Culture Gabfest

Stephen Metcalf, Julia Turner, and Dana Stevens discuss Sophia Coppola's new film The Beguiled, the Netflix documentary Get Me Roger Stone, and the 10th anniversary of the iPhone.  The Slate Culture Gabfest is brought to you by Open Account, a podcast that gets personal about making, losing and living with money. Created by Umpqua Bank and hosted by SuChin Pak, download and subscribe to Open Account wherever you get your podcasts. And by Boll and Branch. Right now, get 50 dollars off your first set of sheets plus free shipping by going to BollandBranch.com and using promo code culture. And by University of California Press, publishers of Nonstop Metropolis: A New York City Atlas by Rebecca Solnit & Joshua-Jelly Schapiro. Explore New York’s hidden histories, wherever books are sold.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Elton John came out as bisexual in 1976, it was a really big deal. It was covered on the evening news. There were angry letters and a decline in sales. And for a generation of queer musicians, like George Michael, it was a lesson: Be careful what you reveal about your sex life to the public. On this episode, we look at the friendship, collaboration, and chart rivalry of the two British icons, who collided on the Billboard Hot 100 for one week in 1988—and later topped the chart together. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Julia Turner, Dana Stevens and Steven Metcalf discuss Netflix's wrestling comedy GLOW, Lorde's album Melodrama with critic Carl Wilson, and Mattel's Ken Doll reboot and if/why it's so funny.   The Slate Culture Gabfest is brought to you by Sun Basket, delivering fresh, organic ingredients and quick, healthy recipes to your door. Choose from Paleo, Gluten-Free, Vegetarian, and Family options. Find out more at SunBasket.com/culture And by Rocket Mortgage by Quicken Loans. They give you confidence when it comes to refinancing your existing mortgage or buying a home. Go to RocketMortgage.com/culture to get started.  And by AT&T. Enjoy unlimited entertainment with unlimited data from AT&T. Don’t settle for any unlimited data plan. Only the AT&T Unlimited Plus plan comes with HBO included. Learn more at att.com/unlimited.  After 22 gigabytes of data usage, AT&T may slow speeds. Credits for HBO start within two bills. Channels available subject to change.  Charges, other usage and restrictions apply. See att.com/unl

Stephen Metcalf, June Thomas, and Christina Cauterucci discuss the new horror film It Comes at Night, the TNT Niecy Nash vehicle Claws, and Beth Ditto's new album Fake Sugar.  The Culture Gabfest is brought to you by Lexus.Experience the first-ever 5.0 liter, V8 LC 500 with 10-speed Direct-Shift transmission and the first-ever Multistage Hybrid LC 500h. Experience Amazing.  And by Winc. Get wines that are tailored to your palate delivered right to your door! Go to TryWinc.com/CULTURE and you’ll receive 20 dollars off your first order, plus complimentary shipping. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dana Stevens, Stephen Metcalf, and Isaac Butler discuss the HBO documentary Mommy Dead and Dearest with journalist Michelle Dean, the Julius Caesar controversy at Shakespeare in the Park, and the philosophy storytelling podcast Hi-Phi Nation. The Slate Culture Gabfest is brought to you by I’M DYING UP HERE on Showtime, the new drama series from Jim Carrey that centers around a group of young comedians hoping to make it big in the 1970s L.A. comedy scene. Don’t miss new episodes Sundays at 10/9 Central only on SHOWTIME. Download the SHOWTIME App now to start your free trial. And by Rocket Mortgage by Quicken Loans. They give you confidence when it comes to refinancing your existing mortgage or buying a home. Go to RocketMortgage dot com/Culture to get started. And by The Black Tux. For high-quality rental suits and tuxedos delivered right to your door, go to TheBlackTux.com/Culture and you’ll receive free shipping, plus 20 dollars off your purchase. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoice

Stephen Metcalf, Julia Turner, and Dana Stevens are live from Sydney with performances and a discussion with Courtney Barnett, plus Wonder Woman and cultural stereotyping with  Michael Williams, director of The Wheeler Centre.  Culture Gabfest is brought to you by Boll and Branch. Right now, get 50 dollars off your first set of sheets plus free shipping by going to BollandBranch.com and using promo code culture. And by I’M DYING UP HERE on Showtime, the new drama series from Jim Carrey that centers around a group of young comedians hoping to make it big in the 1970s L.A. comedy scene. Don’t miss new episodes Sundays at 10 / 9 Central only on SHOWTIME. Download the SHOWTIME App now to start your free trial. And by Harry's. Harry’s is all about a great shave at a fair price. With 5 German-crafted blades, a flex-hinge, and a lubricating strip, they make the perfect Father’s Day gift. Go to Harrys.com/CULTURE right now to get $5 off one of their Shave Sets.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/ad

Julia Turner, Stephen Metcalf, and Dana Stevens are in Sydney Australia for the first of two Australian live shows! They discuss the film Baywatch, The novel and tv series The Handmaid's Tale, and the state of arts criticism with pulitzer-winning critic Sebastian Smee. The Slate Culture Gabfest is brought to you by Harrys. Get the close, comfortable shave you deserve. Sign up at Harrys.com/CULTURE, and you’ll receive their most popular Trial Set - a 13 dollar value - for FREE, you just cover the shipping. And by AT&T. Enjoy unlimited entertainment with unlimited data from AT&T. Don’t settle for any unlimited data plan. Only the AT&T Unlimited Plus plan comes with HBO included. Learn more at att.com/unlimited. After 22 gigabytes of data usage, AT&T may slow speeds. Credits for HBO start within two bills. Channels available subject to change.  Charges, other usage and restrictions apply. See att.com/unlimited for details. And by Casper, an online retailer of premium mattresses. Get 50 dollars toward any mattres

In episode two, Chris Molanphy takes a look at the historic week the Beatles swept the entire Billboard Top Five. You can see that chart right here. It’s a feat that’s never been repeated. But the Fab Four’s total domination of the pop charts was both a reflection of their massive popularity and a huge screwup by their American record label. Here’s the story of how Capitol Records nearly sabotaged the biggest rock band of all time.  Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at Slate.com/gistplus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this first episode of Slate's Conspiracy Thrillers Movie Club, Sam Adams talks with Mark Harris, journalist and author of Five Came Back, about The Manchurian Candidate, a tale of brainwashing, war, and politics that first made it on-screen in 1962 and was then re-made in 2004, with each reflecting the crises of their time. Learn more about the Conspiracy Thrillers Movie Club at slate.com/thrillers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Forrest Wickman, Aisha Harris, and Laura Bennett discuss Showtime's revival of Twin Peaks, the first black woman to star on The Bachelorette, and the Atlantic cover story, My Family's Slave. The Slate Culture Gabfest is brought to you by Winc. Get wines that are tailored to your palate delivered right to your door! Go to TryWinc.com/CULTURE and you’ll receive 20 dollars off your first order, plus complimentary shipping. And by AT&T. Enjoy unlimited entertainment with unlimited data from AT&T. Don’t settle for any unlimited data plan. Only the AT&T Unlimited Plus plan comes with HBO included. Learn more at att.com/unlimited. Legal:  After 22 gigabytes of data usage, AT&T may slow speeds. Credits for HBO start within two bills. Channels available subject to change.  Charges, other usage and restrictions apply. See att.com/unlimited for details. And by Showstopper, a new podcast from Spotify. Showstopper answers the question “how did that awesome song end up in that great show?” Listen to Showstopper and your f

Stephen Metcalf, Julia Turner, and Dana Stevens discuss Netflix's Anne of Green Gables reboot Anne With an E, the face-changing app FaceApp, and Caity Weaver's GQ profile of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. The Slate Culture Gabfest is brought to you by Boll and Branch. Right now, get 50 dollars off your first set of sheets plus free shipping by going to BollandBranch.com and using promo code CULTURE. And by Rocket Mortgage from Quicken Loans. When it comes to the big decision of choosing a mortgage lender, work with one that has your best interests in mind. Use Rocket Mortgage for a transparent, trustworthy home loan process that’s completely online at QuickenLoans.com/CULTURE. And by by Squarespace. Start building your website today! Go to Squarespace.com and use offer code CULTURE to get 10 percent off your first purchase of a website or domain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dana Stevens, Stephen Metcalf, and John Swansburg discuss the new Starz series American Gods, the book Killers of the Flower Moon with author David Grann, and Dove's "Real Beauty" bottle campaign. The Slate Culture Gabfest is brought to you by Lexus. Experience the first-ever Lexus LC. With a 5.0-liter V8, 10-speed Direct-Shift transmission and near-perfect weight distribution, it’s a feat of amazing. The LC 500 and LC 500 Hybrid. Experience Amazing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dana Stephens, Stephen Metcalf, and Julia Turner discuss the work of the late Jonathan Demme, the new film Tramps with director Adam Leon, and Bret Stephens' recent New York Times op-ed about climate change. The Slate Culture Gabfest is brought to you by Rocket Mortgage from Quicken Loans. When it comes to the big decision of choosing a mortgage lender, work with one that has your best interests in mind. Use Rocket Mortgage for a transparent, trustworthy home loan process that’s completely online at QuickenLoans.com/Culture And by The Black Tux. For high-quality rental suits and tuxedos delivered right to your door, go to TheBlackTux.com/culture and you’ll receive free shipping both ways, plus 20 dollars off your purchase.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this debut episode, Chris Molanphy tells the story of “Red, Red Wine”: a song written in the 1960s by a certain journeyman singer-songwriter who loves a Hot August Night. Improbably, it became a reggae song, before the ’60s were even over—and then, even more improbably,  in the 1980s it was transformed into a lilting, toasting reggae-pop global smash. And it would have been a flop in America if it hadn’t been for an enterprising deejay, who ignored the record labels and picked his own hits. With this song, he even started a two-year fad and a radio mutiny. Make sure you never miss an episode of Hit Parade.  Subscribe to the Culture Gabfest wherever you get your podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Julia Turner, Dana Stevens, and Stephen Metcalf are joined at the Hamilton Theater in Washington D.C. by Face the Nation's John Dickerson and Slate's Jamelle Bouie to talk Fate of the Furious, Bob Dylan's singing voice, and their favorite Washington D.C. movies. The Culture Gabfest is brought to you by Boll and Branch. Right now, get 50 dollars off your first set of sheets plus free shipping by going to BollandBranch.com and using promo code culture. And by Green Mountain Coffee. Green Mountain Coffee is passionate about making a smoother tasting cup. Try it today with $4 off, when you buy two boxes of most Green Mountain Coffee K-Cup pods at keurig.com with code TRYGMC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stephen Metcalf, Julia Turner, and Dana Stevens discuss the new documentary Five Came Back with creator Mark Harris, the end of the show Girls with The New Yorker's Jia Tolentino, and the United Airlines fiasco with Laura Miller. The Slate Culture Gabfest is brought to you by Rocket Mortgage from Quicken Loans. When it comes to the big decision of choosing a mortgage lender, work with one that has your best interests in mind. Use Rocket Mortgage for a transparent, trustworthy home loan process that’s completely online at QuickenLoans.com/Culture And by Texture. Texture lets you stay up to date with your favorite magazines...all in one place. Right now, get a 14-day FREE TRIAL when you sign up by going to Texture.com/culture. And by Green Mountain Coffee. Green Mountain Coffee is passionate about making a smoother tasting cup. Try it today with $4 off, when you buy two boxes of most Green Mountain Coffee K-Cup pods at keurig.com with code TRYGMC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dana Stevens, Julia Turner, and Stephen Metcalf discuss the new Anne Hathaway film Colossus, Andy Daly's Comedy Central sitcom Review, and Pepsi's recent ad controversy. The Slate Culture Gabfest is brought to you by ThirdLove, the lingerie brand using real women’s measurements to design better-fitting bras. Try one of their best-selling bras for free for 30 days by visiting thirdlove.com/culture And by Casper, an online retailer of premium mattresses. Get 50 dollars toward any mattress purchase by going to Casper.com/culture and using the promo code culture. And by The Black Tux. For high-quality rental suits and tuxedos delivered right to your door, go to TheBlackTux.com/culture and you’ll receive free shipping both ways, plus 20 dollars off your purchase. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stephen Metcalf, Julia Turner, and special guest David Plotz of the Slate Political Gabfest discuss the new podcast S-Town, the film Ghost in the Shell with Represent host Aisha Harris, and the controversy surrounding Vice President Pence and his self-imposed rules around women. Culture Gabfest is brought to you by Boll and Branch. Right now, get 50 dollars off your first set of sheets plus free shipping by going to BollandBranch.com and using promo code culture. And by ThirdLove, the lingerie brand using real women’s measurements to design better-fitting bras. Try one of their best-selling bras for free for 30 days by visiting thirdlove.com/culture And by Rocket Mortgage from Quicken Loans. When it comes to the big decision of choosing a mortgage lender, work with one that has your best interests in mind. Use Rocket Mortgage for a transparent, trustworthy home loan process that’s completely online at QuickenLoans.com/culture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

June Thomas, Willa Paskin, and Laura Miller discuss Disney's live-action Beauty and the Beast and To Walk Invisible, the new drama about the Brontë sister, plus an interview with Alison Wright of The Americans, Feud, and her recent Broadway debut, Sweat. Culture Gabfest is brought to you by Texture. Texture lets you stay up to date with your favorite magazines...all in one place. Right now, get a 14-day FREE TRIAL when you sign up by going to Texture.com/culture. And by Green Mountain Coffee. Green Mountain Coffee is passionate about making a smoother tasting cup. Try it today with $4 off, when you buy two boxes of most Green Mountain Coffee K-Cup pods at keurig.com with code TRYGMC. and by Squarespace. Start building your website today! Go to Squarespace.com and use offer code culture to get 10 percent off your first purchase of a website or domain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Julia Turner, Gabriel Roth, and Willa Paskin discuss the new film Personal Shopper, the legacy of Chuck Berry with the New York Times Magazine's Jody Rosen, and the sale of Us Weekly with the hosts of the podcast Who Weekly. The Slate Culture Gabfest is brought to you by Rocket Mortgage from Quicken Loans. When it comes to the big decision of choosing a mortgage lender, work with one that has your best interests in mind. Use Rocket Mortgage for a transparent, trustworthy home loan process that’s completely online at QuickenLoans.com/culture And by Squarespace. Start building your website today! Go to Squarespace.com and use offer code CULTURE to get 10 percent off your first purchase of a website or domain. And by KAYAK.com. Traveling is exciting, but planning travel can be confusing. KAYAK takes the confusion out of planning travel by showing you your options on flights, hotels and rental cars from across the web. Get the information you need with KAYAK. Travel Problem Solved. Learn more about your ad choic