Culture Gabfest

Latest Episodes:

$13,000 Bottle of Whine Feb 10, 2021

Show notes

Steve, Dana, and Julia kick things off by discussing Minari, the semi-autobiographical movie by the filmmaker Lee Isaac Chung that focuses on a Korean family trying to build a life for themselves in rural Arkansas. After that, New York Magazine writer Mark Harris joins the show to to talk about his new biography of the director Mike Nichols. Then the hosts pick apart the latest Chrissy Teigan controversy and offer opinions about wealth, celebrity, and privilege during the pandemic.

In Slate Plus, the hosts remember the actor Christopher Plummer who passed away last week at age 91.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Rachael Allen.

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Magic or Manipulation? Feb 03, 2021

Show notes

Stephen, Dana, and Julia begin this week's show by talking about Locked Down, the rom-com heist movie starring Anne Hathaway and Chiwetel Ejiofor that's set during the early days of the pandemic. Then they discuss Derek DelGaudio's In & Of Itself, a Frank Oz directed stage performance that's part magic show and part meditation on personal identity. The filmed version is now available to stream on Hulu. For their third segment the hosts weigh in on a controversy in the film criticism world about a review of the movie Promising Young Woman, which they talked about in last week's show.

In Slate Plus, the hosts chat about the pandemic's affect on casual friendships. Their inspiration was Amanda Mull's article in The Atlantic, titled The Pandemic Has Erased Entire Categories of Friendship.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Rachael Allen.

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

Revenge is a Dish Best Served French Jan 27, 2021

Show notes

This week Stephen, Dana, and Julia start by discussing Promising Young Woman, the revenge thriller starring Carey Mulligan and written and directed by Emerald Fennell. Then Slate culture writer Karen Han joins the show to talk about the French heist series Lupin, which has been firmly situated on Netflix's top 10 list since it premiered. After that, the hosts reflect on a recent article in the New York Times Magazine by Kyle Chayka titled, How Nothingness Became Everything We Wanted.

In Slate Plus, the hosts wonder whether the end of the Trump presidency has really hit them yet.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Rachael Allen.

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

Sound of Marvel Jan 20, 2021

Show notes

This week Stephen, Dana, and Julia take a look at Sound of Metal, the debut movie from writer/director Darius Marder, about a heavy metal drummer who loses his hearing. Then they discuss WandaVision, the new Marvel TV show that's loaded with references to classic TV sitcoms. After that they dive into the world of TikTok sea shanties and theorize about why the craze caught on.

In Slate Plus, the hosts talk about vice president Kamala Harris' recent Vogue cover and the debate surrounding it.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Rachael Allen.

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

Country So Unreal Jan 13, 2021

Show notes

This week Stephen, Dana, and Julia talk about the National Geographic miniseries, City So Real, about the 2019 mayoral race in Chicago and the social and political issues that fueled it. Then New York Times writer Charlie Warzel joins the show to discuss conservative media outlets like Newsmax and OANN and the alternate reality of news that Trump supporters reside in. After that, the hosts talk about New Yorker writer Lawrence Wright's comprehensive article, The Plague Year, about the way U.S. officials have reacted to the pandemic.

In Slate Plus, the hosts reply to a listener who wants to know how they distinguish between works of art that are "entertaining" and ones that are "good" and whether making that distinction makes them snobs.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Rachael Allen.

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

Snag a Duke Jan 06, 2021

Show notes

Steve, Dana, and Julia start by talking about Wonder Woman 1984 with LA Times film critic Justin Chang. Then they discuss Bridgerton, the new Netflix show produced by Shonda Rhimes and based on a series of novels by Julia Quinn. After that, Justin Chang rejoins the show to talk about Movie Club, Slate's annual end-of-year movie coverage.

In Slate Plus, the hosts expand on their Wonder Woman conversation in spoiler-filled detail.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Rachael Allen.

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

Live From Lockdown Dec 30, 2020

Show notes

This week, Stephen, Dana, and Julia present the Culture Gabfest’s annual listener call-in show, originally recorded live and streamed on Facebook and YouTube. They answer questions like, “Would you live in a muder house?” and “Are there any ways in which you are a snob about the culture you partake in?”

In Slate Plus, the hosts field more questions from their live audience via Facebook and YouTube.

Click here for the video version of the show.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Rachael Allen. Live show production by Faith Smith and Britt Pullie.

Outro Music: "200 Dont's" by Conditional

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Pongs of the Past Dec 23, 2020

Show notes

This week Stephen and Dana are joined by Slate editor and writer Dan Kois. First, they discuss the new Steven Soderbergh movie Let Them All Talk, starring Meryl Streep, Dianne Wiest, and Candice Bergen. Then they talk to Slate TV critic Willa Paskin about the trends in TV this year and why "popular" TV isn't always "good" TV. After that, the hosts talk about a new project in the UK that aims to revive smells from the past.

In Slate Plus, the hosts debate whether the labels "movie" and "TV show" have lost some of their meaning in the age of streaming.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Rachael Allen.

Outro Music: "If Only I Was a Poet" by Staffan Carlen

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Mile High, Inch Deep Dec 16, 2020

Show notes

This week Steve and Dana are joined by guest host Nichole Perkins, writer, poet, and host of the Thirst Aid Kit podcast. First they discuss the new film adaptation of Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, which stars Viola Davis and features Chadwick Boseman in his final role. Then they weigh in on the HBO Max mystery thriller The Flight Attendant. After that, Vulture writer Mark Harris joins the show to talk about Disney's rapid growth and what it means for the movie industry.

In Slate Plus, the hosts talk about which historical performances they wish they could witness.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Rachael Allen.

Outro Music: "Go slow" by Daniel Fridell

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Algorithmic Rosebud Dec 09, 2020

Show notes

This week Steve and Dana are joined by co-host Laura Miller, books and culture columnist for Slate. First, the three of them talk to Slate's own Matthew Dessem about what's real and what's made up in the new David Fincher movie, Mank. Then Julia Turner joins the show for a discussion about Spotify's end-of-year "wrapped" feature. For the third segment, Laura talks about the best books of 2020.

In Slate Plus, Laura talks about a debate that keeps cropping up in literary circles about whether kids should be taught more contemporary literature.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Rachael Allen.

Outro music: "Ruins" by Origo

Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Culture Gabfest each episode, and access to exclusive shows like Dana Stevens’ classic movies podcast Flashback. Sign up now to listen and support our work.

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