And hey, everybody, a few things before we get to the show proper.

First, we just wanted to say thanks to everyone who came out to our live show in Los Angeles last week

to watch us be very goofy with guests like comedian Jenny Slate and Father John Misty.

That's right, who at one point kicked part of our stage set to bits.

It's true.

But anyway, this week we're recovering.

We're being honest. So you're about to hear a rebroadcast of one of our favorite episodes. We assure you it's a great one, but we also want you to know that this coming Tuesday will be releasing an all-new podcast-only episode with never-before-heard bits of our interview with Ian McKellen and more. That's right. Again, it's all new. And again, you can grab that on Tuesday, February 9th,

from wherever podcasts are podcasted. Meanwhile, here's your icebreaker.

Hey, here's a joke. What do you call an alligator in a vest?

I don't know. An investigator.

I love that one. I'm Rico Galliano. I'm't know. An investigator. I love that one.

I'm Rico Gagliano.

I'm Brendan Francis Nune from APM American Public Media.

This is The Dinner Party Download.

An hour of culture, food, and humor to fuel your party conversations.

You just got a joke from actor Olivia Wild.

That'll break the ice.

We'll talk with her later about her latest movie Meadowland. Plus, legendary musician Elvis Costello. Share some stories from his memoir. And if all that sounds familiar, that's because this is an encore broadcast of an episode we first aired in October. So cast your mind back to a time when Iowa was just a great place for a Halloween corn maze.

And when, as at any party, we started with Small Talk.

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

Iran's ruling guardian counsel has approved the nuclear deal.

2015 is one of California's worst fire seasons in recent memory.

...