Stuff You Should Know Selects: How Tabloids Work
Mar 5, 2022
Discover the history of tabloids, from their roots as a response to conservative media to their current status as our guilty pleasure. Explore how scandal and sensationalism shape celebrity culture and the ethical dilemmas that arise from gossip journalism. Dive into the mechanics of tabloid storytelling, revealing the dubious sources and unverifiable claims that often accompany juicy narratives. Learn how stars navigate the relentless attention of paparazzi and the complex dance between celebrities and the tabloids that follow them.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Bat Boy
- The Weekly World News, a tabloid, featured Bat Boy, a half-bat, half-boy creature.
- Bat Boy's exploits included searching for Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan.
Tabloid Definition
- Tabloids, often called rags or gossip sheets, are considered less credible than traditional newspapers.
- They frequently focus on sensationalized or scandalous content.
Penny Press
- Early newspapers were expensive and formal, focusing on politics and business.
- The Penny Press emerged as a cheaper alternative with human-interest stories.