Into It: A Vulture Podcast with Sam Sanders

Black Hobbits and the Whiteness of Fantasy (Plus: What Are Abbi Jacobson and Chanté Adams Into?)

Why does the outrage over people of color cast in fantasies feel so predictable? Sam chats with associate professor Ebony Elizabeth Thomas, author of The Dark Fantastic: Race and Imagination from Harry Potter to The Hunger Games, about how fantasy writing in the Western world has become so entrenched in whiteness that the mere presence of a Black hobbit seems “shocking.”
We also ask Abbi Jacobson and Chante Adams of A League of Their Own if they are into Cher calling Queen Elizabeth II a cow. And we hear about the culture that's haunting us: Dave Grohl watching Taylor Hawkins' son drumming to "My Hero" at a tribute concert is a scene straight out of a Pixar movie.
Send us your culturegeist. What specific thing in the culture has been haunting you for days, weeks, or even years? Send us a short voice memo at intoit@vulture.com.
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Join host Sam Sanders as he guides you through the biggest pop culture stories, trends, and ideas we can’t stop thinking about. With help from Vulture friends and the occasional celebrity, Into It is answering all of the important questions. What summer blockbusters are worth your time? Do we really know Taylor Swift? What does the future of TV look like? New episodes drop every Tuesday and Friday. From Vulture and the Vox Media Podcast Network.