Culture Gabfest

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 Gabfest” in Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the early 1990's Bart Simpson became a breakout star while also becoming a target in the culture war, culminating in president George HW Bush speaking out against The Simpsons as an example of a degenerate American family. Today on Decoder Ring we try and figure out why the H-E double hockey sticks people were so worked up about Bart Simpson by examining the great underachiever t-shirt controversy, bootleg Bart merchandise, the rise of the religious right, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Slate Money is obsessed with Succession, HBO’s wonderful drama about the lives of the superrich Roy family, so every Monday we’ll be discussing the previous night’s episode with spoiler-filled glee. This week, Felix Salmon and Emily Peck are joined by Lizzie O’Leary and John Collins to speculate on the “blood sacrifice”, analyze Roman’s newfound competency and reveal which Roy Family member they are. ‘Shiv Roy’s Turtlenecks Will Destroy You’ by Emilia Petrarca  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, Dana Stevens, Forrest Wickman and Sam Adams discuss Joker. Though this bleak origin story is a departure from the traditional DC superhero movies, Arthur Fleck’s (Joaquin Phoenix) descent from mentally ill clown to murderous villain is clichéd and uncomfortable to watch. But is it just one bad day that leads Arthur down this path? Or is it a consequence of broken system failing to help someone in need? This show is sponsored by Cloud 10 Click Here to Download: The Daily Popcast with Lance Bass    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you like your comedy packaged in a bundle of silly, offbeat joy, then this week’s Thirst Object should appeal. We’re talking about Oscar-nominated director, writer and actor Taika Waititi. The lesser-spotted New Zealand silver-haired fox knows that going through the funny bone is the best way to our hearts — and brings a child-like glee to filmmaking that makes us want to go on an adventure with him.  Plus! We have Fanfic Wars, in which Nichole goes on a frightfest, and Bim enjoys baked goods. And we kick things off with a [REDACTED] to wet the whistle. ::eyes emoji:: Follow us on Twitter @ThirstAidKit. Nichole is @tnwhiskeywoman and Bim is @bimadew and. Find show notes, fanfic, and more on our Tumblr at thirstaidkitpodcast.tumblr.com. Share your drabbles with us there or email them to us at thirstaidkit@slate.com. Our music is by Tanya Morgan. Thirst responsibly — don’t forget to wear headphones! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Slate Money is obsessed with Succession, HBO’s wonderful drama about the lives of the superrich Roy family, so every Monday we’ll be discussing the previous night’s episode with spoiler-filled glee. This week, Felix Salmon and Emily Peck are joined by Sarah Ellison and Gabe Roth to discuss Kendall’s new lady, the plot against Rhea and, of course, “Ken WA”. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the mid-1980s, Janet Jackson broke away from her world-famous, hit-making family and, with her Control album, rebooted both her career and pop style in the New Jack Swing era. The challenge was following it up—and Jackson and her producers, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, didn’t make it easy on themselves. In 1989, they produced an ambitious album with a portentous title: Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814. But what could have been Control, Part 2 instead was a visionary LP that reinvented the socially conscious album from the era of Marvin Gaye for the ’90s, and envisioned what pop would eventually sound like in the 21st century. Rhythm Nation was a smash, generating more hits—and bigger hits—than any album in history. In fact, if Jackson and her label hadn’t pulled their punches with one final radio single, she could have set an all-time Billboard chart record that would have overshadowed any of the Jackson family’s historic achievements. Podcast production by Chris Berube. HostChris Molanphy Follow @cmolanph

We’re back, thirst-buckets! We were away for nine months, gestating this thirst baby, and now we have returned… and named it Dan Levy! The co-creator and showrunner of the Emmy-nominated comedy Schitt’s Creek is our Thirst Object, and we have lots to talk about: his forever-coiffed hair, his intense eyebrows (inherited from his equally lushly-follicled father Eugene), his smirk, that makes us want to share secrets with him… We talk about how he actively creates a world in which homophobia is acknowledged but not made central to identity, and how kindness is the greatest aphrodisiac on earth. Yes, even greater than Keanu’s hair flop. We also did a quick rundown of what we missed during our hiatus: America’s Ass™, the eyebrows, and cheekbones of Crazy Rich Asians, and what the heck sweater-wearing Hulk would be allowed to get away with, were he to ask…  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

Slate Money is obsessed with Succession, HBO’s wonderful drama about the lives of the superrich Roy family, so every Monday we’ll be discussing the previous night’s episode with spoiler-filled glee. This week, Felix Salmon and Emily Peck are joined by Lydia Polgreen of HuffPost and her wife Candace Feit. They discuss the extremely watchable horribleness of Caroline, Logan and Rhea’s mysterious relationship and the reasoning behind of Candace’s tweet claiming that Succession is “the queerest show on tv (without any queer storylines)”.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the Spoiler Special podcast, Slate critics discuss movies, the occasional TV show, and, once in a blue moon, another podcast, in full spoiler-filled detail. This week, June Thomas and Seth Stevenson discuss Downton Abbey--the movie. It’s been four years since viewers visited the upstairs or downstairs of Downton. Much to our critics’ delight, seemingly nothing has changed, save for Lady Mary’s hairdo. As Downton Abbey prepares for the royal visitors, quips fly and schemes are afoot. But will the servants clash with the unsavory, arrogant royal retainers? And will Downton survive the visit with its dignity intact?   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Slate Money is obsessed with Succession, HBO’s wonderful drama about the lives of the superrich Roy family, so every Monday we’ll be discussing the previous night’s episode with spoiler-filled glee. This week, Felix Salmon and Emily Peck are joined by Taffy Brodesser-Akner of the New York Times. They discuss Rhea’s role in the whole succession question, the meaning of “Argestes” and the many reasons to love Gerri.  Why Isn’t Anyone Talking About Roman’s Quirky Sits on Succession? by Megh Wight Let’s Talk About the Clothes on “Succession” by Rachel Syme Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

Slate Money is obsessed with Succession, HBO’s wonderful drama about the lives of the superrich Roy family, so every Monday we’ll be discussing the previous night’s episode with spoiler-filled glee. This week, Felix Salmon and Emily Peck are joined by Jacob Weisberg, former editor of Slate, and Katie Baker of The Ringer. 'It's a Woman's World: The True Heroes of Succession" by Katie Baker Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeffrey Bloomer, Laura Bradley, and Jack Hamilton discuss It: Chapter Two. They talk about the movie’s opening anti-gay hate crime, all the bizarre changes to the adult lives of the Losers’ Club, and whether Bill Hader really has a shot at an Oscar. Jack, Slate’s resident Stephen King scholar, also explains why the author’s work is suddenly ubiquitous again. Podcast production by Phil Surkis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of How to Raise a Parent is all about the incredible things adults can achieve when we reconnect with the creativity that comes so naturally in childhood — the sense of pure possibility that seems to become diluted as we age. We’re looking to kids for creative guidance as we tap back into the vibrant imaginations and sense of play that fills and fuels childhood. To help us explore this unadulterated creativity, we talked to Danielle Krysa, an artist, author, blogger, graphic designer, and mom, and Tom Sturges, a music executive, author, teacher, and father.  Download and listen to How to Raise a Parent wherever you listen: Apple Podcasts Stitcher Overcast Spotify TuneIn Head here to learn more about this episode of How to Raise a Parent. This paid podcast is produced by Slate Studios and DairyPure®. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

Slate Money is obsessed with Succession, HBO’s wonderful drama about the lives of the superrich Roy family, so every Monday we’ll be discussing the previous night’s episode with spoiler-filled glee. This week, Felix Salmon and Emily Peck are joined by Slate’s own Allison Benedikt. Follow: @felixsalmon, @Three_Guineas,@abenedikt  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices