Culture Gabfest

Latest Episodes:

Sandman vs. Predator Aug 24, 2022

Show notes

This week, Dana and Julia hold down the fort in Steve’s absence while Slate’s book critic, Laura Miller, fills in as a third host. First, the panel breaks down the Neil Gaiman adaptation that no one thought would happen, The Sandman. Then, the panel discusses the new installment in the Predator franchise: Prey. Finally, supplemented by Laura’s great piece on the author, the panel attempts to answer: Who is Colleen Hoover?

In Slate Plus,the panel discusses pairs of notable people that they’d like to see in conversation with one another.

Email us at culturefest@slate.com.

Endorsements

Dana: Pulling a Julia with a food endorsement: Off-Script’s Samin-Nosrat-inspired thyme pistachio pesto.

Julia: More Summer Strut afterglow: “I Wish That I Could See You Soon” by Herman Dune.

Laura: The New Zealand comedy series, Wellington Paranormal, which is a spin-off of the original What We Do in the Shadows film. Specifically: season 4 episode 3, “The Coolening.”

Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Nadira Goffe.

Outro music is "Forbidden Love" by OTE.

Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts, a bonus segment in each episode of the Culture Gabfest, full access to Slate's journalism on Slate.com, and more. Sign up now at slate.com/cultureplus.

Need to set up your Slate Plus feed? If you subscribed through Slate.com, check out our FAQ at slate.com/podcastfaqs for easy instructions. Members subscribed via Apple Podcasts get automatic access—no setup required.

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A Podcast Takes a Lot of Work! Aug 17, 2022

Show notes

This week, Julia and co-host of Slate’s Working podcast, June Thomas, steer the ship with a rotating panel of guests as Dana and Steve take a break. First, Julia and June are joined by Slate’s Editorial Assistant and Production Assistant for Gabfest, Nadira Goffe, to discuss A24’s new Gen-Z slasher film Bodies Bodies Bodies. Then, the panel is joined by Slate’s Editor-in-Chief, Hillary Frey, to discuss the new female-led adolescent ‘80s sci-fi series Paper Girls. Finally, the panel is joined by former Slate lawyer (now at many places, including The Cornell Law First Amendment Clinic) Ava Lubell to discuss the current lawsuit between Netflix and The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical and the legalities surrounding fan art.

In Slate Plus,Julia interviews June about her upcoming move!

Email us at culturefest@slate.com.

Endorsements

June: The soap-operatic lesbian romance novels from the very prolific writer Harper Bliss. Specifically, The Pink Beanand French Kissing series.

Julia: With a little Summer Strut afterglow, the listener-recommended song “100 years ago (2020)” by The Rolling Stones.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Nadira Goffe.

Outro music is "Pike Place Market" by Rockin' For Decades.

Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts, a bonus segment in each episode of the Culture Gabfest, full access to Slate's journalism on Slate.com, and more. Sign up now at slate.com/cultureplus.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is The Resort a White Lotus Ripoff? Aug 10, 2022

Show notes

This week, the panel begins by discussing Peacock’s latest mystery series The Resort. Then, the panel takes a more light-hearted turn with Marcel the Shell With Shoes On. Finally, the panel is joined by author and Slate editor Dan Kois to discuss his recent Slate piece about “The 50 Greatest Fictional Deaths of All Time.”

In Slate Plus, the panel talks about movie and television credits.

Email us at culturefest@slate.com.

Endorsements

Dana: A suggestion from Carl Wilson (and in memory for Olivia Newton-John) a cover of the Olivia Newton-John song, “A Little More Love” by Juliana Hatfield, which is a track on an entire album of Newton-John covers titled Juliana Hatfield Sings Olivia Newton-John.

Julia: More from Recipe Julia: the Six Seasons cookbook recipe for peperonata.

Steve: The song “Watch the Sunrise” by Big Star.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Nadira Goffe.

Outro music is "Bloody Hunter" by Paisley Pink.

Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts, a bonus segment in each episode of the Culture Gabfest, full access to Slate's journalism on Slate.com, and more. Sign up now at slate.com/cultureplus.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alien Superstar Aug 03, 2022

Show notes

This week, the panel begins by trying to tackle Jordan Peele’s most recent sci-fi, western, horror film NOPE. Then, the panel is joined by author and host of Slate’s Working podcast, Isaac Butler, to discuss the new HBO series The Last Movie Stars. Finally, Slate’s editorial assistant and production assistant for Culture Gabfest, Nadira Goffe, joins to discuss Beyoncé’s 7th studio album Renaissance.

In Slate Plus, the panel gets into some NOPE spoilers.

Email us at culturefest@slate.com.

Endorsements

Dana: The proper name pronunciation of two Irish artists from our Spoiler Special episode: Roisin Murphy and Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson (aka CMAT). In that vein, an endorsement for CMAT’s album If My Wife Knew I’d Be Dead.

Julia: An endorsement from “Recipe Julia” for Alison Roman’s Mustardy Green Beans with Anchovied Walnuts from her cookbook Nothing Fancy.

Steve: From a previous Julia endorsement: the app Merlin. Also, alto saxophonist Sonny Red’s album Out of the Blue.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Nadira Goffe.

Outro music is "What We Didn't Do" by Particle House.

Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts, a bonus segment in each episode of the Culture Gabfest, full access to Slate's journalism on Slate.com, and more. Sign up now at slate.com/cultureplus.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Summer Strut 2022 Jul 27, 2022

Show notes

This week, the panel is joined by the host of Slate’s Hit Parade podcast, Chris Molanphy, for our annual Summer Strut episode. First, they discuss this year’s chart-topping songs of the summer and their lack of strut-ness. Then, the panel dives into the longest listener-suggested summer playlist to date (42 hours!), and takes turns in a roundtable discussion of their top favorites from the list.

You can find the panel’s shortlist of favorite summer strut songs here:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2oc68EJC3OyLUi1Honhxlw?si=44ec68203e8d47a9&nd=1

In Slate Plus, the panel gives one more bonus round of strut picks.

Email us at culturefest@slate.com.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Nadira Goffe.

Outro music is "Lonely Calling" by Arc De Soleil.

Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts, a bonus segment in each episode of the Culture Gabfest, full access to Slate's journalism on Slate.com, and more. Sign up now at slate.com/cultureplus.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Money, Sex, and Space Jul 20, 2022

Show notes

This week, author, poet, and host of the podcast This Is Good for You, Nichole Perkins, fills in for Julia as the panel begins by digging into Apple TV+’s new series Loot. Then, the panel explores sex and sexuality in the film Good Luck to You, Leo Grande. Finally, the panel is joined by science writer and editor, Jaime Green, to break down the meaning of NASA’s new Webb Telescope images—her new book The Possibility of Life title comes out in April.

In Slate Plus, the panel discusses their relationship to plot.

Email us at culturefest@slate.com.

Endorsements

Dana: A supplement to the segment on the Webb Telescope: a simple website that takes the images and places them in context to each other for scale.

Nichole: The 2012 romance novel A Lady Awakened by Cecilia Grant, which centers a recent widow who needs to provide an heir to keep her wealth.

Steve: Kris Kristofferson’s song “Help Me Make It Through the Night”: including the covers by John Doe and The Sadies and Sammi Smith.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Nadira Goffe.

Outro music is "What Do You Want From Me" by OTE.

Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts, a bonus segment in each episode of the Culture Gabfest, full access to Slate's journalism on Slate.com, and more. Sign up now at slate.com/cultureplus.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lava, Thunder, and Screaming Goats Jul 13, 2022

Show notes

This week, New York Times columnist and Slate graduate Jamelle Bouie fills in for Julia as the panel begins by taking on Thor: Love and Thunder with staff writer at The Atlantic and co-host of the podcast Blank Check, David Sims. Then, the panel feels the heat with the new documentary Fire of Love. Finally, the panel ranks their favorite content streaming services.

In Slate Plus, the panel discusses movie cliches they’d rather do without.

Email us at culturefest@slate.com.

Endorsements

Dana: Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, the new-ish series on Paramount+.

Jamelle: A re-watch of Universal Soldier, and then: Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning.

Steve: “Opus 40,” an art installation built out of the earth in the Catskills.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Nadira Goffe.

Outro music is "Death Dance" by Luftmensch"Death Dance" by Luftmensch.

Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts, a bonus segment in each episode of the Culture Gabfest, full access to Slate's journalism on Slate.com, and more. Sign up now at slate.com/cultureplus.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chef Boyar-Don't Jul 06, 2022

Show notes

This week, New York Times columnist and Slate graduate Jamelle Bouie fills in for Julia as the panel begins by answering the call of The Black Phone. Then, the panel digs into FX’s newest hit TV show The Bear. Finally, they discuss the perplexing and popular world of gross food trends on TikTok.

In Slate Plus, the panel discusses culture’s relationship to politics and affecting an audience.

Email us at culturefest@slate.com.

Endorsements

Dana: Peter Brook the legendary theater director passed away last week, in memoriam of him: going on a Peter Brook deep dive. Specifically: a 2001 documentary titled Brook by Brook: An Intimate Portraitdirected by his son, Simon Brook, and a YouTube video of a complete production of HamletBrook directed starring Adrian Lester as the titular prince.

Jamelle: The Criterion Channel’s new collection, titled In the Ring: Boxing On-Screen, comprising 16 boxing-related films. Specifically: the 1942 film Gentleman Jim directed by Raoul Walsh and starring Errol Flynn.

Steve: An involving read from Yale historian Timothy Snyder, titled “Germans have been involved in the war, chiefly on the wrong side:” a long, extensive, beautifully calm, excellently argued rejoinder to Jürgen Habermas, the German Philosopher widely regarded as the only remaining living embodiment of European Enlightenment.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Nadira Goffe.

Outro music is "Pike Place Market" by Rockin' for Decades.

Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts, a bonus segment in each episode of the Culture Gabfest, full access to Slate's journalism on Slate.com, and more. Sign up now at slate.com/cultureplus.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Elvis, Please Leave the Building Jun 29, 2022

Show notes

This week, the panel begins by experiencing Baz Luhrmann’s new biopic Elvis with Slate’s pop critic, author, and media professor, Jack Hamilton. Then, the panel goes on the run with the new FX series The Old Man. Finally, the panel discusses the viral article on cancel culture from New York Magazine’s website The Cut, titled “Canceled at 17.”

In Slate Plus, the panel divulges what they’re actually excited about.

Email us at culturefest@slate.com.

Endorsements

Dana: A movie Dana just reviewed for Slate, Marcel the Shell With Shoes On.

Julia: A fortified endorsement of a previous Gabfest segment, Abbott Elementary.

Steve: An essay by Hannah Zeavin for n+1 Magazine titled, “Unfree Associations.”

Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Nadira Goffe.

Outro music is "Forbidden Love" by OTE.

Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts, a bonus segment in each episode of the Culture Gabfest, full access to Slate's journalism on Slate.com, and more. Sign up now at slate.com/cultureplus.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Running Up That Flaming Hill Jun 22, 2022

Show notes

This week, the panel begins by trying out the new Adam Sandler film on Netflix, Hustle. Then, they discuss the new hit Indian film RRR. Finally, the panel is joined by host of Slate's Hit Parade podcast, Chris Molanphy, to discuss musician Kate Bush's recent rise in the charts.

In Slate Plus, the panel debates which SNL stars became the best film actors.

Email us at culturefest@slate.com

Endorsements

Dana: A crown of sonnets, For My Father: A Sonnet Redouble, by Alexis Sears in Literary Matters.

Julia: Cheap hack to kitchen luxury: buy yourself 4 or 5 complete sets of measuring spoons.

Steve: Elvis Costello and Chet Baker performing together.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Nadira Goffe.

Outro music: "Bring My Friends" by Tigerblood Jewel.

Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts, a bonus segment in each episode of the Culture Gabfest, full access to Slate's journalism on Slate.com, and more. Sign up now at slate.com/cultureplus.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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