Culture Gabfest

Latest Episodes:

10 Rings, 12 Minutes, and 20 Years Sep 08, 2021

Show notes

This week, Steve and Dana are joined by Slate senior editor, Allegra Frank. First, the panel discusses the surprising achievements of Marvel’s newest addition, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Next, the panel is joined by Slate senior editor Jeremy Stahl to talk about Spike Lee’s docuseries NYC Epicenters 9/11-2021½ and 9/11 trutherism on the 20th anniversary of 9/11. Finally, the panel discusses the frustrations of the star-studded time-loop video game 12 Minutes.

In Slate Plus, the panel discusses big swings—that missed—but, still hold special places in their hearts.

Email us at culturefest@slate.com.

Outro music: "Break the Line" by Coma Svensson

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

Endorsements

Dana:The indie film Short Term 12from Shang-Chi director Destin Daniel Cretton. Also, an endorsement for flood-proof spatial planning–especially for your precious physical media.

Allegra:Upon the release of the famous rapper’s newest album, Allegra’s curated playlist of Drake Songs That Don’t Suck. And a quick shout out to the everlasting enjoyment of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

Steve: Christoph Reuter’s beautifully reported deep-dive on the Western presence in Afghanistan post-9/11 titled The Entirely Predictable Failure of the West’s Mission in Afghanistan for Der Spiegel.

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

Say Their Names Sep 01, 2021

Show notes

This week, Steve and Dana are joined by Slate senior editor, Allegra Frank. First, the panel discusses the divisive parables within Candyman. Next, they talk about the Netflix series, The Chair. Finally, the panel is joined by Slate pop critic Jack Hamilton to discuss the legacy of the late, great Rolling Stones drummer, Charlie Watts.

In Slate Plus, the panel discusses things they’re looking forward to in the rest of 2021.

Email us at culturefest@slate.com.

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

Outro music is "If Only I Was a Poet" but Steffan Carlen.

Endorsements

Dana: Thiseight-minute montageof Charlie Watts’s signature warm-up dance before live shows.

Jack: The work and legacy of the inimitable Jamaican reggae producer, Lee “Scratch” Perry, who recently passed. Specifically: the 1977 landmark roots reggae album Heart of the Congos by reggae group The Congos—which Perry produced. A highlight: the track “Sodom and Gomorrow.”

Allegra: The long-running daily web comic steeped in the culture of “shit posting,” Mr. Boop by Alec Robbins.

Steve: This destination pizza evangelizer endorses the pizza at Hearth & Harbor in Southwest Harbor, Maine. Also, the sitcom Arrested Development

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.

Flying Puppet Baby Aug 25, 2021

Show notes

This week is a Bizarro Fest featuring associate editor Marissa Martinelli; June Thomas, senior managing producer of Slate podcasts; and Benjamin Frisch, senior producer, Decoder Ring. First, the panel discusses the bizarre experience of watching Annette. Next, they talk about the BBC miniseries, The Pursuit of Love. Finally, they talk about the board game Wingspan with Slate editor and writer Dan Kois.

In Slate Plus, the panel answers a listener question about which board game they would choose to play on a first date.

Email us at culturefest@slate.com.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Cleo Levin.

Outro music is "Death Dance" by Luftmensch.

Endorsements

June: The writing of all the Mitfords. Especially Hons and Rebelsand Poison Penmanshipby Jessica Mitford. (As well as the biography Irrepressible: The Life and Times of Jessica Mitford by Leslie Brody). And The Pursuit of Love and Love in a Cold Climateby Nancy Mitford.

Ben:PromisesbyFloating Points, Pharoah Sanders, and The London Symphony Orchestra. And the game Disco Elysium.

Marissa:“How Science Saved Me From Pretending to Love Wine” by Anne Fadimanin The New Yorker.

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.

One Year in the Dungeon Aug 18, 2021

Show notes

This week is a Bizarro Fest featuring Karen Han, Slate staff writer; June Thomas, senior managing producer of Slate podcasts; and Marissa Martinelli, Slate associate editor. First, the panel is joined by writer Sara Nović to discuss the Sundance hit film CODA. Next, they talk about the dating simulation game Boyfriend Dungeon. Finally, Josh Levin, host of the Slate podcast One Year, comes on to talk about the premiere season of his show.

In Slate Plus, the panel talks about which writer (living or dead) they would choose to pen their biographies, and then which actor they would want to play them in their biopics.

You can read Sara Nović’s interview with CODA star Marlee Matlin in Bustle: “Marlee Matlin Knows How to Make Change.”

Email us at culturefest@slate.com.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Cleo Levin.

Outro music is "Zero Gravity" by ELFL

Endorsements

June: The podcast The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill from Christianity Today

Marissa:The video game Stardew Valley

Karen:The TV showWellington Paranormal

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 2021 Aug 11, 2021

Show notes

This week, Steve and Dana are joined by Hit Parade host Chris Molanphy for our annual Summer Strut episode. First, they discuss this year’s song of the summer and how one particularly passionate fan base gained control of the charts. Then, the panel announces their favorite song picks from the mammoth playlist of listener suggestions and explain why they love them.

In Slate Plus, the panel does a couple additional rounds of strut picks.

Sumer Strut Final Selections:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5ypwIOuhN3ClV9lvynRl88?si=ff5da2bfa5a04b1b

Summer Strut Full List:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1iLdLhunJkTq9F4CeHkCJR?si=f1b8d195db414fd5

Past “Summer Strut” Gabfests are available here: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020.

Email us at culturefest@slate.com.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Cleo Levin.

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.

Heads Are Gonna Roll Aug 04, 2021

Show notes

This week, Stephen Metcalf and Dana Stevens are joined by Working co-host and longtime Slate contributor Isaac Butler. First, the panel discusses David Lowery’s new movie The Green Knight, a retelling of the medieval story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Next, they talk about Billie Eilish’s new album Happier Than Ever with Slate music critic Carl Wilson. Finally, the hosts dig into the questions raised by Scarlett Johansson’s breach-of-contract lawsuit over the way Disney handled the release of her movie Black Widow, with Peter Labuza, a historian of creative industries. In Slate Plus, the careers the hosts almost pursued.

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

Email us at culturefest@slate.com.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

Endorsements

Dana: The word maieutic

Isaac: The audiobooks of Simon Armitage’s translation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, narrated by Bill Wallis, and The Death of Arthur, by Sir Thomas Malory, narrated by Philip Madoc

Steve:Picture, by Lillian Ross and Crash Landing on You on Netflix

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.

Capitalist Pigs Jul 28, 2021

Show notes

This week, Steve and Dana are joined by Slate editor and writer Dan Kois. First, the panel discusses the TV show White Lotus, airing on HBO. Then they talk about the Nicholas Cage movie Pig. Finally, the hosts review the second season of the podcast The Plot Thickens, based on the book The Devil’s Candy.

In Slate Plus, the panel talks about their past summer jobs.

Email us at culturefest@slate.com.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Cleo Levin.

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

Endorsements

Dana: The documentary The Truffle Hunters and The Mike White movie School of Rock

Dan:The bookTruck: On Rebuilding a Worn-Out Pickup and Other Post-Technological Adventures

Steve:The pianist Marcin Wasilewski and his album Arctic Riff and the essay “Against Persuasion” by Agnes Callard in the Boston Review.

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.

Deepfake Jul 21, 2021

Show notes

This week, Steve and Dana are joined by Isaac Butler, co-host of Slate’s Working podcast. First, the panel discusses the documentary Roadrunner about Anthony Bourdain. Next, they talk about the Apple TV show Schmigadoon. Finally, the hosts are joined by Laura Miller to discuss her review of Michael Wolff’s Landslide.

In Slate Plus, the panel further discusses their thoughts on Roadrunner.

Email us at culturefest@slate.com.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Cleo Levin.

Outro music is "Back to Silence" by OTE

Endorsements

Dana: The Kitchen Confidential audiobook

Isaac: The documentary And Everything is Going Fine and the novel Secrets of Happinessby Joan Silber

Steve: “A Just and Loving Gaze” by Deborah Casewell in Aeon

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.

The Patriarchy Can F Itself Jul 14, 2021

Show notes

This week, Steve is joined by Allegra Frank, Slate senior editor, and Heather Schwedel, Slate staff writer. First, the panel discusses the new Marvel blockbuster Black Widow. Next, they talk about the AMC show Kevin Can F**k Himself. Finally, the hosts are joined by Alexis Nowicki to discuss her essay in Slate “‘Cat Person’ and Me.”

In Slate Plus, the panel talks about the rabbit holes they fell down during the pandemic.

Email us at culturefest@slate.com.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Cleo Levin.

Outro music: "Stone Cookies" by Dusty Decks

Endorsements

Allegra:The cookies atCity Cakes.

Heather:The documentary Kid 90.

Steve:“This Woman’s Work: Alice Neel’s Portraits of Feminized Labor” by Jessica Fletcher in The Baffler.

DeFazio’s Pizzeria in Troy, NY

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.

I Think Jack Antonoff Should Leave Jul 07, 2021

Show notes

This week Dana is accompanied by Allegra Frank, Slate senior editor. First the panel is joined by Slate’s music critic Carl Wilson to discuss Summer of Soul, a documentary about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival. Next, the panel discusses season two of the Netflix sketch show I Think You Should Leave with Vulture senior editor Jesse David Fox. Finally, Carl returns to talk about the productions of Jack Antonoff.

In Slate Plus, Carl and the panel talk about the concerts they’re looking forward to seeing and the live music experience.

Email us at culturefest@slate.com

Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Cleo Levin.

Outro music: "Bloody Hunter" by Paisley Pink

Endorsements

Carl: The work of Lauren Berlant, especially “Trump, or Political Emotions.” (And Dana recommends an episode of the podcast Big Brains Berlant appeared on: “Why Chasing the Good Life is Holding Us Back.”)

Allegra: The video game Doki Doki Literature Club Plus!

Dana:The website Radio Garden.

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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