Culture Gabfest - podcast cover

Culture Gabfest

Slate Podcastsslate.com
New York Times critic Dwight Garner says “The Slate Culture Gabfest is one of the highlights of my week.” The award-winning Culturefest features critics Stephen Metcalf, Dana Stevens, and Julia Turner debating the week in culture, from highbrow to pop. For more of Slate’s culture podcasts, check out the Slate Culture feed. Want more Culture Gabfest? Subscribe to Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of the Culture Gabfest show page. Or, visit slate.com/cultureplus to get access wherever you listen.

Episodes

Making Mat

This week on the Culture Gabfest, Stephen Metcalf, Dana Stevens, and Julia Turner untangle the oddity that is Jojo Rabbit, discuss whether Netflix’s sport docu-series Cheer lives up to the hype, and talk to Slate’s music critic Carl Wilson about this year’s Grammys. On the Slate Plus segment this week, the panel discusses Kobe Bryant and the reactions to his death. Podcast production by Jessamine Molli. Production assistance by Rachael Allen. Outro Music: Lizzo's "Cuz I Love You" & "Truth Hurts"...

Jan 29, 20201 hr 12 min

Half for Me, Half for You

This week on the Culture Gabfest, Stephen Metcalf, Dana Stevens, and Julia Turner dive into Honeyland, Tamara Kotevska and Ljubomir Stefanov’s Academy Award-nominated documentary following a beekeeper in Macedonia. Next, they chat about Jeopardy! The Greatest of All Time. Finally, Slate’s Laura Miller joins the panel to discuss Jia Tolentino’s Trick Mirror and the role—and critiques—of the modern female essayist. On the Slate Plus segment this week, the panel discusses Oscar nominations. Podcast...

Jan 22, 20201 hr 1 min

"Royal Pain In The Arse" Edition

Stephen Metcalf, Dana Stevens, and June Thomas discuss Sam Mendes' film 1917, the new installment in the UP documentary series, 63 UP, and the British royal phenomenon that has become known as Megxit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 15, 202056 min

The Secret Mailbox

This week on the Culture Gabfest, Stephen Metcalf, Dana Stevens, and Julia Turner dive into Little Women, writer-director Greta Gerwig’s adaption—perhaps the best adaption yet—of Louisa May Alcott’s novel that follows the lives of the four March sisters. Next, they discuss the risky jokes, heartfelt speeches, and weird red carpet looks of this year’s Golden Globes. Finally, they chat about The Movie Club, Slate’s annual conversation among film critics led by Dana about this year in film. On the ...

Jan 08, 20201 hr 18 min

"Welcome to Slaht Ploos, Books and Cats" Edition

Dana Stevens hosts a selection of a few of our favorite Slate Plus bonus segments, offering them to our regular listeners for the first time. You'll hear Steve, Julia and Dana talk about the new live action CATS, discuss impactful nonfiction with Slate's Laura Miller, remember critic Harold Bloom, and decipher what went wrong with Jill Abramson's Merchants of Truth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 01, 20201 hr 18 min

"Call Us, Definitely" Edition

Stephen Metcalf, Dana Stevens, and Julia Turner take listener call-in questions, including what books, music, and beverages they would take to a well-appointed Alpine cabin and much, much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 25, 20191 hr 12 min

"Peloton Prisoner" Edition

Stephen Metcalf, Dana Stevens, and Julia Turner talk to TV critic Willa Paskin about the state of the medium, discuss Mariah Carey's surprise Christmas number one hit, and discuss the Peloton ad that has the internet atwitter. This episode is brought to you by Everlane. Check out your personalized collection today at everlane.com/culture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 18, 20191 hr 7 min

The Impenetrable Façade Edition

Stephen Metcalf, Dana Stevens, and Julia Turner discuss The Marriage Story, speak with author Simon Doonan about the death of the department store window display, and debate whether social media killed our sense of time - and the 2010s as a decade. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 11, 20191 hr 12 min

The Doughnut Inside the Doughnut Hole

Stephen Metcalf, Dana Stevens, and Julia Turner discuss Knives Out, speak with New York Times columnist Jamelle Bouie about Watchmen, and remember Clive James with Adam Gopnik. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 04, 201958 min

Posh Veg

Julia Turner and Stephen Metcalf talk with guests about Gogglebox, a show that lets you watch Brits watch TV, Bon Appetit's "Gourmet Makes" on YouTube, and the best nonfiction books of the past 25 years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 27, 20191 hr 4 min

Live from Vancouver

Dana Stevens, Julia Turner, and Stephen Metcalf are live in at the Granville Island Stage in Vancouver to discuss The Irishman, Schitt's Creek, and creepy ads that follow you around. In Slate Plus: Questions from the live audience. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 20, 20191 hr 14 min

Live From Los Feliz

Dana Stevens, Julia Turner, and Stephen Metcalf are live in Los Angeles to discuss Parasite with the LA Times critic Justin Chang, happiness in the modern world, and Dickinson from Apple TV+, with showrunner Alena Smith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 14, 20191 hr 21 min

Chaos Is the New Cocaine

Stephen Metcalf, Dana Stevens, and Julia Turner discuss Netflix's My Name is Dolemite, Apple TV+'s The Morning Show, and the mass resignations that took place at the website Deadspin with Slate's Tom Scocca. This episode is brought to you by Everlane. Check out your personalized collection today at everlane.com/culture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 06, 20191 hr 8 min

Culture Gabfest: Hail Satan

Julia Turner, Dana Stevens, and Stephen Metcalf discuss the horror classic Rosemary's Baby, the TV show Modern Love, and Morrissey's political legacy with the LA Times Randall Roberts. In Slate Plus: The Marvel vs. Scorsese kerfuffle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 30, 20191 hr 13 min

Voice Like a Jangly Bell

Stephen Metcalf, Dana Stevens, and Julia Turner discuss the film Pain and Glory with Slate's June Thomas, the podcast Dolly Parton's America, and the Slate profile of Lauren Gunderson, the most popular playwright in America, with author Dan Kois. In Slate Plus: cats vs. dogs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 23, 20191 hr 1 min

Claggy Sponge

Dana Stevens, Stephen Metcalf, and Julia Turner discuss the Breaking Bad movie El Camino, The Great British Baking Show, and the streaming wars and the future of television. In Slate Plus, the panel discuss the work of critic Harold Bloom who died this week with professor Al Filreis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 16, 20191 hr 1 min

Culture Gabfest: Your Boundary Is My Trigger

Julia Turner, Stephen Metcalf, and Dana Stevens discuss the film Joker, Transparent's musical finale episode, and the question of Gwyneth Paltrow with critic Wesley Morris. Producer's Note: You’ve probably noticed that this feed now features a lot of Slate culture podcasts beyond just our show. We’ve heard that some of you would prefer to get just the Culture Gabfest in your feed. If that’s you, Slate has created a new feed that should meet your needs. You can find it by searching for “Culture G...

Oct 09, 20191 hr 9 min

Gap toothed Rube

Stephen Metcalf and Dana Stevens discuss the new Judy Garland biopic Judy with Slate's Sam Adams, Netflix's Unbelievable with Slate's Inkoo Kang, and welcome Simon Doonan back to the show to discuss his new book about the art and history of drag. In Slate Plus, more from the conversation with Simon Doonan. This episode is brought to you by Everlane. Check out your personalized collection today at everlane.com/culture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 02, 20191 hr 4 min

Iconic Staircase

Julia Turner, Dana Stevens, and Stephen Metcalf discuss the movie Ad Astra, the HGTV show A Very Brady Renovation and George Packer's piece in The Atlantic "When the Culture War Comes for Our Kids". Plus: The Emmys. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 25, 20191 hr 9 min

Climb Inside My Fur

Julia Turner, Dana Stevens, and Stephen Metcalf discuss the movie Hustlers, Ken Burns' PBS documentary about country music with Slate's Carl Wilson, and the saga of Caroline Calloway in The Cut. In Slate Plus, the panel discusses the life and work of photographer Robert Frank with Slate's Fred Kaplan. This episode is brought to you by Everlane. Check out your personalized collection today at everlane.com/culture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 18, 20191 hr 4 min

Our Poetry Is Bad

Dana Stevens, Julia Turner, and Stephen Metcalf discuss the new Netflix streamer American Factory, Lana Del Ray's new album with Slate's Carl Wilson, and talk to Dana about her recent residency at a nunnery in Idaho. In Slate Plus, the panel discuss their fantasy residencies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 11, 20191 hr 5 min

Stinker Thinker

Stephen Metcalf and June Thomas are joined by a rotating third chair including Julia Turner, Heather Schwedel, and Benjamin Frisch to discuss Showtime's On Becoming a God In Central Florida, ESPN's The Sterling Affairs, and Taylor Swift's new album, Lover. In Slate Plus the panel discusses sports and their relationship to being a fan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 04, 20191 hr 3 min

Will You Be There For Me?

This week Stephen Metcalf and Julia Turner are joined by guest host and pop culture aficionado Isaac Butler to discuss the cinematic ode to The Boss, Blinded By The Light. Then they dive into why they love the wacky, unique vibes of AMC’s Lodge 49. And finally, discuss the 25 year old phenomenon that is Friends and why the show’s popularity doesn’t seem to be waning any time soon. And in Slate Plus, the subtle art of the ice cream order. Links: Blinded By the Light Lodge 49 “The Dud Abides” By L...

Aug 28, 20191 hr 2 min

Where'd You Go, Jar Jar Binks?

June Thomas, Benjamin Frisch, and Rachelle Hampton discuss Richard Linklater's Where'd You Go Bernadette, HBO's A Black Lady Sketch Show, and Slate's list of the 25 most important characters of the past 25 Years with Forrest Wickman. In Slate Plus, the panel adds their own picks to the important characters list. This episode is brought to you by Everlane. Check out your personalized collection today at everlane.com/culture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 21, 20191 hr 3 min

Culture Gabfest: Super-Abled

Stephen Metcalf, Aisha Harris, and Gabriel Roth discuss Jennifer Kent's new film The Nightingale, Amazon's streaming show The Boys, and the work of Toni Morrison with Sarah J. Jackson, professor at the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 14, 20191 hr

Best in Blow

Stephen Metcalf, Julia Turner, and Dana Stevens discuss the new film The Farewell, Netflix's glass-blowing show Blown Away, and the life of legendary theater director Hal Prince with Isaac Butler. In Slate Plus, Steve explains why he left Twitter. Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now. We're looking for a new production assistant! This is a paid, part-time position based in our office in Brooklyn, NY. Send an email with an attached resume and cover letter t...

Aug 07, 20191 hr 1 min

Gunfight at the O.K. Career

Stephen Metcalf, Dana Stevens, and Julia Turner discuss Tarantino's Once Upon a Time In Hollywood, Netflix's The Great Hack documentary, and a piece about chronic lyme disease in The Cut. In Slate Plus: Once Upon a Time In Hollywood spoilers. Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now. We're looking for a new production assistant! This is a paid, part-time position based in our office in Brooklyn, NY. Send an email with an attached resume and cover letter to pro...

Jul 31, 20191 hr 5 min

Uncanny Savannah

Stephen Metcalf, Julia Turner, and Dana Stevens discuss the new version of Disney's The Lion King with the New York Times's Aisha Harris, the social media app TikTok with Slate's Daniel Schroeder, and the TV series about Roger Ailes, The Loudest Voice. In Slate Plus: the panel discusses the new trailer for the film CATS. Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 24, 20191 hr 1 min

Cruel Angel's Thesis

Stephen Metcalf, Dana Stevens, and Julia Turner discuss the film Peterloo, the newly-streaming classic anime Neon Genesis Evangelion with Slate's Benjamin Frisch, and the legacy of Mad Magazine with Slate's Dan Kois. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 17, 20191 hr 6 min

Fetch the Mallet

Julia Turner, Dana Stevens, and Stephen Metcalf discuss the film Midsommar, the life and work of the bossa nova progenitor João Gilberto with critic Nate Chinen, and the end of life-hacking with Slate's Laura Miller. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 10, 20191 hr 5 min
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