This week Steve, Dana, and Julia are joined by Slate’s executive producer of podcasts Alicia Montgomery for a segment about Oprah’s widely viewed interview with Meghan and Harry. Then the hosts discuss the ever-growing popularity of Stanley Tucci, from his viral cocktail videos to his CNN show Searching for Italy to his new movie Supernova. Finally, the group talks about the discontinuation of six Dr. Seuss books. Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Rachael Allen. Email...
Mar 10, 2021•1 hr
This week Steve and Dana talk to Slate senior editor Sam Adams about the HBO documentary Allen v. Farrow, which examines the legal battle between Woody Allen and Mia Farrow in the early 90's and the sexual assault allegations at the heart of it. Then Steve, Dana, and Julia talk about the Golden Globes and a report by the LA Times that revealed dubious spending practices by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (the group behind the Globes) and a lack of diversity in its ranks. After that, Univ...
Mar 03, 2021•1 hr
This week Steve, Dana, and Julia talk about Chloé Zhao’s Nomadland. Next, they dig into their obsession with the New York Times’s Spelling Bee puzzle and interview its creator, 24-year-old Sam Ezersky. Finally, they discuss group chats in light of Heidi Cruz’s recent troubles with the forum. In Slate Plus, the hosts discuss a piece of culture that they used to love and are now done with? Thanks to listener James Callan. Send us your questions and topic suggestions at [email protected]. Podca...
Feb 24, 2021•1 hr 2 min
This week Steve and Dana are joined by Jessica Winter, editor at the New Yorker and author of the upcoming novel, The Fourth Child. They kick off the show by discussing Saint Maud, the critically acclaimed horror film by Rose Glass. Then they dig into the #FreeBritney movement and dissect a televised documentary by the New York Times that covers Britney Spears' legal battle with her father. After that, Slate's pop music expert Chris Molanphy joins the show to discuss Olivia Rodrigo's hit song Dr...
Feb 17, 2021•1 hr 5 min
Steve, Dana, and Julia kick things off by discussing Minari, the semi-autobiographical movie by the filmmaker Lee Isaac Chung that focuses on a Korean family trying to build a life for themselves in rural Arkansas. After that, New York Magazine writer Mark Harris joins the show to to talk about his new biography of the director Mike Nichols. Then the hosts pick apart the latest Chrissy Teigan controversy and offer opinions about wealth, celebrity, and privilege during the pandemic. In Slate Plus...
Feb 10, 2021•58 min
Stephen, Dana, and Julia begin this week's show by talking about Locked Down, the rom-com heist movie starring Anne Hathaway and Chiwetel Ejiofor that's set during the early days of the pandemic. Then they discuss Derek DelGaudio's In & Of Itself, a Frank Oz directed stage performance that's part magic show and part meditation on personal identity. The filmed version is now available to stream on Hulu. For their third segment the hosts weigh in on a controversy in the film criticism world about ...
Feb 03, 2021•1 hr 2 min
This week Stephen, Dana, and Julia start by discussing Promising Young Woman, the revenge thriller starring Carey Mulligan and written and directed by Emerald Fennell. Then Slate culture writer Karen Han joins the show to talk about the French heist series Lupin, which has been firmly situated on Netflix's top 10 list since it premiered. After that, the hosts reflect on a recent article in the New York Times Magazine by Kyle Chayka titled, How Nothingness Became Everything We Wanted. In Slate Pl...
Jan 27, 2021•1 hr 3 min
This week Stephen, Dana, and Julia take a look at Sound of Metal, the debut movie from writer/director Darius Marder, about a heavy metal drummer who loses his hearing. Then they discuss WandaVision, the new Marvel TV show that's loaded with references to classic TV sitcoms. After that they dive into the world of TikTok sea shanties and theorize about why the craze caught on. In Slate Plus, the hosts talk about vice president Kamala Harris' recent Vogue cover and the debate surrounding it. Podca...
Jan 20, 2021•1 hr 5 min
This week Stephen, Dana, and Julia talk about the National Geographic miniseries, City So Real, about the 2019 mayoral race in Chicago and the social and political issues that fueled it. Then New York Times writer Charlie Warzel joins the show to discuss conservative media outlets like Newsmax and OANN and the alternate reality of news that Trump supporters reside in. After that, the hosts talk about New Yorker writer Lawrence Wright's comprehensive article, The Plague Year, about the way U.S. o...
Jan 13, 2021•1 hr 3 min
Steve, Dana, and Julia start by talking about Wonder Woman 1984 with LA Times film critic Justin Chang. Then they discuss Bridgerton, the new Netflix show produced by Shonda Rhimes and based on a series of novels by Julia Quinn. After that, Justin Chang rejoins the show to talk about Movie Club, Slate's annual end-of-year movie coverage. In Slate Plus, the hosts expand on their Wonder Woman conversation in spoiler-filled detail. Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Racha...
Jan 06, 2021•1 hr 3 min
This week, Stephen, Dana, and Julia present the Culture Gabfest’s annual listener call-in show, originally recorded live and streamed on Facebook and YouTube. They answer questions like, “Would you live in a muder house?” and “Are there any ways in which you are a snob about the culture you partake in?” In Slate Plus, the hosts field more questions from their live audience via Facebook and YouTube. Click here for the video version of the show. Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assi...
Dec 30, 2020•1 hr 9 min
This week Stephen and Dana are joined by Slate editor and writer Dan Kois. First, they discuss the new Steven Soderbergh movie Let Them All Talk, starring Meryl Streep, Dianne Wiest, and Candice Bergen. Then they talk to Slate TV critic Willa Paskin about the trends in TV this year and why "popular" TV isn't always "good" TV. After that, the hosts talk about a new project in the UK that aims to revive smells from the past. In Slate Plus, the hosts debate whether the labels "movie" and "TV show" ...
Dec 23, 2020•1 hr
This week Steve and Dana are joined by guest host Nichole Perkins, writer, poet, and host of the Thirst Aid Kit podcast. First they discuss the new film adaptation of Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, which stars Viola Davis and features Chadwick Boseman in his final role. Then they weigh in on the HBO Max mystery thriller The Flight Attendant. After that, Vulture writer Mark Harris joins the show to talk about Disney's rapid growth and what it means for the movie industry. In Slate Plus, the hosts talk...
Dec 16, 2020•1 hr 3 min
This week Steve and Dana are joined by co-host Laura Miller, books and culture columnist for Slate. First, the three of them talk to Slate's own Matthew Dessem about what's real and what's made up in the new David Fincher movie, Mank. Then Julia Turner joins the show for a discussion about Spotify's end-of-year "wrapped" feature. For the third segment, Laura talks about the best books of 2020. In Slate Plus, Laura talks about a debate that keeps cropping up in literary circles about whether kids...
Dec 09, 2020•1 hr 5 min
This week Steve and Dana are joined by writer, poet, and co-host of the Thirst Aid Kit podcast, Nichole Perkins. First, the they weigh in on Happiest Season, the new holiday rom-com starring Kristen Stewart and Mackenzie Davis. Then they chat with Culture Gabfest producer Cameron Drews about why he loves the HBO show How To with John Wilson. And finally, the hosts a talk about a big mistake made recently by the publisher Fireside Fiction, where a white voice-over artist put on a fake accent to r...
Dec 02, 2020•1 hr 1 min
On this week’s episode, Steve and Dana kick off the show by talking about season 4 of The Crown with June Thomas, Slate's managing producer and co-host of the Working podcast. Then they're joined by Asha Saluja, operations manager for Slate Podcasts, to discuss one of the internet's latest creations: a TikTok musical based on the Pixar movie Ratatouille. For their third segment, Slate senior editor Sam Adams argues that our new streaming world is a poor replacement for traditional movie-going. I...
Nov 25, 2020•1 hr 3 min
On this week’s episode, Steve and Dana talk to Slate’s television critic Willa Paskin about the unprecedented current season of The Bachelorette. Then Slate's Brow Beat editor, Matthew Dessem, comes on board for the rest of the show to talk about Saturday Night Live and two recent articles about societal collapse, one titled The Next Decade Could Be Even Worse and one titled How Do You Know When Society Is About to Fall Apart? In Slate Plus, the hosts discuss which TV universes they'd like to be...
Nov 18, 2020•59 min
On this week’s episode, Steve, Dana, and Julia talk with New York Times book critic Dwight Garner about his book Garner’s Quotations: A Modern Miscellany. Next, they are joined by Slate’s television critic Willa Paskin to discuss The Queen’s Gambit. Finally, the panel imagines how the Trump administration will be remembered in American Studies classes years from now. In Slate Plus, the hosts talk with writer and enneagram counselor Jacob Rubin about their enneagrams. Podcast production by Camero...
Nov 11, 2020•1 hr 1 min
On this week’s episode, Steve and Dana are joined by guest host Isaac Butler, writer and co-host of Slate’s Working podcast. First, the group talks about What the Constitution Means to Me, the Broadway play now streaming on Amazon. Next, they talk about the legacy of Sean Connery, who passed away last week. Finally, they discuss the new Netflix documentary series Song Exploder, based on the podcast. In Slate Plus, the hosts talk with Isaac about the future of the theater industry in pandemic tim...
Nov 04, 2020•1 hr 4 min
This week on the Culture Gabfest, Stephen Metcalf and Dana Stevens are joined by guest host Jody Rosen, a contributing writer for the New York Times Magazine. First, they discuss Borat 2 (officially, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm). Next, they dive into music with “The Harry Smith B-Sides.” Finally, they discuss Zoom’s newfound, and sometimes dangerous, place in our culture. On this week’s Slate Plus segment the hosts extend their analysis of Borat 2, diving into the scene with Rudy Giuliani. Podcas...
Oct 28, 2020•1 hr 6 min
This week on the Culture Gabfest, Stephen Metcalf, Dana Stevens, and Julia Turner discuss The Trial of the Chicago 7. Then, the panel is joined by Willa Paskin, Slate’s TV critic, to discuss Ted Lasso. Finally, they discuss “Cereal Eats” with New York Times opinion columnist Jamelle Bouie. The Slate Plus segment this week features producer Jessamine Molli, as the panel talks about knowing about things before they become popular. Podcast production by Jessamine Molli. Production assistance by Whi...
Oct 21, 2020•1 hr 5 min
This week Dana, Steve, and Julia talk about Kirsten Johnson's new documentary, Dick Johnson is Dead, in which Johnson documents her father's experience with dementia. Then the hosts are joined by LA Times television editor Matt Brennan to discuss Luca Guadagnino's HBO series We Are Who We Are. And finally, Slate's pop critic Jack Hamilton joins the show to talk about Eddie Van Halen and the appeal of screeching guitar solos. Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Culture Gabfest each epis...
Oct 14, 2020•1 hr 3 min
This week on the Culture Gabfest, Stephen Metcalf and Julia Turner are joined by Slate book critic Laura Miller for a full episode. First, the panel takes on The Glorias, the new film based on Gloria Steinem’s life. Next, they are joined by New Yorker staff writer Lauren Collins to talk about the Netflix comedy-drama Emily in Paris. Finally, the panel discusses the narrative drama of Donald Trump’s having COVID-19. The Slate Plus segment this week features Laura’s book recommendations for fall. ...
Oct 07, 2020•1 hr 4 min
This week on the Culture Gabfest, Stephen Metcalf, Dana Stevens, and Julia Turner discuss the Netflix film My Octopus Teacher. Next, they chat about the legacy and ending of Keeping Up With the Kardashians (check out the Gabfest’s 2011 conversation about the Kardashians here). Finally, the panel is joined by Slate staff writer Aaron Mak to analyze the latest episode of Reply All on QAnon. On Slate Plus, the hosts discuss how they try to balance work and family. Slate Plus members get a bonus seg...
Sep 30, 2020•56 min
On this week’s episode, Steve, Dana, and Julia are live from … Zoom! First, the panel talks about Cuties, the Netflix film that has stirred up controversey. Next, the panel discusses the Emmys—how successful (and necessary) was the virtual awards show? Finally, the panel takes on the future of fashion. Get your closets ready: Sweatpants will not be around forever. In Slate Plus, the hosts answer listeners’ questions about philosophy, comfort watches, and so much more. (Per a listener’s question,...
Sep 24, 2020•1 hr 1 min
Dana reminds listeners about tonight's virtual live show! It's at 8pm ET on Slate's Facebook and YouTube pages. For links and more info, visit Slate.com/live If you can't make it, that's okay! The audio version of the live show will be dropped in your feed on Thursday evening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 23, 2020•48 sec
On this week’s episode, Steve, Dana, and Julia are joined by Slate’s Aymann Ismail to discuss the Emmy-nominated series Ramy (check out Aymann’s story for Slate on Ramy Youssef here). Next, the panel talks with Glenn Whipp, an entertainment columnist for the LA Times, about the new inclusion requirements the Oscars recently announced. Finally, the panel dives in HBO Max’s movie Unpregnant. In Slate Plus, the hosts open up about the first thing they’ll want to do in a post-pandemic world and what...
Sep 16, 2020•1 hr 2 min
On this week’s episode, Steve is joined by guests hosts Laura Miller, a books and culture columnist for Slate, and Jamelle Bouie, a columnist for the New York Times and Slate’s former chief political correspondent. The panel takes on Lovecraft Country, HBO’s new horror series. Next, they talk about Charlie Kaufman’s enigmatic I’m Thinking of Ending Things. And finally, the panel dives into the “is NYC over?” debate. In Slate Plus, the hosts talk about a George Washington University professor’s r...
Sep 09, 2020•1 hr 2 min
On this week’s episode, Steve, Dana, and Julia discuss Bill & Ted Face the Music, the decades-later sequel to the 1989 and 1991 originals. (This was also Dana’s first movie review for Slate after the pandemic’s monthslong disruption! Check it out here.) Next, the panel talks about Chadwick Boseman’s legacy with Wesley Morris, a critic-at-large for the New York Times who wrote about the late actor’s powerful approach to biographical moviemaking. Finally, they dive into Dana’s comfort pick—Days of...
Sep 02, 2020•1 hr 1 min
On this week’s episode, Steve, Dana, and Julia discuss a recent video of twins’ listening to Phil Collins’s “In the Air Tonight” that went viral. Then, the panelists talk about John M. Barry’s The Great Influenza. Finally, they take on this week’s comfort watch—Network. In Slate Plus, the hosts break down The Daily’s recent two-part series on cancel culture. Endorsements: Dana: The accurate lime cordial recipe! Julia: Rodham by Curtis Sittenfeld Steve: “Dickens in Brooklyn” by Jay Neugeboren in ...
Aug 19, 2020•1 hr 1 min
