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A woman walks along Carnaby Street holding several shopping bags on December 6, 2011 in London, England. A report from the British Retail Consortium has indicated slow consumer spending in the run up to Christmas. The consortium reported that retail sales grew by just 0.7% in November; which was the weakest growth since May 2011.

Rico Gagliano and Brendan Francis Newnam, hosts of The Dinner Party, join Madeleine for their weekly booster shot of cultural news.

Does your last name start with Y or Z? Do you consider yourself a reckless spender? Surprising new evidence links those two factors.

Also, the invention of the match and why fast food restaurants may have a fascination with bacon.

The Dinner Party airs on Sundays on KPCC at 3 p.m.