

Ridiculous Crime
iHeartPodcasts
True Crime is more than blood, guts, mayhem, and murder. Zaron Burnett and Elizabeth Dutton share outlandish tales of capers, heists, and cons that shine a light on the absurd and outrageous side of criminality. Always 99% murder-free and 100% ridiculous, this is Ridiculous Crime, a podcast by iHeartRadio.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 8, 2023 • 48min
Holy Ridiculous Crimes, Batman!
The Caped Crusader fights crime, but what happens when he IS crime? Stolen movie scripts, missing toys, and the mother of all Bat memorabilia. Tune in! Same crime time, same crime channel!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 6, 2023 • 51min
634 Ways to Not Kill Fidel Castro
For more than 4 decades the CIA – doing their best impression of Wile E. Coyote – tried to kill Fidel Castro. The spy agency made 634 assassination attempts on the Cuban leader. And almost all of them were ridiculous.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jun 1, 2023 • 48min
They Might Be Giants
When you decide to prove to a preacher that the Bible is hokum, the most logical thing to do is craft a stone giant, right? Right? George Hull certainly thought so. He put a large man in the ground and a little birdhouse in your soul.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 30, 2023 • 56min
Call Bring ‘Em Back Babs: Pet Detective
When a beloved pet goes missing, who do you call? If you’re Paris Hilton you hire a team of pet psychics, dog whisperers and pet detectives. But what about an everyday person? Luckily, for us, there’s a veteran investigator who’s never charged for her services. Bring ‘Em Back Babs: pet detective.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 25, 2023 • 50min
The Truth is Out There: The Fox Sisters
What do you get when you mix spiritualism, bereft seekers, kids drinking wine, knuckle cracking, an Arctic explorer, and chicken bones? You get the Fox Sisters, America's original psychic con artists.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 23, 2023 • 49min
You, Me and the Stanford Tree
In 1998, the rivalry between Stanford University and UC Berkeley escalated to kidnapping and hostage videos. But in the geeky tradition of both colleges, it was actually a tree-napping. Some Cal frat bros, calling themselves The Phoenix Five, stole the Stanford mascot (…but really, they stole our hearts). Hijinks ensued!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 18, 2023 • 46min
Watch Me Eat this Chicken: Lawrence Joseph Bader
Most people spice up their boring lives with fun hobbies or social events. That wasn't enough for Lawrence Bader. He went and made himself a whole new life, this time as Omaha, Nebraska's hippest bachelor. Flagpole sitting, war injuries, hearses, pillow piles -- his new life had it all!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 16, 2023 • 53min
Call Me… Robb TaLLLLL University, I Am A Rock Star*
He was not a real rock star but Robb TaLLLLL University played one in his fantasies. In reality, Mr. University lacked star power or musical talent. Kinda a shame, but he was one helluva bank scammer. He made millions as a pretend rock star. Too bad no one really dreams of growing up to be a bank scammer!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 11, 2023 • 53min
Someday My Prince Will Con: Michael Romanoff
Everybody loves an entertaining exiled royal. And when that royal is exposed as a fraud? Everybody still loves him! From slinging lies in Brooklyn to slinging fancy strawberry desserts for Hollywood celebrities, Prince Mike lived one ridiculous life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

May 9, 2023 • 52min
The Ballad of L. W. Wright
Like Ricky Bobby, he was a pretend NASCAR driver — only this was no movie. L.W. Wright was a fake racer in real life who took on the legends of NASCAR by scamming his way onto the track at Talladega. “Shoot, this story should be a movie!”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.