Culture Gabfest

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

Advertisement

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

Culture Gabfest “Into the Woods” Edition

Slate’s Culture Gabfest on Spencer, Yellowjackets, and the life and legacy of Broadway genius Stephen Sondheim.

Culture Gabfest “Hello, It’s Still Me” Edition

Slate’s Culture Gabfest on King Richard, Adele’s new album 30, and the comic book The Department of Truth.

Culture Gabfest “Sexiest Man Alive” Edition

Slate’s Culture Gabfest on Passing, The Shrink Next Door, and People’s Sexiest Man Alive.

Culture Gabfest “Eternals Return of the Same” Edition

Slate’s Culture Gabfest on Marvel’s Eternals, Succession Season 3, and the controversy surrounding Critical Race Theory.

Culture Gabfest “Dancing Queen” Edition

Slate’s Culture Gabfest on Last Night in Soho, ABBA’s newest album Voyage, and this year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Culture Gabfest “Maid in Arrakis” Edition

Slate’s Culture Gabfest on Dune, Maid, and the IATSE strike and tragedy on the set of Rust.

Culture Gabfest “I’ll Be Your Mirror” Edition

Slate’s Culture Gabfest on Todd Haynes’ new documentary The Velvet Underground, Midnight Mass, and the controversy surrounding comedian Dave Chappelle.

Culture Gabfest “Bad Art Friend, Where Are You?” Edition

Slate’s Culture Gabfest on Sally Rooney’s newest novel Beautiful World, Where Are You?, Reservation Dogs, and a greater discussion of literary responsibility in the viral article “Who Is the Bad Art Friend?”

Culture Gabfest “Squids, Women, and Chainsaws” Edition

Slate’s Culture Gabfest on Titane, Squid Game, and the horror genre trope of the Final Girl.

Culture Gabfest “Buttery Soft Leggings” Edition

Slate’s Culture Gabfest on Cry Macho, LuLaRich, and the eBook.

Culture Gabfest “Who Butchered the Goat?” Edition

Slate’s Culture Gabfest on Netflix’s Kate, Hulu’s Nine Perfect Strangers, and the 2021 Emmy Awards.

Culture Gabfest “Lash, Pre-Lash, and Parasocial Relations” Edition

Slate’s Culture Gabfest on The Card Counter, Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building, and how John Mulaney inspired a wider discussion on parasocial relationships.

Culture Gabfest “10 Rings, 12 Minutes, and 20 Years” Edition

Slate’s Culture Gabfest on Shang-Chi, Spike Lee’s 9/11 docuseries, and the star-studded video game 12 Minutes.

“Say Their Names” Edition

Slate Culture Gabfest on Candyman, Netflix’s The Chair, and Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts.

“Flying Puppet Baby” Edition

Slate Culture Gabfest on Annette, The Pursuit of Love, and the board game Wingspan.

“One Year in the Dungeon” Edition

Slate Culture Gabfest on CODA, Boyfriend Dungeon, and the Slate podcast One Year.

“Summer Strut” Edition

Slate Culture Gabfest on the songs of the summer.

Heads Are Gonna Roll

The Culture Gabfest on The Green Knight, Billie Eilish’s new album, and Scarlett Johansson’s lawsuit.

“Capitalist Pigs” Edition

Slate Culture Gabfest on Pig, White Lotus, and The Plot Thickens: The Devil’s Candy.

“Deepfake” Edition

Slate Culture Gabfest on Roadrunner, Schmigadoon, and Landslide.