This week: Portlandia duo Carrie Brownstein and Fred Armisen open up about hot-tubs, underwear, and weddings … Music multi-hyphenate Pharrell Williams explains his ‘exotic rainbow’ of ‘Happy’-ness … Danish electro-pop phenom Mø spins us a party playlist… author Cari Lynn tells the tale of a NOLA birthday party of ill-repute… How the grandest experiment in scientific history speaks to our common humanity … Brendan tests out a musical instrument kids will actually want to practice (and eat) … We pour one out for Broadway’s biggest flop … The Brian Eno of Druids … And boogie humor.
"Dancing Kleenex” – Carrie Brownstein
Singing Stonehenge
The Paris Review contributing editor Sadie Stein explains Stonehenge. Or at least tells us about new research suggests that the special stones selected have unusual acoustic properties.
A Moose-Sized Broadway Flop
"The Moose Murders" was a one-night-only disaster and set the standard for all future Broadway flops.
Scandipop and Santigold with Danish Star MØ
Some call her "The New Grimes" or "The Danish Lana Del Ray" - but Karen Marie Ørsted prefers "MØ."
How 'Portlandia' Plays in Peoria (and the Odd Way Fred's Underwear Gets There)
The co-creators of "Portlandia" are shifting their focus from skewering a specific sub-culture to broader, character-driven plots - while still making sketches you'll want to share.
Peeking into a Bordello of Belle Epoque New Orleans
Cari Lynn's novel "Madam" is based on the true story of one of the most powerful madams of the 1900s.
Learning to Play the Ice Cream Orchestra
The "Lickestra" makes music out of the act of eating ice cream and forces participants to pay attention to the creativity inherent in cuisine.
Portland Does it Better: Etiquette with Fred and Carrie
Compromise, safety, politeness, and internalizing all your rage into an angry little ball inside of you -- with Carrie Brownstein and Fred Armisen.
'Particle Fever' Takes Viewers Inside the Large Hadron Collider
Physicist and filmmaker Mark Levinson brings the audience to a moment of historic scientific innovation - and explains not just the what but also the why.
Pharrell Williams Paints a "Happy" Picture
As a singer, rapper, producer, and all-around hit-maker, one could say Pharrell Williams wears many hats.
Playlist: Episode 243
Music from this week's show.