The Big Flop

Ben Mandelker and Ronnie Karam, co-hosts of Watch What Crappens, dissect the jaw-dropping fall of Jen Shah from reality TV darling to federal inmate. They dive into her tumultuous rise, including her escape from a Bravo shoot ahead of her arrest. The hosts explore the complexities of her life, including overcoming personal struggles and the chaotic world of scams. They also discuss the stark contrast between her extravagant persona and her gritty reality, all while adding their signature humor to the shocking twists of her story.

Join Nick Martel, co-host of The Best Idea Yet, as he dives into the captivating world of Beanie Babies. Discover the quirky origins of this toy craze, driven by a visionary creator who revolutionized marketing with low prices and a focus on small retailers. Nick discusses the fascinating rise and dramatic fall of these plush icons, examining their role in launching eBay and the fallout from a market crash that left many collectors reeling. Tune in for a lively debate on whether Beanie Babies were a glorious success or a spectacular flop!

Join Brent Pella and Joey Dardano as they dive into the infamous tale of Bernie Madoff, the master of deception who pulled off the largest Ponzi scheme in history. They humorously explore Madoff's charismatic charm and the fine line between legitimate success and fraudulent practices. Personal stories of financial mishaps add a comic twist to the conversation. The impact of Madoff's empire collapse is discussed, along with a reflection on the lessons learned from this cautionary saga. Get ready for laughs and insights about a classic financial flop!

Join Ronald Young Jr., a vibrant host known for his pop culture insights, and Emmy Blotnick, a talented comedian and writer, as they dissect the rise and fall of Jenny Craig. They explore the humorous yet sobering moments of dieting culture, from deceptive marketing tactics to the ironic fallout of legal troubles. The duo shares engaging anecdotes about celebrity endorsements and financial pitfalls in the weight loss industry while reflecting on the bizarre legacy of fads like Fen-Phen. Prepare for a mix of laughter and insight!

Comedians Alex Falcone, known for his work on Portlandia, and Robby Hoffman, host of Too Far, dive into the wild saga of Kevin Federline. They explore K-Fed's meteoric rise from pizza delivery to marrying Britney Spears, and the subsequent plunge into reality TV chaos. The duo hilariously critiques his failed music career and public image, reflecting on his misguided attempts at fame post-marriage. With personal anecdotes and sharp commentary, they paint a vivid picture of a man desperate to stay relevant amid fame's fickle nature.

Kevin Sullivan, a comedian and content creator, joins fellow comedian Laura Peek to dissect the meteoric rise and catastrophic fall of 23andMe. They dive into the scandal of data breaches and the implications for privacy in genetic testing. With witty anecdotes, they explore the company's cultural impact, celebrity endorsements, and the ethical dilemmas faced by its leadership. As they navigate the rollercoaster of biotech's glamor and chaos, Sullivan and Peek highlight the poignant lessons on entrepreneurship and the complexity of personal data.

Before there was Facebook, there was MySpace – and Tom Anderson was everyone's first friend. With his iconic profile pic and revolutionary platform, Tom turned social media into a cultural phenomenon. But when corporate suits came calling with fat checks and even bigger expectations, Tom went from being everyone’s first friend to the internet’s first cautionary tale. Erika Ishii and Brennan Lee Mulligan (Dimension 20, Dropout.tv) join Misha to get the lowdown on how Tom from Myspace fell out of everyone’s top 8.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sasheer Zamata, a comedian and co-host of the podcast Best Friends, and Jared Goldstein, an actor and host of Sorry What?, delve into the sordid tales of American Apparel. They explore the rise and fall of its founder, Dov Charney, whose provocative marketing led to scandal and bankruptcy. The discussion touches on the brand's ethical image vs. the toxic workplace culture, as well as the cultural implications of Charney's controversial decisions. It's a humorous yet critical look at the chaos that rocked the fashion industry.

The Hamburglar was just a mascot, but Jerome Jacobson was the real deal - a McDonald's security chief who pulled off the ultimate inside job. While millions of Americans peeled game pieces hoping for a miracle, this master manipulator was turning Big Macs into big bucks, orchestrating a multi-million dollar fraud. Discover the supersized story of how one man's greed turned America's favorite promotion into the biggest McFlop in fast-food history.Ify Nwadiwe and Beth Stelling, join Misha to get salty about the McDonald’s Monopoly game.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.

Rachel Dolezal built a life for herself as a teacher, a civil rights advocate, and a leader in her local NAACP chapter. There was just one problem: She built it all on a foundation of lies—and the biggest lie of all was about her race. When a local news crew discovered her secret and called her out in front of cameras, it all came crashing down on a national scale.Naomi Ekperigin and Andy Beckerman (Couples Therapy) join Misha to break down the many lies of Rachel Dolezal—and there are a lot!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.