Pop Mystery Pod

For better or (more likely) worse, “The Jerry Springer Show” changed television as we know it. Were the guests on this trainwreck real? Or fakers? Investigative journalists Tess Barker parses through Jerry Springer’s improbable life for clues as to how genuine the guests on his show were.    Tess is joined by comics Doug Stanhope @dougstanhope  and Terrence Newman @mayorofechopark, who have wild first-hand insights into the veracity of this iconic show.    Follow Pop Mystery Pod on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok @popmysterypod    Pop Mystery Pod is written and produced by Tess Barker @tesstifybarker. Produced by Tyler Hill.   Theme song by Rick Wood @Rickw00d.   Support independent pop journalism and join us on Patreon at Pop Mystery Pod. Get access to ad free episodes, bonus content, and polls about upcoming topics. patreon.com/PopMysteryPod   Follow Tess’s other podcasts Lady to Lady and Toxic wherever you get your pods.    Make sure to leave us a review! And tell a friend about the show!  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lisa Vanderpump, a reality TV icon and successful restaurateur, joins fashion designer Haley Solar, an expert on Vanderpump Rules, to unravel the complex web of her restaurant empire. They discuss the duality of fame and business, revealing the challenges of navigating Hollywood's hospitality scene. Topics include the blurring lines of reality TV storytelling, ongoing controversies surrounding fires and lawsuits, and the performative nature of philanthropy in the Vanderpump world. Listeners get an inside look at the chaos, charm, and hidden struggles behind the glamorous facade.

Judd Legum, investigative journalist and founder of the Popular Information newsletter, dives into the eerie world of 'Pass It On' billboards featuring stars like Dolly Parton and Whoopi Goldberg. He questions the true intent behind these ads, unraveling a hidden agenda masked as positivity. The conversation explores the complexities of celebrity endorsements and political contradictions, revealing how ultra-wealthy backers influence philanthropy and public messaging. Legum critiques the oversimplified rags-to-riches narrative and its societal implications.

Brandie Posey, a journalist, comic, and pop culture enthusiast, joins the fun to dissect the epic feud between Vin Diesel and The Rock. They humorously explore the real names behind the personas and how astrology reveals their contrasting energies. The conversation digs into Diesel's surprising twin and reflects on the dynamics of masculinity and family within the Fast and Furious franchise. Additionally, they highlight celebrity rivalries and their influence on Hollywood, blending insightful commentary with laughs along the way.

Broadway actor Sara Jean Ford and musicologist Dr. Lynda Paul discuss the infamous musical 'Cats,' exploring its commercial success, unconventional elements, and the rigorous demands on performers. They delve into the creation of the show, the significance of T.S. Eliot's poems, and the hidden meanings within the characters. The podcast also examines the music of 'Cats,' its emotional resonance, and its impact on audiences, touching on human connection and memories.

Journalist, comic, and pop culture junkie Tess Barker welcomes Emma Gray @emmaladyrose (Love to See It podcast, Rich Text newsletter). How much did “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” cast member and Erika Jayne know about her husband, Tom Girardi’s alleged frauds? Tess and Erika sort through the saga of this fallen power couple. Read the LA Times invetsigative piece on Tom and Erika, written by Matt Hamilton and Harriet Ryan here.   Watch the doc "The Housewife and the Hustler" on Hulu.  Follow Pop Mystery Pod on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok @popmysterypod    Pop Mystery Pod is written and produced by Tess Barker @tesstifybarker. Produced by Tyler Hill.    Theme song by Rick Wood @Rickw00d.   Support independent pop journalism and join us on Patreon at Pop Mystery Pod. Get access to ad free episodes, bonus content, and polls about upcoming topics. patreon.com/PopMysteryPod   Follow Tess’s other podcasts Lady to Lady and Toxic: The Britney Spears Story wherever you get your pods.    Make sure to leave us a review! And tell a friend about the show!   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Journalist, comic, and pop culture junkie Tess Barker unpacks a question that’s been nagging her since the ‘90s: Did someone put dirty jokes into classic Disney movies? How? And why? The search for the truth leads Tess to a place she didn't see coming.    Guests include Liz Climo (“The Simpsons,” children’s book author & illustrator), Mike Hollingsworth (“Bo Jack Horseman,” “Tuca and Bertie”), Tom Sito (“The Little Mermaid,” “Who Framed Rodger Rabbit?”, “The Lion King,” “Aladdin,” “Beauty and the Beast”), Brenda Chapman (“Brave,” “The Prince of Egypt,” “The Lion King,” “Beauty and the Beast”). Featuring an Animation Guild oral history from Ann Guenther (“Sleeping Beauty,” “Winnie the Pooh,” “Robin Hood,” “The Rescuers.”)    Follow Pop Mystery Pod on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok @popmysterypod    Pop Mystery Pod is written and produced by Tess Barker @tesstifybarker. Produced by Tyler Hill.   Theme song by Rick Wood @Rickw00d.   Abigail Keel was a consulting producer on this episode.    Clearance Counsel is  Dale Nelson and Jacqueline Swett at Donaldson Callif Perez, LLP   Support independent pop journalism and join us on Patreon at Pop Mystery Pod. Get access to ad free episodes, bonus content, and polls about upcoming topics. patreon.com/PopMysteryPod   Follow Tess’s other podcasts Lady to Lady and Toxic wherever you get your pods.    Make sure to leave us a review! And tell a friend about the show!   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Comic Danielle Perez talks about Lindsay Lohan's impact on the kombucha industry, from her party girl phase to innovative product ideas. They also discuss Lohan's career, legal troubles, and humorous mishaps, reshaping perceptions of the actress and kombucha beverages.

Journalist, comic, and pop culture junkie Tess Barker unpacks the alleged fraudulent actions behind the 2010 hit movie “The Blind Side.”  Guests on this episode are Craig Vail, close friend of Michael Oher and Kellie Carter-Jackson @kcarterjackson, Historian, Award Winning Author, Chair of Africana, Wellesley College.  Follow Pop Mystery Pod on Twitter, Insstagram, and TikTok @popmysterypod  Pop Mystery Pod is written and produced by Tess Barker @tesstifybarker. Produced by Emma Klein. Theme song by Rick Wood @Rickw00d. Abigail Keel was a consulting producer on this episode.  Clearance Counsel is Dale Nelson and Jacqueline Swett at Donaldson Callif Perez, LLP Support independent pop journalism and join us on Patreon at Pop Mystery Pod. Get access to ad free episodes, bonus content, and polls about upcoming topics. patreon.com/PopMysteryPod Follow Tess’s other podcasts Lady to Lady and Toxic wherever you get your pods.    Make sure to leave us a review! And tell a friend about the show!   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Journalist Babs Gray joins Tess Barker to unravel the mysteries surrounding Brittany Murphy's untimely death. Topics include toxic relationships, deceptive Hollywood scams, and suspicions of foul play, as they explore the dark and intriguing circumstances surrounding the actress's passing.