The Dinner Party Download

Comedian Jordan Peele’s hit horror film “Get Out” is a deadly serious exploration of racism…Pete Holmes used his divorce as inspiration for his new HBO comedy, “Crashing”…Nashville singer Valerie June throws a party at Elvis’ house…Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Viet Thanh Nguyen tackles issues of race, immigration, and identity…Plus, how the film, “Nosferatu,” almost burned to […]

This week, something a little different! We’re giving you the first in an all-new series we’re calling “Dinner for One” — essentially, a single, almost unedited conversation with someone amazing. This time, comedy — and now horror — genius Jordan Peele chats with Rico about “Get Out,” the new film he wrote and directed.  The […]

Director Damien Chazelle on his record-tying 14 Oscar nominations, and why he’s attracted to art forms on their way to extinction… A New York Times editor reveals the elaborate accommodations for canine competitors at the Westminster Dog Show… Author George Saunders dishes out advice and reveals his *real* first novel… Musician Rhiannon Giddens picks a […]

Lin-Manuel Miranda talks about his latest work in “Moana,” and reveals how a cross country trip helped him perfect his freestyle rapping… “Nerdette” co-host Greta Johnsen proves why Virginia is NOT for lovers… Rapper Kevin Abstract gives us a dinner party soundtrack for time travelers… Writer Ottessa Moshfegh shares her favorite characters nostalgic for other […]

“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” star Rachel Bloom schools us in online stalking and making contemporary musicals… DJ Steve Aoki marries hardcore music with rap… “Marketplace” host Kai Ryssdal makes us all smarter… Oscar-nominated director Raoul Peck pays tribute to the late, great James Baldwin in his new documentary… Comedians John Early and Kate Berlant recommend three classic […]

Holy Tuesday, it’s an all-new episode of our off-the-cuff Speakeasy podcast. This time, Brendan and Rico are in the studio together — a rare event! In this special, you’ll hear an icebreaker from the Academy Award-nominated director Ava DuVernay that didn’t make it to air. Also, “Moonlight” director Barry Jenkins — who is up for […]

Encore Broadcast: “Ugly Betty” and “Superstore” star America Ferrera explains the “super” part of superstores… Comedian Norm Macdonald gives us etiquette advice and reveals why his new memoir, “Based on a True Story,” is full of lies… Childstar-turned-writer Mara Wilson confronts the hereafter… Noise rock pioneer Lou Barlow celebrates soft rock with a soundtrack for […]

We talk life, (near-)death, and tree-climbing with “The OA” creator and star Brit Marling, then learn how she broke her nose making it… Comedian Cristela Alonzo gives us some “Lower Classy” advice… Booker Prize-winning novelist Aravind Adiga teaches us a thing or two about the sport of cricket… A medical breakthrough inspires a healthy tipple…And […]

Ava DuVernay unpacks the issues at play in her searing documentary, “13th,” then reveals the cheeseball ’80s movie that’s her true fave… Legendary Sex Pistol Steve Jones tells you when it’s OK to steal from your opening act… Indie band Whitney gives a retro playlist that’ll raise the roof… Comedian Baron Vaughn meets a turn-of-phrase… […]

Filmmaker Mike Mills celebrates his mom and other “20th Century Women”… Multi-instrumentalist Natalie Mering a.k.a. Weyes Blood takes us to the opera (inside her tiny apartment)… The Posts bring etiquette gifts that never expire…We learn about the secret that brilliant cartoonist George Herriman (“Krazy Kat”) kept ’til his death… Rico samples guarapo, Cuba’s signature street […]