The Big Flop

Wondery
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Aug 25, 2025 • 52min

The Bling Ring: Hollywood’s Wildest Teen Crime Spree with Sydney Battle and Matt Bellassai | 102

Sydney Battle, a comedian known for her sharp wit, teams up with Matt Bellassai, another comedic talent, to dive into the outrageous saga of the Bling Ring. They explore how fame-obsessed teens stole $3 million from celebrities, offering hilarious takes on their reckless escapades. The duo discusses the blurred lines of celebrity culture, the allure of theft, and the sometimes ridiculous consequences of seeking fame. Their banter highlights the deeper lessons about accountability in a world obsessed with glamour.
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Aug 18, 2025 • 46min

Weinergate: The Rise And Fall Of Anthony's Weiner with Alana Levinson and Dan O'Sullivan | 101

Join pop culture writers Alana Levinson and Dan O'Sullivan as they dissect the spectacular rise and fall of Anthony Weiner. They delve into his ambitious political career, the outrageous fallout from his scandalous online behavior, and the complexities of his marriage to Huma Abedin. With a mix of humor and critical analysis, they explore the viral moments that shaped his public image and the intricate dance of redemption in politics. Discover how one man's compulsive choices reshaped his future and impacted the political landscape.
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Aug 11, 2025 • 49min

The Wild, Broken Ride of Bird and Its Scooter Empire with Joe Fenti and Maddy Smith | 100

In 2017, Santa Monica residents woke up to find their streets invaded by mysterious electric scooters. The culprit? Travis VanderZanden, a former Uber exec with a plan to revolutionize urban transit. But between drunk-tweeting executives, phantom revenue reports, and scooters being hurled into oceans, Bird's flight path was destined for turbulence.Joe Fenti and Maddy Smith join Misha to watch Bird's $2 billion flight plan nosediveBe the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterListen to The Big Flop on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-big-flop/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Aug 4, 2025 • 52min

From Antivirus King to Fugitive: The John McAfee Story with Jeff Hiller and Leslie Liao | 99

Join Jeff Hiller, an actor and comedian known for his book 'Actress of a Certain Age,' and Leslie Liao as they dive into the chaotic life of John McAfee. They discuss his wild transformation from antivirus mogul to fugitive, marked by bizarre decisions like tattooing "WHACKD" on himself. The hosts reflect on the paradox of digital trust, his cult-like escapades in Belize, and the shadows of his questionable legacy. Tune in for a mix of humor and intrigue around one of tech's most notorious figures!
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Jul 31, 2025 • 7min

Business Wars Presents: The AOL-Time Warner Disaster

Think business is boring? What about when your streaming bill goes up, or your favorite restaurant files for bankruptcy? Do you ever wonder what’s going on behind the scenes? Business Wars gives you a front row seat to the biggest moments in business, to explain how they shape our world. In the latest season, they explore the AOL Time Warner merger, a deal that became one of the most expensive and chaotic corporate disasters on record, one that permanently scarred both companies. Listen to Business Wars: The AOL Time Warner Disaster right now wherever you get your podcasts: Wondery.fm/BW_IFDSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Jul 28, 2025 • 49min

Katy Perry’s Flop Era: Bad Music, Bad Press, and Space with Jordan Myrick and Kendahl Landreth | 98

She kissed a girl, she liked it, and for a decade, Katy Perry could do no wrong. But when cultural appropriation scandals and lukewarm albums replaced her candy-coated hits, not even Jeff Bezos's rocket ship could launch her back to stardom. From pixie cut crisis to space tourism cringe, this is how pop's reigning queen became TikTok's favorite punchline.Happy Wife, Happy Life co-hosts Jordan Myrick and Kendahl Landreth join Misha to figure out how this "Dark Horse" found herself "Waking Up In Vegas."Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterListen to The Big Flop on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-big-flop/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Jul 21, 2025 • 48min

Burning Down The Hype House with Chaz May and Brendan Sagalow | 97

In 2019, a group of TikTok stars thought they'd cracked the code to social media stardom: live together, dance together, get rich together. But when the Hype House turned into a pressure cooker of teenage drama, shady business deals, and pandemic parties, these content creators learned that going viral doesn't always pay the rent – or the lawyers.Chaz May and Brendan Sagalow (Thin Lips) join Misha to discuss what all the hype was about.Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterListen to The Big Flop on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-big-flop/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Jul 14, 2025 • 46min

Battlefield Earth: John Travolta’s $75 Million Sci-Fi Disaster with Cassie Willson and Katie Marovitch | 96

Cassie Willson and Katie Marovitch, co-stars of the improvised Regency comedy podcast Bitcherton, join in a hilarious critique of John Travolta's infamous 'Battlefield Earth.' They explore the film's absurdity, touching on its bizarre plot twists and the challenges of adapting L. Ron Hubbard's work. The conversation dives into Travolta's career, the connection to Scientology, and the film's bizarre promotional tactics. With humor and insight, they reflect on what went wrong and what filmmakers can learn from this cinematic disaster.
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Jul 7, 2025 • 36min

American Airlines' Ultimate Travel Scam with Katie Boyle and Erin Jackson | 95

What happens when you give two men unlimited first-class flights for life? American Airlines found out the hard way when their "brilliant" cash-grab turned into a multi-million dollar nightmare, complete with impromptu Paris lunch dates, suspicious companion passes, and an airline determined to ground frequent flyers forever.Katie Boyle (The Shift, I'll Do It Myself) and Erin Jackson (Grudgery, The Upshaws)join Misha for a first class conversation about American Airlines AirpassBe the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterListen to The Big Flop on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-big-flop/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Jun 30, 2025 • 54min

Fitness Product Fails with Angela Giarratana, Jeremy Culhane and Kylie Brakeman | 94

What do you get when you combine Yale graduates, Orange County bros, and Skechers' sketchy ""research""? Three of the most memorable fitness product fails of all time. From David Beckham's magic balance bracelet to Kim Kardashian's Super Bowl shoe commercial, these celebrity-endorsed flops showed that even star power can't overcome basic physics.Artists on Artists on Artisits on Artists co-hosts Angela Giarratana, Jeremy Culhane and Kylie Brakeman join Misha to get to the core of three 2000 fitness fads: The Shake Weight; Skechers Shape Ups; and Power Balance WristbandsFollow The Big Flop on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to The Big Flop early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery app or on Apple Podcasts.Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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