Culture Gabfest

The Culture Gabfest “Too Good to Last” Edition

Slate’s Culture Gabfest on Battle of the Sexes, remembering Tom Petty, and the works of John McPhee.

Listen to Culture Gabfest No. 472 with Stephen Metcalf, Dana Stevens, and Julia Turner with the audio player below.

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This week, the critics discuss the new movie Battle of the Sexes, about the famous tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, and debate whether it accurately represents its historical moment. Then, Chris Molanphy joins the conversation to remember the late musician Tom Petty, his legacy, his talent for writing opening lines, and much more. Finally, Sam Anderson stops by to discuss his recent profile on one of the greatest nonfiction writers alive, John McPhee, in the New York Times Magazine. The gabbers discuss which of McPhee’s works have inspired them and whether McPhee’s new book is actually helpful writing advice.

Links to some of the things we discussed this week:

Endorsements

Dana: The podcast Talking Buster Keaton

Julia: The music video for “Into the Great Wide Open” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

Stephen: Richard “Groove” Holmes’ albums Groovin’ With Jug and After Hours, and his friend Andy’s pop-up microbar at 2175 Market St.

Outro: “Living Soul” by Richard “Groove” Holmes

You can email us at culturefest@slate.com.

This podcast was produced by Benjamin Frisch. Our intern is Daniel Schroeder.

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