Lindy West: Big Voice, No Shame

The writer and activist has found an audience-- and faced repeated backlash-- as she's talked about what it's like to grow up big in a body-obsessed culture. Her first book, just released this week, is called "Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman."

John Doe’s L.A. Punk Flashbacks, From Romance to Riots

In the 1970s, John Doe, along with partners-in-crime Exene Cervenka, Billy Zoom and DJ Bonebrake, formed X... which became one of the most important bands of the exploding L.A. punk scene. He writes about the era in "Under The Big Black Sun: A Personal History of L.A. Punk" -- a collection also featuring chapters by Cervenka, Henry Rollins (Black Flag), Dave Alvin (The Blasters), and others. Today we overhear John tell about some of the era's highs, lows... and infernos.

5 Tips for a Successful New Year’s Eve Party

Rico and Brendan joined Minnesota Public Radio to provide sage advice on how to have a successful New Year's Eve... and how to nap. MPR News summarized their tips in a tidy easy-to-remember list.

Steve Martin, in Conversation – from Scruggs to Jagger

We’re sharing the extended cut of our interview with Steve Martin, just in time for his 4th-of-July bluegrass shows at The Hollywood Bowl. Steve discusses his musical life, his early days as a performer, and the connection between banjo & de Kooning. Enjoy!

What Jonah Hill Is Embarrassed by – and What He Is Not

Actor Jonah Hill earned his second Oscar nomination for his performance as a corrupt stockbroker in Martin Scorsese's over-the-top "The Wolf of Wall Street." He tells Rico about the moment he was tapped for the role… and about Stanley Kubrick's favorite film.

Best of Etiquette 2013

We look back at some highlights of 2013 etiquette conversations, featuring Tim Gunn, Lars Ulrich, and other unlikely advice givers.

Best of 2013 Small Talk

By this point, you're probably buried under recaps of 2013's major headlines. So here, in tiny digestible pieces, are all of the crazy news items that didn't make the front page, but probably helped you win your dinner parties...

Comedian Nick Kroll Atones for an Epic Oktoberfest

Actor and comic Nick Kroll is best known for playing defense attorney Rodney Ruxin on FX’s “The League.” This Wednesday his new sketch comedy show “Kroll Show” premieres on Comedy Central; it features bits with signature Kroll characters like Bobby Bottlservice (one of the ‘Ed Hardy boys’) and flamboyant caterer Fabrice Fabrice. Today he tells us about the time when he got run out of Munich on a rail.