Welcome to the Dinner Party download.

This is your icebreaker.

Okay, I have a really dumb joke.

Two muffins were in an oven,

and one of them said, hey, it's getting pretty hot in here.

Then the other said, oh my god, a talking muffin.

I'm Brendan Francis Nune. And then the other said, oh my God, a talking muffin.

I'm Brendan Francis Nuneum.

I'm Rico Gagliano.

And from 8 p.m. American Public Media, this is the dinner party download, culture, food, and humor to fuel your party conversations.

You just got a joke from Virginia folk singer Lucy Dacus.

That'll break the ice.

Madador Records just re-released her debut album called No Burden.

Later on, we're going to speak with actor Rebecca Hall about Shakespeare, Bjork, and her new film, Christine.

Also coming up, musician Tom Krell, aka How to Dress Well with the Party Playlist,

novelist Jade Chang with the story of an immigrant who wants

to emigrate, and actor Jane Lynch tells us about the alter ego she brings to therapy.

But first, small talk.

All week long, you've been hearing these headlines.

Welcome to the first and only vice presidential debate.

Matthew, a major hurricane with winds over 100 miles per hour.

When Colombia's peace agreement was put to a vote, the people said no.

...