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In this week's Culture Gabfest, Dana Stevens and guest critics John Swansburg and June Thomas analyze the new activist viral video Kony 2012. Next, they cast their vote on Game Change, HBO’s new docudrama about the 2008 election. Finally, the Gabfesters discuss Werner Herzog’s new documentary series for Investigation Discovery, On Death Row. 

Here are some links to the things we discussed this week:

The original Kony 2012 video.
Slate’s Michael Moran on the Kony controversy.
Slate’s Brian Palmer asks why the Central African Republic has such a dull name.
A Ugandan professor’s warning about the Kony 2012 hysteria, at Al Jazeera.
Jezebel’s report on Invisible Children and the Christian Right.
The Guardian’s full coverage of Kony 2012.
Kony 2012’s viral success has already inspired a parody video and drinking game.
Invisible Children’s official site.
Slate’s Troy Patterson on Game Change.
Slate’s “XX Factor” asks if the real Sarah Palin is right about the Game Change film.
The New York Times’ review of Game Change.
MSNBC’s interview with Steve Schmidt.
The New York Times’ review of On Death Row.
The A.V. Club’s review of Werner Herzog’s On Death Row.
The Hollywood Reporter’s interview with Werner Herzog.
Indiewire’s report on the execution of George Rivas, one of Herzog’s On Death Row subjects.
Investigation Discovery’s official site for On Death Row.

The Culture Gabfest weekly endorsements:

John’s pick: Andre Dubus III’s memoir Townie.
June’s pick: Christina Alger’s novel The Darlings.
Dana’s pick: The Dardenne Brothers’ latest film The Kid With a Bike.

Outro: Clip from Kony 2012

You can email us at culturefest@slate.com.

This podcast was produced by Krishnan Vasudevan. Our intern is Matt Sigl.

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