Culture Gabfest

Latest Episodes:

Black Lives Matter Jun 10, 2020

Show notes

On this week’s episode, Steve, Dana, and Julia are joined by Lauren Michele Jackson to discuss her recent piece in Vulture, “What Is an Anti-Racist Reading List For?” Then, the panel talks about cop shows during this current moment, jumping off of a recent article in the Washington Post by Alyssa Rosenberg that argues these procedurals that tend to glorify the police should be canceled. Finally, they discuss the power of citizen-shot videos of police brutality that are widely shared on social media.

In Slate Plus, the hosts discuss the New York Times’s decision to publish an op-ed by Sen. Tom Cotton and what the fallout means for newsrooms today. You can sign up for Slate Plus at slate.com/cultureplus

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

Outro Music: Cheap Flights by Dylan Sitts

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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Never Will I Ever Beef with Chrissy Teigen May 27, 2020

Show notes

This week on the Culture Gabfest, Stephen Metcalf, Dana Stevens, and Julia Turner discuss Mindy Kaling’s new television show Never Have I Ever. Next, they talk about Twitter beefs in the time of COVID-19—from Alison Roman to Lana del Rey. Finally, the panel dives into Steve’s comfort watch for this week: Out of Sight.

On the Slate Plus segment this week, Dana and Steve try Sudoku for the first time, as inspired by this recent captivating video.

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

Outro Music: Woke by SINY

Endorsements

Dana: Anne V. Coates’s interview on Out of Sight.

Charlotte Brontë’s Villette, especially as an audiobook.

Julia: “The Miracle Sudoku” video, as discussed in our Plus segment.

“How to Make Wylie Dufresne’s Incredibly Creamy Scrambled Egg Sandwich,” by Wylie Dufresne, as told to Emma Wartzman in Bon Appétit.

Steve: “The Painting Behind the Door,” by Emily Benedek in Tablet magazine.

Singer Laura Marling’s breaking down her guitar chords on social media.

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Normal People? May 13, 2020

Show notes

This week on the Culture Gabfest, Stephen Metcalf, Dana Stevens, and Julia Turner discuss the Hulu adaption of Sally Rooney’s Normal People. Next, they talk about John Krasinski’s Some Good News. Finally, the panel dives into Dana’s comfort watch for this week: In a Lonely Place.

On the Slate Plus segment this week, the panel is joined by Jody Rosen to talk about the music and legacy of Little Richard. Sign up for Slate Plus at Slate.com/cultureplus

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

Endorsements:

Dana: Spike Lee’s short film about New York City.

Julia: The Donut Hole in La Puente, Calif., a trip inspired after reading “Drive-throughs and drive-ins were fading. Coronavirus made them a lifeline” by Carolina A. Miranda in the Los Angeles Times.

Steve: Nick Lowe performing “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding” as part of Rolling Stone’s “In My Room” series. Also, Nick Lowe’s “I Read A Lot.”

Plus, check out Madison Cunningham’s “Dry As Sand.”

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A Reminder About Our New Schedule May 06, 2020

Show notes

Dana Stevens shares a message for Culture Gabfest listeners.

Become a Slate Plus member now to support the show, and you'll get a bonus segment every episode, ad-free Slate podcasts, and access to Dana Stevens' member-exclusive movies podcast Flashback.

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Don't Call Me Shirley Apr 29, 2020

Show notes

This week on the Culture Gabfest, Stephen Metcalf, Dana Stevens, and Julia Turner break down the Netflix miniseries Unorthodox. Next, they bring on Jesse David Fox, Vulture writer and host of the Good One podcast, to talk about the state of comedy today. Finally, the panel dives into Julia’s comfort watch pick for this week: the iconic and hilarious Airplane!

On the Slate Plus segment this week, the panel discusses how their fitness routines have changed in quarantine.

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

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

Fetch the Patriarchy Apr 22, 2020

Show notes

This week on the Culture Gabfest, Stephen Metcalf, Dana Stevens, and Julia Turner discuss Hulu’s historical drama Mrs. America. Next, they bring on Slate music critic Carl Wilson to break down Fiona Apple’s latest album “Fetch the Bolt Cutters.” Finally, the panel discusses Steve’s favorite movie of all time: Local Hero.

On the Slate Plus segment this week, the panel takes on quarantine cookery.

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

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

The Talented Mr. Quibi Apr 15, 2020

Show notes

This week on the Culture Gabfest, Stephen Metcalf, Dana Stevens, and Julia Turner analyze the latest way to watch television: Quibi. Next, they bring on Slate music critic Carl Wilson to talk about the legacy of the late songwriter John Prine. Finally, the panel dives into The Talented Mr. Ripley,Dana’s comfort watch pick for this week.

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

On the Slate Plus segment this week, the panel discusses Saturday Night Live’s recent “at home” show.

Outro Music: 'Apocalypse' by Cigarettes After Sex

Podcast production by Jessamine Molli. Production assistance by Rachael Allen.

Endorsements

Dana: John Dickerson’s interview with John Prine from February 2019.

Julia: Jim Dale’s audiobook narration of the Harry Potter series—except for his voice of Hermione.

Steve: The Lucksmiths. Again.

The music of Cigarettes After Sex.

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Will Restaurants Survive? Apr 08, 2020

Show notes

This week on the Culture Gabfest, Stephen Metcalf, Dana Stevens, and Julia Turner are joined by Jen Agg to talk about the fate of the restaurant industry. Next, they bring on New York Times Magazine contributing writer Jody Rosen to discuss the passing of Adam Schlesinger. Finally, the panel dives into Julia’s favorite movie and comfort watch—Sneakers.

On the Slate Plus segment this week, the panel discusses their results to the Statistical "Which Character" Personality Quiz.

Podcast production by Jessamine Molli. Production assistance by Rachael Allen.

Outro Music: “All Kinds of Time” by Fountains of Wayne

Endorsements

Jody: The singer Bill Withers, particularly his albums Naked & Warm and ’Justments.

Jonathan Cecil’s audiobook reading of P.G. Wodehouse’s Uncle Fred in the Springtime.

Dana: Interview with Better Call Saul’s Rhea Seehorn on the Ringer podcast “The Watch.”

Julia: “Nutmeg” from A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!

Steve: The songwriter Marty Donald of The Lucksmiths found here in Steve’s Spotify playlist.

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Cool Cats and Kittens Apr 01, 2020

Show notes

This week on the Culture Gabfest, Stephen Metcalf is joined by Slate senior editor Sam Adams and Slate podcast producer Daniel Schroeder discuss the wildness of Tiger King. Then, Steve teams back up with Dana Stevens and Julia Turner to talk about one of his favorite comfort watches: Paddington 2. Finally, the panel analyzes celebrity in the age of coronavirus by exploring the two recent telethons respectively hosted by Elton John and James Corden.

On the Slate Plus segment this week, the panel discusses Bob Dylan’s newest song.

Podcast production by Jessamine Molli. Production assistance by Rachael Allen.

Outro Music: "The One I Love (Belongs to Somebody Else)" by Julie London

Endorsements

Dana: The singer Julie London

Julia: Hoosker Doosker Tug of War game

Steve: “They Survived the Spanish Flu, the Depression and the Holocaust,” by Ginia Bellafante in the New York Times

“A Star in a Stoneboat,” by Robert Frost

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Walking into the Abyss Mar 25, 2020

Show notes

This week on the Culture Gabfest, Dana Stevens rejoins Stephen Metcalf and Julia Turner from her book leave for a few segments. First, Steve and Dana chat with Slate’s books and culture columnist Laura Miller about The Plot Against America. Next, Steve, Dana, and Julia talk about the power of walking, particularly in this time of quarantine, and the literary history that precedes the activity. Finally, Steve and Julia chat with Slate staff writer Dan Kois about the 1996 film Big Night, a delicious comfort watch.

On the Slate Plus segment this week, the panel checks in with each other about how they’re doing during this time of quarantine.

Podcast production by Jessamine Molli. Production assistance by Rachael Allen.

Outro Music: “Higher Love” cover from Kygo & Whitney Houston

Endorsements

Dana: “Kasha is the new nutmeg.”

Patti LuPone’s basement tours.

Julia: “Higher Love,” the Whitney Houston and Kygo remix.

Steve: “Buh Black Snake in New England,” by Benjamin Anastas in Oxford American.

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