Culture Gabfest

Latest Episodes:

Sexiest Man Alive Nov 17, 2021

Show notes

This week, Steve and Dana are joined bywriter extraordinaire Karen Han. First, the panel discusses Rebecca Hall’s adaptation of Nella Larsen’s novel, Passing. Next, the panel dives intoThe Shrink Next Door. Finally, the panel talks about People’s 2021 Sexiest Man Alive, Paul Rudd.

In Slate Plus, the panel answers a classic time travel question.

Email us at culturefest@slate.com.

Endorsements

Dana: Rebecca Hall’s amazing performance in the 2016 filmChristine, about news reporter Christine Chubbuck.

Karen: Swedish artist Agnes’s new album Magic Still Exists. Specifically her song “Here Comes the Night.”

Steve: First, the entire discography of Devonté Hynes aka Blood Orange—more recently, his work on the soundtrack for Passing. Second, Nick Lowe and Daryl Hall doing a marvelous acoustic version of Lowe’s hit from the ‘70s “Cruel to Be Kind.”

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

Outro music is “Edge of Life” by OTE.

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Eternals Return of the Same Nov 10, 2021

Show notes

This week, Steve and Dana are joined byNew York Times columnist and Slate graduate Jamelle Bouie. First, the panel discusses Marvel’s most recent big picture, Eternals—which Dana reviewed for Slate. Next, the panel gives an update on their feelings about HBO’s hit TV show Succession, which is currently in its third season. Finally, the panel explores the controversy involving Critical Race Theory.

In Slate Plus, the panel discusses Jamelle’s new podcast Unclear and Present Danger.

Email us at culturefest@slate.com.

Endorsements

Dana: Something small, but in hopes to find the entire thing: this 2 minute clip of Welsh actor Michael Sheen performing a segment of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas’s drama Under Milk Wood.

Jamelle: Norman Jewison’s classic 1987film Moonstruck, starring Cher and Nicolas Cage, which is currently in the Criterion Collection.

Steve: A slightly odd endorsement of a book review. Peter Salmon’s article for Prospect Magazine, titled “Boo to the Boo-Hurrahs: how four Oxford women transformed philosophy,” is a review of Benjamin J. B. Lipscomb’s novel The Women Are Up to Something: How Elizabeth Anscombe, Philippa Foot, Mary Midgley, and Iris Murdoch Revolutionized Ethics. The book and review discuss the female-led movement to take on the male consensus in philosophy during the 1930s and ‘40s which saw the world as value free.

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

Outro music is “Self Made Woman” by Katharine Appleton.

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.

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Dancing Queen Nov 03, 2021

Show notes

This week, Steve and Dana are joined bySlate’s music critic Carl Wilson. First, the panel reviews Edgar Wright’s newest psychological horror film Last Night in Soho—which Dana reviewed for Slate. Next, the panel discusses the newest album in over 40 years from the legendary Swedish music group ABBA, titled Voyage. Finally, the panel is joined by host of Slate’s Hit Parade podcast (and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame voter!) Chris Molanphyto discuss this year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees and the institution at large.

In Slate Plus, the panel discusses music they like to listen to while working. You can find Dana’s playlist of music to work and write to here, Steve’s here, and Carl’s here.

Email us at culturefest@slate.com.

Endorsements

Dana: The LA Times has been doing an incredible job of covering the ever-developing story of the tragic shooting on the set of the Alec Baldwin film, Rust. The story, which points to many bigger problems, including issues with labor relations in the entertainment industry at large. “The Day Alec Baldwin Shot Halyna Hutchins and Joel Souza” chronologically accounts the events of the entire day, written by three different reporters: Meg James, Amy Kaufman, and Julia Wick.

Carl: First, the great late-80s rock musician Billy Bragg’s newest album The Million Things That Never Happened in which he reflects on aging, isolation, change, and being challenged ideologically by younger generations. This is specifically true of the track, “Mid-Century Modern.” Second, the new music historiography novel from Kelefa Sanneh (who, in the 2000s, wrote the great central piece on rockism for the New York Times), Major Labels: A History of Popular Music in Seven Genres, which is a celebration of what happens when you stay within a tradition.

Steve: First, the ‘80s singer-songwriter Marshall Crenshaw’s live cover of ABBA’s song “Knowing Me, Knowing You.” Second, yet another Swedish indie band: The Amazing.

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.

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Maid in Arrakis Oct 27, 2021

Show notes

This week, Steve and Dana are joined by Slate senior editor Allegra Frank. First, senior producer of Slate’s Decoder Ring podcast, Benjamin Frisch, chimes in to review the sci-fi megafilm Dune. Next, the panel discusses Netflix’s Maid. Finally, the panel dives into the IATSE strike, and the tragic death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust, involving the actor Alec Baldwin.

In Slate Plus, the panel discusses Halloween as an adult.

Email us at culturefest@slate.com.

Endorsements

Dana: Lauren Michele Jackson’s piece for The New Yorker about corporate social media and the way Netflix’s social media teams have responded to the Dave Chappelle controversy, titled “Dave Chappelle, Netflix, and the Illusions of Corporate Identity Politics.”

Allegra: Lately, the videogame Super Smash Bros. Ultimate—which she has been playing on Nintendo Switch. Recently, the lead character of another video game franchise, Sora from Kingdom Hearts, has been added as an avatar you can play as in the game.

Steve: First, the song “Precious Memories” by Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Then, British political scientist David Runciman discussed Peter Thiel, silicon valley investor, for the London Review of Books’ podcast, in an episode titled, “The Peter Thiel Paradox.”

Podcast production by Jessamine Molli. Production assistance by Nadira Goffe.

Outro music is “Precious Memories” by Sister Rosetta Tharpe.

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I’ll Be Your Mirror Oct 20, 2021

Show notes

This week, Steve and Dana are joined by Karen Han.First,Slate’s music critic Carl Wilson chimes in to discuss Todd Haynes’s new The Velvet Underground documentary, which he wrote beautifullyabout for Slate. Next, the panel (minus Dana) is joined by Slate staff writerRebecca Onion to review Mike Flanagan’s newest Netflix horror series, Midnight Mass—which she also wrote lovingly about.Finally, the panel (minus Dana) is joined by Vulture senior editor and host of the Good One podcast,Jesse David Fox, to discuss the Dave Chappelle controversy.

In Slate Plus, the panel discusses media they loved when they were younger that they have since outgrown.

Email us at culturefest@slate.com.

Endorsements

Dana: The book equivalent of Todd Haynes’s documentary, the first oral history Dana ever read and still one of the best she’s ever read to this day: Edie: American Girl by Jean Stein and George Plimpton. The oral history tells the story of actress and model Edie Sedgwick completely through testimony from people that were there, without any interstitial material.

Karen: New World, the Korean crime drama film from Park Hoon-jung that stars Squid Game’s Lee Jung-jae. The film features Lee as an undercover cop who is tasked with infiltrating the mob, but ends up caught between two worlds. It also stars a slew of great Korean actors including Hwang Jung-min and Song Ji-hyo.

Steve: First, Netflix’s series The Chestnut Man, a dark, taught crime drama which takes place in Copenhagen. Then, a whole genre of YouTube videos taking you from raw audio of rehearsal to mastertape of Elvis’s songs, including “And The Grass Won’t Pay No Mind”—though, Neil Diamond’s version of that one is better.

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

Outro music is “I’ll Be Your Mirror” by The Velvet Underground.

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

Bad Art Friend, Where Are You? Oct 13, 2021

Show notes

This week, Steve and Dana are joined by author and co-host of Slate’s Working podcast, Isaac Butler.First,the panel reviews Sally Rooney’s most recent novel, Beautiful World, Where Are You?. Next, the panel discusses the new poignant and hilarious television series Reservation Dogs.Finally, the panel dissects the viral NYT Mag article “Who Is the Bad Art Friend?” in a larger discussion about literary responsibility.

In Slate Plus, the panel discusses the choice to give up on media you just don’t like and, alternatively, why some people don’t.

Email us at culturefest@slate.com.

Endorsements

Dana: Devery Jacobs’s—the actress who plays Elora Danan on Reservation Dogs—beautifully written article “How Reservation Dogs Is Opening Up a Crucial Conversation About Suicide in Indigenous Communities.”

Isaac: The 1996 romantic comedy and comedy of friendship from Nicole Holofcener, Walking and Talking, which is a perfect time capsule of ‘90s New York. Dana has written insightfully about the film, which has also been discussed on a previous episode of Gabfest.

Steve: An essay from The New York Review of Books that blew Steve away from Jessica Riskin, titled “Nature’s Evolving Tastes” which talks about the misconstrued reactions to Darwin’s most politicized work Descent of Man.

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

Outro music is "200 Dont's" by Conditional

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.

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Squids, Women, and Chainsaws Oct 06, 2021

Show notes

This week, Steve and Dana are joined by author and co-host of Slate’s Working podcast, Isaac Butler. First, the panel discusses the social implications of Netflix’s biggest hit to date, Squid Game. Next, the panel reviews the incredibly divisive (and gory) Cannes Palme d’Or winning Titane. Finally, the panel is joined by writer, researcher, and host of the Talking Scared podcast, Neil McRobert, to dissect the horror genre trope of the Final Girl.

In Slate Plus, the panel discusses representations of parenthood in art.

Email us at culturefest@slate.com.

Endorsements

The panel revisits their previous discussion on eBooks and endorses more media.

Dana: Scottish actor Alan Cumming’s harrowing, yet deeply moving book—particularly the audiobook version—Not My Father’s Son: A Family Memoir.

Isaac: Two books consumed in eBook format! The first, a tome composed of every novella from author Ursula K. Le Guin titled, The Found and the Lost. The second, in this episode’s shadow theme of Halloween, Jason Zinoman’s book Shock Value: How a Few Eccentric Outsiders Gave Us Nightmares, Conquered Hollywood, and Invented Modern Horror. Which is, not clearly, a history steeped in love of 1970s horror cinema auteurs.

Steve: Keeping it simple this week with three songs. First, the indie rock band from Leeds, The Wedding Present and their 1992 song “Blue Eyes.” Second (friend of a friend of the podcast) Courtney Barnett’s cover of The Velvet Underground’s “I’ll Be Your Mirror” from the recent Velvet Underground & Nico tribute album. Finally, Willow Smith’s (yes, as in Jada Pinkett and Will Smith) song with artist Tyler Cole “Meet Me At Our Spot,” which was released under their alias THE ANXIETY. (The live version has been blowing up on TikTok.)

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

Outro music is "Meet Me At Our Spot" by THE ANXIETY, WILLOW, and Tyler Cole

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.

Buttery Soft Leggings Sep 29, 2021

Show notes

This week, Steve and Dana are joined by author and co-host of Slate’s Working podcast, Isaac Butler. First, the panel reviews Clint Eastwood’s most recent film Cry Macho. Next, the panel discusses the neoliberal parable that is Amazon’s docuseries LuLaRich.Finally, the panel discusses the advantages and pitfalls ofeBooks.

In Slate Plus, the panel discusses their favorite film credit sequences.

Email us at culturefest@slate.com.

Endorsements

Dana: Generally: Explore.Org, a live nature cam network. More specifically: Dana’s favorite live cam “The Mississippi River Flyway Cam” on the Raptor Resource Project in Brice Prairie, Wisconsin.

Isaac: The novel A Lie Someone Told You About Yourself by Peter Ho Davies, about how a big early decision impacts a couple’s married life afterwards.

Steve: A pound the table endorsement: the essay by the feminist critic Vivian Gornick in Harper’s Magazine called “Put on the Diamonds: Notes on humiliation” -- in which she thinks out loud about what humiliation and loneliness are.

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

Outro music is “Ruins” by Origo.

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.

Who Butchered the Goat? Sep 22, 2021

Show notes

This week, Steve and Dana are joined by culture writer extraordinaire, Karen Han. First, the panel reviews the definitely problematic, yet overall divisive, popular Netflix film Kate—which Karen wrote about. Next, the panel discusses when Hulu’s risk-taking Nine Perfect Strangers pays off and when it doesn’t.Finally, the panel is joined by Slate’s TV critic and host of Decoder Ring Willa Paskinto discuss the Emmys, the value of award shows, and the evolving way we consume television.

In Slate Plus, the panel discusses media they love but consume in moderation for fear of wearing it out.

Email us at culturefest@slate.com.

Endorsements

Dana:Netflix’s controversial and shocking Bob Ross documentary, Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal, & Greed, which was coincidentally co-produced by Nine Perfect Strangers’ Melissa McCarthy & Ben Falcone.

Karen:The first season ofThe Righteous Gemstones and how it speaks to the current American climate. You can catch up before season two!

Steve: A sad endorsement: The New Republic’s great article, “How Tucker Carlson Lost It” by Alex Shephard. A happier endorsement: it’s time to fall in love again with Gillian Welch, particularly with her songs “Picasso,” “Wayside/Back in Time,” and, honestly? All of the other songs she’s ever made.

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

Outro music is "I Can Still Dance" 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.

Lash, Pre-Lash, and Parasocial Relations Sep 15, 2021

Show notes

This week, Steve and Dana are joined by author and co-host of Slate’s Working podcast, Isaac Butler. First, the panel discusses how Paul Schrader’s most recent film, The Card Counter,replaces gambling and addiction with guilt and accountability. Next, the panel discusses the star-studded true crime satirical comedy, Only Murders in the Building. Finally, the panel is joined by Slate senior writer and ICYMI podcast host Madison Malone Kircherto discuss John Mulaney and parasocial relationships.

In Slate Plus, the panel divulges more of their personal parasocial relationships.

Email us at culturefest@slate.com.

Endorsements

Dana:Nora Ephron’s great essay in The New Yorker “Moving On, A Love Story,” in which she struggles to move on from her apartment in the historical Apthorp building in the Upper West Side.

Isaac:First, Scorcese’s 1982 film The King of Comedy—the ultimate parasocial relationship film. Second, the app Relisten, which allows you to stream live-music recordings from the vast number of internet archives.

Steve: The great writer Saul Bellow’s 1956 novel, Seize the Day. Also: the 1984 collection of his short stories, Him with His Foot in His Mouth and Other Stories.

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

Outro music is "Self Made Woman" by Katharine Appleton

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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