The Gist

Raise a toast: There are no more dry states left on Election Day. On The Gist, Mike Pesca’s wonderful parents share a lesson from voting-day drinking in 1970s Greenwich Village. Plus, Brad Meltzer from the Lost History TV series explains how missing artifacts reveal the extraordinary roles that ordinary people play in history. The show airs Friday nights at 10 p.m. ET on H2. For the Spiel, will you please say something nice about your opponent? Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today on The Gist, political writer Harry Enten from FiveThirtyEight breaks down the latest polling data. Then, in our regular segment Is This Bulls--t?, we ask Maria Konnikova of The New Yorker if late-night dinners are really so horrible for our health. For the Spiel, Mike Pesca reports from below daredevil Nik Wallenda’s high wire in Chicago. Today’s show is sponsored by The Great Courses, who have a special offer for The Gist listeners. Order “Understanding the Mysteries of Human Behavior” and get 80% off the original price. Visit http://www.thegreatcourses.com/gist Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It looks likely that the Republicans will win the Senate. On The Gist, we ask Slate columnist Reihan Salam if a Republican majority means more will get done in Washington. Plus, Slate’s Emily Yoffe joins us for a Post-Prudence Impact Statement with past letter writer Two Families, One Mortgage. For the Spiel, so many elections, so little time to get to the really stupid things said by our candidates. Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today on The Gist, it’s hard to look away from a crime scene—and from the film Nightcrawler. First-time director Dan Gilroy talks about star Jake Gyllenhaal’s grueling preparation for the role and the film’s co-star, Rene Russo (who also happens to be Gilroy’s wife). Nightcrawler opens Friday. For the Spiel, would Chris Christie’s attitude fly in old Abe Lincoln’s day? Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today on The Gist: Divided government is supposed to foster compromise. Instead, Washington is mired in the mud. Norm Ornstein of The Atlantic talks about the potential of independents to swing the balance of power in the Senate. Plus, New York’s Barrow Street Theater is mounting English playwright Mark Ravenhill's Pool (No Water). Director Ianthe Demos and performer Nick Flint explain how they staged a play without stage directions. For the Spiel, uncles woo nieces, energy drinks woo attorneys general and Lexus tries to woo our host. Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Every so often there’s a politician who breaks through, or an idea that catches fire … just not this election year. Today on The Gist, Mark Leibovich from the New York Times counts the many ways this midterm election disappoints. Plus, using data to better understand human nature. We speak with OkCupid founder Christian Rudder about his new book Dataclysm. For the Spiel, bring on the poo. Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today on The Gist, Stephen E. Flynn, political science professor at Northeastern University, explains that the Ebola story isn’t a story of federal government incompetence. It’s the story of a lack of investment and commitment to public health at a local, county, and state level. For the Spiel, Thomas Friedman delivers a train wreck of a metaphor. Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today on The Gist, political writer Harry Enten from FiveThirtyEight reviews upcoming races of note, and the overall reliability of polling data. Plus, High Times editor-in-chief Dan Skye discusses the history of the magazine, and why he’s decided to reveal his real name. A new history of the magazine is out called High Times: A 40-Year History of the World's Most Infamous Magazine. For the Spiel, Mike steps out. Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today on The Gist, Paul Slovic from Decision Research offers insight into panic psychology. Plus, whiskey sommelier Heather Greene guides Mike through an in-studio tasting: Tullamore Dew, Angel’s Envy, and Brenne. She’s the author of Whiskey Distilled: a Populist Guide to the Water of Life. For the Spiel, is the opera the The Death of Klinghoffer unconscionable slander or a mere trifle? Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today on The Gist, a question about opera that has (almost) nothing to do with the controversy over The Death of Klinghoffer at the Metropolitan Opera. Mike asks mezzo-soprano Anita Rachvelishvili, star of the Met’s new production of Carmen, what it’s like to perform opera — from a seated position. Then, why are real wages not growing anywhere near the rate they once did? Adam Davidson from NPR’s Planet Money gives the economists’ explanation. For the Spiel, we’d like to be trusted as much as we’re mistrusted. Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today on The Gist, David Montgomery from the Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Argus Leader explains how a close Senate race has snuck up on South Dakota voters. Plus, Christopher Miller tells us about things that used to be funny but have vanished from popular humor. He’s the author of American Cornball. For the Spiel, a pandemic is sweeping America. (Hint: It’s not Ebola.) Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today on The Gist, an interview from the new podcast Amicus, hosted by Slate’s Dahlia Lithwick. In the excerpt, Dahlia talks with University of Virginia law professor Douglas Laycock, who argued the case of Holt v. Hobbs. Plus, Sarah Koenig from the Serial podcast gives us the tiniest clues about where this phenomenal who-done-it series is headed. For the Spiel, screwy Scottish science. Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Like TV? Then you owe a debt to our guest on The Gist, Norman Lear. He’s the author of Even This I Get to Experience, and responsible for TV shows including All in the Family, Maude, and Good Times. For the Spiel, a chance to issue corrections from the past three weeks, and name our Lobstar of the Antentwig. Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This election season has been full of court fights over voter access laws. Wendy Weiser, director of the Democracy Program at the Brennan Center, explains why the problem has more to do with a partisan divide in the judiciary than voter fraud. Also on The Gist, Slate’s Amanda Hess explains why male allies like Aziz Ansari are confusing for feminism. For the Spiel, U-S-Aaahhhh a mouse! Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today on The Gist, a new message of mercy emerges from the Vatican’s synod meetings this year. Joshua McElwee from the National Catholic Reporter joins us from Rome. Then, in our regular segment Is This Bulls---?, we ask Maria Konnikova of the New Yorker if drinking water is the secret to health, brilliance, and beauty. For the Spiel, institutions that inspire Mike’s ire. Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are Apple and Google “beyond the law”? Today on The Gist, Hanni Fakhoury from the Electronic Frontier Foundation responds to the FBI director’s comments. Plus, artist Stephanie Barber explains the story told by YouTube comments on Bob Seger’s “Night Moves.” For the Spiel, awarding Pinocchios. Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today on The Gist, why has Turkey seemed strangely ambivalent about beating back the forces of ISIS? We speak with Kemal Kirişci, director of the Center on the United States and Europe's Turkey Project at Brookings. Then, comedian Kevin Bartini describes the long battle to have West 121st Street and Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan named in honor of George Carlin. For the Spiel, why the most offensive political ad of the season wasn’t so bad. Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Should we be more concerned about black juror exclusion in capital trials? Today on The Gist, the Virginia Quarterly Review investigation “Bias in the Box,” by Dax-Devlon Ross. Then, should you ever attend a child’s birthday party in a hazmat suit? Slate’s Emily Yoffe joins us for a Post-Prudence Impact Statement with past letter writer “The Shot Is Safe.” For the Spiel, Mike explains why he agrees with disagreeing. Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today on The Gist, we explore the uncanny valley of rogue taxidermy. Robert Marbury, author of Taxidermy Art, explains why an American BioArt trend is taking hold. Plus, Mike Tipping, of The Tipping Point and Portland Press Harold, discusses what the Maine gubernatorial elections say about the state’s changing political landscape. He’s the author of As Maine Went. For The Spiel, Rebel Vetting 101. Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2 Kate Clark, Rivalry, from Taxidermy Art by Robert Marbury (Artisan Books). Copyright © 2014. Photo courtesy of the artist. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today on The Gist, is it too soon for Ebola jokes? Slate’s Josh Levin explains why the Jaguar mascot Jaxson De Ville’s joke didn’t land. Then, how the musical Bedbugs!!! earns its exclamation points. We’ll speak with creators Paul Leschen and Fred Sauter about the show, and Brooke Borel chimes in about the bedbug science. Her forthcoming book Infested arrives next spring. For The Spiel, why political party matters in statewide races in Texas. Get The Gist by email as soon as it’s available: slate.com/GistEmail Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/slate…id873667927?mt=2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices