Longlegs Has Legs

Longlegs Has Legs

Author: Slate Podcasts July 17, 2024 Duration: 1:00:24

On this week’s show, the panel begins by dissecting Longlegs, director Osgood Perkin’s viral horror movie starring Nicolas Cage that’s sweeping the box office. Aided by a clever marketing campaign, Longlegs is undoubtedly the summer’s “you gotta see it” horror flick, but does the Silence of the Lambs copycat live up to the hype? Then, the three jump (or is it herkie?) into Greg Whiteley’s latest docuseries, America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, which follows the Texan squad from auditions through the grueling NFL season, revealing a quietly devastating portrait of worker exploitation and modern femininity along the way. Finally, the trio is joined by Slate critic Laura Miller to parse through an extreme controversy in the literary world: Last week, Alice Munro’s daughter, Andrea Skinner, published an Op-Ed in the Toronto Star detailing the sexual abuse she suffered as a young girl at the hands of her stepfather – abuse that the Nobel Prize-winning author had known about, but chose to ignore. (Read Laura’s essay for Slate; check out the Star’s reported piece.)

In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, the panel rips into Longlegs and all of its glorious plot holes in a classic spoiler special. 

Email us at culturefest@slate.com

Endorsements:

Stephen: Dodie Smith’s I Capture the Castle and this essay by Anna Leskiewicz for The New York Review: “The Small-Girl’s Proust.”

Dana: In honor of Shelley Duvall (who passed away last week), a two-part endorsement: (1) Austin Film Society’s tribute to Duvall, which premiered at the 2020 Texas Film Awards. (2) Watching a Shelley Duvall movie that’s new to you! (Dana suggests Brewster McCloud directed by Robert Altman.)

Julia: A special Scandi-Candy report: (1) Norway’s national candy, Kvikk Lunsj, which carries the reputation of a Snickers bar in that part of the world and sports the Fjellvettreglene (Norwegian for “the mountain code”) on the wrapper’s back. (2) Fredag Slik, or “Friday sweets,” a Danish tradition where families head to the candy store together at the end of the week.

Podcast production by Jared Downing. Production assistance by Kat Hong.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


Each week, the lively and insightful critics of Culture Gabfest gather to dissect what’s happening across the cultural landscape. Hosted by Stephen Metcalf, Dana Stevens, and Julia Turner, the conversation flows effortlessly from the latest film releases and television phenomena to books, music, and broader artistic debates, blending highbrow analysis with genuine pop enthusiasm. Their dynamic is less a formal review and more like eavesdropping on a brilliant, sometimes heated, coffee chat between friends who happen to be experts. You’ll hear them grapple with the nuances of a challenging new series, champion an overlooked artist, or passionately disagree about a blockbuster’s merits, all with a sharp wit and deep knowledge that clarifies your own thinking. This Slate Podcasts production has become an essential weekly ritual for many, praised by voices like New York Times critic Dwight Garner for its consistent intelligence and engaging rapport. For those who can’t get enough, a Slate Plus subscription offers ad-free listening and additional bonus segments, extending the discussion even further. Tuning into this podcast feels like getting a curated, conversational briefing on everything that matters in arts and entertainment, delivered with a personal touch that reminds you why culture is worth talking about in the first place.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 862

Culture Gabfest
Podcast Episodes
The Culture Gabfest: Hump the Host Edition [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:12
Slate's Dana Stevens, Stephen Metcalf and June Thomas discuss the Broadway revival of "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?", the life and death of Aaron Swartz and the bigtime Oscar contender "Lincoln." Hosted on Acast. See…
The Culture Gabfest: First, We Kill All the Cats Edition [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:43
Slate critics Stephen Metcalf, Dana Stevens and Julia Turner discuss the song "Thrift Shop" with Jody Rosen, unpack Dana's coined phrase "artisenal horror" and discuss the end of cats. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priv…
Slate Culture Gabfest: This is an Aztec Sacrifice of my Time Edition [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:31
Slate critics Stephen Metcalf, Dana Stevens and Julia Turner discuss 'Zero Dark Thirty,' celebrity journalism and remember Pauline Phillips a.k.a. 'Dear Abby' with Slate columnist Emily Yoffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.c…
The Culture Gabfest: Falling Off the Treadmill, Vomiting Edition [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:41
Slate critics Stephen Metcalf, Dana Stevens, Julia Turner and columnist Daniel Engber discuss their favorite movies of 2012, NBC's "The Biggest Loser," and the decline of the shopping mall. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com…
The Culture Gabfest: Plodding Recitative Edition [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:03
Slate critics Stephen Metcalf, Dana Stevens, Julia Turner and Aisha Harris discuss the new Quentin Tarantino film "Django Unchained," the film adaptation of "Les Miserables," and the website Quora. Hosted on Acast. See a…
The Culture Gabfest: First Time, Long Time Edition [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:39
Slate critics Stephen Metcalf, Dana Stevens and Julia Turner respond to questions from listeners on a wide range of topics, including the Psy hit "Gangnam Style," what defines a great acting performance, and their favori…
The Culture Gabfest: Trapped in a Glass Box with Dwarves Edition [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:26
Slate critics Stephen Metcalf, Dana Stevens, Julia Turner and Dan Engber discuss Peter Jackson's new film adaptation of The Hobbit, the hit reality show Duck Dynasty, and the 50th anniversary of the Myers-Briggs personal…