Episodes

Episode 272: Mia Wasikowska, Nick Frost, and Interpol

Vittorio Zunino Celotto / Getty Images Entertainment

Actress Mia Wasikowska (“Alice in Wonderland”) makes “Tracks” across the Outback… British film star Nick Frost (“The Boxtrolls,” “Shaun of the Dead,” “Hot Fuzz”) squares off against etiquette monsters and bachelor party killjoys… Inner-party music from Interpol… “New Yorker” writer John Lahr writes the book on playwright Tennessee Williams… One of history’s strangest bar bets… Susan Sontag’s favorite words, as recalled by her confidant, novelist Sigrid Nunez… Plus, the perfect ketchup, and fine small talk from Anna Sale of “Death, Sex, & Money.”


Sigrid Nunez - "Marble Eastwood"

Icebreaker

Novelist Sigrid Nunez shares something a bit unflattering - but definitely funny - that filmmaker Sergio Leone may have once said about Clint Eastwood.


Immunity May Not Apply to Parking Meters

Small Talk

The Wall Street Journal reports that diplomats from around the world owe New York City over $16 Million in unpaid parking tickets.


A Drunken Bet Leads to an Airborne Stunt

A History Lesson With Booze ®

In 1956, someone bet New Jersey resident Thomas Fitzpatrick that he couldn't get to Washington Heights in Manhattan in fifteen minutes. He took drastic measures to prove his drinking buddy wrong. Twice.


Interpol's Daniel Kessler Gathers Some Characters

Soundtrack

Interpol's dark, angular debut "Turn On The Bright Lights" was one of the defining rock albums of the early 21st century. Guitarist and backing vocalist Daniel Kessler took a break from the band's ongoing tour in support of their latest LP -- "El Pintor" -- to spin us a party playlist for minimalists.


Mia Wasikowska on Discrete Cameras and Docile Camels

Guest of Honor

Mia Wasikowska played Alice in Tim Burton's remake of "Alice in Wonderland," and Jane Eyre in Cary Fukanaga's retelling of that story. In "Tracks" she portrays the real-life Robyn Davidson who trekked across the Australian desert with just four camels and a dog.


The Inspiring, Rule-Breaking Wisdom of Susan Sontag

Eavesdropping

Novelist Sigrid Nunez's latest book is "Sempre Susan," a biography of the late writer, critic, and activist Susan Sontag.


A Brief History of Ketchup

Main Course

In Los Angeles, chef Nick Coe painstakingly crafts and markets his "Molonay Tubilderborst" ketchups. He tells us about the complex precursors to the humble condiment, and why there's more to life than Heinz.


Nick Frost's Tips for Zombies, Aliens, and Neighbors

Etiquette

Comedian, actor, writer, director and monsterslayer Nick Frost ("Shaun of the Dead," "Hot Fuzz" and the new animated spectacular "The Boxtrolls") offers etiquette tips regarding alien encounters, zombie agriculture, and party planning. Pantsless all the while.


How Tennessee Williams Brought Poetry to Broadway

Chattering Class

From early struggles to revolutionary success, to a hazy decline due to bad timing and self-destructive choices, Tennessee Williams' life reads a bit like those of his characters. Critic and author John Lahr captures that story in an authoritative new biography of one of the 20th century's most significant playwright... including his first significant flop.