This week: Actress Greta Gerwig finds the right dress for the big time… Two ping pong players thaw the Cold War… And the “sleep elite” put shuteye to rest. Plus a joke from Texas musician/artist Terry Allen and “The Morning” from The Weeknd [sic].

Icebreaker: Terry Allen Artist and Texas music legend Terry Allen shares his pet phrase.

Small Talk: Dressy Dressing Rooms, Craigslist for Cockroaches, Costco Weddings The staff from Marketplace dig up some lesser-known headlines…like the fact that Costco is now in the diamond ring business.

Radio listeners heard Reyhan Harmanci — Culture Editor at San Francisco’s Bay Citizen — tell us about an elite group of folks genetically predisposed to sleep better than you.

A History Lesson with Booze: Ping Pong Diplomacy and the “Chairman Wow” This week back in 1971, a chance encounter between two ping pong players — one American, one Chinese — led to a thaw in the cold war, and paved the way for President Nixon’s biggest political coup. Hear all about it, then bounce a jugful of this custom cocktail back and forth between friends:

The “Chairman Wow” - as served up by Shanghai barman Logan Brouse.

For a six-serving jug, pour:

• 3/10 bottle of Bourbon or whiskey
• Cold store-bought green tea

Into a large pitcher with ice. Stir in honey to taste. Drink backhanded for additional “Wow” factor.

Guest of Honor: Greta Gerwig Don’t take our word for it, the New York Times said 28-year-old Greta Gerwig might be “the definitive actress of her generation”. Closely associated with “mumblecore” - a group of micro-budget films populated by twenty-somethings who often don’t speak clearly - Gerwig crosses over into mainstream movies this weekend with her co-starring role in the remake of “Arthur.” She talks to Brendan about cat puns, Joan Didion and colorblind love.

One For The Road: The Weeknd - “The Morning” The Weeknd just released a mixtape this Sunday that’s got the music world abuzz. Is it hipster-R&B? Is it a smoother breed of rap, a la Drake? But classifications seem irrelevant when you hear “The Morning,” which begins with a Hendrix-like guitar riff, lays down a swooning futuristic beat, and then segues into heady, emotional lyrics. It’s a strong brew perfect for waking you up.

Music On This Week’s Show:

Sea & Cake - “The Argument”

The Wedding Present - “Signal”

Tipsy - “Liquordelic”

CDR - “1+1+3”

P.K. 14 - “Sleeping Furiously”

En Vogue - “Free Your Mind”

The Weeknd - “The Morning”

DPD Players - “Yahtzee with Gaddafi!”