacino reflects on playing himself (method, of course), improvising with Sidney Lumet, and watching YOU from the corner booth… Adam Scott and Jason Schwartzman, two forces behind the risque new comedy “The Overnight,” pass our etiquette pop(corn) quiz… Precocious singer Flo Morrissey fashions a soundtrack for lovers, dreamers, and an international man […]