Culture Gabfest

“Mile High, Inch Deep” Edition

Slate Culture Gabfest on Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, The Flight Attendant, and Disney.

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Episode Notes

This week Steve and Dana are joined by guest host Nichole Perkins, writer, poet, and host of the Thirst Aid Kit podcast. First they discuss the new film adaptation of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, which stars Viola Davis and features Chadwick Boseman in his final role. Then they weigh in on the HBO Max mystery thriller The Flight Attendant. After that, Vulture writer Mark Harris joins the show to talk about Disney’s rapid growth and what it means for the movie industry.

In Slate Plus, the hosts talk about which historical performances they wish they could witness.

Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Rachael Allen.

Outro Music: “Go Slow” by Daniel Fridell

Endorsements

Dana: From Dana’s “Best Movies of 2020” list: Steven Soderbergh’s Let Them All Talk

Nichole: Danielle Evans’ The Office of Historical Corrections

Steve: Liz Harris’ Grouper, specifically the album Dragging a Dead Deer Up a Hill

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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.

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Hosts

  • Dana Stevens is Slate’s movie critic.

  • Nichole Perkins is a writer and co-host of the podcasts Thirst Aid Kit and the Waves.

  • Stephen Metcalf is Slate’s critic at large. He is working on a book about the 1980s.