Into It: A Vulture Podcast with Sam Sanders

We Will Never Recover From What Justin Did to Britney or: the End of 'Into It' Oct 27, 2023

In our final game of "Into It/Not Into It," comedians Naomi Ekperigin and Andy Beckerman, hosts of the Couples Therapy podcast, put their marriage on the line... for the sake of culture. Sam asks if they're into Michelle Williams' narration of the Britney Spears memoir The Woman in Me (thus completing our Holy Trinity run of Britney-themed episodes), strike-approved Halloween costumes, and a new study that shows Gen Z wants to see less sex on screen.

We also hear about the culture that's haunting us. And Sam says goodbye.

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Britney Was Always Trying to Tell Us Who She Was Oct 24, 2023

Britney Spears' memoir The Woman in Me is out today. But we're taking this moment instead to revisit the songs we never stopped listening to — and what she was trying to tell us all along, through the music. Sam talks with writer and critic Maura Johnston about what Britney gave to her body of work, and how her voice and sound — augmented, auto-tuned, yet authentic — ushered in a new era of pop music and pop stardom.

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What Britney Reveals, and What George Clooney Wants Resolved Oct 20, 2023

Britney Spears’ memoir comes out next week, but details are already emerging. From snake-handling to Justin Timberlake (redundant?), Sam is processing it all with Into It’s BFF, comic and writer Jay Jurden. Speaking of problems, the actors still have one: their strike keeps going, and now George Clooney and Tyler Perry are putting on pressure to resolve it. Plus, are we Into or Not Into Netflix’s brick-and-mortar ambitions? And at the very end, Sam has some important news to share.

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It’s Not Just Scorsese. Why Are Movies So Long? Oct 17, 2023

Long movies have often been associated with prestige, so it makes sense that Killers of the Flower Moon is three hours and 26 minutes. But Avengers: End Game clocking in at more than three hours? Come on. Vanity Fair’s Natalie Jarvey and Sam talk through all the factors skewing movies longer, from bidding wars between streamers that give directors more power and control, to IP franchises demonstrating that audiences will tolerate longer movies.

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Jada & Will Deserve an Oscar for Their Marriage Performance Oct 13, 2023

News came out this week that Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith have actually been separated since 2016... and we have so many questions. Did Will ruin his career for a roommate? What was the Red Table Talk for? Who is this family's live-in producer? Traci Thomas, host of The Stackspodcast, and Chelsea Devantez, writer, comedian, and host of Glamorous Trash, help break down the week in culture with Sam. We also ask if they're into a possible reboot of Seinfeld and dissect what is going on with Drake.

Send us your culturegeist. Is there something in the culture that's been haunting you? Tell us about it. Record a short voice memo and send it to intoit@vulture.com.

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Why Are Celebrities So Bad at PR? Oct 10, 2023

Whether you’ve filmed your awkward apology video from the comfort of your own kitchen or a corner of your palatial backyard, you can bet Molly McPherson, aka “PR Lady,” will be analyzing it on TikTok. She brings her PR industry bona fides to the world of celebrity scandals, and there’s been a lot for her to talk about lately. She and Sam discuss Lizzo’s response to allegations she mistreated her dancers, Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis’s character letter about Danny Masterson, Drew Barrymore’s potential crossing a picket line, and the muddled messaging around Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner's divorce.

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Are Bed Bugs and Katy Perry Out for Blood? Oct 06, 2023

Bed bugs in Paris? Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom entangled in yet another real estate lawsuit? U2 at The Sphere? Sam wraps up the week in culture with comedians Dylan Adler and Sam Oh.

Also, we're bringing back our culturegeist segment at the end of the month. Do you have a thing in the culture that's been haunting you? Tell us about it. Record a short voice memo and send it to intoit@vulture.com.

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Tech Bros Laid the Foundation, But Women Built Social Media Oct 03, 2023

The story of social media has usually been told from the perspective of tech bros, set to a soundtrack by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. Washington Post columnist Taylor Lorenz argues in her new book, Extremely Online, that the real protagonists of the story are actually the users, who figured out what these platforms were best at before the people who invented them did. “Venture capitalists act like Mr. Beast invented it all,” Taylor says. “It was mothers, women, marginalized people, LGBTQ people.” Taylor guides Sam through the under-reported history of social media, from mommy bloggers who pioneered content monetization to brands tweeting about Scandal.

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The Writers' Strike Is Over; What Does Hollywood Do Now? Sep 29, 2023

After a contentious five months, the writers' strike is officially over. What does that actually mean for the writers themselves, the studios, and the future of TV and film? Sam digs into the aftermath with Vulture editor Josef Adalian and TV critic Kathryn VanArendonk, including the wins for the WGA and the smaller post-Peak TV market its members will be walking back into.

We also hear from Into It producer Travis Larchuk, fondly remembering the Star Wars-themed Galactic Starcruise hotel at Disney World that's closing this week.

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Hip-Hop Is 50 and It’s Having a Midlife Crisis Sep 26, 2023

So much of the coverage of hip-hop’s 50th birthday has been fawning. Congratulatory. Devoid of meaningful critique. All that despite the fact that the art form has been soaked through with misogyny and homophobia from day one. So how do you celebrate hip-hop’s accomplishments while asking it to do better? Sam talks to journalist Kiana Fitzgerald, author of Ode to Hip-Hop, on how the women of hip-hop are leading the way today… but at what cost? And he catches up with hip-hop scholar Jason England, assistant professor of English at Carnegie Mellon University, who argues hip-hop’s midlife crisis has left an empty shell of what the genre once was.

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Hasan Minhaj’s Broken Truths, and Taylor Swift’s Broken Google Sep 22, 2023

Comedian Hasan Minhaj admitted to making up biographical stories involving racism and Islamophobia in his standup specials. Sam asks our BFF, comedian Jay Jurden, what the line is between comedic embellishment and lying, and how the revelations will affect other marginalized performers. Also this week, will one more teacup ride stem Disney’s streaming losses? Sam and Jay discuss Disney’s $60 billion bet on its theme parks, whether Taylor Swift’s latest puzzle stunt shows us that Swifties are getting a little old, and what American Horror Story could look like with an all-Black cast.

Sign up for Vulture’s Movies Fantasy League: https://www.vulture.com/movies-league/

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How to Game the Billboard Hot 100 Sep 19, 2023

Is it just us or has the Billboard Hot 100 felt... weird this year? It's the same chart that's seen Doja Cat's "Paint the Town Red" hit No. 1 — the first rap song to rise to the top spot in more than a year — as well as Oliver Anthony Music's controversial "Rich Men North of Richmond" and a remix of an old song by The Weeknd.

Is the Billboard Hot 100 actually measuring what people are listening to these days? Can we trust it to tell us about the most popular music? Sam talks with Switched on Pop's Charlie Harding and Reanna Cruz about how Billboard ranks the Hot 100 and the ways that artists, fandoms, and political actors have changed the game... and learned how to game the charts.

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The Backlash to Drew Barrymore Sep 15, 2023

This week, Drew Barrymore announced her daytime TV talk show would return despite the ongoing Hollywood strikes. That prompted a public outcry and a rescinded invitation to host the National Book Awards. Drew seems to be getting the most flack, but she isn't the only TV host coming back this fall. Sam checks in with Vox's Alex Abad-Santos and Rebecca Jennings about the latest on the writers' and actors' strikes and where the celebrities are turning now that the red carpets are off-limits. We also discuss the highs and lows of the VMAs, how to spot a drunk white woman dancing, and if we really need Beyoncé and Taylor Swift beat reporters.

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Is Rotten Tomatoes… Rotten? Sep 12, 2023

Rotten Tomatoes is the place you go when you want to figure out whether or not to see a movie. It aggregates reviews on its “Tomatometer” and tells you whether a film is “fresh” or “rotten.” But its math formula sucks, and it’s easily manipulated. New York Magazine’s Lane Brown did a deep investigation into how Rotten Tomatoes works and tells Sam all the ways studios game the ratings on Rotten Tomatoes, how Hollywood publicity now revolves around the site, and highlights how the whole system has incentivized one company to pay critics and apparently withhold their negative reviews from Rotten Tomato counts.

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Olivia Rodrigo and the Year of the Girl Sep 08, 2023

As Olivia Rodrigo releases Guts, we take stock of the singer-songwriter who seemed to come out of nowhere, fully realized as an artist, back in 2021. How did Olivia surprise us so much before, and can she repeat her success a second time? Sam chats with Lindsay Zoladz, pop music critic at The New York Times, about the dualities of Olivia Rodrigo: She's an artist who is both quiet and loud, young and old at heart, and a former Disney child star whose lyrics are a gut punch. We also trace her inspirations from Alanis Morisette to Taylor Swift and explore why we can't get enough of Olivia's music in a year that's seen the pop culture power of women and girls.

ICYMI, Sam is guest hosting on Vox’s daily news show Today, Explained this week. Listen at https://bit.ly/texwsam.

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The Real Bad Behavior Behind Reality TV Sep 05, 2023

Allegations and complaints about working conditions, fair pay, and even covering up acts of sexual violence could force a reality TV reckoning. OG Housewife Bethenny Frankel is calling on her fellow colleagues to unionize, and last month NBCUniversal — home to such reality heavy hitters as The Real Housewives empire, and Vanderpump Rules — was sent a letter from two very high-powered attorneys investigating the "grotesque and depraved mistreatment" of its reality stars. How did we get here? sam breaks down the recent drama with legal reporter Claudia Rosenbaum. Then, he talks to someone who's seen it all firsthand: Nick Thompson, a contestant on Season Two of Netflix's Love Is Blind, who compared his experience of being on the show and finding his one true love... to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

ICYMI, Sam is guest hosting on Vox’s daily news show Today, Explained this week. Listen at https://bit.ly/texwsam.

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Here’s What’s Worth Watching This Fall Sep 01, 2023

Yes, the writers’ and actors’ strikes mean a lot of reality on TV and delayed releases for movies this fall. But there are some standouts. Sam talks with Vulture’s Jen Chaney and Chris Lee and learns that with shows like Lessons In Chemistry, starring Brie Larson, and films like May December, starring Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman, you could want for nothing. Sam also gets recommendations of things you might have missed this summer from Sam Fragoso, host of the Talk Easy podcast, who explains that Project Greenlight reveals all the problems with Hollywood right now and is worth a hate-watch.

To hear Sam Fragoso interview Sam Sanders, check out Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso this Sunday, September 3rd.

And ICYMI, Sam Sanders is guest hosting Vox’s daily news show Today, Explained this week. Listen at https://bit.ly/texwsam.

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From #BookTok to Goodreads, Novelist Brandon Taylor on Why Literary Criticism Is Broken Aug 29, 2023

For our first Into It Book Club pick, Sam talks to Brandon Taylor about his latest novel The Late Americans. Set in Iowa City, the book follows a group of lovers and friends who are navigating the world of art, love, sex... and graduate school. We also ask about the broader discourse around books today: In the age of #BookTokand Goodreads, what should readers expect from writers? And —for Brandon, in particular — what's the line between reviewing an author's published work and the author himself?

ICYMI, Sam is guest hosting on Vox’s daily news show Today, Explained this week. Listen at https://bit.ly/texwsam.

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Did Taylor Swift Curse Scooter Braun? And Will Fyre Fest Fool Us Twyce? Aug 25, 2023

Justin Bieber. Demi Levato. Ariana Grande. Idina Menzel. All are reportedly dropping their manager, Scooter Braun. He’s one of the biggest players in the music industry, and Taylor Swift apparently hates him enough for owning her masters to be rerecording all her old music. Sam Sanders talks it over with comedian and TV writer Jay Jurden. Also, Jay and Sam decide if they’re into the Suits renaissance and marvel at the return of the Fyre Festival.

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Chance the Rapper Looks Back on the Impact of 'Acid Rap' Aug 22, 2023

"A rap game Ferris Bueller." "Fun and life affirming." That's what Pitchfork called the buzziest mixtape of 2013: Chance the Rapper's Acid Rap. The mixtape launched Chance's career and put him alongside some of the biggest artists in hip-hop. To commemorate Acid Rap's 10-year anniversary, Sam chats with Chance about his time touring with Mac Miller, Donald Glover, Eminem, and Macklemore after the mixtape's release; his relationship with Kanye West; and how hip-hop — and his own view of politics — has changed in the decade since.

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Blindsided By White Saviors, and Reality TV’s Reckoning Aug 18, 2023

Forget Trump’s most recent indictment. We’re discussing three other big controversies this week: allegations that the white folks behind The Blind Side story were crooks rather than saviors, the lack of protections for reality stars (just see the recent episodes of Below Deck Down Under for an illustration), and the debate over whether Bradley Cooper’s prosthetic nose in an upcoming movie is antisemitic. Sam gets into all of it with writer R. Eric Thomas. They also discuss Eric’s new memoir, Congratulations, The Best is Over!, and how pop culture gives us access to big feelings.

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The Weird, Wild World of 'Big Brother,' 25 Seasons In Aug 15, 2023

The CBS reality show Big Brother just entered its 25th season, making it one of the longest-running reality TV shows in history. But it's also one of the genre's weirdest: There are the edited episodes that air on CBS proper, but viewers are encouraged to creep on contestants via 24/7 live feeds; seasons almost always involve racism or misogyny (or both!); and the show often features games involving... slime? And yet the show gets killer ratings. To pin down the enduring appeal of Big Brother, Sam talks with Taylor Hale, the first Black woman to win the show, and Taran Armstrong, a man who literally watches the show for a living.

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The Montgomery Riverfront Brawl Is True Cinema Aug 11, 2023

A classic piece of American film dropped recently. It has everything: an epic battle, a giant boat, lawn furniture repurposed as weapons... and everyone's talking about it, including our guests this week Jonquilyn Hill, host of Vox's The Weeds podcast, and Alex Abad-Santos, culture writer at Vox. They debate with Sam about who should direct an actual big screen version of the brawl. They also check in on how Jeopardy is dealing with the writers' strike (What is: The show is using old questions during tapings?) and pour one out for the creator of the "Cha Cha Slide" (RIP DJ Casper).

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How AI Is (Already) Transforming Hollywood Aug 08, 2023

We've been hearing a lot about artificial intelligence in TV and movies from both sides of the Hollywood strikes. Some actors and writers are afraid AI could replace them entirely. But how does AI work in the industry right now? And to what extent?

Sam chats with VFX artist Ryan Laney about his work digitally replacing human faces — in the name of good. Then, Josh Glick, who studies AI and film at Bard College, lays out the fundamental truth many of us seem to forget: AI is already an integral part of the Hollywood machine. AI has de-aged Harrison Ford and Tom Cruise, provided language translation, and done all sorts of things in the Marvel Cinematic Universe — and it's not going anywhere.

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What Is Going On With Lizzo? Aug 04, 2023

Three of Lizzo’s former dancers sued her for alleged sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment. How does this change how we feel about Lizzo — especially those inspired by her joyful, unapologetic persona and empowerment of plus-sized women of color? Sam welcomes his Vibe Check co-hosts Saeed Jones and Zach Stafford to talk it out. Then, as a palette cleanser: A game of Into It / Not Into It where they break down Cardi B’s mic throw, Justin Trudeau’s separation, and the resurrection of Bed Bath & Beyond from beyond the grave.

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#FreeBritney’s Dark Turn Aug 01, 2023

At the end of Britney Spears’s conservatorship in November of 2021, most of her fans rejoiced. But conspiracy theories have a subset of #FreeBritney fans convinced she’s still not really free. They focus on what they see as oddities or glitches in some of her Instagram posts. Vox reporter Rebecca Jennings says there are even theories that Britney has been replaced with AI or a body double. Rebecca and Sam talk about her current piece for New York Magazine and get into the TikTok sleuthing of this extreme set of Britney fans, how the conspiracy theories mirror QAnon, and what Britney herself thinks about her fans’ actions.

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Country Music’s Race Problem Jul 28, 2023

What is up right now with country music and race? There’s the controversy over Jason Aldean’s “Try That in a Small Town,” Morgan Wallen topping the charts despite previously being canceled for saying the n-word, and Luke Combs’ country cover of Tracy Chapman’s Fast Car – which is doing better than the original. Sam talks with writer, sociologist, and country fan Tressie McMillan Cottom. Tressie unpacks why mainstream country music is so, so white, how Black artists built the genre, and the gulf between the vibrant city of Nashville and the regressive politics of the “Nashville” music industry.

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The Mount Rushmore of 'Real Housewives' Jul 25, 2023

Bravo replaced the whole cast for the 14th season of The Real Housewives of New York City, but it almost doesn’t matter. “It’s about the franchise,” says Brian Moylan, who writes Vulture’s Housewives Institute Bulletin. There are, however, a handful of housewives that have had a lasting impact. A Housewives Mount Rushmore, if you will. Brian tells Sam why Teresa Giudice, Bethenny Frankel, NeNe Leakes, and Kyle Richards are the four faces on the mountaintop and why we owe so much of what we see on reality TV to the Housewives blueprint.

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Culture Is Back: Why We Love 'The Golden Bachelor' and Those Weird TikTok Livestreams Jul 21, 2023

It's Barbenheimer weekend and Sam is joined by none other than Who? Weekly hosts Bobby Finger and Lindsey Weber for our own doubleheader — of games. First, we break down the long list of Barbie merch collabs from Burger King to Progressive to Uno. Then, we discuss ABC's The Golden Bachelor and why it's never too late for love; social media influencers joining the Hollywood strikes; and the confusing yet popular TikTok trend of NPC livestreams.

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The Enduring Appeal of Barbie Jul 18, 2023

Barbie (the doll) is more than 60 years old. But Barbie (the idea, the aesthetic, the cultural artifact) feels more current than ever. And yes, the highly anticipated Barbie movie is definitely a big part of that, but Barbiecore has been around way before the film was even a sparkle in Greta Gerwig's eye. Sam chats with The Cut's Danya Issawi about her first Barbie memories and the inescapable way that blonde hair, blue eyes, and pink outfits could define American girlhood. And we learn about the fashion history and influence of Barbie from historian Darnell Jamal Lisby: From Legally Blonde to Paris Hilton to Nicki Minaj, we're all just Barbie girls living in a Barbie world.

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What Happens When All of Hollywood’s on Strike? Jul 14, 2023

It’s been more than 60 years since both the Writers Guild and the Screen Actors Guild have gone on strike at the same time. Sam chats with Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw about what the actors want and what the walkout will mean for Hollywood in the coming weeks and months.

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Everything You’ve Ever Wanted to Know About Sex Onscreen Jul 11, 2023

That recent scene in The Idol, the one where the intimacy coordinator gets locked in a bathroom, was fully unrealistic. So what does an intimacy coordinator do? They choreograph intimacy scenes and help filmmakers not get canceled. What do they work on besides sex? Well anything involving nudity, including bodily functions and medical procedures. What do they bring to a set? Mints, strapless underwear, and a lot of tape. Sam chats with Intimacy Coordinator Adelaide Waldrop about the misconceptions that directors, producers and the public still have about this Hollywood role, even after it first gained attention following #MeToo.

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A Messy 2023 So Far: Ranking Celebrity Breakups and Songs of the Summer Jul 07, 2023

We're about halfway into 2023... but are we into it? Sam and Jay Jurden, comedian and writer on The Problem with Jon Stewart, take stock of the year thus far in pop culture: messy celebrity breakups, songs of the summer, the expanding cinematic universe of Mattel toys and dolls, the fall of Twitter, and more.

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A Portrait of Taylor Swift, Miss Americana Jul 04, 2023

What better way to celebrate our nation's independence than with an episode about Miss Americana herself? We revisit our episode about Taylor Swift from the eve of her Midnights album release.

What is the meaning of Taylor Swift? She's performed damsel in distress, but represents women's empowerment. She's a confessional artist, but is careful about how much she reveals. She's an adult, but is often still viewed as the teenager she used to be. Sam dives into the mythos and craft of Taylor Swift with NPR music critic Ann Powers about her place in history among the likes of Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Adele, and Beyoncé.

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'The Bear' Has an Improbably Good Second Season; Harry & Meghan, Not So Much Jun 30, 2023

What led podcaster and Spotify executive Bill Simmons to call Prince Harry and Meghan Markle "grifters" following the news that Spotify wouldn't continue its reportedly $20 million deal with the couple? Sam asks Vulture critics Kathryn VanArendonk and Nicholas Quah whether the era of huge celebrity content deals is over.

We also get into the improbably good second season of FX's The Bear and why it's so hard to make a beloved show even better.

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My Beyoncé Ticket Cost $4,000: Why the Touring Industry Might Be Broken Jun 27, 2023

Content creator and head of the Beyhive Kalen Allen is more than OK spending four thousand dollars on one ticket for Beyoncé’s Renaissance tour. 2023 feels like a big year for huge stadium tours for artists like Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Bruce Springsteen, Ed Sheeran and more. But why are tickets so expensive, and how much are fans willing to put up with in order to go? Sam talks with music journalist Nate Rogers about why the touring industry might just be broken and what lawmakers and some artists are trying to do to fix it.

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‘And Just Like That’ Writers Heard Your Feelings About Che Jun 23, 2023

Samantha Irby knows what you think about the newer characters on ‘And Just Like That.’ She writes for the ‘Sex and the City’ reboot, which addressed critiques of the original series’ whiteness by introducing new, non-white friends. Reactions were mixed over how well they pulled it off the first season, and people especially hated the over-the-top character of Che Diaz. Sam Irby insists the writers were in on the joke. In time for the show’s season 2 premiere on Max, Sam and Sam talk about whether it’s possible to pull off “DEI-ification” without it being awkward and if ‘And Just Like That’ faces special scrutiny.

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The Culture That Made Me Queer Jun 20, 2023

Sometimes before we have the language to describe ourselves, we have the culture in front of us to help — the movies, TV shows, and music we listened to and watched that's had a lasting impact. In honor of Pride Month, we ask three creatives about the culture that made them queer: writer, actor, and producer Lena Waithe; Tony Award-winning actor and singer Alex Newell; and writer and comedian Guy Branum. Plus, Sam shares his own story.

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'The Flash,' 'The Idol,' and 'The Ultimatum': Watch, Hate-Watch, or Skip? Jun 16, 2023

The Flash is giving DC Comics its own multiverse, but its star is giving... controversy. Ezra Miller was once considered The Next Big Thing in Hollywood, but after a string of arrests and destructive behavior... where does that leave us? More importantly: Do we really need more superhero multiverses? And we chat about whether the best approach to HBO's The Idol is hate-watching it, and the mess of Netflix's The Ultimatum: Queer Love. Sam is joined by Vox senior correspondent Alex Abad-Santos to get into all of it.

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How Netflix Envy Broke TV Jun 13, 2023

Netflix broke the TV mold in 2013 with ‘House of Cards.’ Now, the streaming wars may have broken TV altogether. There’s so much stuff, a lot isn’t good, it’s confusing to find, sometimes disappears entirely, and, as the writers on strike will tell you, people making it aren’t getting paid the same as they once were. Vulture’s Josef Adalian tells Sam about how the race to compete with Netflix destroyed TV as we knew it, twisted viewers' expectations, and may lead us back to the cable bundles we thought we left behind.

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Taylor Swift's Single Era, and How Tom Sandoval Ruined White Nails Jun 09, 2023

This week, Sam is joined by Lovett or Leave It host and Crooked Media co-founder Jon Lovett to get into the week of culture: Taylor Swift's breakup with Matt Healy, Apple's dip into augmented reality with its Vision Pro, and the latest in the wild animal x drug movie collaboration space Crackcoon.

We also hear about the culture that's haunting us: Vanderpump Rules' Tom Sandoval has single-handedly ruined white nail polish.

Send us your culturegeist. What specific thing in the culture has haunted you recently? And why? Email a short voice memo to intoit@vulture.com.

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While Writers Strike, Special Effects Artists Try To Unionize Jun 06, 2023

‘Across the Spider-Verse’ was an animated feast, but many live-action, CGI-bloated summer blockbusters are visual mush. If you’re tired of lackluster computer-generated special effects, guess what? So are the artists who make them. They’re tired from long shifts and working paycheck to paycheck. VFX workers are some of the few Hollywood creatives who aren’t unionized, and they're scared to speak out against big studios for fear of being blacklisted. Today, Explained guest host Sean Rameswaram talks with New York Magazine’s Chris Lee about a race to the bottom for film quality and working conditions, and what it means to be “pixel f’d.” We also hear from a VFX worker who’s helping push to unionize the industry.

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What Was 'Succession' Really About? And Is 'Ted Lasso' Over or Not? Jun 02, 2023

This week, Today, Explained co-host Sean Rameswaram keeps our host chair warm while Sam is away. He's joined by Vulture TV critic Kathryn VanArendonk to figure out whatkind of show Succession really was, whom it was for, and what to watch to fill the Succession-size hole in your heart. We also ask if Kathryn is into Ted Lasso ending, the return of the flip phone, and more.

And we hear about the culture that's haunting us: Lana Del Rey losing her vape is as relatable as writing lyrics about soda.

Send us your culturegeist. What specific thing in the culture has haunted you for days, weeks, or even years? And why? Email a short voice memo to intoit@vulture.com.

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Christy Carlson Romano Turns Disney Nostalgia to Her Advantage May 30, 2023

Christy Carlson Romano was ubiquitous on the Disney Channel in the early 2000s, starring in ‘Even Stevens,’ ‘Kim Possible,’ and ‘Cadet Kelly.’ But after the roles stopped and the checks dried up, she lost money to psychics, struggled with family relationships, and grappled with addiction. Now she processes those experiences on her popular YouTube channel, with videos like “Why I Don't Talk to Shia LaBeouf.” She talks with Sam about overcoming her past, tapping into nostalgia to find new audiences, and advocating for changes in the entertainment industry for child actors.

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Are We Into the End of 'Succession' and HBO Max? (Plus: We Remember Tina Turner) May 26, 2023

This week, Sam is joined by comedian Zach Zimmerman. We catch up on the writers' strike and ask for his opinions on the series finale of HBO's Succession, the streaming service formerly known as HBO Max (it's just Max now, thanks), standing ovations at the Cannes Film Festival, and more.

We also chat about Zach's new book Is It Hot in Here (Or Am I Suffering for All Eternity for the Sins I Committed on Earth)?and the ways we might lose a religion, but find something better instead — a deeper relationship with our parents and a deeper understanding of ourselves. Plus: a round of "F*ck, Marry, Kill" with Adam, Eve, and Satan.

And we remember the late Tina Turner from a moment in 2004: It was Oprah's birthday, but it was always Tina's party.

Send us your culturegeist. What specific thing in the culture has haunted you for days, weeks, or even years? And why? Email a short voice memo to intoit@vulture.com.

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‘The Little Mermaid’ and the Black Princess Test May 23, 2023

Halle Bailey stars as Ariel in the live-action remake of the classic Disney animated film. Casting a Black actress in the role caused quite a splash — which inspired us to look back at two of Disney’s forays into Black princess movies.

Dr. Aria Halliday studies cultural constructions of Black girlhood and womanhood at The University of Kentucky. She and Sam break down the 1997 made for TV ‘Cinderella,’ starring Brandy, and 2009’s ‘Princess and the Frog.’

Then, Vulture’s baddest film critic Angelica Jade Bastién tells us whether 2023’s ‘Little Mermaid’ has legs.

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Are We Into 'Fast X,' Martha Stewart, and the Vitriol Toward Che Diaz? May 19, 2023

This week, Sam is joined by comedian and writer Samantha Irby to dive into the week in culture: the latest movie in the Fast and the Furious franchise, Martha Stewart's historic Sports Illustrated cover, and Love Island-inspired British accents. We also chat about her newest book of essays Quietly Hostileand why she'd no longer want a TV show about her life. Exhibit A: her experience writing for And Just Like That... and the backlash to the character of Che Diaz.

And we hear about the culture that's haunting us: The NBC "Brotherhood of Man" Super Bowl commercial is a rich tapestry of people's souls being sold out in real time.

Send us your culturegeist. What specific thing in the culture has haunted you for days, weeks, or even years? And why? Email a short voice memo to intoit@vulture.com.

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The Conversation We’re NOT Having About AI May 16, 2023

AI is making fake Drake/The Weeknd songs, weird images, and there’s a worry that TV and movie scripts could be written by ChatGPT. But it’s also about to dramatically change the way we consume, share, and obsess over pop culture. Nilay Patel, Editor-in-Chief of The Verge, explains to Sam how pretty much everything we search on the internet is mediated by Google… and how AI is about to disrupt it all.

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Are We Into a New 'Zelda' Game, the End of MTV News, and 'Jury Duty'? May 12, 2023

This week, Sam is joined by Into It's own Travis Larchuk and Tarkor Zehn. They try to convince Sam of the things they're into: The new Legend of Zelda game is worth your time (and money) and the Tarte makeup controversy actually has meaningful implications. Then we flip the game back around and ask for their thoughts on the end of MTV News, Tucker Carlson moving to Twitter, and more.

We also hear about the culture that's haunting us: Given their career trajectories following the film Just My Luck, did Lindsay Lohan pass her real-life luck to co-star Chris Pine?

Send us your culturegeist. What specific thing in the culture has haunted you for days, weeks, or even years? And why? Email a short voice memo to intoit@vulture.com.

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'Mrs. Davis' Just Wants You to Be Happy May 09, 2023

As tech companies assure us AI is here to help and not to eradicate humanity, the Peacock series ‘Mrs. Davis’ explores what happens in a world where AI really does deliver on that promise. Executive producers Tara Hernandez and Damon Lindelof join Sam to talk about how they combined science fiction and Christianity in a show about a technophobic nun who is literally married to Jesus. Plus, Lindelof reflects on lessons he learned from behind-the-scenes toxicity he says helped create on ‘Lost’ and reconciling past bad behavior.

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Are We Into the Writers' Strike, the Coronation, and Ryan Murphy's 'Monsters'? May 05, 2023

This week, Sam is joined by Jay Jurden, comedian and writer on The Problem with Jon Stewart. We dive into how he's faring during the writers' strike and that time he auditioned for Ryan Murphy's Dahmer. We also ask if he's into looks from the Met Gala, Missy Elliott's Rock Hall induction, and more.

And we hear about the culture that's haunting us: If Akon is trying to find the words to describe this girl without being disrespectful and can only come up with "damn, you's a sexy bitch," maybe someone should get him a thesaurus.

Send us your culturegeist. What specific thing in the culture has haunted you for days, weeks, or even years? And why? Email a short voice memo to intoit@vulture.com.

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Nida Manzoor Hits Every Genre with ‘Polite Society’ May 02, 2023

Last weekend, 'The Super Mario Bros. Movie' passed $1 billion. But another film quietly hit theaters and really defied all expectations. It’s called ‘Polite Society,’ and its director and writer, Nida Manzoor, describes it as “an action comedy about sisterhood” and “a joyful, kung-fu heist Bollywood epic.” Sam and Nida talk about how the success of her acclaimed TV show 'We Are Lady Parts' finally convinced film executives to buy this movie, her breadth of influences from Jackie Chan to Bette Davis, and how she sets herself free from the expectations of the dreaded R-word (representation).

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Are We Into Ed Sheeran's Lawsuit, Tucker Carlson's Firing, and Timothée Chalamet? Apr 28, 2023

This week, Sam is joined by Sam Taggart and George Civeris, hosts of StraightioLab, a podcast from iHeartMedia and Will Ferrell's Big Money Players Network (with new episodes out every Tuesday). We dive into their favorite ways to say hello and if you can still poke someone on Facebook. We also ask if they're into the dual cable news firings of Tucker Carlson and Don Lemon, Marvin Gaye's estate suing Ed Sheeran for copyright infringement, Timothée Chalamet's expanding cinematic universe, and more.

And we hear about the culture that's haunting us: There are some problematic things in Shrek 2, but who among us could turn down free food from Friar's Fat Boy?

Send us your culturegeist. What specific thing in the culture has haunted you for days, weeks, or even years? And why? Email a short voice memo to intoit@vulture.com.

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Roy Wood Jr. Is Ready for Late Night Apr 25, 2023

Comedian Roy Wood Jr. wants the job — and he's ready for it. Sam chats with Roy about guest hosting 'The Daily Show' since Trevor Noah's departure and how hard it is to pitch an idea and find the solace in humor in an increasingly bleak (and fast) news cycle. And they discuss his other upcoming hosting gig — the White House Correspondents' Dinner — and why he'll be sweating it out in our nation's capital.

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Will Hollywood Strike? And Are We Into Netflix’s Late 'Love' and AI Drake? Apr 21, 2023

Josh Gondelman isn’t just a comedian and maybe the nicest person on the planet — he’s also an elected council member of the Writers Guild of America-East. Josh talks to Sam about the potential writers’ strike, and then gets his thoughts on AI-produced Drake songs, Kelly Ripa’s new cohost, and Netflix’s botched attempt at live programming.

We also hear about the culture that's haunting us: Despite airing for several seasons, our cultural memory of 'The Magic School Bus' only allows us to remember two plot lines — going inside a body or going to outer space.

Send us your culturegeist. What specific thing in the culture has haunted you for days, weeks, or even years? And why? Email a short voice memo to intoit@vulture.com.

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A Guide to Spoiler Culture from 'Lost' to 'Succession' Apr 18, 2023

When did the rise of spoiler culture begin? And what should the modern-day rules of spoiler etiquette be? Sam traces back the evolution of spoilers with Vulture critics Jen Chaney and Kathryn VanArendonk from the days of Charles Dickens to The National Lampoon to ABC's Lost to that very big episode of HBO's Succession. Why do we get so upset about spoilers? How can we embrace them instead? And why did it take Sam a whole second viewing to realize you-know-who was dead the whole time? (Here's your obligatory: There be spoilers ahead.)

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Are We Into Taylor Swift's Breakup, Lofi Girl, and a Baby Shark Podcast? Apr 14, 2023

This week, Sam is joined by Normal Gossiphost Kelsey McKinney and producer Alex Sujong Laughlin. We dive into the things they're into (a song by Jess Williamson is perfect for your Sad Girl Playlist, and we explore the cinematic universe of Lofi Girl) and ask for their thoughts on Taylor Swift's breakup with Joe Alwyn, a Baby Shark podcast, and more.

We also hear about the culture that's haunting us: Did you know there's a drunk driving PSA at the end of the original Broadway cast recording of Hairspray?

Send us your culturegeist. What specific thing in the culture has haunted you for days, weeks, or even years? And why? Email a short voice memo to intoit@vulture.com.

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Sasha Velour’s Drag Manifesto Apr 11, 2023

Just in time for the finale of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race,’ season 9 winner Sasha Velour joins Sam to talk about the political push to criminalize drag, the long history of the art form, and her drag transformation from Wicked Witch of the West to Gollum. Her new book is called ‘The Big Reveal: An Illustrated Manifesto of Drag.’

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Are We Into the 'Barbie' Trailer, Fading Taylor Swift Merch, and a New 'Moana'? Apr 07, 2023

This week, Sam is joined by Vox's Alex Abad-Santos and Rebecca Jennings for the latest on the effort to ban TikTok in the U.S. (and, in the process, break one of The Cut's modern etiquette rules by describing TikToks). We also ask if they're into the new Barbie movie trailer, fading Taylor Swift merch, a Moana remake, and more.

And we hear about the culture that's haunting us: Have you ever thought about Party Down's proximity to the future of our nation's democracy?

Send us your culturegeist. What specific thing in the culture has haunted you for days, weeks, or even years? And why? Email us a short voice memo at intoit@vulture.com.

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Is Nothing Too Outrageous for 'Succession'? Apr 04, 2023

Sam can't get enough of HBO's Succession. The phrase "fuck off" has turned into a term of endearment among his friends. But he can't put his finger on why so many love it at a kill-their-first-born level of devotion. Asthe showdraws to a close, Sam chats with writer and Succession scholar Hunter Harris to figure out why a show about miserable white people still resonates so much for so many people.

Send us your culturegeist. What specific thing in the culture has haunted you for days, weeks, or even years? And why? Email us a short voice memo at intoit@vulture.com.

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Are We Into the Gwyneth Paltrow Trial, Questlove's Disney Project, and Remaking 'The Bachelor'? Mar 31, 2023

This week, Sam is joined by Vulture's Jesse David Fox, host of Good One: A Podcast About Jokes, and Vulture critic Kathryn VanArendonk. We dive into the things they're into (the current season of The Simpsons is somehow among the best ever, and Gwyneth Paltrow's ski crash trial is very much like an episode of The Good Fight) and ask for their opinions on Questlove directing a remake of The Aristocats, a potential new chapter for The Bachelor, and more.

We also hear about the culture that's haunting us: What crimes are we willing to overlook if Celine Dion indeed had nights of endless pleasure, more than any laws allow?

Send us your culturegeist. What specific thing in the culture has haunted you for days, weeks, or even years? And why? Email us a short voice memo at intoit@vulture.com.

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Andy Warhol, Black Eyed Peas, and Unicorn Poop Mar 28, 2023

At the heart of two big intellectual property disputes are three titans of pop culture: Black Eyed Peas, Andy Warhol, and Prince. Also: unicorn poop. Both cases could have huge implications when it comes to what constitutes “fair use” of another artist’s work. Sam talks with Slate’s Supreme Court reporter Mark Joseph Stern about why the Black Eyed Peas are going after a toy company’s dancing unicorn commercial, and why Andy Warhol’s silkscreen of a Prince photograph has made its way to the Supreme Court.

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Are We Into the Return of 'Succession,' Grounded Nepo Babies, and A24 Casting? Mar 24, 2023

This week, a game of hosts: We ask NPR's All Things Considered host Ari Shapiro and CNN's The Assignmenthost Audie Cornish if they're into the return of HBO's Succession, the new NYC tourism campaign, Sofia Coppola's daughter trying to charter a helicopter from New York to Maryland to see a camp friend, and more.

We also hear about the culture that's haunting us: Does "good times, noodle salad" mean nothing to you?

Send us your culturegeist. What specific thing in the culture has haunted you for days, weeks, or even years? And why? Email us a short voice memo at intoit@vulture.com.

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'Swarm' and the Killer Beyhive Mar 21, 2023

Swarm is about a Beyoncé superfan who defends her idol’s honor to the death... as in, by literally committing murder. (The new Amazon Prime Video show isn’t actually about Beyoncé, it’s about Ni’Jah — a fictional pop star who also just happens to have a fervent online fandom called “the Swarm," is married to an incredibly famous rapper, was involved in an elevator incident, once got bit in public, etc. etc.) Janine Nabers created the show with Atlanta’s Donald Glover. Sam and Janine talk about why she was so excited to create a show about a Black female serial killer… and how in the world Amazon’s legal team approved the multitude of similarities to Beyoncé and her fandom.

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Are We Into Tom Cruise Skipping the Oscars, Nancy Meyers, and M3GAN's Sartorial Debut? Mar 17, 2023

This week, we play our game with Vulture's Anusha Praturu and Morgan Baila and ask if they're into Tom Cruise ghosting the Oscars, Netflix shutting down Nancy Meyers, M3GAN's sartorial debut, and more. We also hear about the culture that's haunting us: Did you know Semisonic's "Closing Time" is kind of about giving birth to a baby?

Send us your culturegeist. What specific thing in the culture has haunted you for days, weeks, or even years? And why? Email us a short voice memo at intoit@vulture.com.

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The Messy Episode: Selena and Hailey (Plus: Scandoval) Mar 14, 2023

Selena Gomez and Hailey Bieber are having TikTok drama. There’s a “blockbuster” off-camera Vanderpump Rules cheating scandal. If you saw it on your timeline and thought, “I don’t have time for this,” The Cut’s Danya Issawi and Sex Diaries’ Alyssa Shelasky are here to explain what’s going on and why they’re obsessed.

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What If 'Top Gun: Maverick' Wins Best Picture? And Other Oscars Predictions Mar 10, 2023

Who will — and who should — win at this year's Oscars? Vulture critics Angelica Jade Bastien and Bilge Ebiri share their predictions with Sam: Will Everything Everywhere All at Once sweep the night? Or will the Oscars show its penchant for surprise and give Top Gun: Maverick the biggest award of the night because of how funny that would be?

And we hear about the culture that's haunting us: Does Seattle resident and Pacific Northwest native Niles Crane know how to correctly pronounce "Oregon"?

Send us your culturegeist. What specific thing in the culture has haunted you for days, weeks, or even years? And why? Send us a short voice memo at intoit@vulture.com.

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Are the Oscars Into Blockbusters? Mar 07, 2023

There’s something different about this crop of Best Picture nominees: A few of them are bonafide blockbusters. Last year’s highest-grossing film Top Gun: Maverick got the nod, along with Avatar: The Way of Water. Vulture contributor and This Had Oscar Buzz podcast host Joe Reid joins Sam to discuss the on-again, off-again relationship between the Oscars and the box office.

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Sex, 'Cocaine Bear,' and 'You' Mar 02, 2023

On the Netflix series You, people are — yes, getting murdered — but also keeping on a lot more of their clothes. That's partly because of star Penn Badgley's request to participate in fewer intimate scenes out of respect to his marriage. His comments have sparked a viral conversation about the state of sex on screen. Sam chats with Vulture recapper Jessica Goldstein about the trending down of intimate scenes and where all the good sex has gone.

We also ask Cocaine Bear screenwriter Jimmy Warden about potential sequel ideas and what famous bears he's into. And we hear about the culture that's haunting us: Sam Hunt's "House Party" is the soundtrack to the Atlanta BeltLine... and our lives, apparently.

Send us your culturegeist. What specific thing in the culture has haunted you for days, weeks, or even years? And why? Send us a short voice memo at intoit@vulture.com.

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The Wave Returns to the Ocean (Plus: What Are Michelle Buteau and Jordan Carlos Into?) Feb 23, 2023

One of the last scenes from the TV show The Good Place finds its way into a real-life eulogy. And we hear from series creator Michael Schur about the process of writing it, the process of grieving, and why death doesn't always have to be a bad thing.

We also chat with comedians and Adulting podcast co-hosts Michelle Buteau and Jordan Carlos about how Zocdoc is the Hinge of medical professionals. And we ask them if they are into Ariana DeBose's performance at the BAFTAs.

Send us your culturegeist. What specific thing in the culture has haunted you for days, weeks, or even years? And why? Send us a short voice memo at intoit@vulture.com.

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'The Last of Us' Is Prestige, But Is It Any Good? (Plus: What's Elsa Majimbo Into?) Feb 16, 2023

HBO's The Last of Us is critically acclaimed, attracts a huge audience every week, and has all the trappings of prestige TV... but is it any good? Sam debates it all out with Vulture writers Roxana Hadadi and Jackson McHenry who are in two very different camps.

We also ask comedian and TikTok star Elsa Majimbo if she is into the MSCHF Big Red Boots. And we hear about the culture that's haunting us: What is Netflix's budget for stemware for its reality programming and why is it so low?

Send us your culturegeist. What specific thing in the culture has haunted you for days, weeks, or even years? And why? Email us a short voice memo at intoit@vulture.com.

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Rihanna Should Take Notes from These Super Bowl Halftime Shows Feb 09, 2023

What do Diana Ross, Dan Aykroyd, and Indiana Jones all have in common? Well, they have — at one point or another — performed at the Super Bowl Halftime Show — and one of them flew away in a helicopter! Ahead of Rihanna's Super Bowl performance on Sunday, Sam asks writer and halftime show connoisseur Brian Moylan which headliners have earned their rightful place in the Halftime Hall of Fame. Who had the best choreography? The worst vocals? Which artist had the most impressive pyrotechnics? And whom can we thank for ushering us out of the dad rock era of halftime shows?

We also hear about the culture that's haunting us: Thanks to social media, we sure do know a lot about Jill Zarin's personal life.

Send us your culturegeist. What specific thing in the culture has haunted your for days, weeks, or even years? And why? Email us a short voice memo at intoit@vulture.com.

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A History of Whammies at the Grammys (Plus: What's Lil Rel Howery Into?) Feb 02, 2023

It's Grammys weekend and Sam is ready for disappointment! Sam is joined by Switched on Pop's Charlie Harding and Reanna Cruz to break down the Grammys' history of tone deafness when it comes to the night's biggest awards. Will Beyoncé lose Album of the Year again... or will the voting body finally give her her due?

We also ask comedian and actor Lil Rel Howery if he is into the Andrea Riseborough Oscars campaign controversy. And we hear about the culture that's haunting us: The broom dog in the animated Alice in Wonderland is a Sisyphean metaphor for our modern times.

Send us your culturegeist. What specific thing in the culture has haunted you for days, weeks, or even years? And why? Email us a short voice memo at intoit@vulture.com.

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What Happens When HBO Max Disappears Your Show (Plus: We Discuss Oscar Noms) Jan 26, 2023

HBO Max isn't just canceling shows; it's getting rid of them entirely. Claudia Forestieri experienced it firsthand with her series The Gordita Chronicles. Sam and Claudia chat about what it was like to become one of the dozens of creators whose shows no longer have a home — at least, below cruising altitude. And she explains how her cancellation factors into a wider industry trend of disappearing Latino programming.

We also ask Variety senior entertainment writer Adam B. Vary if he is into this year's Oscar nominations, including a very surprising nod for Andrea Riseborough. And we hear about the culture that's haunting us: Do people in The Last of Us still eat mushrooms?

Send us your culturegeist. What specific thing in the culture has haunted you for days, weeks, or even years? And why? Email us a short voice memo at intoit@vulture.com.

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Why Horror Will Never Die with 'M3GAN' Producer James Wan Jan 19, 2023

What is it about the horror genre that makes it so successful at the box office? Sam chats with James Wan, creator of the Saw and The Conjuring universes — and most recently a producer on M3GAN — about the enduring appeal of getting scared in a roomful of strangers, the secret sauce of M3GAN, and who would win in a three-way fight: M3GAN, Chucky, or the doll from Poltergeist?

We also ask writer and Keep It co-host Ira Madison III if he is into Madonna going on world tour. And we hear about the culture that's haunting us: Why does Carmelo Soprano call cold pasta "cold pahst"?

Send us your culturegeist. What specific thing in the culture has haunted you for days, weeks, or even years? And why? Email us a short voice memo at intoit@vulture.com.

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Harry & 'M3GAN' (Plus: What's Taylor Garron Into?) Jan 12, 2023

What was the pettiest thing we learned in Prince Harry's new memoir Spare? The cringiest? The most unbelievable? And what space do Harry and Meghan Markle occupy in our culture now? Sam chats with Royally Obsessed podcast hosts Rachel Bowie and Roberta Fiorito about the book and if the limit exists on rehashing H&M's drama with the Royal Family.

We also ask comedian Taylor Garron if she is into the horror phenomenon of M3GAN. And we hear about the culture that's haunting us: We've overlooked the talent of Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger, as evidenced by her performance of "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" that far surpasses Madonna's.

Send us your culturegeist. What specific thing in the culture has haunted you for days, weeks, or even years? And why? Email us a short voice memo at intoit@vulture.com.

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2023 is the Year of Hollywood in Recession Jan 05, 2023

Hollywood companies that spent years pouring money into content to win the streaming wars are finally looking at their profitability. That’s meant layoffs, hiring freezes, and cost cutting that will continue this year. Yet Sam can’t help but feel Hollywood had it coming. He asks entertainment journalist Matt Beloni why the industry failed to absorb the lessons learned by other fields upended by technology.

We also ask Vox senior correspondent Alex Abad-Santos and friend and screenwriter Sam Greisman if they are into the recent TikTok trend of telling family members their favorite celebrity has died. And we hear about the culture that's haunting us: I'm Michael Tomorrow, see you Barbaro.

Send us your culturegeist. What specific thing in the culture has haunted you for days, weeks, or even years? And why? Email us a short voice memo at intoit@vulture.com.

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Are We Into or Not Into 2022? Dec 29, 2022

As the end of 2022 fast approaches, we play a supersized version of “Into It / Not Into It.” Our guests are comedians Jay Jurden and Zach Zimmerman, hosts of the bi-weekly comedy and variety show Pretty Major, presented by Vulture + Union Hall. Topics include: The Slap (not the Zachary Quinto miniseries), The New York Times’ purchase of Wordle, pink sauce and more. Sam concludes with the most pressing question of the year: Are they more into Bennifer 2.0, or Heidi Klum dressed as a worm?

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Matt Rogers Has Heard of Christmas, But 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' Dec 22, 2022

Matt Rogers has heard of Christmas, but what are his thoughts on peppermint bark? Elf on the Shelf? That time Beyoncé was on Punk'd and believed she had ruined Christmas for a bunch of underprivileged kids? To celebrate the holiday, we play a special festive edition of our game "Into It/Not Into It." Sam and Matt also chat about his new Showtime special Have You Heard of Christmas?and his journey to become the Prince of Christmas. On this unapologetically Christmas-themed episode, come for the comedy; stay for the close read of the song "Do They Know It's Christmas?" It's a lot worse than you remember. Happy holidays!

Keep sending us your culturegeists. What specific thing in the culture has haunted you for days, weeks, or even years? And why? Email us a short voice memo at intoit@vulture.com.

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In Defense of 'Avatar' (Plus: What's Niles Abston Into?) Dec 15, 2022

Is Avatar culturally meaningful? Or just ridiculous? Sam and Vulture film critic Bilge Ebiri debate James Cameron's decades-in-the-making sequel and whether it's worth the hype (besides the whale part, which we've heard is cool). We also ask comedian Niles Abston if he is into Dave Chappelle bringing Elon Musk on stage as a surprise guest. And we hear about the culture that's haunting us: "Sir, sir, sir, I love you. I want to be your best friend. I should probably learn your name."

Send us your culturegeist. What specific thing in the culture has haunted you for days, weeks, or even years? And why? Email us a short voice memo at intoit@vulture.com.

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The Best TV of 2022 (Plus: Our 'White Lotus' Predictions) Dec 08, 2022

We look back on some of the best TV shows of the year with Vulture critics Roxana Hadadi and Kathryn VanArendonk: Why did no one watch Pachinko? Why is Reservation Dogs so consistently good? Why does Sam hate The Bear? We also ask Vulture's Morgan Baila and Zoe Haylock for their bets on The White Lotus finale: Who died and who did the killing? Please God may Jennifer Coolidge and Aubrey Plaza be avenged. And we hear about the culture that's haunting us: Merry Quismois everybody!

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Sheryl Lee Ralph Teaches the Children Dec 06, 2022

Sheryl Lee Ralph won an Emmy for her work on Abbott Elementary as Barbara Howard, a firm yet big-hearted veteran teacher. It was recognition she’d long deserved in a career that’s spanned USO tours, roles alongside Sidney Poitier and Robert De Niro, and an iconic performance in the original Dreamgirls musical. In a live conversation from this year’s Vulture Festival, Sam asks Sheryl about the lessons she’s still learning — and teaching — and the wisdom she’s gained along the way.

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Before Elon Bought Twitter, He Tried His Own Version of 'The Onion' (Plus: What's Laci Mosley Into?) Dec 01, 2022

Before his acquisition of Twitter, Elon Musk set his sights on another kind of media company: Thud. A longtime fan of The Onion — he once called it "the greatest publication in the history of all conscious beings, living or dead" — Elon helped two former Onion editors build a new satirical startup. But Elon pulled out of the company before its launch and Thud shuttered in 2019. So what happened? Sam chats with The Verge's Jake Kastrenakes about Elon's first foray into building his "intergalactic media empire" and what, if anything, it can reveal about his rule over Twitter.

We also ask actress, comedian, and Scam Goddess podcast host Laci Mosley if she is into Meta hosting a Notorious B.I.G. VR concert. And we hear about the culture that's haunting us: Does will.i.am really believe you can catch amnesia?

Send us your culturegeist. What specific thing in the culture has haunted you for days, weeks, or even years? And why? Email us a short voice memo at intoit@vulture.com.

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The Juiciest Celebrity Memoirs of 2022 (Plus: What's Chelsea Devantez Into?) Nov 24, 2022

This year — and every year — we are grateful for family, friends, and celebrity memoirs. On this Thanksgiving, Sam chats with comedian Chelsea Devantez of the podcast Celebrity Book Club about the most memorable memoirs of 2022 — from Jennette McCurdy to Matthew Perry — and why the good ones will change your life. We also play a special holiday edition of "Into It/Not Into It" and ask Chelsea if she is into Jane Seymour inviting exes to Thanksgiving.

Send us your culturegeist. We know you have one. What specific thing in the culture has haunted you for days, weeks, or even years? And why? Email us a short voice memo at intoit@vulture.com.

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'Wakanda' Over It or: How I Learned to Come to Terms with 'Black Panther' Ambivalence Nov 17, 2022

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever has to do a lot of things: mourn the real and fictional loss of Chadwick Boseman, introduce a new Black Panther and other characters, move the ever-shifting Marvel Cinematic Universe forward, and — of course — be entertaining as an action-adventure movie. So why does it feel almost impossible — sacrilegious, even — to say that this sequel... doesn't quite hit? Sam talks it out with two critics who have very different takes: Vulture's Angelica Jade Bastien and The New York Times' Wesley Morris. Angelica says the movie trades on the power of representation while Wesley says its message is one of the most radical acts of mass capitalism he's ever seen.

We also ask Angelica if she is into Billy McFarland of Fyre Festival fame trying to plan another event in the Bahamas. And we hear about the culture that's haunting us: Remember when Lindsay Lohan sent the Snapchat: "RIP John McCain feel better xoxo"?

Send us your culturegeist. What specific thing in the culture has haunted you for days, weeks, or even years? And why? Email us a short voice memo at intoit@vulture.com.

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Keep 'Atlanta' Weird (Plus: What's Daisy Rosario Into?) Nov 10, 2022

As Atlanta comes to a close after four seasons, it’s still hard to characterize the series. Was it comedy, drama, horror, satire? Whatever the word, the critically-acclaimed series was always weird, often brilliant, and sometimes divisive. Sam talks with Atlanta’s executive producer Stephen Glover about helping create the show with his brother Donald, the ideas that could only have come from a Black writers’ room, and provoking viewers to think about art.

We also ask journalist and podcaster Daisy Rosario if she is into Kathy Griffin's late mother telling off Elon Musk on Twitter. And we hear about the culture that's haunting us: How can we ever find peace knowing there are a million things to watch, but we will never watch them all?

Send us your culturegeist. What specific thing in the culture has haunted you for days, weeks, or even years? Email us a short voice memo at intoit@vulture.com.

Also, sign up for Vulture’s Movies Fantasy League by Thursday, Nov. 10, for a chance to support your favorite films, earn rewards, and pit yourself against entertainment journalists, including Vulture staffers, and (people you once considered) friends!

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We Need to Talk About Marvel (Plus: What's Vinny Thomas Into?) Nov 03, 2022

Black Panther is back soon, but what do you actually need to know about the Marvel Cinematic Universe to be ready? And what if you don't care about the intricacies of Thanos or Dr. Strange's multiverse at all? Vox's Alex Abad-Santos catches Sam up on the MCU and explains that even if you don't care about the plot lines, you should care about Marvel's impact on the entertainment industry: "It's kind of like if you follow politics and you don't follow the Supreme Court. That's how big Marvel has become."

We also ask comedian Vinny Thomas if he is into Rihanna's new single. And we hear about the culture that's haunting us: What do the casting directors of Love is Blind know that we don't when you have a Shane/Shaina and a Cole/Colleen situation in two consecutive seasons?

Send us your culturegeist. What specific thing in the culture has haunted you for days, weeks, or even years? Email us a short voice memo at intoit@vulture.com.

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The Abortion Episode Oct 27, 2022

Does seeing abortion on TV and film change the way people feel about it? You could argue that another big social issue — gay marriage — was helped by shows like Will & Grace and Ellen. Or that The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Murphy Brown helped normalize the idea of women in the workplace. Ahead of the midterms, Sam is wondering why more depictions of abortion onscreen haven't moved the needle on public opinion or access to abortion itself.

Sam chats with Katori Hall about writing an abortion episode for her show P-Valley, which was based on the women's health organization at the heart of the case that overturned Roe v. Wade. Then, he talks with social scientist Steph Herold about the things onscreen abortions get wrong and the limits of representation.

Send us your culturegeist. What specific thing in the culture has haunted you for days, weeks, or even years? Email us a short voice memo at intoit@vulture.com.

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A Portrait of the Artist as Taylor Swift Oct 20, 2022

What is the meaning of Taylor Swift? She's performed damsel in distress, but represents women’s empowerment. She’s a confessional artist, but is careful about how much she reveals. She's an adult, but is often still viewed as the teenager she used to be. On the eve of Midnights, Sam dives into the mythos and craft of Taylor Swift with NPR music critic Ann Powers about her place in history among the likes of Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Adele, and Beyoncé.

We also hear about the culture that's haunting us: Explain to us again why Bobby Cannavale's character in The Watcher wants to replace a Carrara marble countertop with butcher block? To make red sauce?

Send us your culturegeist. What specific thing in the culture has haunted you for days, weeks, or even years? Email us a short voice memo at intoit@vulture.com.

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The Implosion of Time's Up (Plus: What's R. Eric Thomas Into?) Oct 13, 2022

After five years, what happened to the #MeToo movement and Time's Up? The Hollywood advocacy group made a splash at the Golden Globes in 2018, but what's happened since? And did it really change anything? Sam chats with The Hollywood Reporter's Rebecca Keegan about the group's initial momentum from A-list actors and a barn burner of a speech from Oprah... and its eventual (inevitable?) implosion.

We also ask if writer R. Eric Thomas is into Chris Pratt voicing Mario. And we hear about the culture that's haunting us: If Seth Green's neck could suddenly explode in an episode of Grey's Anatomy, what's to stop our necks from exploding at any second, too?

Send us your culturegeist. What specific thing in the culture has haunted you for days, weeks, or even years? Email us a short voice memo at intoit@vulture.com.

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'Dahmer' and the Ethics of True Crime (Plus: What's Jay Jurden Into?) Oct 06, 2022

Is there a way to make true crime ethically? At the very least, can we stop making serial killers hot? Sam chats with Vulture TV critic Jen Chaney about the criticism behind the hit Netflix show DAHMER — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story and the rise of true crime as the latest IP. We also ask comedian Jay Jurden if he is into the new get-out-the-vote effort from Saucy Santana and Trina. And we hear about the culture that's haunting us: David Herskowitz is the Harry Styles of the Miami Boys Choir.

Send us your culturegeist. What specific thing in the culture has been haunting you for days, weeks, or even years? Email us a short voice memo at intoit@vulture.com.

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Queer Guys for Straight Eyes (Plus: What is Guy Branum Into?) Sep 29, 2022

Bros has billed itself as the first gay romantic comedy made by a big Hollywood studio for theatrical release. But that billing brings a lot of pressure to represent the "queer community," speak to a straight audience, and make money. Sam chats with comedian Guy Branum, co-producer and co-star of Bros, about the compromises you can accept — and reject — in making a mainstream rom-com.

We also ask if Guy is into Rihanna performing at the next Super Bowl Halftime Show. And we hear about the culture that's haunting us: Where's the comma in Don't Worry Darling?

Send us your culturegeist. What specific thing in the culture has been haunting you for days, weeks, or even years? Email us a short voice memo at intoit@vulture.com.

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With Great Power Comes Kim Kardashian (Plus: What is 'Who? Weekly' Into?) Sep 22, 2022

Kim Kardashian is getting into venture capital, her shapewear company is worth billions, and her family's rebooted show The Kardashians is back for its second season on Hulu. And yet, Sam can't shake the feeling that Kim's power and relevance is fading. MJ Corey, creator of @kardashian_kolloquium, says Kim is in transition — not decline — and that her influence on the media landscape may soon become stronger than ever.

We also ask friends of the show Bobby Finger and Lindsey Weber of Who? Weekly if they are into Adam Levine wanting to name his baby after an Instagram model who is not his wife. And we hear about the culture that's haunting us: Robyn's 2010 cover of Björk's "Hyperballad" is the perfect distillation of two very different artists.

Send us your culturegeist. What specific thing in the culture has been haunting you for days, weeks, or even years? Email us a short voice memo at intoit@vulture.com.

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Issa Rae Controls the Narrative (BONUS) Sep 20, 2022

Issa Rae is not just acting — she’s writing, producing, and running a whole media production company. In this live chat from the 2022 Code Conference, Issa talks with Sam Sanders and Kara Swisher about how she’s always known her audience — from her start as an internet creator to inking exclusive multimillion-dollar deals.

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Black Hobbits and the Whiteness of Fantasy (Plus: What Are Abbi Jacobson and Chanté Adams Into?) Sep 15, 2022

Why does the outrage over people of color cast in fantasies feel so predictable? Sam chats with associate professor Ebony Elizabeth Thomas, author of The Dark Fantastic: Race and Imagination from Harry Potter to The Hunger Games, about how fantasy writing in the Western world has become so entrenched in whiteness that the mere presence of a Black hobbit seems “shocking.”

We also ask Abbi Jacobson and Chante Adams of A League of Their Own if they are into Cher calling Queen Elizabeth II a cow. And we hear about the culture that's haunting us: Dave Grohl watching Taylor Hawkins' son drumming to "My Hero" at a tribute concert is a scene straight out of a Pixar movie.

Send us your culturegeist. What specific thing in the culture has been haunting you for days, weeks, or even years? Send us a short voice memo at intoit@vulture.com.

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Finding Your 'Inner White Girl' in 'A Strange Loop' (Plus: We Discuss 'Don't Worry Darling' Drama) Sep 08, 2022

A Strange Loopwon this year's Tony Award for Best Musical, starring an all Black cast. But the show itself was partly inspired by three white women: Joni Mitchell, Tori Amos, and Liz Phair. Sam visits A Strange Loop on Broadway and sits down with its writer Michael R. Jackson to talk through Jackson's musical Holy Trinity (Joni as the Mother, Liz as the Daughter, and Tori as the Holy Ghost) and how they helped him embrace his own "Inner White Girl."

We also ask Vulture's Rebecca Alter and our own Gaby Grossman if they are into the drama surrounding the Don't Worry Darling press tour. And we hear about the culture that's haunting us: If Euphoria won a Creative Arts Emmy for "Holding Out for a Hero" choreo, does that mean Lexi Howard is a Creative Arts Emmy winner, too?

Send us your culturegeist. What specific thing in the culture has been haunting you for days, weeks, or even years? Send us a short voice memo at intoit@vulture.com.

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Bad Bunny, Beyoncé, or Kate Bush: Who Had the Song of the Summer? Sep 01, 2022

Who had the song of the summer? Sam chats with Switched on Pop's Charlie Harding and Reanna Cruz about whose song (and album) is in the running: Beyoncé, Bad Bunny, Lizzo, or Kate Bush? We also ask Vibe Check co-hosts and friends of the show Saeed Jones and Zach Stafford if they're into J.Lo cutting dancers based on their astrological sign. And we hear about the culture that's haunting us: DJ Khaled is a "God Did" wind-up toy.

Send us your culturegeist. What specific thing in the culture has been haunting you for days, weeks, or even years? Send us a short voice memo at intoit@vulture.com.

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Who Has to Hustle in Hollywood? (Plus: We Try Celebrity Liquors) Aug 25, 2022

Some celebrities are born into financial safety. Others have to post sponcon. Sam chats with writer Kelsey McKinney about Sydney Sweeney's Instagram and what it means to have (or not have) family money in Hollywood. We also hold a celebrity liquor taste test with the staff of Vulture, which involves moderate to heavy drinking during a workday. And we hear about the culture that's haunting us: Singing "Somewhere That's Green" from Little Shop of Horrors at karaoke hits a little different when you're an adult living in New York.

We'd love to hear from you. Email us at intoit@vulture.com with any questions, comments, or ideas.

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The Complicated Politics of 'Yellowstone' Aug 18, 2022

Sam and New York Times columnist Tressie McMillan Cottom break down the hugely popular show Yellowstone and the ways it reflects our own identity politics. Which is all to say: It's complicated. We also play a game with Dinner Party newsletter writer Tirhakah Love and film critic Angelica Jade Bastien, and hear about the culture that's haunting us: Tessa Thompson is making a meal out of Westworld's hors d'oeuvre writing.

We'd love to hear from you. Email us at intoit@vulture.com with any questions, comments, or ideas.

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Hollywood Endings with Damon Lindelof Aug 11, 2022

Can Hollywood ever just end a story? Sam chats with showrunner Damon Lindelof about his experiences on ABC's Lost and HBO's Watchmen and the pressures to keep a good thing going. We also play a game with Today, Explained hosts Sean Rameswaram and Noel King and hear about the culture that's haunting us: Was Paula Abdul really in a plane crash in the 1990s?

We'd love to hear from you. Email us at intoit@vulture.com with any questions, comments, or ideas.

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The A24 Effect (Plus: What's Amber Ruffin Into?) Aug 04, 2022

Everything Everywhere All at Once. Bodies Bodies Bodies. Moonlight. Midsommar. How did one movie studio seemingly become the darling of critics and fans alike? And when did we start stanning... companies? Sam chats with Vulture's Alison Wilmore and Nate Jones about the rise of A24. We also play a game with comedian Amber Ruffin and hear about the culture that's haunting us: We're in a Hot Yes Chef Summer.

We'd love to hear from you. Email us at intoit@vulture.com with any questions, comments, or ideas.

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The Business of Beyoncé Jul 28, 2022

Happy Beyoncé Week. As we await the release of Renaissance, Sam revisits how her surprise drop album in 2013 changed everything with longtime music journalist Danyel Smith. We also play a game with Vulture staffers and hear about the culture that's haunting us: Why did Bowling for Soup whitewash the 80s?

We'd love to hear from you. Email us at intoit@vulture.com with any questions, comments, or ideas.

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Introducing Into It: A Vulture podcast with Sam Sanders Jul 14, 2022

Obsess better. Into It is Vulture’s guide to the pop culture we can’t stop thinking about. Hosted by Sam Sanders. New episodes drop every Tuesday and Friday.

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