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b'This week, the panel begins by exploring Renaissance: A Film by Beyonc\\xe9 with Slate culture writer (and Beyhive stan) Nadira Goffe. The renowned pop diva\\u2019s theatrical debut works both as a well-oiled concert documentary as well as a surprisingly heartfelt deconstruction of Knowles\\u2019 previously impenetrable image of perfection. Then, the three consider Todd Haynes\\u2019 May December, an emotionally curious, tonally dissonant study of life\\u2019s gray areas starring Natalie Portman, longtime collaborator Julianne Moore, and Charles Melton. Loosely based on the real-life relationship between Mary Kay Letourneau and Vili Fualaau, Haynes (and screenwriter Samy Burch) questions Hollywood\\u2019s penchant for sensationalizing tragedy and the ways humans interact with each other. Finally, they are joined by EEFOP (Exceedingly Exceptional Friend of the Pod), Slate writer Dan Kois to discuss Dr. Seuss\\u2019s How the Grinch Lost Christmas!, a posthumous sequel to Theodor Geisel\\u2019s iconic 1957 children\\u2019s book, How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The original IP has been marketed and re-imagined within an inch of its life \\u2013 but does new author Alastair Heim invoke any of the source materials\\u2019 sincerity or deeper meaning?\\xa0\\n\\nIn the exclusive Slate Plus segment, the panel answers a listener question from Timothy: \\u201cWhen reading for pleasure, how do you choose what to read next?\\u201d\\xa0\\n\\nWe\\u2019re also accepting submissions to our yearly call-in show, where Dana, Julia, and Stephen answer questions from Culture Gabfest listeners. Get in touch! Submit a question by calling (260) 337-8260 or emailing us at culturefest@slate.com.\\n\\nOutro music: \\u201cSpinning the Wheels\\u201d by Dusty Decks\\n\\nEndorsements:\\n\\nDana: A two-part endorsement that goes together like wine and cheese: If I Should Fall from Grace with God, the third studio album by Irish folk-rock band The Pogues, and \\u201cShane MacGowan Leaves the Astral Plane,\\u201d a wonderful essay by Amanda Petrusich at The New Yorker, which memorializes the late frontman. Don\\u2019t know where to start with The Pogues\\u2019 catalog? Dana recommends \\u201cA Rainy Night in Soho.\\u201d\\xa0\\n\\nJulia: Drawing inspiration from this episode\\u2019s children\\u2019s book segment, Julia endorses the Little Blue Truck series (written by Alice Schertle and illustrated by the late Jill McElmurry) alongside her favorite Theodor Geisel work, Hunches and Bunches. \\u201cIt\\u2019s the Beyonc\\xe9 of Dr. Seuss books.\\u201d\\xa0\\n\\nSteve: Paris is Burning, which pairs beautifully with Beyonc\\xe9\\u2019s Renaissance. Jennie Livingston\\u2019s landmark 1990 documentary is one of the most moving films Stephen has ever seen, and provides a vibrant snapshot of New York City\\u2019s drag-ball scene in the \\u201880s.\\xa0\\n\\nPodcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Kat Hong.\\xa0\\n\\nIf you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows. You\\u2019ll also be supporting the work we do here on the Culture Gabfest. Sign up now at Slate.com/cultureplus to help support our work.\\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices'