Culture Gabfest

Slate’s critics debate the week in culture, from highbrow to pop.

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About the Show

New York Times critic Dwight Garner says, “The Slate Culture Gabfest is one of the highlights of my week.” The award-winning Culturefest features Slate culture critics Stephen Metcalf, Dana Stevens, and Julia Turner debating the week in culture, from highbrow to pop.

Hosts

Did the Succession Finale Succeed?

This week, Stephen, Dana, and Julia discuss Succession’s final episode, You Hurt My Feelings, and the docuseries Working: What We Do All Day.

Sanctuary is No Fifty Shades of Grey

This week, Stephen and Dana are joined by Slate senior editor Rebecca Onion and music critic Chris Molanphy to discuss Sanctuary, Jury Duty, and Morgan Wallen’s hit song, “Last Night.”

“How the BlackBerry Got Squashed” Edition

Slate’s Culture Gabfest on BlackBerry, the new series Bupkis, and the questions about Shakespeare’s identity that refuse to die.

“Dead Ringers’ Gynecological Horror” Edition

Slate’s Culture Gabfest on Dead Ringers, the WGA strike, and the writing and revising of the story of digital media.

“Judy Blume Blooms Again” Edition

Slate’s Culture Gabfest on Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret., Netflix’s new series The Diplomat, and the current reality of weddings.

The Mario Movie’s Star Power

Why the Mario Bros. aren’t quite “super.”

“Beau is Afraid and Ari Aster is Unwell” Edition

Slate’s Culture Gabfest on Beau is Afraid, Hulu’s new series Tiny Beautiful Things, and the state of the music business.

“Nike Gets Its Biopic” Edition

Slate’s Culture Gabfest on shoe story Air, Netflix’ new series Beef, and the first full album from supergroup Boygenius.

“Dungeons, Dragons, and Depressed College Professors” Edition

Slate’s Culture Gabfest on Dungeons & Dragons Honor Among Thieves, the new AMC series Lucky Hank, and a recent essay by poet Maggie Smith.

“John Wick Whacks the Box Office” Edition

Slate’s Culture Gabfest on John Wick 4, the new streaming series Swarm, and why classical music is getting popular with young people.

“Daisy Jones & the Fictional Fleetwood Mac” Edition

Slate’s Culture Gabfest on the Amazon series Daisy Jones & the Six, the feature film Palm Trees and Power Lines, and why it is time to legalize sampling in music.

The Oscars Are Back, Baby!

Slate’s Culture Gabfest on the Oscars, the age of Trough TV, and the “Bold Glamour” TikTok filter.

“Creed III Delivers a Box Office Haymaker” Edition

Slate’s Culture Gabfest on Creed III, the Oscar-nominated animated short My Year of Dicks, and the history and (potentially declining) relevancy of the Oscars.

“Party Down Parties Again” Edition

Slate’s Culture Gabfest the return of the Starz comedy, Party Down. Plus, Andrea Riseborough’s Oscar-nominated performance in To Leslie, and the newest entries to the Black Film Canon.

“Marc Maron’s Grouchy Grief” Edition

Slate’s Culture Gabfest on Marc Maron’s new HBO comedy special, the Oscar-nominated Polish film EO, and the idea that people need to hang out more.

“Rihanna’s Big Super Bowl Surprise” Edition

Slate’s Culture Gabfest on Rihanna’s Super Bowl Halftime Show, the Oscar-nominated film All That Breathes, and the new mockumentary series Cunk on Earth.

“Is Shrinking the Next Ted Lasso?” Edition

Slate’s Culture Gabfest on Shrinking, the Oscar-nominated film Triangle of Sadness, and etiquette for modern times.

“Natasha Lyonne’s Poker Face” Edition

Slate’s Culture Gabfest on Poker Face, Netflix’s Oscar-nominated All Quiet on the Western Front, and the changing aesthetics of shopping.

“Women Are Talking, but Is the Academy Listening?” Edition

Slate’s Culture Gabfest on Women Talking, the reality series Traitors, and A.I. chat bots.

“Can a Video Game Really Be Turned Into a TV Show?” Edition

Slate’s Culture Gabfest on the HBO video game adaptation The Last of Us, the French film Saint Omer, and how Roald Dahl’s last great character is still evolving.