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Culture Gabfest

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Donald Trump
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Inside Out 2
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Timothée Chalamet
Poor Things
Say Nothing
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Kendrick Lamar

New York Times critic Dwight Garner says “The Slate Culture Gabfest is one of the highlights of my week.” The award-winning Culturefest features critics Stephen Metcalf, Dana Stevens, and Julia Turner debating the week in culture, from highbrow to pop. For more of Slate’s culture podcasts, check out the Slate Culture feed.Want more Culture Gabfest? Subscribe to Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus ep... more

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Latest Episodes

This week, Dana, Steve, and Nadira Goffe assess if we as a culture can ever really escape Neverland— namely, the gigantic and fraught legacy of Michael Jackson. They unpack the biopic Michael. Directed by Antoine Fuqua, starring Jackson’s own nephew ... more

Steve, Dana, and Julia convene once more for a rousing Gabfest. First up, it’s Mother Mary. David Lowery’s strange psychodrama centers on a pop star, played by Anne Hathaway, reuniting with her estranged friend and costume designer, played by Michael... more

Richard Pryor redefined comedy by telling the truth, even when it scorched him.Today, we’re sharing a preview of a new podcast, Big Lives, and a special episode about Pryor.

Every week, hosts Kai Wright and Emmanuel Dzotsi dig into the BBC archive t... more

On this week’s show, Dana, Steve, and Dan Kois get into cultural topics of various scales. First, they examine The Christophers, the latest film from Steven Soderbergh. The small scale two-hander starring Ian McKellen and Michaela Coel about an aging... more

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Recent Guests

Caity Weaver
Staff writer for The Atlantic
The Atlantic
Episode: Mother Troubles Edition
Kristoffer Borgli
Writer-director of Dream Scenario and The Drama
Episode: The Drama Surrounding The Drama Edition
Richard Lawson
Film critic, co-host of Critical Darlings, guest on the episode
Premier Party / Critical Darlings
Episode: James Bond’s Sexistential Retreat Edition
Imogen West-Knights
Slate writer and native Brit
Episode: Ryan Gosling’s Pet Rock Edition
Christina Cauterucci
Slate senior writer
Slate
Episode: The Creator of Derry Girls Is Back Edition
Joshua Rivera
Culture critic, author of a piece on Bad Bunny's performance
Slate
Episode: Bad Bunny Spikes the Football Edition
Clare Malone
New Yorker writer who wrote a profile on Bari Weiss
The New Yorker
Episode: Is Hamnet this Year’s Oscar Villain? Edition
Isaac Butler
Slate's go-to guy on Shakespeare and theatre
Slate
Episode: Is Hamnet this Year’s Oscar Villain? Edition
Michael Schulman
New Yorker writer and author of Oscar Wars
New Yorker
Episode: Sydney Sweeney’s Box Office Triumph Edition

Hosts

Stephen Metcalf
Host of the Culture Gabfest
Dana Stevens
Host of the Culture Gabfest
Julia Turner
Co-host of Culture Gabfest

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 850 ratings
  • Fun but pretentious

    I’ve listened to the Gabfest for a few years now and generally enjoy it even though I often disagree with their opinions. Metcalf is consistently annoying, but Isaac Butler (a frequent guest) is like nails on a chalkboard. Enjoy Stevens and Turner. They need to broaden their cultural range.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Minnesotan Independent
    United Statesa month ago
  • Simply the best

    Slate’s Culture Gabfest is so well conceived, curated

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    QuiteStewed
    United States2 months ago
  • Why do smart people provoke hatred?

    The show is the best of its kind, nobody else comes close. The vitriol against Stephen Metcalf is irrational, completely unsupported, and typical of people who get freaked out when someone truly smart expresses themselves. Stephen is one of the best public intellectuals around these days, and I am grateful I get to hear him each week. There is nothing even slightly snobbish about him. Quite the opposite. He is self-critical, perhaps to a fault. Keep on keeping on Steve!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Thursby Allendon
    United States5 months ago
  • Best culture review podcast for me

    Everyone has an opinion and mine is I really enjoy this podcast, perhaps because it’s hosted by people of my generation. They cover things that normally would not fall into my lap. I love it best when the 3 hosts are together and when they don’t agree unanimously. If they are what some claim too highbrow or pretentious, then lay some of that highbrowiness on me! That’s what I’m here for, a little cultural enlightenment by people who feel like friends if my friends had cultural awareness.🤣

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    1993F150
    United States5 months ago
  • Are weekly episodes behind the paywall now?

    I’ve listened to both Gabfest podcasts for years. This week the Culture Gabfest seems to be posted behind the Slate Plus Paywall. Has the release schedule changed? Or is this the end of an era?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    smcnall
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Positive feedback often highlights consistent quality and guest diversity, though a few reviews note moments of perceived elitism or snappiness.
Broad praise for high-level cultural analysis and engaging host chemistry.
Some critics feel the show can be highbrow or insular, with occasional sharp disagreements.
Listeners appreciate depth, wit, and the mix of topics across film, books, and TV.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Creator of Derry Girls Is Back Edition
Q: What did you make of this unusual movie?
Dana felt it was original but criticized it for being jumbled and unfocused, particularly in its ending.
Bad Bunny Spikes the Football Edition
Q: What is the main theme of the film 'If I Had Legs I'd Kick You'?
It tells the story of a mother facing overwhelming challenges while caring for her daughter, highlighting the difficulty of balancing parenting and personal struggles.
Bad Bunny Spikes the Football Edition
Q: What was striking about Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime performance?
It was technically impressive, blended cultural pride with a critique of political issues, and featured artistic details that resonated deeply with viewers.
The Timothée Chalamet vs. the Blue Aliens Edition
Q: Why does Avatar lack cultural impact compared to franchises like Star Wars?
The characters in Avatar are not very interesting or memorable, leading to a lack of cultural engagement.
The Timothée Chalamet vs. the Blue Aliens Edition
Q: What did you make of the latest installment of Avatar?
I really liked this movie, with a new villain who steals the show and complex character interactions.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Culture Gabfest

What is Culture Gabfest about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Culture-focused critical panel featuring long-running discussions on film, books, television, and wider culture, anchored by three seasoned hosts. Episodes span highbrow and pop culture, with guests from major outlets (Slate, The New Yorker) providing expert takes on current releases, performances, and cultural trends, along with thoughtful debates about journalism, media, and the industry landscape. The show is known for rigorous analysis, lively disagreement, and a willingness to treat both prestige projects and mainstream entertainment with equal scrutiny. A notable strength is the balance between sharp, well-spoken hosts and high-profile guests, which often yields nuanced perspectives across a broad cultural spectrum. This mix, along wi... more

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How many subscribers and views does Culture Gabfest have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Culture Gabfest has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Culture Gabfest?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Culture Gabfest:

1. Slate Culture Feed
2. Political Gabfest
3. Critics at Large | The New Yorker
4. Pop Culture Happy Hour
5. Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia

How many episodes of Culture Gabfest are there?

Culture Gabfest launched 7 years ago and published 971 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Culture Gabfest?

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What guests have appeared on Culture Gabfest?

Recent guests on Culture Gabfest include:

1. Caity Weaver
2. Kristoffer Borgli
3. Richard Lawson
4. Imogen West-Knights
5. Christina Cauterucci
6. Joshua Rivera
7. Clare Malone
8. Isaac Butler

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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