When an actor opens their mouth to sing in a movie, chances are high that the voice you hear will be their own. Even in music biopics, movie stars without much singing experience regularly go to great lengths to impersonate the most beloved vocalists of our time. Why not simply play Johnny Cash or Bruce Springsteen’s actual recordings, the reasons why we car ... Show More
Nov 19
How Protein Muscled Its Way to the Top
Americans are currently besotted with protein. It’s touted as being good for muscle growth, weight loss, skincare, mental acuity, longevity, and much else besides. It’s sold to men, women, children, the elderly— you can even buy protein for your pets. The protein supplement marke ... Show More
44m 50s
Nov 12
The Slate Culture Gift Guide
Hark, the holiday season is upon us—and with it the most solemn of festive traditions: a gift guide! In this video and podcast special, Slate hosts Dana Stevens, Chris Molanphy, and Willa Paskin beam-in from their collective hearths to deliver unto the internet their favorite gif ... Show More
49m 44s
Nov 5
Cozy Autumn Mysteries
Autumn may have more cozy signifiers than any other season—though we all have our own favorites. Maybe for you it’s sweater weather, football games, spooky season, apple picking, leaf peeping, or mainlining candy corn. Whatever it is, in today’s episode we’re looking closely at t ... Show More
55m 1s
Nov 2024
Culture chat: ‘Wicked’ hits the high notes
Today, we’re taking on the much-hyped film adaptation of the musical smash Wicked. Starring Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo and Jeff Goldblum, the story is a loose prequel to The Wizard of Oz, following its two star witches before they become Glinda the Good Witch and the Wicked Wit ... Show More
28m 39s
Feb 2017
Oscar Week!: La La Land ft. Genevieve Koski
With the Academy Awards around the corner, Charlie and Nate try something new: a break down of the movie musical La La Land through two of its key songs, "City of Stars" and "Start a Fire." These numbers, one by composer Justin Hurwitz, the other by Hurwitz and John Legend, might ... Show More
51m 38s
Aug 2024
163: The Show (Boat) Must Go On: Broadway and the American Musical
“Miller, Lyles, and I were standing near the exit door . . . Blake stuck out there in front, leading the orchestra—his bald head would get the brunt of the tomatoes and rotten eggs.” This is the story of American musical theater and the dawn of modern Broadway. Popular entertainm ... Show More
59m 46s
May 2024
Hollywood Spirituality: The Case of Jay Shetty
Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian, Tom Holland, Michelle Obama — these are just some of the celebrities who’ve fallen under the spell of Jay Shetty, the former monk whose journey to digital superstardom has recently come under fire. Peel back the Instagram filters and you’ll start t ... Show More
33m 53s
Nov 2024
Is Wicked Pop-u-lar with Mark?
Thomasin McKenzie is this week’s guest—star of Edgar Wright’s ‘Last Night in Soho’, Mark’s film of the year 2018 ‘Leave No Trace’—and now ‘Joy’, a new Netflix drama about the development of IVF treatment at Oldham hospital in the 1970s. Written by Jack Thorne, the film’s medical ... Show More
1h 8m
Oct 19
Sunday Special: Springsteen, Dylan and the Art of the Biopic
<p>On Friday, “Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere” will be released in theaters. Rather than chronicling Bruce’s entire life, the film focuses on the making of his stripped-down 1982 album “Nebraska” and on his concurrent mental health struggles.</p><p>This movie is the latest ... Show More
1 h
May 2025
The music of Paul Williams goes on and on
Paul Williams is an Oscar, Grammy, and Golden Globe award-winning composer, songwriter, and musician. He is known for writing and co-writing popular songs such as “Evergreen”, “We’ve Only Just Begun”, and “Rainbow Connection”. Williams wrote the score and lyrics for renowned film ... Show More
50m 53s