
The Big Flop
Fyre Fest goes up in flames, Madame Web is panned, the hot new crypto coin crashes. Who doesn’t love a good flop? From Silicon Valley scandals to Hollywood meltdowns - every epic fail has a story worth telling. Join TikTok superstar Misha Brown on Wondery’s The Big Flop as we unpack history’s most fascinating flops, frauds, and fiascos. Whether it’s Tom Cruise’s couch-jumping or Taylor Swift in Cats, we’re dissecting the moments when ambition, ego, and poor decisions collide. Each week, Misha and hilarious guests break down these spectacular crashes and try to answer the burning question: Who thought THIS was a good idea? Because on The Big Flop, the best stories are always about the worst ideas. New episodes come out every week.Follow The Big Flop on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Watch new episodes on YouTube, or listen to The Big Flop early and ad-free by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. New episodes every Monday.
Latest episodes

Jun 16, 2025 • 52min
Jen Shah: From Real Housewife to Real Prison Time with Watch What Crappens | 92
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.

Jun 12, 2025 • 12min
Listen Now: Beanie Babies, A Big Flop or The Best Idea Yet?
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!

Jun 9, 2025 • 42min
Bernie Madoff’s Empire of Deception with Brent Pella and Joey Dardano | 91
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!

Jun 2, 2025 • 48min
Jenny Craig: Cashing In On Crash Diets with Ronald Young Jr. and Emmy Blotnick | 90
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!

May 26, 2025 • 47min
Fed Up With K-Fed (A.K.A Britney Spears Ex) with Alex Falcone And Robby Hoffman | 89
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.

7 snips
May 19, 2025 • 53min
23andMe: Spit, Scandal, and a $6 Billion Meltdown with Kevin Sullivan and Laura Peek | 88
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.

May 12, 2025 • 55min
Myspace and its $580 Million Mistake with Erika Ishii and Brennan Lee Mulligan | 87
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.

May 5, 2025 • 52min
Unzipping American Apparel with Sasheer Zamata and Jared Goldstein | 86
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.

Apr 28, 2025 • 46min
The McDonald's Monopoly Game: A Supersized McFlop with Beth Stelling and Ify Nwadiwe | 85
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.

Apr 21, 2025 • 52min
Encore: Rachel Dolezal's White Lies with Naomi Ekperigin and Andy Beckerman | 84
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.