DeepSummary
The hosts begin by discussing the cultural phenomenon of Garfield, the lasagna-loving, lazy cat from the comic strip and subsequent movies. Each host watched a different Garfield movie or adaptation to understand the appeal of the character. They ponder why such an apathetic, cynical figure has become so popular and marketable.
The discussion then shifts to Kathryn Schulz's New Yorker essay "The Secrets of Suspense," which explores how suspense operates not just in fiction but in everyday human experience. The hosts analyze Schulz's argument that anticipation and desire to know what happens next is a fundamental part of how we engage with stories and life itself.
Finally, the hosts are joined by their longtime friend June Thomas to discuss her new book "A Place of Our Own: Six Spaces That Shaped Queer Women's Culture." Thomas shares insights into how spaces like bars, bookstores, and softball teams provided vital gathering places for queer women, and the economic challenges faced by lesbian-owned businesses.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- The Garfield character's enduring popularity stems partly from his cynical, lazy persona striking a chord with people disaffected by society's pressures.
- Kathryn Schulz's essay compellingly argues that suspense and anticipation are fundamental driving forces not just in fiction but human consciousness itself.
- Spaces like bars, bookstores and sports teams provided vital community hubs for queer women throughout the 20th century.
- Lesbian-owned businesses faced immense economic challenges due to serving a niche market while competing against corporate giants.
- Bill Murray's voice work was one of the few bright spots praised in the critically-derided live-action Garfield movies.
- The appeal of Garfield to its creator Jim Davis seemed more commercially rather than artistically motivated.
- The hosts found surprising depth in analyzing why such a seemingly banal character became a multimedia phenomenon.
- June Thomas's book provides vital documentation of important cultural spaces and histories of the queer women's community.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “I mean, I want people to understand that I had to be dragged kicking and screaming into this segment. And Julia is going to have to answer for herself before the throne of the Lord about making us all chill of Garfield material.“ by Dana Stevens
- “The text that this reminded me of the most was Catherine Schulz's book from 2010, which I'm sure I've endorsed or talked about on the show before because it's so good being wrong.“ by Amy Poehler
- “To the extent that they failed, it wasn't because they weren't creative and inventive and innovative. It was just that it's really, really hard to beat Goliath.“ by June Thomas
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Episode Information
Culture Gabfest
Slate Podcasts
6/5/24