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Mike Sacks is not just a comedian; he’s also a comedy historian. This summer, he’s unearthed a rare artifact, the cult classic, Dixie-fried action movie Stinker Lets Loose. “Some famous people have cited this movie as a big influence on them,” says Sacks, citing Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain. “You can hear it in some of his lyrics, for sure.” A 40th-anniversary novelization of Stinker is available now, with an intro by Sacks. For the Spiel, why does Donald Trump keep saying stupid things to the New York Times, a newspaper he purports to hate? 

John Dickerson, David Plotz and Emily Bazelon discuss what will follow the Senate health care collapse, the influence of Steve Bannon and the future approach to prosecution of sexual assaults on college campuses.Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at www.slate.com/gabfestplus.Twitter: @SlateGabfestFacebook: facebook.com/GabfestEmail: gabfest@slate.comShow notes at slate.com/gabfest

Gabriel Roth, Carvell Wallace and Rebecca Lavoie discuss a very unusual quandary involving the inappropriate email address of their babysitter, plus babysitting in general, triumphs and fails, and recommendations. 

Chris Berube with the rundown: Reports say Paul Manafort owed $17-million to Russians in 2015; New airport restrictions for everyone entering the US; Holland devises a clever way to solve cold cases.

Zoë Heller is a novelist and essayist. She sits down with Isaac Chotiner to discuss Trump’s peculiar Americanness, lame defenses of Hillary Clinton, working on Fleet Street, and becoming friend’s with writers whose books you have savaged.

Jamelle Bouie talks to ProPublica's Alec MacGillis, author of The Cynic: The Political Education of Mitch McConnell, about how the majority leader is failing to deliver for the Republicans.

Maria Konnikova returns to look at a tool prosecutors have used for decades: handwriting analysis, or graphology. Older versions of the practice have used handwriting to predict everything from a person’s mental state to their capacity for murder. “People have been convicted based on it,” says Konnikova. “We’re not talking about phrenology. Graphology is still something that exists in the United States. There are societies of graphologists.” Konnikova is the author of The Confidence Game and host of the Panoply podcast The Grift. For the Spiel, Trump’s voting commission may be hobbled, but it can still do some real harm.  

Jim Newell and Jordan Weissmann recall the sudden collapse of the Republican health care bill on Monday night and wonder if master tactician Mitch McConnell can still bring it back from the dead. Could President Donald Trump change senators’ minds, and is there any hope for a bipartisan compromise?

Chris Berube with the rundown: The DoD is renting an apartment they don't need in Trump Tower; Russian state TV has harsh words for fidget spinners; The Bank of England screwed up their Jane Austen money.

This is a free preview from Slate Voice: learn more at slate.com/voice "The Iran Trap" by Fred Kaplan | Originally published on 7/18/2017

Dana Stevens, Julia Turner, and Stephen Metcalf discuss Edgar Wright's new film Baby Driver, Jay Z's album 4:44 with Slate's Jack Hamilton, and David Brooks' infamous sandwich column. The Slate Culture Gabfest is brought to you by the Platinum Card from American Express. There’s a world of experiences waiting to open up with the Platinum Card. Backed by the services and security of American Express.And by the AT&T original series Mr. Mercedes, based on the bestselling Stephen King novel. Mr. Mercedes premieres August 9th at 8 PM eastern/pacific on Audience Network. Watch it on DIRECTV or DIRECTV NOW. Learn more at att.net/mrmercedes.

Economist Tyler Cowen is disdainful of social media, heartened by recent immigrants, and wary of pot. He thinks that, in our collective desire for comfort, we are postponing big and necessary changes that will sow instability in the years ahead. “Right now Americans are failing to regenerate sources of future progress,” Cowen writes, “and thus they are borrowing against the future rather than paying their bills.” Cowen’s latest book is The Complacent Class.In the Spiel, are things going any better abroad? 

Jacob Weisberg goes in-depth with Bill Browder about Donald Trump Jr's meeting with the Russians in Trump Tower.Plus, the harrowing story of one man's walk along the border.

This is a free preview from Slate Voice: learn more at slate.com/voice "Jamie Dimon Is Fed Up With No One in Particular" by Daniel Gross | Originally published on 7/17/2017

Matt Albrecht and Hannah Malyn of the podcast “Matt and Hannah Know it All” join Prudie to advise on your inquiries. First up: I know I should end my friend-with-benefits relationship, but I don’t want to. How do I cut ties with an emotionally abusive friend? I’m in love with my child’s mother. Help! And lastly: am I supposed to tip every time an iPad asks me to? Hear more Prudence by joining Slate Plus: Slate.com/Prudiepod.