So before we wrap up our 2008 series, we wanted to take a step back and reflect on everything

that we learned and try to process it in a larger context.

The more that Hannah and I and all of our guests talked about 2008, the more it just

occurred to us how, like, deeply

awed of a moment in history that it was.

And we started this mini season with the question, what was going on in 2008?

What was happening that suddenly studios were like, let's put marketing budgets behind these movies geared toward

women, and women showed up. Why did this anomalous year happen? And so we decided to talk to one of

my all-time favorite cultural critics, Stephen Metcalf, to ask what he thinks about this.

Stephen is the co-host of two of my all-time favorite podcasts, two of the podcasts that I

listen to no matter what every week. One is newer. It's called What Rough Beast? And it is with

him and Virginia Heffernan. And the other is the Slate Culture Gab Fest with Dana Stevens and Julia Turner.

And Stephen is just someone who I've been listening to over the last 10 years and has repeatedly changed the way that I think about culture.

Has just opened up the paradigm for me a little bit to the point where I feel like I really do see

the world slightly differently because of him.

And since his commentary has been in my head as we have been thinking about 2008, we thought

why not just go to the man himself and see what he has to say.

So with all of that in mind, we are going to get Stephen Metcalf on the phone.

I'm Vanessa Zoltan, and this is Hot and Bothered. You just realized your business needed to hire someone yesterday.

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