culture porn 5/19
our weekly playlist
screenshot me:
bupkis (peacock)
i've never understood the romantic appeal of pete davidson. and after watching a few episodes of his new comedy, it's still a mystery to me. but luckily, you don't have to even like him to see how much heart the guy has, in this weird simulacrum of his even weirder life. that must have been the appeal for familiar faces like edie falco, joe pesci, chris o'donnell, ray romano, bobby cannavale, and brad garrett, as well as his real-life (for now) love, chase sui wonders.
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bondi vet (youtube)
i watch YouTube too much - this is true. but one of my most recent discoveries has been BONDI VET (actually, the algorithm discovered it for me). having a high energy pup means lots of boo-boos and lots of vet time, and i find it oddly cathartic to watch pets get cared for in all sorts of crazy circumstances.
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armchair expert: gretchen rubin (on happiness) (spotify)
i’m a big armchair expert fan. dax shepard and monica padman always turn me on to new people, and their episode with the author and podcaster gretchen rubin on happiness was fascinating to me. the way she described her “prescription” for creativity and how she curates her life with extra mindfulness and the intention to actively gain more inspiration was captivating and i started to try some of them myself. i really dug her quiz on the five senses and found out that my neglected sense was hearing-give it a try.
- @juliarabbit21, CULTIQUE SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
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seventeen (sharon van etten)
anyone else loving the YELLOWJACKETS music this season? this raspy hit from evokes all the nostalgia. listening to it while seeing actresses from my youth (christina ricci, juliette lewis) cope with their high school ghosts gives me all the feels!
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the sadness of beautiful things (simon van booy)
i’m a longtime reader of simon van booy, especially his short stories (a form of fiction that really works for my adhd). while this collection didn’t replace my favorite piece he’s written (read LOVE BEGINS IN WINTER), his romantic, whispering, visual, evocative verbiage was ever-present in this exploration of how beauty and sadness are often intertwined in life. anytime i found these stories bumming me out they would twist and leave me with a hopeful perspective on the human experience.
- @juliarabbit21, CULTIQUE SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
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boogie nights (hulu)
after my BIG LEBOWSKI re-watch a few weeks ago, i delved into another late '90s gem, this one featuring burt reynolds. oh how i had missed BOOGIE NIGHTS! the music...the roller skates...and so many brilliant actors (julianne moore, philip seymour hoffman, baby mark wahlberg and too many more to name)! i realized that i've always loved watching films set in LA, but even more so now that i live here. if you haven't seen this movie, highly recommend. and if you have, it's time for another spin. paul thomas anderson's cinematic style is fab.
insights & inspo
the c-word is everywhere right now-and not in a bad way
the reappropriating of the word CUNT, and its use as an adjective of empowerment is trending. with the recent cancellation of many a media mogul, it seems like the perfect time for society to put a fresh spin on the word and try using it less so in the “she’s a real see you next tuesday” sort of way, and more so in the “i am CUNT” sort of way. 🍑
more insights here
sorry you’ve been rejected. now let’s party
there’s a trend gaining popularity among high school graduates: the rejection party. as college rejection rates skyrocket, gen z is embracing the reality that we all experience rejection at some point in life and that it doesn't have to define who you are. 🚫🎓
more insights here
#LOokforward🌅 with linda ong
i remember seeing the brooklyn-based band THE NATIONAL years ago, and it was the most depressingly beautiful concert since springsteen's THE RIVER TOUR. now building on the wealth of content exploring men x grief (THE LAST OF US, SHRINKING, SUCCESSION – even this season's DAVE has a plot line about death). perhaps it's a reaction to the millions of COVID-related deaths, and the loss of the way we used to live, but it's all very healthy – and human.
SUCCESSION fans have had a blast unpacking the recent (and phenomenal) marital grenade-tossing between tom and shiv. now even couples therapists (of both the professional and armchair variety) are analyzing their every move. i'd love to see orna guralnik (COUPLES THERAPY) share her take on their fiery dynamic.
it's great to work on important projects, but even lovelier to be recognized for them. many thanks and congrats to our SHOWTIME marketing partners for tapping CULTIQUE to help launch WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT COSBY. the w. kamau bell-helmed docuseries just won a justly deserved PEABODY AWARD "for its challenging, introspective analysis of the climate that allowed cosby's abuses to persist" – and focusing on culture on having constructive conversations, no matter the perspective.
for linda’s full debrief, head here