Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Book Recommendations

Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang

Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. P...

Episodes 668
Books 512

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Here (Pantheon Graphic Library) cover

Here (Pantheon Graphic Library)

Richard McGuire

Mentioned 5 months ago

Two Guys, Five Rings: Matt + Bowen at the Olympics in Milan

This was mentioned as Mariah Carey's latest album, from which she performed the song "Nothing Is Impossible" during the opening ceremony.

And then she sang her song. nothing is impossible. And we actually agreed in our seats that nothing was. And it's off of her latest album, Here For It All, which we were there for it all.

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What you think of me is none of my business by Terry Cole-Whittaker (1979-05-03) cover

What you think of me is none of my business by Terry Cole-Whittaker (1979-05-03)

Terry Cole‐Whittaker

Mentioned 1 year ago

"Rode Hard And Put Away Wet" (w/ Will Ferrell & Harper Steele)

Will Ferrell mentioned that his mother had a self-help book with this title on her shelf, and that the book's message was his mantra as a child and while traveling across the country with Harper.

Here's a book that my mom literally had a self-help book on her shelf. Called It's None of My Business What You Think of Me.

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It Ends with Us: Special Collector's Edition: A Novel (It Ends with Us) cover

It Ends with Us

Colleen Hoover

Mentioned 1 year ago

"An Attack On Leos" (w/ Matt, Bowen & Friends)

It was mentioned that the book is famous, but a sequel was supposed to be in the works, and it doesn't seem like it's happening anymore because of the drama surrounding it.

but see that this is the thing it's like the behavior effects the work so much yeah so yeah well well that's the summer that's the summer i think we will earnestly start

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Princess Cupcake Jones and the Missing Tutu (Princess Cupcake Jones Series) cover

Princess Cupcake Jones and the Missing Tutu (Princess Cupcake Jones Series)

Ylleya Fields

Mentioned 1 year ago

"An Attack On Leos" (w/ Matt, Bowen & Friends)

It was compared to the plot of a theme park ride where a lot of musicians have to play a big show.

You know, that's like actually the plot of Princess Tauties by you dip. It's like we have to get a lot of musicians to play a big show. It's like okay, cool. This is a theme park ride right?

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It's Not That Complicated: The Three Medicare Decisions to Protect Your Health and Money cover

It's Not That Complicated

Ari Parker

Mentioned 1 year ago

"An Attack On Leos" (w/ Matt, Bowen & Friends)

It was mentioned that if you read her book, you would know that she had tougher relationships with her mother and sister, who both passed away recently.

if you read her book you know those were tougher relationships and sometimes social in months that are the most difficult to lose so i really hope she's okay and i didn't mean to make light at that

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I'm Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself: One Woman's Pursuit of Pleasure in Paris cover

I'm Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself

Glynnis MacNicol

Mentioned 1 year ago

"White, Fair and Blessed" (w/ Matt & Bowen)

They briefly mentioned "I'm Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself" as a memoir about seeking pleasure in middle age by author and podcaster Glynis McNicol.

Like a recent episode with author and podcaster Glynis McNicol on her new memoir, "I'm Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself."

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Red, White & Royal Blue: Collector's Edition: A Novel cover

Red, White & Royal Blue

Casey McQuiston

Mentioned 1 year ago

"Toxically Benevolent" (w/ Matt & Bowen)

It was mentioned as the book written by Casey McQuiston, who also wrote the audio mystery podcast, "Does This Murder Make Me Look Gay?".

From the writer of Amazon Prime's Red, White and Royal Blue comes a hilarious and demented new audio mystery.

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Mean Boys: A Personal History cover

Mean Boys

Geoffrey Mak

Mentioned 1 year ago

"Toxically Benevolent" (w/ Matt & Bowen)

The book, Mean Boys, was mentioned in relation to the concept of culture and politics flowing downhill from culture, and it was suggested that it might be worth exploring the themes of the book further.

And actually kind of on face value, it kind of speaks to Mean Boys a little bit, too, because that book is a lot about how culture, about politics flows downhill from culture, like and just about like interesting things to think about as of late.

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Status and Culture: How Our Desire for Social Rank Creates Taste, Identity, Art, Fashion, and Constant Change cover

Status and Culture

W. David Marx

Mentioned 1 year ago

"Toxically Benevolent" (w/ Matt & Bowen)

It was mentioned in the context of a timetable about how evaluations of certain trends change over time, using Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill as an example. The book, Status and Culture, explores how our desire for social rank creates taste, identity, art, fashion and constant change.

So he has a timetable in there for how long it takes for something.

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The School of Life: An Emotional Education: An Emotional Education cover

The School of Life

The School of Life

Mentioned 1 year ago

"Good Walz" (w/ Matt & Bowen)

Bowen recommended it for people to look up on YouTube, they were mentioned to have made books and videos on subjects like early bedtimes and simplified lifestyles.

Zuri the Zebra and the Rainbow Race for Kindness (S.H.I.N.E.'s Kindness Adventures Book 2) cover

Zuri the Zebra and the Rainbow Race for Kindness (S.H.I.N.E.'s Kindness Adventures Book 2)

Kaitlyn Vasilko

Mentioned 1 year ago

"Good Walz" (w/ Matt & Bowen)

It was mentioned as a seminal standup album by Gabe Liedman, containing jokes about algorithms before they were a common topic.

Fifty Shades of Grey 10th Anniversary Edition (Fifty Shades of Grey Series, 1) cover

Fifty Shades of Grey 10th Anniversary Edition (Fifty Shades of Grey Series, 1)

E L James

Mentioned 1 year ago

"Good Walz" (w/ Matt & Bowen)

It was referenced during a discussion about Kamala Harris's running mate selection, with a humorous comparison to the book's themes of dominance and submission.

Ding dong last culture is calling back at the table back at the Fifty Shades table

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Most Recommended

The Merchant of Venice (Folger Shakespeare Library) Cover

William Shakespeare

The Merchant of Venice (Folger Shakespeare Library)

It was mentioned as a part of a joke during a segment of the show where they were scanning Central Park, and a reference to Shakespeare in the park.

"

My favorite Shakespeare play is the Tempest.

— Episode: “Me Gonna Watch” (w/ D’Arcy Carden)

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Episode: “Me Gonna Watch” (w/ D’Arcy Carden)

It was mentioned as a part of a joke during a segment of the show where they were scanning Central Park, and a reference to Shakespeare in the park.

"

My favorite Shakespeare play is the Tempest.

I joke is I go The Merchant of Venice and it says the Tempest.

The Diary of a Young Girl: The Definitive Edition Cover

Anne Frank

The Diary of a Young Girl

The Definitive Edition

It was mentioned briefly, while the podcast hosts were discussing a trip to Amsterdam, in which they were too high to visit the Anne Frank House.

"

And so we arrived so stoned at the end house and we were like shaking like it's too emotional to go We're like, 'okay, it makes me so anxious.' Like you can't go you can't be so high and then go to th...

— Episode: “I Am Stunning and I Will Survive” (w/ J...

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Episode: “I Am Stunning and I Will Survive” (w/ Jeremy Beil...

It was mentioned briefly, while the podcast hosts were discussing a trip to Amsterdam, in which they were too high to visit the Anne Frank House.

"

And so we arrived so stoned at the end house and we were like shaking like it's too emotional to go We're like, 'okay, it makes me so anxious.' Like you can't go you can't be so high and then go to the Anne Frank house You're gonna die.

Oh my god, you're gonna have the best speaking of writing and Frank. I mean Amazing authoress amazing author.

The Fannie Farmer Cookbook: Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of America's Great Classic Cookbook Cover

Marion Cunningham

The Fannie Farmer Cookbook

Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of America's Great Classic Cookbook

Dave Holmes discussed how the original Broadway cast recording of 'Annie' sparked his interest in theatre and influenced his journey as a storyteller.

"

That was what year, 1977? Must be something like that, the movie. No, no, the original Broadway, obviously the OBC. I did not see it, but my parents did. My dad was in New York for work a lot and and...

— Episode: "I Think You Owe Me An Apology" (w/ Dave...

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Episode: "I Think You Owe Me An Apology" (w/ Dave Holmes)

Dave Holmes discussed how the original Broadway cast recording of 'Annie' sparked his interest in theatre and influenced his journey as a storyteller.

"

That was what year, 1977? Must be something like that, the movie. No, no, the original Broadway, obviously the OBC. I did not see it, but my parents did. My dad was in New York for work a lot and and they saw it and I and I guess I was already presenting as like one of those one of those boys.

They saw it and came home with that, you know, OBC, got the 'R', and I played it constantly and it was my favorite thing in the world and I had never seen it. I just read the, you know, like it was a gatefold sleeve and it had, you know, it talked to you, you know, by beat through the story and then, you know, Miss Hannigan, Bimone's her fake little girls, whatever, and and I just loved it.

It just it it like it was like okay, this is this is what I do, you know, I mean like this is I didn't really early on like I read very early and but I was never all that good a student. I have attention issues. We now know and and I certainly was not an athlete and I just kind of didn't know where I fit and then I I was like exposed to theatre and I Ultimately did not go down the musical theatre road.

Alexander Hamilton Cover

Ron Chernow

Alexander Hamilton

The musical 'Hamilton' had several songs nominated in the category for 'Best Song on the Hamilton Soundtrack', highlighting its popularity and the different songs' significance within the musical.

"

In the category of best song on the hamilton soundtrack the nominees are Satisfied The skylar sisters Helpless Cabinet battle number one Burn The room where it happens Dear theodosia Cabinet battle nu...

— Episode: 2023 Las Culturistas Culture Awards Nomi...

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Episode: 2023 Las Culturistas Culture Awards Nominations Sp...

The musical 'Hamilton' had several songs nominated in the category for 'Best Song on the Hamilton Soundtrack', highlighting its popularity and the different songs' significance within the musical.

"

In the category of best song on the hamilton soundtrack the nominees are Satisfied The skylar sisters Helpless Cabinet battle number one Burn The room where it happens Dear theodosia Cabinet battle number two It's quiet uptown kelly clarkson cover It's quiet uptown renee elise gillsbury original song And say no to this

Company: The Radically Casual Art of Cooking for Others Cover

Amy Thielen

Company

The Radically Casual Art of Cooking for Others

Bowen Yang described watching the entire production of Company on YouTube as part of his growing appreciation for Stephen Sondheim.

"

and then there's all of Company and there's all of like all these great Sondheim

— Episode: "Die Zauberflöte (He Makes Us Sing)" (w/...

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Episode: "Die Zauberflöte (He Makes Us Sing)" (w/ Henry Kop...

Bowen Yang described watching the entire production of Company on YouTube as part of his growing appreciation for Stephen Sondheim.

"

and then there's all of Company and there's all of like all these great Sondheim

The Party Decides: Presidential Nominations Before and After Reform (Chicago Studies in American Politics) Cover

Marty Cohen

The Party Decides

Presidential Nominations Before and After Reform (Chicago Studies in American Politics)

It was discussed in detail in relation to Queen Latifah's role, and the overall production, with a quote about how it was made good by the performance of Catherine Zeta-Jones.

"

I loved I really appreciated Lucy loose cameo in Chicago because it is completely implausible for an Asian woman in the 20s to be like that well and that is simulated and that speak that speak English...

— Episode: “When They Fly, I Cry” (w/ Jeff Hiller)

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Episode: “When They Fly, I Cry” (w/ Jeff Hiller)

It was discussed in detail in relation to Queen Latifah's role, and the overall production, with a quote about how it was made good by the performance of Catherine Zeta-Jones.

"

I loved I really appreciated Lucy loose cameo in Chicago because it is completely implausible for an Asian woman in the 20s to be like that well and that is simulated and that speak that speak English that well and yeah they also wouldn't have a jail cell in the 20s that would be interracially mixed either short short short in a way it's weird the Dietrich good one was there too yes I do I'm just saying I loved the touches of I loved what she was wearing it was like it was so gorgeous it was all diamonds it was Rob Marshall had his chance to be Ryan Murphy and I don't think yeah he really did nail it yeah

I can't do it alone she made it as good as it was I think just when she just walks up that fucking balcony

The Little Prince Cover

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

The Little Prince

It was compared unfavorably to the storybook read to the Lumas in Super Mario Galaxy, which was considered more iconic.

"

is better and more iconic space children's stories, a more iconic space children's story than The Little Prince

— Episode: On The Ninth Day of Culture... October 2...

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Episode: On The Ninth Day of Culture... October 29th, 1993:...

It was compared unfavorably to the storybook read to the Lumas in Super Mario Galaxy, which was considered more iconic.

"

is better and more iconic space children's stories, a more iconic space children's story than The Little Prince

Dr. Seuss's Beginner Book Boxed Set Collection: The Cat in the Hat; One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish; Green Eggs and Ham; Hop on Pop; Fox in Socks Cover

Dr. Seuss

Dr. Seuss's Beginner Book Boxed Set Collection

The Cat in the Hat; One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish; Green Eggs and Ham; Hop on Pop; Fox in Socks

It was mentioned as an example to describe the way that Barbara Streisand would position herself while performing.

"

Yes, you're framing yourself like green eggs and ham.

— Episode: "It's a Shame About Mariah" (w/ Matteo L...

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Episode: "It's a Shame About Mariah" (w/ Matteo Lane)

It was mentioned as an example to describe the way that Barbara Streisand would position herself while performing.

"

Yes, you're framing yourself like green eggs and ham.

Star Wars: The Visual Encyclopedia Cover

Adam Bray

Star Wars

The Visual Encyclopedia

The books in the extended universe were mentioned as something the guest collected in his youth, but he has since become more casual in his fandom and the books are no longer considered canon.

"

But I liked holding them. I like the look of like, okay this trilogy and this like that. Even if the book was weird I still was like, well I still ain't gonna read it all. I'm still gonna put it on th...

— Episode: "Break My Arm, Sexually" (w/ Max Silvest...

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Episode: "Break My Arm, Sexually" (w/ Max Silvestri)

The books in the extended universe were mentioned as something the guest collected in his youth, but he has since become more casual in his fandom and the books are no longer considered canon.

"

But I liked holding them. I like the look of like, okay this trilogy and this like that. Even if the book was weird I still was like, well I still ain't gonna read it all. I'm still gonna put it on the shelf.

Like I liked finding it and having it as much as you know. I was really hard on Star Wars. Like I was like on the Star Wars website.

So it's very kind of and I know all about the novels that extended the universe and everything. So it's hard to see the movies now because they've literally thrown that all out which is very confusing. And I liked some of the choices they had made back then.

A Beautiful Mind : A Biography of John Forbes Nash, Jr. Cover

Sylvia Nasar

A Beautiful Mind

A Biography of John Forbes Nash, Jr.

It was compared to Bradley Cooper's 'Silver Linings Playbook', with the implication that it was a much better film.

"

Your Silver Linings Playbook was no Beautiful Mind, your nose so crow, I don't think so honey, and your Star is Born is no Crazy Heart, you are you don't get to just Jeff Bridges, you have to earn you...

— Episode: "I Don't Think So, Honey! 12" Live in Se...

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Episode: "I Don't Think So, Honey! 12" Live in Seattle

It was compared to Bradley Cooper's 'Silver Linings Playbook', with the implication that it was a much better film.

"

Your Silver Linings Playbook was no Beautiful Mind, your nose so crow, I don't think so honey, and your Star is Born is no Crazy Heart, you are you don't get to just Jeff Bridges, you have to earn your Jeff Bridges.

Cosmos Cover

Carl Sagan

Cosmos

Joel compared the belief in astrology to Carl Sagan's book Cosmos, saying that it's pseudoscience and comes from the same place as Donald Trump's "fake news" statement.

"

Rita Carl Sagan book because the alignment of stars hundreds of light years away and their relative positioning to the Sun and Moon has no bearing on your personality traits or that your 28th year is...

— Episode: “Why Did You Do That... TO ME?!” (w/ Joe...

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Episode: “Why Did You Do That... TO ME?!” (w/ Joel Kim Boos...

Joel compared the belief in astrology to Carl Sagan's book Cosmos, saying that it's pseudoscience and comes from the same place as Donald Trump's "fake news" statement.

"

Rita Carl Sagan book because the alignment of stars hundreds of light years away and their relative positioning to the Sun and Moon has no bearing on your personality traits or that your 28th year is a hard one okay sometimes it so happens that we have hard years and Matt I'm sorry that that it coincided with this pseudo science

The Scarlet Letter: The Original 1850 Edition (Nathaniel Hawthorne Classics) Cover

Nathaniel Hawthorne

The Scarlet Letter

The Original 1850 Edition (Nathaniel Hawthorne Classics)

It was mentioned as a book that was hard to read at a young age, but suggested could be a great read as an adult.

"

Make me read Scarlet Letter when I'm 30.

— Episode: "Google Search Apple Box Pizza Shop" (w/...

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Episode: "Google Search Apple Box Pizza Shop" (w/ Abra Taba...

It was mentioned as a book that was hard to read at a young age, but suggested could be a great read as an adult.

"

Make me read Scarlet Letter when I'm 30.

Legally Blonde Cover

Amanda Brown

Legally Blonde

Matt Rogers considered "Legally Blonde" to be the best contemporary musical and thought the opening number was better than "Defying Gravity" from "Wicked".

"

Legally Blonde the best was talking about the doll yesterday yeah I said maybe best opening number in a contemporary musical

— Episode: "thankyousomuchmama" (w/ Jan Sport)

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Episode: "thankyousomuchmama" (w/ Jan Sport)

Matt Rogers considered "Legally Blonde" to be the best contemporary musical and thought the opening number was better than "Defying Gravity" from "Wicked".

"

Legally Blonde the best was talking about the doll yesterday yeah I said maybe best opening number in a contemporary musical

Gone Girl Cover

Gillian Flynn

Gone Girl

Bowen Yang mentioned having read this book before watching the film, showing that he actively reads books related to his viewing habits.

"

You did and you read Gong Girl before you watched the movie.

— Episode: "Niche!" (w/ Jordan Firstman & Charles R...

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Episode: "Niche!" (w/ Jordan Firstman & Charles Rogers)

Bowen Yang mentioned having read this book before watching the film, showing that he actively reads books related to his viewing habits.

"

You did and you read Gong Girl before you watched the movie.

King Lear (The New Folger Library Shakespeare) Cover

William Shakespeare

King Lear (The New Folger Library Shakespeare)

Annette Bening mentioned having performed in the play 'King Lear' with John Lithgow a few years prior to the podcast.

"

What Shakespeare play? King Lear.

— Episode: "I Don't Think So, Honey! 3" LIVE (Part...

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Episode: "I Don't Think So, Honey! 3" LIVE (Part One)

Annette Bening mentioned having performed in the play 'King Lear' with John Lithgow a few years prior to the podcast.

"

What Shakespeare play? King Lear.

The Secret Life of Groceries: The Dark Miracle of the American Supermarket Cover

Benjamin Lorr

The Secret Life of Groceries

The Dark Miracle of the American Supermarket

Bowen Yang mentioned a book about the birth of the American supermarket that his friend Jared was reading, and said it was relevant to the discussion on Netflix and how it is ruining culture.

"

You were talking about this book that he was reading about the birth of the American supermarket and how it's the same thing. Like when human beings are overwhelmed with choice, our brains just shut d...

— Episode: “Cute Girls With Sick Minds” (w/ Matt &...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: “Cute Girls With Sick Minds” (w/ Matt & Bowen)

Bowen Yang mentioned a book about the birth of the American supermarket that his friend Jared was reading, and said it was relevant to the discussion on Netflix and how it is ruining culture.

"

You were talking about this book that he was reading about the birth of the American supermarket and how it's the same thing. Like when human beings are overwhelmed with choice, our brains just shut down.

Middlemarch (Collector's Library Classics) Cover

George Eliot

Middlemarch (Collector's Library Classics)

Cynthia Erivo said she loved it and started reading it on the treadmill the same day she heard about it.

"

I'm gonna buy that. I'm gonna read that.

— Episode: "Ghost Whisper" (w/ Ben Platt)

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Episode: "Ghost Whisper" (w/ Ben Platt)

Cynthia Erivo said she loved it and started reading it on the treadmill the same day she heard about it.

"

I'm gonna buy that. I'm gonna read that.

I love it. I love it so much.

Note: The book recommendations on this page are discovered automatically from podcast transcripts, and may be incorrect or incomplete.