Culture Gabfest

Culture Gabfest “Sexiest Man Alive” Edition

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

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Episode Notes

This week, Steve and Dana are joined by writer extraordinaire Karen Han. First, the panel discusses Rebecca Hall’s adaptation of Nella Larsen’s novel Passing. Next, the panel dives into The Shrink Next Door. Finally, the panel talks about People’s 2021 Sexiest Man Alive, Paul Rudd. Additionally, they remember the Sexiest Man Alive’s humble beginnings.

In Slate Plus, the panel answers a classic time travel question.

Email us at culturefest@slate.com.

Endorsements

Dana: Rebecca Hall’s amazing performance in the 2016 film Christine, which centers around news reporter Christine Chubbuck.

Karen: Swedish artist Agnes’ new album, Magic Still Exists. More specifically, her song “Here Comes the Night.”

Steve: First, the entire discography of Devonté Hynes aka Blood Orange—more recently, his work on the soundtrack for Passing. Second, Nick Lowe and Daryl Hall doing a marvelous acoustic version of Lowe’s hit from the ‘70s, “Cruel to Be Kind.”

Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Nadira Goffe.

Outro music is “Edge of Life” by OTE.

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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.

  • Dana Stevens is Slate’s movie critic.

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