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ICYMI: The Disney Channel Star Who Mastered the YouTube Algorithm Oct 13, 2021

Show notes

As a child, Christy Carlson Romano starred in Disney Channel’s Even Stevens and voiced the character Kim Possible on the eponymous cartoon. Then she faded from the spotlight—until recently, when she reemerged as a chaotic YouTube genius. On this episode of ICYMI, Rachelle and Madison talk to Vanity Fair’s Chris Murphy about his recent profile of Romano and unpack why her candid, low-lift YouTube videos actually have quite the keen understanding of what drives clicks.

Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder and Derek John.

Support ICYMI and listen to the show with zero ads. Sign up to become a Slate Plus member for just $1 for your first month.

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Culture Gabfest: Bad Art Friend, Where Are You? Oct 13, 2021

Show notes

This week, Steve and Dana are joined by author and co-host of Slate’s Working podcast, Isaac Butler.First,the panel reviews Sally Rooney’s most recent novel, Beautiful World, Where Are You?. Next, the panel discusses the new poignant and hilarious television series Reservation Dogs.Finally, the panel dissects the viral NYT Mag article “Who Is the Bad Art Friend?” in a larger discussion about literary responsibility.

In Slate Plus, the panel discusses the choice to give up on media you just don’t like and, alternatively, why some people don’t.

Email us at culturefest@slate.com.

Endorsements

Dana: Devery Jacobs’s—the actress who plays Elora Danan on Reservation Dogs—beautifully written article “How Reservation Dogs Is Opening Up a Crucial Conversation About Suicide in Indigenous Communities.”

Isaac: The 1996 romantic comedy and comedy of friendship from Nicole Holofcener, Walking and Talking, which is a perfect time capsule of ‘90s New York. Dana has written insightfully about the film, which has also been discussed on a previous episode of Gabfest.

Steve: An essay from The New York Review of Books that blew Steve away from Jessica Riskin, titled “Nature’s Evolving Tastes” which talks about the misconstrued reactions to Darwin’s most politicized work Descent of Man.

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

Outro music is "200 Dont's" by Conditional

Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts, a bonus segment in each episode of the Culture Gabfest, full access to Slate's journalism on Slate.com, and more. Sign up now at slate.com/cultureplus.

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Working: Tom Mison on His Acting Techniques and Favorite Roles Oct 10, 2021

Show notes

This week, host June Thomas talks to actor Tom Mison, who discusses some of his favorite roles, from Ichabod Crane in Sleepy Hollow to Mr. Phillips in Watchmen. Tom also discusses various approaches to acting and his process for learning how to convincingly portray a blind character in the Apple TV+ series, SEE.

After the interview, June and co-host Isaac Butler discuss Tom’s description of different acting traditions in the UK and the US. Then, June turns to Isaac for some creative advice.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, June asks Tom about "posh" parts and "common" parts, a dichotomy that seems to exist all too often in the UK.

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Big Mood, Little Mood—and you’ll be supporting the work we do here on Working. Sign up now at slate.com/workingplus.

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ICYMI: We Are All the Bad Art Friend Oct 09, 2021

Show notes

How many details must a writer change before real life turns into fiction? That’s a central question of “Who Is the Bad Art Friend?” the seismic New York Times Magazine article about a kidney donation, a Facebook post, and the subsequent fallout that has consumed social media this week. On today’s episode, Madison tries to summarize the story using only what she learned about it from reactions online. Then, Rachelle catches her up on the real story and all its bizarre details. Finally, they discuss whether anybody comes out of this situation looking like a hero, what writers owe to the people they know IRL, and the best practices for making sure your group chats aren’t the subject of the next big New York Times story.

Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder and Derek John.

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The Waves: Can You Really Have a Feminist Wedding? Oct 07, 2021

Show notes

On this week’s episode of The Waves, Slate’s news director, Susan Matthews sits down with former colleague and host of the Why Oh Why relationship podcast, Andrea Silenzi to talk about all things weddings. They get into the weirdness of weddings, the sexist nature of some of the traditions, and how to reckon with all that while still having a good time on the dance floor.

In Slate Plus: Is The New York Times Vows column feminist?

Recommendations:

Susan: The new album, An Overview on Phenomenal Nature by Cassandra Jenkins.

Andrea: A brand new pasta shape called Cascatelli.

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Susan Matthews and June Thomas.

Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com

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ICYMI: TikTok’s Couch Guy Is Not Your Friend Oct 06, 2021

Show notes

It can feel nice to form bonds with people we don’t know by following their lives online! It can also be invasive. On today’s episode, Rachelle and Madison look at an instance of parasocial relationships gone wrong as one long-distance college couple’s reunion turned TikTok users into amateur investigators looking for signs of infidelity. Why did TikTok give these teens the true-crime treatment? Did they invite the scrutiny for even posting in the first place? To read more about parasocial relationships online, check out Madison’s piece, “John Mulaney Doesn’t Owe You Squat.”

Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder and Derek John.

Support ICYMI and listen to the show with zero ads. Sign up to become a Slate Plus member for just $1 for your first month.

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Culture Gabfest: Squids, Women, and Chainsaws Oct 06, 2021

Show notes

This week, Steve and Dana are joined by author and co-host of Slate’s Working podcast, Isaac Butler. First, the panel discusses the social implications of Netflix’s biggest hit to date, Squid Game. Next, the panel reviews the incredibly divisive (and gory) Cannes Palme d’Or winning Titane. Finally, the panel is joined by writer, researcher, and host of the Talking Scared podcast, Neil McRobert, to dissect the horror genre trope of the Final Girl.

In Slate Plus, the panel discusses representations of parenthood in art.

Email us at culturefest@slate.com.

Endorsements

The panel revisits their previous discussion on eBooks and endorses more media.

Dana: Scottish actor Alan Cumming’s harrowing, yet deeply moving book—particularly the audiobook version—Not My Father’s Son: A Family Memoir.

Isaac: Two books consumed in eBook format! The first, a tome composed of every novella from author Ursula K. Le Guin titled, The Found and the Lost. The second, in this episode’s shadow theme of Halloween, Jason Zinoman’s book Shock Value: How a Few Eccentric Outsiders Gave Us Nightmares, Conquered Hollywood, and Invented Modern Horror. Which is, not clearly, a history steeped in love of 1970s horror cinema auteurs.

Steve: Keeping it simple this week with three songs. First, the indie rock band from Leeds, The Wedding Present and their 1992 song “Blue Eyes.” Second (friend of a friend of the podcast) Courtney Barnett’s cover of The Velvet Underground’s “I’ll Be Your Mirror” from the recent Velvet Underground & Nico tribute album. Finally, Willow Smith’s (yes, as in Jada Pinkett and Will Smith) song with artist Tyler Cole “Meet Me At Our Spot,” which was released under their alias THE ANXIETY. (The live version has been blowing up on TikTok.)

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

Outro music is "Meet Me At Our Spot" by THE ANXIETY, WILLOW, and Tyler Cole

Slate Plus members get ad-free podcasts, a bonus segment in each episode of the Culture Gabfest, full access to Slate's journalism on Slate.com, and more. Sign up now at slate.com/cultureplus.

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Working: Designing Costumes for Steve Martin and Others in Only Murders in the Building Oct 03, 2021

Show notes

This week, host Isaac Butler talks to Dana Covarrubias, costume designer for the popular Hulu series Only Murders in the Building, starring Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez. In the interview, Dana explains how her early work as an actor influences her decision-making as a costume designer. She also breaks down some of the creative thinking that went into the wardrobes for each of the main characters in Only Murders in the Building.

After the interview, Isaac and co-host June Thomas discuss Dana’s technique of establishing backstories for every character, even the minor ones.

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, Dana talks about designing the wardrobes for some of the supporting characters. Then she talks about how to deal with the costume design equivalent of writer’s block.

Send your questions about creativity and any other feedback to working@slate.com or give us a call at (304) 933-9675.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews.

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ICYMI: Scam Goddess on the Worst Fraud She Ever Fell For Oct 02, 2021

Show notes

Scams are everywhere. From the Fyre Festival to Anna Delvy to LuLaRoe, fraudsters just seem to be getting more and more popular these days. On today’s episode, Rachelle and Madison welcome Laci Mosley, host of the podcast Scam Goddess, to talk about her love of scams and scammers, how she’s been scammed herself, and why she thinks we are all so obsessed with these audacious grifters.

Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder and Derek John.

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Spoiler Specials: The Many Saints of Newark Oct 01, 2021

Show notes

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Slate’s movie critic Dana Stevens is joined by Rolling Stone’s chief TV critic and host of the popular podcast Too Long, Didn’t Watch, Alan Sepinwall to spoil the new Sopranos prequel film, The Many Saints of Newark.

The film follows a young Anthony Soprano, growing up in a very tumultuous era in Newark, N.J. Caught up in the changing times is the uncle he idolizes, Dickie Moltisanti, whose influence over his nephew will help shape the impressionable teenager into the all-powerful mob boss: Tony Soprano.

Note: As the title indicates, this podcast contains spoilers galore.

Email us at spoilers@slate.com.

Podcast production by Morgan Flannery.

Hosts

Dana Stevens is Slate’s movie critic. You can read her review here.

Alan Sepinwall isRolling Stone’s chief TV critic and host of the popular podcast Too Long, Didn’t Watch. You can read his review here.

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