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Decoder Ring: The Incunabula Papers Oct 29, 2018

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Ong's Hat, or The Incunabula Papers, is a conspiracy theory that arose on the early internet. Combining cutting edge science, mysticism, and obvious hokum, it intrigued thousands of people who tried to find out what it all meant. Today we uncover the secrets of Ong's Hat, the man behind it, and the new art form it inadvertently birthed. Check out our showpage at slate.com/culture/decoder-ring

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Hit Parade: The Oh. My. God. Becky Edition Oct 26, 2018

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In Hit Parade’s “Def Jams Edition,” we told you about rap’s first wave in the ’80s. But in this sequel (don’t believe the hype!) we enter the ’90s with still no No. 1 rap hits on the Hot 100—even though the music was starting to dominate both streets and stores: from conscious rappers like Public Enemy, to gangstas like N.W.A, to left-field innovators like De La Soul. It would take Billboard rebooting its charts in 1991 tallying

record sales more accurately than ever with SoundScan data—for rap to get a fair shake on the charts. That boosted a new wave of crossover acts, from P.M. Dawn to Arrested Development to Sir Mix-a-Lot. But rap’s elders were not entirely thrilled at these new chart-toppers…and some rappers literally bum-rushed the show.

This episode is brought to you by the following advertisers:

Slack, a workplace communication hub. Find out more at slack.com.

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Who's On First Edition Oct 24, 2018

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Stephen Metcalf, Julia Turner, and Dana Stevens discuss the new movie First Man, the Netflix streamer Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat, and Slate's New American Songbook with culture editor Forrest Wickman,

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Spoiler Specials: The Hate U Give Oct 19, 2018

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This week on Spoiler Specials, Assistant Editor Marissa Martinelli, Editorial Assistant Rachelle Hampton and Culture writer Inkoo Kang discuss The Hate U Give, the movie starring Amandla Stenberg based on the best selling novel by Angie Thomas.

This episode is brought to you by I Travel For, a new podcast that explores what inspires us to travel. Listen and subscribe today at https://apple.co/2DPEWJE.

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Brain and Body Still Rebooting Edition Oct 17, 2018

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③ Dana Stevens, Julia Turner, and Stephen Metcalf discuss the new film Private Life, then are joined by Slate's Gabriel Roth to discuss the legacy of Doctor Who and its new season starring Jodie Whitaker, and finally a reading of Kanye West at the White House.

This episode is brought to you by the following advertisers:

Everlane, premium clothing essentials made with the finest materials, without the traditional markups. To get a special offer exclusive to our listeners, visit everlane.com/culture.

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I Travel For, a new podcast that explores what inspires us to travel. Listen and subscribe today at https://apple.co/2DPEWJE.

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Just Wanted to Take Another Look at You Edition Oct 10, 2018

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Julia Turner, Dana Stevens, and Stephen Metcalf discuss the film A Star is Born, the TV documentary America to Me, and bring critic Wesley Morris into the studio to discuss his New York Times Magazine piece "The Morality Wars" about the state of art criticism.

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Sponsored: I Travel For Local Flavor Oct 09, 2018

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In Episode 1 of I Travel For, producer and culinary explorer Otis Gray eats, drinks, and forages his way across Great Britain. From the cultural smorgasbord of London’s Borough Market to an Indian pub in Birmingham to mushroom hunting in the woods of Hereford, Otis’ flavorful journey is guided by the recommendations and generosity of local Brits.

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Pope in a Speedo Edition Oct 03, 2018

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Stephen Metcalf, Julia Turner, and Dana Stevens discuss Jim Carrey and Michel Gondry's new show Kidding, the CBC podcast Uncover: Escaping NXIVM, and the purpose and practice of dad jokes.

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Decoder Ring; Hotel Art Oct 01, 2018

Show notes

Hotel Art used to be one of the ultimate symbols of bad taste, it was often ugly, kitschy, and strange. Today, the art you find in a hotel is far less likely to be the result of one individual's poor taste, and much more likely to have passed through an entire industry designed to help place art into hotels. Hotel art is now almost universally pleasant, if anodyne. How did this happen?

This episode is brought to you by the following advertisers:

Slack, a workplace communication hub. Find out more at slack.com.

I Travel For, a new podcast from British Airways, American Airlines and Visit Britain. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Intel Optane Memory, learn more today at intel.com/youcould.

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Hit Parade: The Nights on Broadway Edition Sep 28, 2018

Show notes

Those falsettos, those white suits, those toothy smiles: You think you know the Bee Gees. But their story goes back much further than the ’70s, and it’s full of twists. From their roots as an eclectic harmony band in Australia and their first wave of Beatlesque fame, through their domination of the disco revolution and their years as an punchline, the Bee Gees stayed alive because of the Gibb brothers’ harmonies and especially their impeccable songs. This month, Hit Parade traces the influence of the brothers Gibb on virtually every popular genre, from pop to R&B, rock to easy-listening, country to…yes, even hip-hop.

Email: hitparade@slate.com

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