Culture Gabfest

Latest Episodes:

Happiest Scaffolding Dec 02, 2020

Show notes

This week Steve and Dana are joined by writer, poet, and co-host of the Thirst Aid Kit podcast, Nichole Perkins. First, the they weigh in on Happiest Season, the new holiday rom-com starring Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis. Then they chat with Culture Gabfest producer Cameron Drews about why he loves the HBO show How To with John Wilson. And finally, the hosts a talk about a big mistake made recently by the publisher Fireside Fiction, where a white voice-over artist put on a fake accent to read an audio essay written by a Black woman. The essay, written by Dr. Regina N. Bradley, is called Da Art of Speculatin’ .

In Slate Plus, the Steve, Dana, and Nichole discuss their pop culture blindspots.

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

Outro Music: "What Do You Want From Me" by OTE

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Girls on Film Nov 25, 2020

Show notes

On this week’s episode, Steve and Dana kick off the show by talking about season 4 of The Crown with June Thomas, Slate's managing producer and co-host of the Working podcast. Then they're joined by Asha Saluja, operations manager for Slate Podcasts, to discuss one of the internet's latest creations: a TikTok musical based on the Pixar movie Ratatouille. For their third segment, Slate senior editor Sam Adams argues that our new streaming world is a poor replacement for traditional movie-going.

In Slate Plus, Dana, Steve, and June discuss their Thanksgiving plans.

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

Outro Music: "Backwards" by Staffan Carlen

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That Schmoopy Feeling Nov 18, 2020

Show notes

On this week’s episode, Steve and Dana talk to Slate’s television critic Willa Paskin about the unprecedented current season of The Bachelorette. Then Slate's Brow Beat editor, Matthew Dessem, comes on board for the rest of the show to talk about Saturday Night Live and two recent articles about societal collapse, one titled The Next Decade Could Be Even Worse and one titled How Do You Know When Society Is About to Fall Apart?

In Slate Plus, the hosts discuss which TV universes they'd like to be dropped into.

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

Outro Music: "Break The Line" by Coma Svensson

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Endgame Nov 11, 2020

Show notes

On this week’s episode, Steve, Dana, and Julia talk with New York Times book critic Dwight Garner about his book Garner’s Quotations: A Modern Miscellany. Next, they are joined by Slate’s television critic Willa Paskin to discuss The Queen’s Gambit. Finally, the panel imagines how the Trump administration will be remembered in American Studies classes years from now.

In Slate Plus, the hosts talk with writer and enneagram counselor Jacob Rubin about their enneagrams.

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

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

Democracy Shaken, Not Stirred Nov 04, 2020

Show notes

On this week’s episode, Steve and Dana are joined by guest host Isaac Butler, writer and co-host of Slate’s Working podcast. First, the group talks about What the Constitution Means to Me, the Broadway play now streaming on Amazon. Next, they talk about the legacy of Sean Connery, who passed away last week. Finally, they discuss the new Netflix documentary series Song Exploder, based on the podcast.

In Slate Plus, the hosts talk with Isaac about the future of the theater industry in pandemic times.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Whitney Tesi and Rachael Allen.

Outro Music: A Sail by Lisa Hannigan

Endorsements

Dana: Isaac’s interview with Alex Lacamoire on Slate’s Working podcast

To Be or Not to Beand Criterion’s accompanying commentary track

Isaac: John M. Ford’s The Dragon Waiting

The Danish political drama Borgen

Steve: Cowboy Junkies’ cover of “Flirted With You All My Life”

Lisa Hannigan’s “A Sail”

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New Weird America Oct 28, 2020

Show notes

This week on the Culture Gabfest, Stephen Metcalf and Dana Stevens are joined by guest host Jody Rosen, a contributing writer for the New York Times Magazine. First, they discuss Borat 2 (officially, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm). Next, they dive into music with “The Harry Smith B-Sides.” Finally, they discuss Zoom’s newfound, and sometimes dangerous, place in our culture.

On this week’s Slate Plus segment the hosts extend their analysis of Borat 2, diving into the scene with Rudy Giuliani.

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

Outro music: Next Stop the Big Onion by Chester Malone

Endorsements

Jody: “The butcher's shop that lasted 300 years (give or take)” by Tom Lamont in the Guardian

Top Boy: Summerhouseand Top Boy

Dana: The music streaming station “Ocora” from Radio France and its accompanying podcast

Steve: The Beatles’ rehearsals on YouTube, particularly the “Think For Yourself Vocal Overdub Session 1965” video

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Ensorcelled by Sorkin Oct 21, 2020

Show notes

This week on the Culture Gabfest, Stephen Metcalf, Dana Stevens, and Julia Turner discuss The Trial of the Chicago 7. Then, the panel is joined by Willa Paskin, Slate’s TV critic, to discuss Ted Lasso. Finally, they discuss “Cereal Eats” with New York Times opinion columnist Jamelle Bouie.

The Slate Plus segment this week features producer Jessamine Molli, as the panel talks about knowing about things before they become popular.

Podcast production by Jessamine Molli. Production assistance by Whitney Tesi.

Outro music: Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007 (Arr. E. Bindman for Piano): I. Prélude

Endorsements

Dana: J.S. Bach Cello Suites for Solo Piano transcribed and performed by Eleonor Bindman

Julia: Cinnamon Buns

Steve: Miami and the Siege of Chicago, by Norman Mailer; Return of the Secaucus 7

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Might As Well Jump Oct 14, 2020

Show notes

This week Dana, Steve, and Julia talk about Kirsten Johnson's new documentary, Dick Johnson is Dead, in which Johnson documents her father's experience with dementia. Then the hosts are joined by LA Times television editor Matt Brennan to discuss Luca Guadagnino's HBO series We Are Who We Are. And finally, Slate's pop critic Jack Hamilton joins the show to talk about Eddie Van Halen and the appeal of screeching guitar solos.

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You Lost Me at Bonjour Oct 07, 2020

Show notes

This week on the Culture Gabfest, Stephen Metcalf and Julia Turner are joined by Slate book critic Laura Miller for a full episode. First, the panel takes on The Glorias, the new film based on Gloria Steinem’s life. Next, they are joined by New Yorker staff writer Lauren Collins to talk about the Netflix comedy-drama Emily in Paris. Finally, the panel discusses the narrative drama of Donald Trump’s having COVID-19.

The Slate Plus segment this week features Laura’s book recommendations for fall.

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

Outro Music: Pike Place Market by Rockin' For Decades

Endorsements

Laura: The Good Lord Bird, starring Ethan Hawke

Julia: A recipe for State Fair Lemonade

Steve: Rod Stewart’s cover of “Handbags and Gladrags” (as well as the many videos of rockstars’ impromptu performances)

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The Kardashians and Other Liquid Creatures Sep 30, 2020

Show notes

This week on the Culture Gabfest, Stephen Metcalf, Dana Stevens, and Julia Turner discuss the Netflix film My Octopus Teacher. Next, they chat about the legacy and ending of Keeping Up With the Kardashians (check out the Gabfest’s 2011 conversation about the Kardashians here). Finally, the panel is joined by Slate staff writer Aaron Mak to analyze the latest episode of Reply All on QAnon.

On Slate Plus, the hosts discuss how they try to balance work and family.

Outro Music: The Red Light Special by Matt Large

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

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

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