Culture Gabfest

“It’s Brutal Out Here” Edition

Slate Culture Gabfest on Cruella, The Underground Railroad, and Olivia Rodrigo.

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Episode Notes

This week Steve is joined by Slate senior editor Allegra Frank and Slate staff writer Karen Han. The group first discusses Cruella, starring Emma Stone. Next, they discuss the television adaption of Colson Whitehead’s novel The Underground Railroad. Finally, the group is joined by Slate’s Hit Parade host Chris Molanphy to dive into Olivia Rodrigo’s breakout album Sour.

In Slate Plus, the panel shares their experiences going back to movie theaters.

Email us at culturefest@slate.com

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

Outro music: “I Want a Change” by The Big Let Down

Endorsements

Allegra: Doomin’ Sun by Bachelor, Jay Som, & Palehound

Karen: The perfume company Snif

Steve: Robyn Hitchcock & Emma Swift’s cover of “Motion Pictures” by Neil Young

Further Reading

“Cruella Shouldn’t Work, but It Mostly Does” by Karen Han for Slate

“Why Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘Good 4 U’ Is Rock’s First Hot 100 No.1 in Years” by Chris Molanphy for Slate

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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

  • Karen Han is a former Slate staff writer. Her writing on film, TV, and culture has also appeared in the New York Times, Vulture, Vanity Fair, the Atlantic, and Vice.

  • Allegra Frank is the deputy entertainment editor at the Daily Beast.

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