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Dave Chappelle is one of the most successful comedians in the world, and his latest Netflix special, ‘The Closer’, reportedly made him $20 million.The special has sparked a huge amount of backlash, prompting a staff walkout at Netflix, and calls for the special to be taken down. This week comedians Cassie Workman and Tom Ballard join The Culture, to help unpack the reignited conversation around free speech, what kind of impact harmful and offensive language can have in the real world, and the purpose of comedy.Guest: Comedian, actor and musician Cassie WorkmanComedian and podcaster Tom BallardFollow The Culture on InstagramSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After spending weeks locked in secret negotiations with the Nationals on climate policy, Prime Minister Scott Morrison is finally heading to the UN summit in Glasgow.But while Morrison’s deal with the minor party might solve an internal political issue for him, it still leaves Australia without a serious and ambitious emissions reduction plan.And that could lead to more political trouble for Morrison as the federal Labor opposition weighs up fighting the upcoming election on climate policy.Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on the problems with Scott Morrison’s climate plan.Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Right now world leaders are gearing up for COP26: a major international climate summit starting in just a few days.The summit has been billed as humanity’s last chance to avoid the catastrophic impacts of climate change.But while many developed nations are preparing to commit to strong emissions reduction targets, Australia remains an outlier.Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on why COP26 is so important, and how Australia might undermine global efforts to stop runaway climate change.Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A landmark judgement by the High Court of Australia has reignited debate over whether or not our legal system is fit for purpose in the age of social media.The Court found that news organisations are liable for the comments posted on their Facebook pages.The decision has forced many news sites to disable comments - impacting how each of us find and consume the news.Today, legal affairs editor for The Saturday Paper, Richard Ackland on what this High Court decision means for how we use the internet, and how our courts are out of step with the online world.Guest: Legal Affairs Editor for The Saturday Paper, Richard Ackland.Background reading: Judges v The Internet in The Saturday PaperStay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In recent weeks the world’s two superpowers, China and the United States, have been steadily building up their military presence in the Taiwan Strait.Chinese President Xi Jinping has made it clear that he wants to bring Taiwan back under China’s control, a move the United States seems likely to resist at all costs.Today, Emeritus Professor at the Australian National University Hugh White on how Australia could be drawn into a war over Taiwan, and why it could turn nuclear.Guest: Emeritus Professor at the Australian National University, Hugh White.See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At the last federal election, mining billionaire Clive Palmer spent more than $80 million trying to influence the makeup of Australia’s parliament.Now his United Australia Party is back with a new leader - Craig Kelly.Kelly, a former Liberal MP known for his controversial views, says that under his leadership the United Australia Party is stronger and bigger than ever.Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike Seccombe on what impact a Palmer-Kelly alliance could have on the next federal election.Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike Seccombe.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Helen Garner, one of Australia’s most acclaimed authors, will be reading her piece from the latest issue of The Monthly. It features entries from her diaries, covering her experience during this year’s lockdown in Melbourne.Guest: Helen Garner, acclaimed Australian novelist and nonfiction writer.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When the Real Housewives first aired 16 years ago it was written off as “trashy”. Feminist icon Gloria Steinem even called it "a minstrel show for women".But the show has shrugged off those labels, and become bigger and bigger, exploring themes of consumerism, class, and race, all while being highly entertaining.Now the franchise is at the centre of serious legal drama, providing both high stakes entertainment and a window into what happens when highly produced reality TV collides with actual reality.To help explain why this franchise is both increasingly popular and important Real Housewives superfans comedian Gen Fricker and writer Katie Cunningham join The Culture. Guest: Comedian Gen Fricker, Writer Katie CunninghamSocial links: Follow The Culture on InstagramSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has finally confirmed that he will be attending the United Nations climate conference in Glasgow in November.Morrison is under pressure, both from voters and Australia’s international allies, to publicly support a commitment to net zero emissions by 2050. But his coalition partners, the Nationals, are yet to support the policy - and some in the minor party are pushing hard against it. Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno on the Coalition’s war over net zero, and how Barnaby Joyce’s National party is holding the country’s future to ransom.Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul BongiornoSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the past week, Victoria’s anti-corruption commission has heard damning evidence about the political culture at the heart of the state’s Labor party. The allegations aired so far include claims of branch stacking and misuse of taxpayer funds, and the investigation has already forced the resignation of a number of state government ministers.Today, chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton on what the inquiry is actually about, and what the consequences might be for the Labor party both in Victoria and federally.Guest: Chief political correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Karen Middleton.Stay in touch with us on Twitter and InstagramSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.