Culture Gabfest

This week Dana and Steve are joined by Monica Castillo, arts and culture reporter for Colorado Public Radio, to discuss In the Heights. Next, Atlantic staff writer Sophie Gilbert comes on to talk about HBO’s Hacks. Finally, Dana and Steve dive into Liz Phair’s new album, Soberish, with the expertise of Slate music critic Carl Wilson.In Slate Plus, Dana, Steve, and Carl talk about Gen X musicians and how they’re aging gracefully—or not.Email us at culturefest@slate.comPodcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Rachael Allen.Outro Music: "Any Other Way" by Particle HouseEndorsementsDana: The soundtrack to Bo Burnham’s InsideCarl: Clairo’s single “Blouse” and the series Feel Good (especially the placement of “Motion Sickness” by Phoebe Bridgers)Steve: Herzog by Saul BellowFurther Reading“In the Heights Fumbles Some of Its Changes, but It Still Soars” by Dana Stevens for Slate“’In the Heights’ Film Review: Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Stage Hit Becomes a Screen Celebration” by Monica Castillo for the Wrap“What Hacks Proves About Jean Smart” by Sophie Gilbert for the Atlantic“An Alt-Rock Queen Returns to Take Back Her Crown” by Carl Wilson for SlateSlate 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Dana is joined by Slate senior editor Sam Adams and Vulture critic Kathryn VanArendonk. First, the panel discusses the HBO mini-series Mare of Easttown. Next, they talk about Bo Burnham’s Netflix special Inside. Finally, Dana and Sam dive into the recent Amazon-MGM deal.In Slate Plus, the panel talks spoilers galore about Mare of Easttown.Email us at culturefest@slate.com.Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Rachael Allen. Outro Music: "On the Keys of Steel" by Dusty DecksEndorsementsDana: MGM: Hollywood’s Greatest BacklotSam: Lucy Dacus’s song “VBS” from her upcoming album Home VideoFurther Reading“Mare of Easttown’s Creator on Its Final Shocking Twist” by Sam Adams for SlateSlate 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Steve is joined by Slate senior editor Allegra Frank and Slate staff writer Karen Han. The group first discusses Cruella, starring Emma Stone. Next, they discuss the television adaption of Colson Whitehead’s novel The Underground Railroad. Finally, the group is joined by Slate’s Hit Parade host Chris Molanphy to dive into Olivia Rodrigo’s breakout album Sour.In Slate Plus, the panel shares their experiences going back to movie theaters.Email us at culturefest@slate.com.Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Rachael Allen. Outro music: "I Want a Change" by The Big Let DownEndorsementsAllegra: Doomin’ Sun by Bachelor, Jay Som, & PalehoundKaren: The perfume company SnifSteve: Robyn Hitchcock & Emma Swift’s cover of “Motion Pictures” by Neil YoungFurther Reading“Cruella Shouldn’t Work, but It Mostly Does” by Karen Han for Slate“Why Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘Good 4 U’ Is Rock’s First Hot 100 No.1 in Years” by Chris Molanphy for SlateSlate 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Steve, Dana, and Julia discuss HBO Max’s film Those Who Wish Me Dead, starring Angelina Jolie. Next, the panel is joined by Slate books critic Laura Miller to dive into a strange publishing trend—where literary criticism meets self-help. Finally, Slate’s technology editor Jon Fisher talks with the hosts about M.O.D.O.K., Hulu’s latest series on the Marvel character.In Slate Plus, the hosts open up about their schedules, productivity, and hacks for cultural consumption in response to a listener question.Email us at culturefest@slate.comPodcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Rachael Allen. EndorsementsDana: A series of films by Lois Weber on the Criterion ChannelJulia: A new daily news podcast from the L.A. Times called The Times: Daily news from the L.A. TimesSteve: The restaurant Feast & Floret in Hudson, New YorkFurther Reading“Enough With Literature as Self-Improvement!” by Laura Miller in Slatehttps://slate.com/culture/2021/03/wonderworks-angus-fletcher-review.htmlOutro music: "200 Dont's" by ConditionalSlate 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Steve, Dana, and Julia discuss Netflix’s animated film The Mitchells vs. the Machines. Next, the panel dives into the cultural resonances of Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck aka “Bennifer.” Finally, the group is joined by Isaac Butler, co-host of Slate’s Working podcast, to talk about the latest Zoom version of Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot.In Slate Plus, Isaac Butler joins the hosts to talk about the state of theater and what its reopening will look like in the coming months.Email us at culturefest@slate.comPodcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Rachael Allen.Outro music: "You Know What I Want" by Staffan CarlenEndorsementsDana: “The Trees” by Philip LarkinJulia: Uncanny Valley by Anna WienerSteve: “Arendt and Roth: An Uncanny Convergence” by Corey Robin and DeFazio’s Pizzeria in Troy, NYFurther Reading“What Everyone Forgot About Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez” by Heather Schwedel in Slate“Why is Bennifer 2.0 so exciting? Because last time, we screwed it up” by Meredith Blake in the LA TimesSlate Plus members get ad-free podcasts and a bonus segment in each episode of the Culture Gabfest. Sign up now at slate.com/cultureplus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Steve, Dana, and Julia discuss Tina Fey’s new Peacock sitcom Girls5Eva. Then the panel dives into vaccine personalities—how did Pfizer really become the “status vax”? Finally, the group discusses Netflix film The Disciple with LA Times film critic Justin Chang.In Slate Plus, the panel talks about their relationship with cars, courtesy of a listener question. Email us your questions at culturefest@slate.comPodcast production by Jasmine Ellis and Asha Saluja. Production assistance by Rachael Allen.EndorsementsDana: Morning Ragas, Bombay 1965 by Nikhil BanerjeeJulia: Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe and “The Composer at the Frontier of Movie Music” by Jamie Fisher (and Nicholas Britell’s Culture Gabfest episode!)Steve: “Quintin Jones Is Not Innocent. But He Doesn’t Deserve to Die.” by Jonah M. Kessel, Suleika Jaouad, and Lindsay CrouseFurther Reading“Pfizer Snobs Are Wong. Johnson & Johnson Is the Coolest Vaccine.” by Dan Kois in Slate“How Pfizer Became the Status Vax” by Heather Schwedel in Slate“Review: ‘The Disciple’ is already one of the year’s best movies. Does Netflix know—or care?” by Justin Chang in the LA Times HostsStephen MetcalfDana StevensJulia TurnerSocial Media@slatecultfest on Twitterhttps://twitter.com/slatecultfest@slateculturepodcasts on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/slateculturepodcasts/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Steve, Dana, and Julia discuss the Netflix film Stowaway with Slate book and culture columnist Laura Miller. Then the panel dives into the French dramedy Call My Agent! with New Yorker staff writer Lauren Collins. Finally, the group discusses the social realities and challenges of the CDC’s new guidelines on masking outdoors.In Slate Plus, the hosts discuss the ending to Stowaway and other spoilers from the film.Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Rachael Allen.Email the hosts at culturefest@slate.comEndorsementsDana: You Must Remember This podcast and Jacques d’Amboise, specifically Jacques d’Amboise in ChinaJulia: The Mirage FactorySteve: “The Abiding Scandal of College Admissions” by Matt Feeney in the Chronicle of Higher EducationFurther Reading“'Dix pour cent’: les agents et leurs doubles” by Benjamin Locoge in Paris Match“Fanny Herrero, créatrice de ‘Dix pour cent’: ‘Mon rêve est de faire une série d’auteur populaire’” in Les InrockuptiblesOutro Music"Go slow" by Daniel FridellSlate Plus members get ad-free podcasts and a bonus segment in each episode of the Culture Gabfest. Sign up now to listen and support our work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Steve, Dana, and Julia discuss the Oscars in a pandemic year. Then the panel dives into the Bob Odenkirk action flick Nobody. Finally, the group discusses the allegations of workplace harassment against the producer Scott Rudin, as first reported by The Hollywood Reporter.In Slate Plus, the panel talks about the fallout surrounding sexual assault allegations against Blake Bailey, who published a biography of Phillip Roth earlier this month.Podcast production by Cameron Drews and Jasmine Ellis. Production assistance by Rachael Allen.Email the hosts at culturefest@slate.comEndorsementsDana: Call My Agent! and the accompanying French podcastJulia: Sheet-Pan Sausages and Brussel Sprouts With Honey Mustard recipe from the New York TimesSteve: Sturgill Simpson, specifically his NPR Tiny Desk concert and “The Woman Who Shattered the Myth of the Free Market” by Zachary D. Carter in the New York Times Further Reading “Scott Rudin, As Told by His Assistants” by Anne Victoria Clark, Jackson McHenry, Lila Shapiro, Gazelle Emami, Helen Shaw, Tara Abell, Nate Jones, E. Alex Jung, and Megh Wright in Vulture Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Steve, Dana, and Julia discuss the Oscar-nominated documentary Collective. Next, the group is joined by June Thomas, senior managing producer of Slate podcasts, to discuss Law & Order: Organized Crime. Finally, the panel dives into Substack, the newsletter platform journalists are flocking to.In Slate Plus, the panel talks about the Oscars.Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Rachael Allen.Email the hosts at culturefest@slate.comEndorsements Dana: The Narcotic Farm Julia: Party Down Steve: Anne Briggs, particularly this songFurther ReadingCharlie Warzel’s recent Twitter thread on Galaxy BrainOutro Music"What Do You Want From Me" by OTESlate Plus members get a bonus segment in each episode of the Culture Gabfest and access to exclusive shows like Dana Stevens’ classic movies podcast Flashback. Sign up now to listen and support our work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Steve is joined by Slate senior editor Allegra Frank and writer/editor Dan Kois. The group first dives into the What Lies Below, the wild No. 1 movie on Netflix. Next, they discuss the Netflix series Worn Stories. Finally, the panel is joined by Slate music critic Carl Wilson to talk about Prince’s vault of unreleased music, as covered in Sunday's episode of 60 Minutes. In Slate Plus, the panel talks about how their parents influenced their music taste.Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Rachael Allen.Email the hosts at culturefest@slate.comEndorsementsDan: Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtryAllegra: serpentwithfeet’s DEACONSteve: “Averted Intimacies” by Elaine Blair in the New York ReviewSlate Plus members get a bonus segment in each episode of the Culture Gabfest and access to exclusive shows like Dana Stevens’ classic movies podcast Flashback. Sign up now to listen and support our work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices