Episode 355: The 2016 All-Icebreaker Episode

It's time for our All-Icebreaker extravaganza! We've compiled a year's worth of our show-starting jokes into one convenient package. Get your eyes ready to roll with these awesomely bad tiny tales of stuff walking into bars, bad trips to the doctor, and more, courtesy of guests like Ian McKellen, Cameron Diaz, Alice Cooper, Saoirse Ronan, Nicholas Hoult, Sam Heughan, Tatiana Maslany, and dozens more. Some are funny... most are not. But there are definitely a lot of them. Enjoy!


Episode 326: Allison Janney, Norman Lear, John Mulaney

Encore Broadcast: Allison Janney, star of the CBS sitcom “Mom,” on the humor in life’s heavy stuff… Alan Palomo, better known as Neon Indian, DJs your bomb shelter dinner party (but you’ll have to bring your own food)…  Bon Appetit’s Adam Rapoport on how to pre-game for a food coma… The veteran producer behind “The Jeffersons” and “All in the Family,” Norman Lear, tells you how to behave… Up-and-coming comedy writer John Mulaney reveals the secret way to make him agree to anything… Plus, why scientists are studying the surface area of cats, one of France’s most peculiar battle strategies, and more!


Speakeasy Special: Food Fight with Jim Gaffigan, ‘The Sporkful,’ and ‘Nerdette’

Surprise! It's an all-new edition of our off-the-cuff Speakeasy podcast! This time, you'll hear a special treat from "The Sporkful"'s live event at Taste of Chicago: Brendan and Rico square off against Tricia Bobeda and Greta Johnsen, hosts of the "Nerdette" podcast, in a version of the newlywed game. Find out how well the guys know each other's idiosyncrasies after all these years. Then, drop in on a heated debate with comedian Jim Gaffigan about the WORST parts of a fruit salad. (Melon, right?) We've got a poll on our website so you can cast your vote, too. Tis the season!


Episode 342: Nicholas Hoult, Tatiana Maslany, Duncan Sheik

Encore Broadcast: "Orphan Black" star Tatiana Maslany plays clones, twins, and Ying Yang Twins... Nicholas Hoult ("Mad Max: Fury Road," the new "Kill Your Friends") revels in a bit of depravity -- and a good fanny pack... "American Psycho" gets the Broadway treatment, from Tony winner Duncan Sheik... A portrait of Georgia O'Keefe as a young woman... A Chicago priest battles the "Polish Edison" over credit for the bulletproof vest... And the band Heron Oblivion transports us to a rustic seaside dinner party -- so rustic, in fact, that it's set in a chicken coop.


Episode 354: Kristen Bell, Sharon Jones, Junius Meyvant

Soul singer Sharon Jones shares her digits... "Bad Moms" star Kristen Bell entertains our emoji etiquette questions... Comedian Josh Gondelman celebrates his Sublime relationship... Icelandic musician Junius Meyvant DJs your dinner party... Author Charles Russo teaches us about Bruce Lee's early days... Plus, the robots that wrote the world's scariest movie, the most popular fake student at a real university, a deceptive cocktail, and more!


Episode 353: Jim Gaffigan, Emma Cline, Anna Meredith

Comedian Jim Gaffigan advises you to pack your kids' lunch with pub fare... Novelist Emma Cline discusses the cult of her hit first novel... acclaimed Scottish composer Anna Meredith DJs your next dinner party/obstacle course... Writer Nicole Dennis-Benn finds trouble in paradise... Biographer Darryl W. Bullock sings the praises of the world's worst opera singer... Plus, the square history of one of the world's most popular toys, a puzzling cocktail, a Google Doc dilemma, and more!


Episode 352: Shiri Appleby, Jessi Klein, Wyatt Cenac

Actor Shiri Appleby, of the Peabody award-winning TV show "UnREAL," directs herself playing the part of a producer (don't worry, we're confused too!)... Jessi Klein, Executive Producer of "Inside Amy Schumer," discusses HER feminine ideals versus THE feminine ideal... Comedian Wyatt Cenac tells us what NOT to say to a mall cop... The man behind The Dan Band chooses some questionable songs to DJ your wedding party... Plus, an FBI investigation of pop music, an indecipherable cocktail, a birdbrained battle, and more!


Episode 339: Viola Davis, Alan Cumming, Dave Navarro

Encore Broadcast: Actor Viola Davis -- star of the ABC hit show "How to Get Away with Murder" -- waxes poetic on the wonders of Vaseline... Broadway star Alan Cumming gives us an etiquette lesson and reminds us that he is NOT a performing poodle... Jane's Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro navigates the darkest moment of his life in his new documentary "Mourning Son"... Musician M. Ward DJs your dinner party... Plus, the history of New York's first subway and a hip underground companion cocktail, robotic animal decoys, and more!


Episode 351: Anna Kendrick, D.A. Pennebaker, Fantastic Negrito

"Pitch Perfect" star Anna Kendrick answers your etiquette questions (and threatens to eat your family)... Documentary filmmaker D.A. Pennebaker celebrates both sides of Bob Dylan... Comedian Aparna Nancherla explains how she embodies science... Musician Fantastic Negrito DJs your dinner party... Plus, we meet the lovechild of Japanese pancakes and tiny hamburgers, learn the history of keeping cool (with a drink to keep you cool too), follow the rent-a-friend trend, and more!


Episode 350: Rashida Jones, Yo-Yo Ma, Tegan and Sara

Multi-hyphenate Rashida Jones -- one of the forces behind TV's police farce "Angie Tribeca"-- comes bearing wisdom for 'overdogs'... Cello maestro Yo-Yo Ma gets existential... Pop sensations Tegan and Sara craft a party playlist that's frank -- and French... The man and myth behind the donut, as we know it... Photographing your dinner makes you happy?! Rico fact checks (with more doughnut)... Funny-person Negin Farsad ponders etiquette and 'other' questions... Plus, blessed jokes, magical chocolate, and your next favorite song!