Ryan Gosling’s Pet Rock Edition

Ryan Gosling’s Pet Rock Edition

From Culture Gabfest by Slate Podcasts

March 25, 2026 · 1h 1m

About this episode

The episode discusses the film Project Hail Mary, the launch of SNL UK, and a deep dive into bar soap.

This week, Dana, Julia (fresh from the launch of her new media venture L.A. Material ), and guest host Dan Kois set their gaze to the heavens with a discussion of the lost-in-space adventure yarn Project Hail Mary. Based on the book by Andy Weir and directed by genre movie savants Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the sci-fi blockbuster stars Ryan Gosling and a big rock creature puppet. Next, they hop across the pond for the launch of SNL UK , the British revamp of the venerable American comedy institution. Slate UK contributor and author of Deep Down , Imogen West-Knights joins to share her two pence on the show’s local reception. Finally, the panel turns to Dan Kois’s epic, 8,500 word Slate essay on… bar soap . His opus—or “soapus," if you will— makes a persuasive case for why bar soap is a superior form of foam. In an exclusive Slate Plus bonus segment, the gang gets into a listener question about analog media. Endorsements Julia: In addition to subscribing to L.A. Material , the great American junk food that is the corndog—the vibes and graphic design of Hot Dog on a Stick at the Santa Monica Pier are swell but seeking listener recommendations for the very best place to get a…

People in this episode

Hosts: Dana, Julia

Guests: Dan Kois, Imogen West-Knights

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: L.A. Material, SNL UK

Books & works: Project Hail Mary, Deep Down, Parallel Lives: Five Victorian Marriages, Off the Shelf

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