culture porn 4/28
our weekly playlist
screenshot me:
the diplomat (netflix)
i wish this political thriller x rom com mash-up would lean harder into the "com." keri russell is believable – yet frustratingly grim – as the new US ambassador in london. thankfully, rufus sewell brings the charm as her caddish yet supportive husband – himself a former ambassador and (if she has her way) soon-to-be ex.
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pretty baby (hulu)
like many my age, i grew up idolizing brooke shields. but i had no idea until i watched this 2-part docuseries how restrictive her sexualized fame became. along with many recent re-evaluations of beautiful, famous women (pam anderson, britney spears), it's clear how the media – and the ravenous public – were complicit in pigeonholing them despite potential other talents.
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indian matchmaking (netflix)
first of all, please read iva dixit's incredibly well written take on this show in the NYT, asserting that the show perpetuates longtime prejudices. overall, love is a worthy topic to explore (interestingly, there's a recent surge in matchmaking interest as app-fatigue is high) and i'm all for more content that shows approaches outside of western ideals. so i hope that the show can expand, grow, and feature a wider range of people looking for love.
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silk chiffon (muna)
since seeing MUNA's performance at COACHELLA of this indie pop-tastic song, i can't stop listening. the performance features guest appearances from supergroup BOY GENIUS and is a delightful queer anthem. also, katie gavin and phoebe bridgers' outfits were personal faves.
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waffle house (jonas brothers)
i first heard this earworm when the jonas brothers performed on SNL. i couldn't stop humming it. as a gal who has spent a fair bit of time in the south, i enjoyed the source material. the stakes are low, but the catchiness is high! the other song the jo bros performed - WINGS - was a strong performance too.
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keep your courage (natalie merchant)
natalie merchant has attained a place among america’s most respected recording artists. on her ninth solo album, KEEP YOUR COURAGE; she examines love in all its guises. this is, in her words, “an album about the human heart.” her beautiful, intimate voice, captivating melodies, and the quality of her lyrics put this album in the category of “must-haves.”
- anabel, CULTIQUE creative lead
insights & inspo
are you getting more voice notes these days? you’re not alone
these days it’s not just what you communicate but HOW you communicate. and to take it even further-what you mean by how you communicate. are you a texter? a face timer? a voice noter? if you’re the latter, it turns out you’re not alone. messaging platforms are reporting an all time high in voice note recordings noting that younger people are using them most. it makes sense-in a world where we are as connected as we are disconnected by technology it’s nice to not have to read into that text message.🎤📱
more insights here
as drag tv shows take off, so too does anti-drag legislation
our co-founder linda ong spoke with michael malone @next_tv_ on the recent anti-drag legislation and what it could mean for the success of drag shows in the television industry.
more insights here
#LOokforward🌅 with linda ong
i always look forward to fun conversations with smart people, like the panel i moderated at VARIETY'S ENTERTAINMENT MARKETING SUMMIT on the creator economy's coming "peak." many thanks to tressie lieberman (CHIPOTLE), ian trombetta (NFL), kim larson (YOU TUBE), and steve braband (WWE) for sharing the secrets of their success. props also to susanne ault and her pro conference team.
the internet had a lot to say about the LOVE IS BLIND reunion's tech snafu – and true to form, so did NETFLIX's feed. while 6.5 million people watched the taped version, a damning exposé dove into the show's "dark underbelly," which led to a juicy chat with the team at
now that mushrooms are mainstream, they're even popping up as bold, exquisite accents in floral design. with fungi being rediscovered and revered for their nutritional and healing value (along with the promise of psychedelic adventures), expect to see more everyday adaptations of shrooms in your life.
for linda’s full debrief, head here