The Most American Episode of The Daily, Ever.

About this episode

<p>In celebration of the United States of America’s 250th birthday, we posed a simple question to some of our favorite critics, columnists and editors across the New York Times newsroom, people who write about books, movies, TV shows, science, sports, wellness and food. We asked: What’s the most American thing on your beat?</p> <p>On today’s episode, we present their answers. Happy Birthday, America!<br>  </p> <p><strong>On Today’s Episode</strong></p> <p>Joshua Barone, culture editor, on “Rodeo,” composed by Aaron Copland</p> <p>Vanessa Friedman, chief fashion critic, on workout gear</p> <p>Erik Piepenburg, culture writer, on the movie “Get Out”</p> <p>Kevin Roose, technology columnist, on Amazon Prime</p> <p>Mekado Murphy, culture editor, on the roller coaster The Beast</p> <p>James Poniewozik, chief television critic, on “Survivor”</p> <p>Jancee Dunn, wellness writer, on productivity and sleep</p> <p>Elena Bergeron, culture editor, on U.S. hockey</p> <p>Jennifer Szalai, nonfiction book critic at the Book Review, on “Paved Paradise: How Parking Explains the World” by Henry Grabar</p> <p>Bill Wasik, science editor, on liquid rocket fuel</p> <p>Madison Malone Kircher, internet culture reporter, on Bama Rush</p> <p>Kim Severson, food reporter, on M&M’s</p> <p>MJ Franklin, editor at the Book Review, on “The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois” by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers</p> <p>Helen Shaw, chief theater critic, on “The Century Cycle” by August Wilson</p> <p>Alissa Wilkinson, film critic, on the movie “There Will Be Blood”</p> <p>Zachary Small, culture reporter, on Grand Theft Auto</p> <p>Elisabeth Vincentelli, culture reporter, on demolition derbies</p> <p>Jason Zinoman, critic at large, on the song “Political Science” by Randy Newman</p> <p>Jason Farago, critic at large, on the Statue of Liberty</p> <p>A.O. Scott, critic at large, on “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry” by Walt Whitman (featuring a reading by Jeffrey Wright)</p> <p>Gia Kourlas, dance critic, on “Stars and Stripes” by George Balanchine and “Appalachian Spring” by Martha Graham</p> <p>Jon Caramanica, pop music critic, on “Trump Trump Baby” by Forgiato Blow<br><br>  <strong>Photo credit: </strong>The New York Times</p> <p><p>Subscribe today at <a href="http://nytimes.com/podcasts">nytimes.com/podcasts</a> or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher">https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher</a>. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.</p></p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>