Into It: A Vulture Podcast with Sam Sanders

Comedians Naomi Ekperigin and Andy Beckerman put their marriage on the line for a culture game. Opinions on Britney Spears' new memoir and conspiracy theories. Discussion on SAG-AFTRA's Halloween costume rule. Exploration of cultural references and memorable moments. The disconnect between 'I Go Back' and 'Only the Good Die Young'. Reflections on 'Teenage Bounty Hunters' and gratitude to the listeners.

Guest Maura Johnston discusses Britney Spears' impact on pop music, highlighting her voice and sound that ushered in a new era. They explore Britney's use of wordless vocalization, embrace of technology, and rejection of 90s grunge rock. The podcast also discusses Britney's album Blackout, her personal struggles, and her cultural significance. They explore the brilliance of her hit song 'Oops, I Did It Again', emphasizing its lasting influence on pop music.

Comic and writer Jay Jurden joins Sam Sanders to discuss Britney Spears' upcoming memoir and their excitement and apprehension about it. They also talk about the ongoing actor strike in Hollywood and pressure from George Clooney and Tyler Perry for a resolution. The podcast delves into Netflix's brick-and-mortar ambitions and ends with important news from Sam.

This podcast discusses the trend of longer movies, exploring reasons such as the influence of streaming platforms and the dominance of franchise movies. It also explores the challenges faced by studios in convincing filmmakers to make cuts and the impact of movie length on audience perception. Will longer movies continue to dominate the film industry?

Traci Thomas and Chelsea Devantez join Sam to discuss the news of Jada and Will Smith's separation since 2016. They tackle questions about Will's career, the Red Table Talk, and the family's live-in producer. The conversation also includes thoughts on a possible Seinfeld reboot and a discussion on Drake's problematic behavior towards women.

PR industry expert Molly McPherson joins Sam to discuss recent celebrity PR crises including Lizzo's response to mistreatment allegations, Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis's character letter, Drew Barrymore's potential picket line crossing, and Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner's divorce. They also explore the decline of celebrities' PR skills due to social media, the role of attorney Marty Singer in celebrity crisis management, and tips for managing personal PR and reputation.

In this episode, the podcast covers a range of interesting topics including bed bug infestations in Paris, legal disputes and skepticism towards Katy Perry's actions, and the new performance venue called 'The Sphere' in Las Vegas.

Guest Taylor Lorenz argues that the real protagonists of social media are the users, not the tech bros. She discusses the under-reported history of social media and how marginalized people played a significant role. They also explore the impact of social media on entertainment, television shows, and society as a whole.

The podcast explores the aftermath of the writers' strike, including the impact on the TV and film industry and the wins for the WGA. It also discusses AI in writing contracts and potential threats to writers. Additionally, it touches on the ongoing SAG strike and the controversy surrounding the closing of Disney's Galactic Star Cruiser.

Kiana Fitzgerald, author of Ode to Hip-Hop, discusses how women are leading hip-hop today but at what cost. Jason England, a hip-hop scholar, reflects on the genre's midlife crisis, questioning the shift from revolutionary to an establishment culture. The podcast explores persistent issues of homophobia and misogyny in hip-hop and the need for accountability. It also delves into the challenges and triumphs of women artists, highlighting Lil Kim and Nicki Minaj, and examines the treatment of women in the industry.