Episode 310: Al Pacino, Adam Scott & Jason Schwartzman, Flo Morrissey

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 mystery... The highlights (and lowlights) of redheadedness, through history... We toast baseball's first female umpire... Filmmaker Alfonso Gomez-Rejon (of the Sundance sensation "Me and Earl and the Dying Girl," now in theaters) tells of his wild reversal of fortune. And more!


Episode 323: Olivia Wilde, Elvis Costello, Paul F. Tompkins

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 must-reads in the realm (because it's not a genre) of young adult literature... And actor and funny man Paul F. Tompkins tells us the right way to hang a toilet paper roll. Plus, what to do when your waiter is a robot, and more!


Episode 322: Tony Bennett & Bill Charlap, Kurt Vile, J. Kenji López-Alt

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 to counter-terrorism "informants"... Plus, the fastest musical in history, the high-tech origins of the Super Soaker, and more!


Episode 321: Run The Jewels, Elizabeth Gilbert, Pauline Black

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 eerie death of Edgar Allan Poe and get a cocktail from his hometown of Baltimore... The Paris Review's Sadie Stein spills on New York juice crawls... Plus Phil Rosenthal on his new food show and an excerpt from Sloane Crosley's first novel.


Episode 320: Peter Capaldi, Paul Scheer, Shamir

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... The great British calendar shift of 1752 inspires a Colonial cocktail... We remember the Queen of the Beach Read -- and dear friend of the show -- Jackie Collins... And Cali pop outfit The Mantles give you some ear candy for before, during, or after your next party.


2015 LA Podfest Bonus: Paul Scheer, Aisha Tyler, Ann Friedman

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 Peter Gabriel harmonizing), and then joins Paul to tackle etiquette issues... and man buns. Plus, "Call Your Girlfriend" co-host Ann Friedman ponders a future with sentient Barbies, and we behold an icebreaker from The Smartest Man in the World. (Ahem, that's Greg Proops.)


Vittorio Zunino Celotto / Getty

Episode 291: Eddie Redmayne, Issa Rae, Andrew Jarecki

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 get some insight into the cockroach psyche ... New music to know from Unknown Mortal Orchestra ... And the Posts stop by to remind you to do something a little nice for Valentine's Day this year.


Episode 319: Emily Mortimer, Julie Klausner, Destroyer

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 told by George Carlin's daughter Kelly... Ootcha, a potent new tea trend...We re-read Joan Didion, chronicler of culture (and clash). Plus, the real Uncle Sam, the un-dead Terry Gilliam, and the coolest shroom in the room.


Episode 318: Salman Rushdie, Alice Cooper, Carly Rae Jepsen

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 daguerreotype, then watch a cocktail develop... And Rico samples "Grass Jelly," a white-hot topping for ice-cold desserts.


Episode 317: Uzo Aduba, Yo La Tengo, Doug Aitken

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 prank in history inspires a Georgia cocktail (without peaches!)... Novelist Matthew Salesses wades into the deluge... The Posts, ambassadors of politesse... We swipe left on a new Tinder robot... and more.