Culture Gabfest

Stephen Metcalf, Julia Turner, and Dana Stevens are live in Chicago this week and discuss the film Black Mass, the sketch comedy of Second City, and the cultural phenomenon known as Donald Trump. The Slate Culture Gabfest is brought to you by Open Account, a podcast series created by SuChin Pak and Umpqua Bank. Open Account explores, through honest and sometimes comical interviews, our uncomfortable silence around money. Open Account is available now on iTunes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stephen Metcalf, Julia Turner, and Dana Stevens discuss the FXX anti-romantic comedy "You're the Worst," Stephen Colbert's late night debut, and whether it's OK to be a Luddite. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dana Steves, Willa Paskin, and Seth Stevenson discuss FX CEO John Landgraf’s recent remarks about how there is “simply too much television” available today, Bill Hader and Fred Armisen IFC mockumentary series Documentary Now, and Google's new logo with Slate's Will Oremus.   The Slate Culture Gabfest is sponsored by Warby Parker, a new concept in eyewear. Warby Parker makes buying glasses online easy, risk-free and most of all, enjoyable. Get free three-day shipping on your final frame choice when you go to warbyparker.com/cultural.   And by Harry's, the shaving company that offers German-engineered blades, well-designed handles, and shipping right to your door. Visit Harrys.com for $5 off your first purchase with the promo code CULTURE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stephen Metcalf, Dana Stevens, and Slate's Laura Miller discuss Narcos, Netflix original series about the Medellín drug cartel, Jonathan Franzen's new book Purity, and the refusal of some first-year students at Duke to read Allison Bechdel’s Fun Home.   The Slate Culture Gabfest is brought to you by Braintree. If you’re working on a mobile app and searching for a simple payments solution, check out Braintree. With one simple integration, you can offer your customers every way to pay. Period. To learn more, and for your first $50,000 in transactions fee-free, go to www.braintreepayments.com/culture   And by Next Issue, the mobile app that lets you tap directly into the world's most popular magazines, anywhere, using your phone or tablet.  Dive deeper into Vogue, People, Esquire, Time, and more, with interactive content for a richer reading experience.  Right now, try Next Issue out for free  at www.nextissue.com/culture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Julia Turner and June Thomas discuss the film Diary of a Teenage Girl with Slate's Laura Miller, the Walking Dead pre-quel, Fear of Walking Dead with Slate's Mike Vuolo, and the Ashley Madison hack with Slate's Amanda Hess. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stephen Metcalf and Julia Turner discuss the HBO mini-series Show Me A Hero based on a landmark housing integration case with Slate's Jamelle Bouie, the N.W.A biopic Straight Outta Compton with Slate's John Swansburg, and Amazon work culture with Slate's Allison Benedikt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stephen Metcalf, Julia Turner, and Seth Stevenson discuss Netflix's Wet Hot American Summer reboot, the David Foster Wallace biopic End of Tour with Slate's Jessica Winter, and the morals of air conditioning. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stephen Metcalf, Julia Turner, and Dana Stevens discuss the Mission Impossible franchise's latest installment, Rogue Nation, girl squads with Slate's Katy Waldman, and the problem of country music for people who don't like country with Carl Wilson.   The Slate Culture Gabfest is brought to you by Braintree. If you’re working on a mobile app and searching for a simple payments solution, check out Braintree. With one simple integration, you can offer your customers every way to pay. To learn more, and for your first $50,000 in transactions fee-free, go to braintreepayments.com/culture   And by Volvo. Experience the Wonder of Summer. Have a month’s payment on Volvo and spend your summer doing the things that matter to you. Plus get up to five years full coverage, including wear and tear. Go to volvocars.com/us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stephen Metcalf, Julia Turner, and Dana Stevens discuss The Look of Silence, filmmaker Joshua Oppenheimer's companion to his 2012 documentary The Act of Killing. Also, Slate's national correspondent, Will Saletan, talks about GMOs and fearmongering. Plus, how will What Pet Should I Get? affect the legacy of Dr. Seuss? Read Dana's review of The Look of Silence and her interview with Oppenheimer. And, read Will Saletan's article about GMOs. In our Slate Plus bonus segment: What's your alienating hobby? If you're not a member, enjoy ad-free podcasts, exclusive content, and much more when you sign up at slate.com/cultureplus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stephen Metcalf, Julia Turner, and Dana Stevens discuss Amy Schumer's debut film Trainwreck, the cyberpunk thriller Mr. Robot on USA Network, and the latest dustup at Gawker.   The Slate Culture Gabfest is sponsored by the Great Courses, offering engaging audio and video lectures taught by top professors. Courses like "The Every Day Gourmet: Rediscovering the Lost Art of Cooking." Right now, get up to 80 percent off the original price when you visit thegreatcourses.com/culture.   And by Volvo. Experience the Wonder of Summer. Have a month’s payment on Volvo and spend your summer doing the things that matter to you. Plus get up to five years full coverage, including wear and tear. Go to volvocars.com/us Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices