Culture Gabfest

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.


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Entertainment News
Arts
Film Reviews
501
Heavy is the Head That Wears the Guacamole Edition
Stephen Metcalf, Julia Turner, and Dan Kois discuss Masterpiece Theater's sumptuous version of Wolf Hall, Bruce Jenner's interview with Diane Sawyer about his decision to become a woman, and whether the much loved avocado should become extinct.
61 min
502
About Lightning Edition
Stephen Metcalf, Julia Turner, and Mike Pesca discuss the Iranian film About Elly, Gwyneth Paltrow's Goopy SNAP challenge, and movie trailers.Our sponsor this week is The Honest Company, featuring responsible and safe household products you can...
61 min
503
'Tates and Sass Edition
Stephen Metcalf, Julia Turner, and Dana Stevens discuss Noah Baumbach's latest film "While We're Young," the annotation website Genius with Slate's Katy Waldman, and the post-Civil War paths of Grant and Lee with Slate's Jamelle Bouie.
56 min
504
Bald Guys Fighting Edition (Ad Free by Slate Plus)
Stephen Metcalf, Julia Turner, and Dana Stevens discuss the Fast and Furious movie franchise, casting director Allison Jones, and the culture of public shaming on the internet.
50 min
505
Fluffy Karaoke Chicken Bites Dog Edition
Stephen Metcalf, Julia Turner, and Dana Stevens discuss the film White God, fading charm with Simon Doonan, and go on a karaoke crawl with Slate's Dan Kois.
67 min
506
The Scamp Stamp Edition
Stephen Metcalf, Julia Turner, and Dana Stevens discuss the HBO documentary It's Me, Hilary, Jacob Rubin's Slate piece on the art of celebrity impressions, and Laura Kipnis' essay about teacher-student relationships, "Sexual Paranoia Strikes...
72 min
507
America's One Night Stand with Robin Thicke Edi...
Julia Turner, Dana Stevens, Jessica Winter discuss the "Blurred Lines" jury verdict with Slate contributor Chris Molanphy, Snapchat Discover with Slate's Will Oremus, and alternative titles.
57 min
508
Woodshedding Edition
Dana Stevens, June Thomas, and Dan Kois discuss Netflix's Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, television opening credits, and whether it's stupid decision to get an MFA.
58 min
509
There is No Wrong Way to Use a Margarita Pool E...
Stephen Metcalf, Julia Turner, and Dana Stevens discuss FOX's new TV show The Last Man on Earth, Knausgaard's travel writing, and the fuss about the dress.
56 min
510
Decapitated Swan Dress Edition
Stephen Metcalf, Julia Turner, and Dana Stevens along with Carl Wilson review the Oscars, Bjork's latest album, and weigh in on the audiophile debate.Our sponsors today: Netflix, presenting season three of House of Cards. Starring Kevin Spacey and...
59 min
511
Red Room of Pain Edition
Stephen Metcalf, Julia Turner, and Dana Stevens discuss 50 Shades of Grey, the legacy of Jon Stewart with Slate's Jamelle Bouie, and misogny on the red carpet.
60 min
512
Ass Over Teakettle Edition
Stephen Metcalf, Julia Turner, and Dana Stevens discuss Breaking Bad's much anticipated spinoff Better Call Saul, Damien Chazelle’s film Whiplash, and the ethics surrounding the release of Harper Lee’s new book, Go Set a Watchman.
52 min
513
Nice Singlet Edition
Stephen Metcalf, Julia Turner, and Dana Stevens discuss the film Foxcatcher and its Best Picture Oscar snub, Sleater-Kinney's latest album with music writer Jack Hamilton, and the best of the worst Super Bowl ads with Seth Stevenson. Help us make...
51 min
514
Whiteout Conditions Edition
Stephen Metcalf, Julia Turner, and Dana Stevens discuss the film American Sniper, Jonathan Chait's article "Not a Very P.C. Thing to Say," and get a report from Sundance from Slate's Forrest Wickman and Aisha Harris.
58 min
515
We'll Be a Little Late This Week
In which Julia explains that we were delayed by this week's storm, and we'll post the show a little later on Wednesday.
0 min
516
Tales from the Decrypt Edition
Stephen Metcalf, Julia Turner, and Dana Stevens discuss the film The Imitation Game, HBO's Togetherness, and Celine's new It Girl, Joan Didion.
49 min
517
The Expensive Speech Edition
Stephen Metcalf, Julia Turner, and Dana Stevens discuss the Martin Luther King, Jr. biopic Selma, the culture of protest in today's internet world, and Merriam Webster's updated online edition with Slate writer Stefan Fatsis.
64 min
518
The Great Brio of the Buoy Edition
Stephen Metcalf, Julia Turner, and Dana Stevens discuss the biopic of the great Victorian painter J.M.W. Turner, the TV show Empire, and D'Angelo's Black Messiah.
52 min
519
New Theme Song Edition
Stephen Metcalf, Julia Turner, and Dana Stevens visit the studio of composer Nicholas Britell to hear his musical interpretations of their theme song desires and then choose a new theme song for the show.
55 min
520
Behold! Ignorance and Want Edition
Stephen Metcalf, Julia Turner, and Dana Stevens discuss the Sony Pictures hack, Hollywood film franchises, and favorite Christmas movies.
53 min
521
I'm a Lumberjack and I'm OK Edition
Dana Stevens, Julia Turner, and David Haglund discuss Chris Rock's latest movie Top Five, the Seven Wonders of the Modern World with Slate's Daniel Gross, and what the lumbersexual says about masculinity.Visit our sponsors: Blue Bottle Coffee at...
58 min
522
Rock, Paper, Scissors Edition
Stephen Metcalf, Julia Turner, and Dana Stevens take a field trip to MoMA to see the Henri Matisse exhibit, discuss the film Wild, and reveal the best second novels you'll read this year.
78 min
523
Culture Gabfest Extra: Pasadena, Here We Come
Three Culturefesters drive around Los Angeles toward a secret destination used in an '80s summer blockbuster
15 min
524
"How Could You?" Edition
Stephen Metcalf, Julia Turner, and Dana Stevens discuss the Cosby scandal with Grantland writer Wesley Morris, the legacy of director Mike Nichols, and the cultural things the Gabbers are thankful for this year.
58 min
525
The Superfest East, Live in Brooklyn Edition
Culturefest joins the Political Gabfest and Hang Up and Listen, onstage at the Music Hall of Williamsburg with emcee Dan Kois, for a blockbuster show in front of a live audience.
75 min