Ridiculous Crime

We look back at the woman who embezzled $53 million dollars from her small hometown in the American heartland, all so that she could pay for her pony obsession. Now she wasn't hitting the track, no, Rita Crundwell lusted to become a celebrity in the world of horse breeders and trainers. And now, we have an update!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The actress Tippi Hedren and her whole family once made a certifiably ridiculous movie. A little joint called ROAR. With a cast of more than 100 untrained lions and a very loose script, it took years and millions to make. Was the set safe? Not on your life. And the biggest shame is that almost no one got to see it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While leafing through 75 years of local newspapers, Zaron Burnett uncovers an American Christmas tradition as ingrained in our culture as the red-and-white Santa: sneaking up to a nativity scene and stealing the Baby Jesus. And, in many cases, immediately regretting it. Note: Please do not steal Baby Jesus. * VERY SPECIAL CREDITSHosted by Dana Schwartz, Zaron Burnett, and Jason EnglishWritten by Zaron BurnettProduced by Josh FisherEditing and Sound Design by Chris ChildsMixing and Mastering by Chris ChildsVoice Actors: Jonathan Washington, Chris Childs, Elizabeth Dutton, Katie Mattie, Josh Fisher, and Zaron BurnettOriginal Music by Elise McCoyShow Logo by Lucy QuintanillaExecutive Producer is Jason English Thanks for listening! We'll have one more episode in 2024 next Monday. If you're enjoying Very Special Episodes, please leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. You can reach the show at veryspecialepisodes@gmail.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One Christmas night, four proud brave Scots break into Westminster Abbey to steal back the Stone of Scone AKA the Stone of Destiny for the glory and pride of Scotland. It was a Christmas miracle... of crime!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tom Vu captivated late night audiences with his outrageous infomercials touting his real estate seminars. He was rich, sitting on a yacht, carousing with bodacious bikini babes. Yes, he was rich and wanted you to be rich, too! But you weren't going to be rich. Not by a long shot. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dave Chappelle and his show made Rick James into a catchphrase. Charlie Murphy told the stories that made Rick James into a legendary figure in the culture. But it was Rick James who made the stories and the catchphrase real. "I'm Rick James, bitch!" And these criminals were inspired to be the Rick James they wanted to see in the world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From a young age, Anthony Gignac dreamed of being wealthy and living a lavish lifestyle. That simply wasn't in the cards for him, so he made his own deck. Posing as a Saudi prince, Anthony scammed his way into a life of luxury cars, jewels, and real estate deals. But like the fake diamonds glued to his Rolex, the title of a Roots album, and a line from Yeats' "The Second Coming," things fall apart.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do ya get when you strap 42 weather balloons to a lawn chair? The homemade flying machine of one Lawn Chair Larry. In the early '80s, the amateur aviator took to the skies of Southern California, where he reached such heights that planes taking off from LAX had to dodge Lawn Chair Larry!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The recent theft of a shipment of Santo Tequila, the brand owned by rocker Sammy Hagar and diner lover Guy Fieri, really shook America to its core. We take a look at Sammy's bumpy road to establishing his tequila empire, one Waborita at a time. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Magic: the Gathering is a tabletop card game for dueling wizards. Magic mushrooms are a psilocybin-based psychedelic that distorts reality. Combine them both and you get this story: a man travels to Portland, Oregon to compete on 'shrooms at a Magic: the Gathering Pro Tour event. ...And Elizabeth questions this whole reality!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.