The Big 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.

At 2:30AM on Thanksgiving night 2009, Tiger Woods, one of the most famous athletes in the world, drove his car into a tree outside his neighbor’s house. This bizarre accident set off a chain of events that exposed Tiger’s secret affairs to the world and wound up wrecking more than his Escalade: It wrecked his marriage, and almost totaled his career.  Brooke Siffrinn and Aricia Skidmore-Williams from Even the Rich join Misha to tee off on the salacious scandals of Tiger Woods.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.

When 27-year-old wunderkind Josh Trank got the keys to Marvel's First Family, he promised a dark, gritty take on the Fantastic Four. But his own origin story—complete with on-set meltdowns, studio battles, and that infamous tweet—proved more compelling than anything that made it to screen. From questionable wigs to near-fistfights, this superhero saga became a cautionary tale about Hollywood hubris that even Mr. Fantastic couldn't stretch his way out of.The hosts of Unspooled, Amy Nicholson and Paul Scheer (How Did This Get Made) join Misha to binge Josh Trank's F4stic, a movie so bad, it makes you wish you were constantly on fire like the Human Torch just so you could FEEL something.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.