The Dinner Party Download

This week: As we ready for next week’s hour-long show premiere, we serve up two more courses from the DPD test kitchen. You’ll hear suggestions for your dinner party soundtrack from Swedish band Little Dragon. Plus, author Alexander Maksik flies into a moth-joke trap.

This week: 28-time bestselling novelist Jackie Collins drops by to give Etiquette lessons… and to dish about Michael Caine’s birthday bash. Plus, more experimentation from the DPD test kitchen, a call for your calls, and a track from phenom Luke Rathborne.

This week, we continue to prepare for the hour-long version of the show by serving up some new courses. You’ll “overhear” a story from author Jeanne Darst, take a Chattering Class on urban design with filmmaker Gary Hustwit, and learn the number of our new dinner-party hotline. (Drunk dialing allowed.) Let us know what you think! Plus, a traumatizing joke from debut novelist Justin Torres, and a new tune from the Stepkids.

Welcome to *The Dinner Party* – a culture show that gives you everything you need to win this weekend’s dinner party.. On the menu: Pulitzer Prize winner Jennifer Egan quacks us up, comedian Demetri Martin takes us on a dietary journey, and we pose our burning etiquette questions to Broadway sensation Elaine Stritch. Plus, an interview with breakout actress Greta Gerwig, poetry from Billy Collins, and lots more.

This week: Steve James, director of “Hoop Dreams” and “The Interrupters,” interrupts our regularly scheduled programming to list some docs you’ll love, even if you’re doc-avoidant. Plus, Swedish singer-songwriter Jens Lekman gets up in his own grill. Much more to come as we prep for a longer, tastier DPD… stay tuned.

This week: Filmmaker Gus Van Sant gives us the silent treatment… America says Uncle… And Brendan gets the lowdown on gluten from Erin “Babycakes” McKenna. Plus, Soleil Moon Frye (a.k.a. Punky Brewster) kids around, and Feist offers up a bluesy new tune.

This week: Musician/Artist Terry Allen re-mystifies love… Sweden gets on the right track… And tennis superstar Novak Djokovic eggs himself on. Plus, a joke from a bitter Kiwi and a bouncin’ track from Big Freedia.

This week: TV on the Radio explains why it’s raining milk…The Sun talks craziness about the moon…And we treat ourselves to the cake to end all cakes. Plus, a joke from actress Claire Sloma and a fierce new track from Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks.

This week: Filmmaker and artist Miranda July reveals her secret identity…The Mona Lisa takes an Italian vacation…And Bobbies crack down on super-soakers. Plus, a joke from musician Forrest Day and a mesmerizing tune from Lana Del Rey.

Back by popular demand, it’s another all-star, all-icebreaker show: Almost every joke we’ve aired in the last year, collected in one convenient podcast. Patton Oswalt, Miranda July, Spike Jonze, Lemmy and many, many more regale you with miniature tales of animals in bars, drummers in hell and dumb dictators. It’s a veritable feast of corn and cheese. Click here for the list of jokes and their tellers…

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.

This week: The filmmaking duo behind “Another Earth” keep it real… L.A. tells the truth about traffic tickets… and a Confederate spy in the house of love. Plus Miranda July sings for laughs, and Cut Off Your Hands. That’s a band, not an order.

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.

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.

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.

This week: Author Bonnie Jo Campbell goes zonkeys…The rowdies get out of Dodge…And Ashton Kutcher’s twitter account solves traffic crises. Plus, a joke from celebrated author Matthew Gallaway, and a new track from the Unknown Mortal Orchestra.

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]

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.

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.

This week: Actor Michael Sheen speaks in tongues… Lady Godiva streaks into Tea Partiers’ hearts… And a sweet pill erases bitter memories. Plus, a dark joke from director Tim Burton and a bright tune from The Sandwitches.

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.

This week: Actor Anton Yelchin can’t let go of Legos… Spider-Dan climbs the walls… And Del the Funky Homosapien has a ball. Plus we revel in a new tune from L.A. band Alexander.

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.

This week: Comedian Demetri Martin fires up his brain machine… We go on the lam with the most punk-rock fugitive in history…. And Morgan Spurlock makes us cry. Plus, virtual kisses and a rockin’ lullaby from Modern Mothers.

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?

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.

This week: Actress Vera Farmiga has a productive year… We learn who to blame for online SPAM… And Rico goes Dutch… Plus, a joke from author T.C. Boyle and a new tune from ace songsmith Cass McCombs.

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].

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This week: “Portlandia” star/creator Carrie Brownstein satirizes her own… Broadway’s major fail… and Rico sticks a fork in history. Plus a joke (in English) from The Love Language… and TUnEYarDs gives us the bizness.

This week: Author Karen Russell muses about amusement parks… Jack Paar vs. NB(W)C… And Wal-Mart employees get gun-fired. Plus: Nashville-based singer/songwriter Tristen delivers a joke, and a trip to San Pedro via Mogwai.

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.

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.

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.

This week: Director Spike Lee instigates debate (and dates)… We go back a long way, baby… And a Franken-pepper is born. Plus, a childish joke from comedian Patton Oswalt and a loverly tune from Allo Darlin’.

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.

This week: Indie-pop duo Tennis live la vida luddite… A London conference aims for new, boring heights… We unveil the story behind sports’ biggest losers… Plus a joke from director Spike Jonze and a new Happy Birthday song.

This week: Our favorite stuff from the last 12 months – starring Das Racist, Rainn Wilson, Molly Ringwald, Sebastian Junger, mutant barnyard animals, drunken traders, adult kamikazes and a goat named Lincoln. Plus music from Ariel Pink & Sage Francis… and an easter egg omelet.

This week: Writer-director Sofia Coppola reveals she was heir to *another* Hollywood legend… A killer smog chokes London… And Broadway’s Spiderman breaks several legs. Plus: a dear joke from Badly Drawn Boy, and a holiday tune from Bishop Allen.

This week: Satirist Christian Lander talks about Stuff White People Like… a town goes nuts after a boll weevil blight… and Brendan looks into the future of food, but can’t see the stealth miso. Plus, a joke from Los Lobos and a tune from Toro y Moi.

This week: Rap iconoclast Kid Cudi comes in for a check-up… An Alabama woman gets star-struck… And Sarah Palin slays a reindeer. Plus, a joke/hallucination from Bob Odenkirk, and a classic track from Thin Lizzy.

This week: Global DJ and music mogul Diplo takes a call… The besotted birth of the video game industry… and Rico gets schooled at America’s most vegan-friendly campus. Plus “medicinal” vodka and a new tune from Cloud Nothings.

This week, a Thanksgiving meal for your ears, in three courses: Brendan braves the mean streets of NYC to score contraband grilled cheese… Rico daintily dips his tongue into the hottest of hot sauces… and we launch a unilateral war against the cupcake.

This week: UK movie star Sally Hawkins crows about her new film… we unearth the missing drink… and Brendan has an early Thanksgiving in Chinatown. Plus, a joke from Procol Harum’s Gary Brooker, and a new track from A-D-D D.J. Girl Talk.

This week: Pop ‘n’ soul star Huey Lewis gets dressed… Canada takes out our TV trash… We learn the greatest name in football… Plus Kai Ryssdal kids around and Sonny and the Sunsets supply a tune.

This week: Brit actor/director/provocateur Chris Morris terrorizes US movie screens… Black Bart’s last verse… and urban farmers get their goats. Plus, Curative new music from Crystal Castles, and an-”other” joke.