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

A Ray of Light Cover

Walter Wick

A Ray of Light

It was compared to Mariah Carey's 'Emancipation of Mimi', which was mentioned as being a great album but not a true reinvention like Madonna's.

"

But it wasn't as emotional as I would say like Madonna's ray of light where it was a it was a Suck to change true reinvent correct.

— 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 compared to Mariah Carey's 'Emancipation of Mimi', which was mentioned as being a great album but not a true reinvention like Madonna's.

"

But it wasn't as emotional as I would say like Madonna's ray of light where it was a it was a Suck to change true reinvent correct.

Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of Six M.I.T. Students Who Took Vegas for Millions Cover

Ben Mezrich

Bringing Down the House

The Inside Story of Six M.I.T. Students Who Took Vegas for Millions

It was suggested as a type of album that Mariah Carey should release in the future, focusing on a more mature and emotionally honest approach to her music.

"

I want to see a mature Mariah come back and give me a give me an Adele album Give me a sad album

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

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

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

It was suggested as a type of album that Mariah Carey should release in the future, focusing on a more mature and emotionally honest approach to her music.

"

I want to see a mature Mariah come back and give me a give me an Adele album Give me a sad album

It’s Not Right…but It’s Okay Cover

Anuj Tiwari

It’s Not Right…but It’s Okay

It was described as a song that Matteo Lane's friend Mitch, a DJ, plays to get people dancing at gay clubs and was said to be coming back to the gay community.

"

I just listened to I just revisited it's not right, but it's okay That's the song I was thinking of but I also next I fucking love that Like crazy ass like My friend Mitch is a DJ always plays that wh...

— 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 described as a song that Matteo Lane's friend Mitch, a DJ, plays to get people dancing at gay clubs and was said to be coming back to the gay community.

"

I just listened to I just revisited it's not right, but it's okay That's the song I was thinking of but I also next I fucking love that Like crazy ass like My friend Mitch is a DJ always plays that whenever I'm like Whitney And he knows what I'm talking about I mean it's that's he now he said so my friend Mitch is a DJ

That that dance remix is so iconic and also I do have some tea that it's about to come back to the gay community in a big Way that song and that's all I'm gonna say

Home Cover

Carson Ellis

Home

It was mentioned as a song that made Matt Rogers emotional and was described as being one of Diana Ross's best performances.

"

Speaking of Home The dianna ross performance of Home. It's amazing. Really makes me very emotional. She really told the story for me That was her at her best

— 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 a song that made Matt Rogers emotional and was described as being one of Diana Ross's best performances.

"

Speaking of Home The dianna ross performance of Home. It's amazing. Really makes me very emotional. She really told the story for me That was her at her best

Cottage for Sale, Must Be Moved: A Woman Moves a House to Make a Home Cover

Kate Whouley

Cottage for Sale, Must Be Moved

A Woman Moves a House to Make a Home

It was mentioned in the context of a live performance by Judy Garland, which was described as being very good.

"

Uh today. I listened to some old Judy Uh, I think cottage for sale.

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

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

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

It was mentioned in the context of a live performance by Judy Garland, which was described as being very good.

"

Uh today. I listened to some old Judy Uh, I think cottage for sale.

Over the Rainbow: Piano/Vocal/Chords Sheet Music: Piano Solo, Sheet (Original Sheet Music Edition) Cover

Harold Arlen

Over the Rainbow

Piano/Vocal/Chords Sheet Music

It was mentioned as a performance that makes Matteo Lane cry, particularly when performed by Judy Garland in a hobo outfit in 1961.

"

Specifically a performance of her singing somewhere Over the Rainbow when she was in the hobo outfit in like 1961

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

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

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

It was mentioned as a performance that makes Matteo Lane cry, particularly when performed by Judy Garland in a hobo outfit in 1961.

"

Specifically a performance of her singing somewhere Over the Rainbow when she was in the hobo outfit in like 1961

Hallelujah: Cultivating Advent Traditions with Handel's Messiah (Advent and Lent Devotions with Great Music) Cover

Cindy Rollins

Hallelujah

Cultivating Advent Traditions with Handel's Messiah (Advent and Lent Devotions with Great Music)

It was mentioned as a cover song by Jeff Buckley that makes Matt Rogers emotional, particularly a live performance from a venue called 'Sine'.

"

But like not not just because of his cover of holly lily at jeff buckley. He has this whole live set from uh This venue called sine it's beautiful.

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

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

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

It was mentioned as a cover song by Jeff Buckley that makes Matt Rogers emotional, particularly a live performance from a venue called 'Sine'.

"

But like not not just because of his cover of holly lily at jeff buckley. He has this whole live set from uh This venue called sine it's beautiful.

Canada Cover

Mike Myers

Canada

It was mentioned by Matt Rogers who had bought a copy in a bookstore in LA, and loved it due to its humour, information about Mike Myers and his experiences growing up and working in comedy.

"

I was in a bookstore in LA and I just suddenly see Mike Myers: Canada and I was like, what the fuck, grab it. It's a giant book written by my idol about, I've never heard of, about

— Episode: "I Put One Finger Up and said YES!" (w/...

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Episode: "I Put One Finger Up and said YES!" (w/ Michael Ha...

It was mentioned by Matt Rogers who had bought a copy in a bookstore in LA, and loved it due to its humour, information about Mike Myers and his experiences growing up and working in comedy.

"

I was in a bookstore in LA and I just suddenly see Mike Myers: Canada and I was like, what the fuck, grab it. It's a giant book written by my idol about, I've never heard of, about Canada and I was like, well, I'm paying full price for this fucking book, I can't believe I'm doing this, wow

I love, I gotta get it. Is it funny? It's hilarious, I mean, you know, a lot of it's about Canada, but it's about him growing up, I mean, a learning about Canada is cool and b learning about him, I mean, he definitely folds in, um, getting into comedy, right, training at Second City, getting hired for SNL, so it's, it's great

Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography Cover

Neil Patrick Harris

Neil Patrick Harris

Choose Your Own Autobiography

Matt Rogers mentioned he bought it, hoping it would be better than it was, which was a choose-your-own-adventure style autobiography which he found distracting and not the kind of autobiography he wanted to read.

"

wait listen, I bought that shit, I wanted it to be better than it was because you, you like a fucking Neil, you look, you love me some Neil, you like a clean cut gay with a gimmick, I do like a clean...

— Episode: "I Put One Finger Up and said YES!" (w/...

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Episode: "I Put One Finger Up and said YES!" (w/ Michael Ha...

Matt Rogers mentioned he bought it, hoping it would be better than it was, which was a choose-your-own-adventure style autobiography which he found distracting and not the kind of autobiography he wanted to read.

"

wait listen, I bought that shit, I wanted it to be better than it was because you, you like a fucking Neil, you look, you love me some Neil, you like a clean cut gay with a gimmick, I do like a clean cut gay with a gimmick

what it's like, if you want to find out what happened when I got cast in Rent and fucked a woman, flip to page 89, if not and you want to see a fucking crazy picture, flip to 16, it's like, I don't care, yeah, it's like, I want to read the book of your life, that's why I got it, right, I get that it's fun

Muriel's Wedding Cover

P.J. Hogan

Muriel's Wedding

John Early mentioned that he loved Toni Collette's performance in "Muriel's Wedding", and said her performance was undeniably genius.

"

Yeah, there's just nothing, there's her performance in Muriel's Wedding is so undeniably genius.

— Episode: "Who Cares?" (w/ John Early)

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Episode: "Who Cares?" (w/ John Early)

John Early mentioned that he loved Toni Collette's performance in "Muriel's Wedding", and said her performance was undeniably genius.

"

Yeah, there's just nothing, there's her performance in Muriel's Wedding is so undeniably genius.

My Way of Life Cover

Walter Farrell O.P S.T.M.

My Way of Life

It was described as a how-to guide on living, a sort of self-help book from the 1930s and 40s, which was mentioned in the context of Joan Crawford's life and personality.

"

On youtube there is Joan Crawford reading her um Autobiography My Way of Life which is sort of like a how-to guide.

— Episode: "Patti Lupone Marked It” (w/ Cole Escola...

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Episode: "Patti Lupone Marked It” (w/ Cole Escola)

It was described as a how-to guide on living, a sort of self-help book from the 1930s and 40s, which was mentioned in the context of Joan Crawford's life and personality.

"

On youtube there is Joan Crawford reading her um Autobiography My Way of Life which is sort of like a how-to guide.

Thoroughly Modern Millie: Vocal Selections Cover

Jeanine Tesori

Thoroughly Modern Millie

Vocal Selections

It was mentioned in the context of a conversation about Sutton Foster's Tony Award win for the show.

"

Yeah, and so really thoroughly I'm gonna call it thoroughly.

— Episode: "Patti Lupone Marked It” (w/ Cole Escola...

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Episode: "Patti Lupone Marked It” (w/ Cole Escola)

It was mentioned in the context of a conversation about Sutton Foster's Tony Award win for the show.

"

Yeah, and so really thoroughly I'm gonna call it thoroughly.

The Hours: A Novel (Picador Modern Classics, 1) Cover

Michael Cunningham

The Hours

A Novel (Picador Modern Classics, 1)

Tim Murray mentioned this book in his 'I Don't Think So, Honey' segment, proposing a Cole Kidman carousel in a Practical Magic-themed world.

"

You can write her in The Hours oh my god wow

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

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

Tim Murray mentioned this book in his 'I Don't Think So, Honey' segment, proposing a Cole Kidman carousel in a Practical Magic-themed world.

"

You can write her in The Hours oh my god wow

An American Beauty: A Novel of the Gilded Age Inspired by the True Story of Arabella Huntington Who Became the Richest Woman in the Country Cover

Shana Abe

An American Beauty

A Novel of the Gilded Age Inspired by the True Story of Arabella Huntington Who Became the Richest Woman in the Country

It was mentioned in passing, when a speaker was thanking the audience for seeing it.

"

You loved her in American Beauty.

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

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

It was mentioned in passing, when a speaker was thanking the audience for seeing it.

"

You loved her in American Beauty.

I will sell this house today. Yes I will sell this house today.

The Grift: The Downward Spiral of Black Republicans from the Party of Lincoln to the Cult of Trump Cover

Clay Cane

The Grift

The Downward Spiral of Black Republicans from the Party of Lincoln to the Cult of Trump

It was mentioned as one of Annette Benning's roles.

"

She was in The Griffters I think.

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

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

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

It was mentioned as one of Annette Benning's roles.

"

She was in The Griffters I think.

The Griffters, she was in The Griffters.

The Price of Salt, or Carol Cover

Patricia Highsmith

The Price of Salt, or Carol

It was mentioned in passing, with Sarah Paulson being described as the best part of the film.

"

But you might have been the best part of Carol.

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

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

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

It was mentioned in passing, with Sarah Paulson being described as the best part of the film.

"

But you might have been the best part of Carol.

The Incendiaries: A Novel Cover

R. O. Kwon

The Incendiaries

A Novel

It was mentioned as a murder mystery by an Irish author, and was described as a good read by Abra.

"

She's like a murder mystery writer. She's Irish.

— 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 murder mystery by an Irish author, and was described as a good read by Abra.

"

She's like a murder mystery writer. She's Irish.

It was very good. It's great.

The Story Orchestra: The Magic Flute: Press the note to hear Mozart's music (Volume 6) (The Story Orchestra, 6) Cover

Katy Flint

The Story Orchestra

The Magic Flute

It was described as a good gateway opera, a comedy with fantasy elements, featuring dragons, kings, and queens, and was said to have been watched repeatedly in German since early childhood.

"

Mozart's The Magic Flute in German

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

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

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

It was described as a good gateway opera, a comedy with fantasy elements, featuring dragons, kings, and queens, and was said to have been watched repeatedly in German since early childhood.

"

Mozart's The Magic Flute in German

The Magic Flute it's like a comedy but it's also like very like fantastic as in like fantasy like dreamy and there's dragons and kings and queens and but it's also really funny

D-Zabber Flute or something in German is an amazing opera that's the title

D-Zabber Flute

The Scarlet Pimpernel Cover

Baroness Emmuska Orczy

The Scarlet Pimpernel

One of Henry's college friends attended a high school in Texas with an over-the-top theater program budget, and was in a production of The Scarlet Pimpernel.

"

like pictures of her and The Scarlet Pimpernel with like a floor length gown

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

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

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

One of Henry's college friends attended a high school in Texas with an over-the-top theater program budget, and was in a production of The Scarlet Pimpernel.

"

like pictures of her and The Scarlet Pimpernel with like a floor length gown

Isn't She Great: Writers on Women Led Comedies from 9 to 5 to Booksmart Cover

Elizabeth Teets

Isn't She Great

Writers on Women Led Comedies from 9 to 5 to Booksmart

It was described as a joke a minute, and Lisa Kudrow's performance was said to be effortlessly funny, with a monologue about creating glue being improvised.

"

I truly it's something I think that I'll watch when I am like in the worst mood I want to like give up on comedy and it's truly a joke a minute like or a joke 30 seconds and they're all funny jokes an...

— Episode: "Can We Talk About Nicolette?" (w/ Pat R...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: "Can We Talk About Nicolette?" (w/ Pat Regan)

It was described as a joke a minute, and Lisa Kudrow's performance was said to be effortlessly funny, with a monologue about creating glue being improvised.

"

I truly it's something I think that I'll watch when I am like in the worst mood I want to like give up on comedy and it's truly a joke a minute like or a joke 30 seconds and they're all funny jokes and um Lisa Kudrow is so like effortlessly funny in that it's like she's a true she's an inspiration for sure that the fact that she was like a biology name

Did you know two things did you know that Lisa Kudrow improvised the monologue in Romy and Michelle's High School Union about how she created glue?

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