Nitish Pahwa, a tech reporter for Slate, sits down to unpack the complexities of 'Severance' Season 2, delving into its psychological themes and character dynamics. The discussion shifts to 'No Other Land,' a powerful Palestinian documentary exploring activism under occupation. Nitish also tackles the rise and fall of BuzzFeed, analyzing its attempts to innovate with the AI-infused social media platform, BF Island, amid changing digital landscapes. It’s a compelling blend of media analysis and cultural commentary!

On this week’s show, the hosts reflect on 50 years of music, culture, and comedy with the 50th anniversary of SNL and QuestLove’s new documentary Ladies & Gentlemen…50 Years of SNL Music. For that, the team is joined by Jason Zinoman, critic at large for culture at The New York Times. Then they discuss the Oscar-nominated animated film Flow – where we follow the adventures of an unlikely group of animals led by a curious black cat.Finally, Slate culture writer Nadira Goffe joins to talk about Kendrick Lamar’s “double whammy” of a Super Bowl halftime show. Read her article reflecting on the performance here.Note: Pardon the brief audio issues during the Kendrick Lamar conversation.In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, the panel invites Jason Zinoman back to discuss his article on standup comedy’s move to soften the punchline in exchange for a long, humor-infused setup.Email us at culturefest@slate.com. Endorsements:Dana: Henry IV playing at the Theatre for a New Audience in New York and K.D. Lang’s SNL performance of Johnny Get Angry in 1989 (audio only, as the video performance has been removed) or this other performance of the song (with visuals) on UK’s Channel Four from 1991Julia: Vulture critic Craig Jenkins’ halftime show review – Kendrick Lamar Is Not Your Savior and Pom Pom makerSteve: Pope Francis’ letter to Vice President J.D. VancePodcast production and research by Vic Whitley-Berry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s show, the hosts discuss Max’s new medical drama The Pitt – a show that we legally can’t call an ER reboot but does have Noah Wyle donning scrubs and handling the next bodily emergency yet again. Our regular hosts also discuss an article from the Intelligencer, The Cruel Kids’ Table about how young Republicans now feel empowered to bring cruelty back into public discourse. Finally, we welcome LA Film Critic Amy Nicholson to discuss the Oscar-nominated film September 5 about the hostage crisis during the 1972 Munich Olympics.Also, we’re looking for a new Production Assistant! To apply, send us an email introducing yourself and give two ideas for segments to culturegabfestassistant@gmail.com. In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, the panel tackles the biggest luminary question of the year: Do you use ‘The Big Light’? Email us at culturefest@slate.com. Endorsements:Dana: Just sort of a beautiful moment: Live wolf howls in Manitoba, Canada Julia: Branded in Memory | Signs.com / Draw Logos From Memory – Test your recall and see if you can recreate popular brand logosSteve: The Wired Starter Pack on bsky and Subscribe to WiredPodcast production and research by Vic Whitley-Berry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The discussion kicks off with a review of the hit buddy comedy featuring Keke Palmer and SZA, blending humor with social commentary. Listeners are treated to insights on a Netflix series focusing on sisterly dynamics, showcasing deep emotional storytelling. The panel dives into the impact of YouTube culture on modern masculinity and political behaviors, raising questions about identity in a changing landscape. They also explore the artistic tensions between film and television, looking at how narrative depth can shift across mediums.

On this week’s show, the hosts dive into A Complete Unknown, director James Mangold’s surprisingly charming Bob Dylan biopic that’s all about fame and what it looks like to be adjacent to it. Then, the three explore Dick Wolf’s latest project: On Call, a half-hour cop procedural set in Long Beach, California that’s streaming on Prime Video. Finally, the trio remembers David Lynch, the iconic, singular filmmaker who passed away last week at the age of 78. In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, the panel goes electric themselves and responds to a listener question from Rob: “Would you reminisce about the most electric experience you’ve had consuming a piece of culture with other people?”Email us at culturefest@slate.com. Endorsements:Dana: The Soul of the Dance, a one-hour documentary about ballerina Ulyana Lopatkina. Julia: The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman. Alos, Julia is looking for nonfiction recommendations about Japan! Email her at culturefest@slate.com. Steve: Two Australia-related endorsements: (1) The Fatal Shore by Robert Hughes. (2) BUSH, a restaurant in Sydney’s Redfern neighborhood. Podcast production by Vic Whitley-Berry. Production assistance by Kat Hong. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nadira Goffe, a Slate culture writer known for her keen insights, joins the discussion to dive into the provocative themes of two films. They unpack 'Babygirl,' delving into its complex portrayal of sexuality and power dynamics, and then explore 'Nickel Boys,' highlighting its innovative first-person narrative that reveals the harsh realities of a notorious reform school. The trio also tackles the legal and PR drama surrounding Blake Lively, reflecting on celebrity cultures and the implications of media narratives. Plus, they share personal insights on the challenges of recent L.A. wildfires.

Isaac Butler, the talented author of 'The Method: How the Twentieth Century Learned to Act' and host of 'The Craft of Acting,' brings his cinematic insights to the discussion. They dive into Brady Corbet's 'The Brutalist,' exploring themes of ambition and artistry while analyzing Adrian Brody’s complex character. The panel critiques the Netflix holiday hit 'Carry On,' debating its entertaining yet flawed nature. They also engage in a lively 'Movie Club' segment, sharing reflections on overlooked films and personal cinematic experiences.

The hosts dive into the joys of cooking for one, reflecting on solo dining as self-care during solitude. They tackle the challenges of adult friendships, exploring how shared interests like pottery shape connections. Nostalgia hits as they reminisce about impactful live performances and the significance of music in film storytelling. Philosophy's role in today's society sparks a lively discussion, revealing its absence in modern discourse. Plus, a humorous debate on iconic wine pairings adds a delightful twist to the conversation.

The hosts dissect the Netflix series featuring Ted Danson as a retired professor unraveling mysteries in a retirement home, blending humor with themes of aging and loneliness. They also delve into "The Seed of the Sacred Fig," a poignant film addressing women's protests in Iran and familial dynamics. Shifting gears, they explore the evolution from 'influencer' to 'digital creator,' reflecting on the changing landscape of fame in the social media age. Plus, a nostalgic look back at their stage experiences adds a personal touch.

On this week’s show, the hosts chew over Nightbitch, Marielle Heller’s (Queen’s Gambit, Can You Ever Forgive Me, The Diary of a Teenage Girl, MacGruber), fourth feature film. Amy Adam stars as “Mother,” a former artist who has given up her creative pursuits to care for her infant son full-time — a transition so taxing, that she begins dissociating and transforming into a dog at night. And while there’s a lot to like here (it’s an adaptation of Rachel Yonder’s magical realism novel of the same name, for example), does the film ever achieve lift-off? Then, the three rip Black Doves to shreds, Netflix’s latest espionage show starring Keira Knightly, Sarah Lancashire, and Ben Whishaw that has far too many plot holes to name (although, Stephen does try to.) Finally, the panel digs into the strange case of Luigi Mangione, the suspected shooter in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson — and the internet’s sardonic, if not jubilant, reaction to the fatal shooting.In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, the panel explores the celebrity look-alike contest: a puzzling and mildly delightful phenomenon that’s been sweeping the nation. (Read Nadira Goffe’s excellent reporting on the Timothée Chalamet tournament that started it all, here.)FINAL CALL: We are down to the final week! To submit your question for our annual call-in show (for inspiration, check out last year’s episode), please call (260) 337-8260 to leave us a voicemail, or record a voice note and email it to us at culturefest@slate.com. Or, email us at culturefest@slate.com if you just want to gab. Endorsements:Dana: The Year of Lear audiobook, written by James Shapiro and narrated by Robert Fass. Julia: Tree.fm — a project by Sounds of the Forest and aporee, where you can tune into forest soundscapes from around the world. Stephen: A cover of Richard and Linda Thompson’s “Down Where the Drunkards Roll,” performed by Loudon Wainwright III and Rufus Wainwright. Podcast production by Jared Downing. Production assistance by Kat Hong.Disclosure in Podcast Description: A Bond Account is a self-directed brokerage account with Public Investing, member FINRA/SIPC. Deposits into this account are used to purchase 10 investment-grade and high-yield bonds. As of 9/26/24, the average, annualized yield to worst (YTW) across the Bond Account is greater than 6%. A bond’s yield is a function of its market price, which can fluctuate; therefore, a bond’s YTW is not “locked in” until the bond is purchased, and your yield at time of purchase may be different from the yield shown here. The “locked in” YTW is not guaranteed; you may receive less than the YTW of the bonds in the Bond Account if you sell any of the bonds before maturity or if the issuer defaults on the bond. Public Investing charges a markup on each bond trade. See our Fee Schedule. Bond Accounts are not recommendations of individual bonds or default allocations. The bonds in the Bond Account have not been selected based on your needs or risk profile. See https://public.com/disclosures/bond-account to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices