The Big Flop
The Big Flop is a podcast that explores some of history's most spectacular failures, from disastrous festivals and box office bombs to crypto crashes and celebrity meltdowns. Hosted by TikTok star Misha Brown, each episode features hilarious guests dissecting the moments when ambition, ego, and poor decisions collide. Produced by Wondery, the show aims to find the entertaining stories behind epic flops, frauds, and fiascos.
Episodes
New Season - Dr. Death: The Cowboy
Dr. John Schneider rode into town like a character out of a Western: an outsider on a Harley-Davidson, in trademark cowboy boots. He promised relief to patients suffering in Wyoming and Montana. He seemed like the hero they needed. But when surgeries go wrong and a strange letter exposes a bitter feud, medical professionals and government officials search for the truth about this cowboy d
Listen Now: OnlyFantasy
Is what’s happening on OnlyFans real? Or is it only a fantasy?In this provocative investigation into OnlyFans—the adult platform where subscribers around the world spent more than $7 billion in 2024—journalist Leon Neyfakh teams up with comedian and OnlyFans creator Gracie Canaan for a one-of-a-kind exploration into the current state of human connection. Throughout, they discover that the
Scooter Braun vs. Taylor Swift: Inside the $300M Music Feud with Corey O'Brien and Alex Falcone | 104
From club promoter to music mogul, Scooter Braun's Midas touch turned Justin Bieber into pop royalty and made him millions. But when he bought Taylor Swift's masters, he learned the hard way that hell hath no fury like a pop princess scorned. In our final episode, we're going out with a bang – this is the story of how one savvy dealmaker became public enemy #1 to Swifties everywhere, and
Hooters Goes Bust with Jimmy Pardo and Courtney Revolution | 103
What happens when six guys with zero restaurant experience open a bar just so they'll always have somewhere to drink? You get Hooters – a wing joint that grew from Florida novelty to international phenomenon. But between failed airline ventures, bikini contests, and changing social attitudes, America's original ""breastaurant"" learned that some business models belong in the past – right
The Bling Ring: Hollywood’s Wildest Teen Crime Spree with Sydney Battle and Matt Bellassai | 102
They say dress for the job you want, not the job you have. For the Bling Ring, that meant stealing $3 million worth of designer goods from Hollywood's elite. From Paris Hilton's forgotten fortune to Orlando Bloom's watch collection, these teen burglars lived out their TMZ fantasies in real time. But when their own reality show became a crime scene, they discovered that fame is fleeting –
Weinergate: The Rise And Fall Of Anthony's Weiner with Alana Levinson and Dan O'Sullivan | 101
Anthony Weiner went from passionate congressional crusader to America's most infamous sexter faster than you can say ""Carlos Danger."" With a powerful wife, promising career, and path to the mayor's office, he had it all – until his compulsive need to share underwear pics cost him his marriage, freedom, and possibly the 2016 election. Alana Levinson and Dan O'Sullivan join Misha to
The Wild, Broken Ride of Bird and Its Scooter Empire with Joe Fenti and Maddy Smith | 100
In 2017, Santa Monica residents woke up to find their streets invaded by mysterious electric scooters. The culprit? Travis VanderZanden, a former Uber exec with a plan to revolutionize urban transit. But between drunk-tweeting executives, phantom revenue reports, and scooters being hurled into oceans, Bird's flight path was destined for turbulence.Joe Fenti and Maddy Smith join Misha to w
From Antivirus King to Fugitive: The John McAfee Story with Jeff Hiller and Leslie Liao | 99
John McAfee turned computer security into a fortune, then spent the rest of his life making increasingly questionable life choices. Whether he was running from murder charges, pumping crypto schemes, or tattooing ""WHACKD"" on his arm before his suspicious prison death, McAfee proved that sometimes the most dangerous virus is success itself.Jeff Hiller and Leslie Liao join Misha to get th
Katy Perry’s Flop Era: Bad Music, Bad Press, and Space with Jordan Myrick and Kendahl Landreth | 98
She kissed a girl, she liked it, and for a decade, Katy Perry could do no wrong. But when cultural appropriation scandals and lukewarm albums replaced her candy-coated hits, not even Jeff Bezos's rocket ship could launch her back to stardom. From pixie cut crisis to space tourism cringe, this is how pop's reigning queen became TikTok's favorite punchline.Happy Wife, Happy Life co-hosts Jo
Burning Down The Hype House with Chaz May and Brendan Sagalow | 97
In 2019, a group of TikTok stars thought they'd cracked the code to social media stardom: live together, dance together, get rich together. But when the Hype House turned into a pressure cooker of teenage drama, shady business deals, and pandemic parties, these content creators learned that going viral doesn't always pay the rent – or the lawyers.Chaz May and Brendan Sagalow (Thin Lips) j
Battlefield Earth: John Travolta’s $75 Million Sci-Fi Disaster with Cassie Willson and Katie Marovitch | 96
John Travolta spent 18 years trying to turn L. Ron Hubbard's Battlefield Earth into the next Star Wars. Instead, he delivered a cinematic disaster that made Waterworld look like Citizen Kane. With alien dreadlocks, nonsensical plot twists, and more Dutch angles than Amsterdam, Travolta's passion project became Hollywood's punchline of the decade. Bitcherton co-stars Cassie Willson an
American Airlines' Ultimate Travel Scam with Katie Boyle and Erin Jackson | 95
What happens when you give two men unlimited first-class flights for life? American Airlines found out the hard way when their "brilliant" cash-grab turned into a multi-million dollar nightmare, complete with impromptu Paris lunch dates, suspicious companion passes, and an airline determined to ground frequent flyers forever.Katie Boyle (The Shift, I'll Do It Myself) and Erin Jackson (Gru
Fitness Product Fails with Angela Giarratana, Jeremy Culhane and Kylie Brakeman | 94
What do you get when you combine Yale graduates, Orange County bros, and Skechers' sketchy ""research""? Three of the most memorable fitness product fails of all time. From David Beckham's magic balance bracelet to Kim Kardashian's Super Bowl shoe commercial, these celebrity-endorsed flops showed that even star power can't overcome basic physics.Artists on Artists on Artisits on Artists c
Napster: The App That Broke the Music Industry with Amber Autry and Alec Flynn | 93
Before she became known as “The She-Wolf of France,” Isabella was a princess sent to unite two warring kingdoms through marriage. But her husband, King Edward II of England, didn’t get the same memo. From day one, it’s clear he’s more interested in the cute men at court than his queen – or his crown. As Edward’s reckless choices endanger the English throne and strain relations with F
Jen Shah: From Real Housewife to Real Prison Time with Watch What Crappens | 92
When Jen Shah fled a Bravo filming location minutes before federal agents arrived, her castmates thought the cops might be strippers. They weren't. Instead, they were there to bust a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme that would send this Shah-mazing housewife from designer ski wear to prison jumpsuits.Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more!
Bernie Madoff’s Empire of Deception with Brent Pella and Joey Dardano | 91
Bernie Madoff wasn't just good at making money disappear—he was a master at making people believe in financial magic. But when the 2008 financial crisis hit, his house of cards came tumbling down, revealing the largest Ponzi scheme in history and leaving everyone from Kevin Bacon to cancer research charities holding the bag.Brent Pella (Wildin’ Out, Good Trip) and Joey Dardano (The Method
Jenny Craig: Cashing In On Crash Diets with Ronald Young Jr. and Emmy Blotnick | 90
In the '90s, Jenny Craig wasn't just selling frozen meals – she was selling the American dream, one tiny chocolate cheesecake at a time. But between shady advertising claims, the Fen-Phen crisis, and a jaw injury that silenced their spokeswoman, this weight loss queen discovered that even the most carefully counted calories couldn't save her empire from crumbling.Ronald Young Jr. (Weight
Fed Up With K-Fed (A.K.A Britney Spears Ex) with Alex Falcone And Robby Hoffman | 89
In 2004, backup dancer Kevin Federline hit the relationship jackpot when Britney Spears spotted him at an LA club. Two years, two babies, and one reality show later, K-Fed decided being Mr. Spears wasn't enough – he wanted to be Hip Hop royalty. But when his rap career tanked faster than his marriage, even Richard Branson and a truck covered in pennies couldn't save this wannabe rapper's
23andMe: Spit, Scandal, and a $6 Billion Meltdown with Kevin Sullivan and Laura Peek | 88
Celebrity spit parties, Met Gala appearances, and dreams of personalized medicine made 23andMe the hottest thing in biotech. Anne Wojcicki’s DNA tests promised to unlock the secrets of our genes – and maybe cure some diseases along the way. But when hackers exposed millions of users' genetic data, not even Richard Branson could save Anne from becoming another Silicon Valley casualty. 
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
Unzipping American Apparel with Sasheer Zamata and Jared Goldstein | 86
In the early 2000s, American Apparel was the coolest kid on the block, slinging ethically-made tees and scandalous billboards. But founder Dov Charney's penchant for office orgies and nude photoshoots proved too spicy for Wall Street, turning his sweatshop-free dream into a nightmare of lawsuits, bankruptcy, and one very public walk of shame.Sasheer Zamata and Jared Goldstein join Misha t
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 favor
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
Encore: Tiger Woods Drives His Marriage Into the Rough with Even the Rich | 83
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 S
Fantastic Flop: How Josh Trank Tanked the Fantastic Four with Paul Scheer and Amy Nicholson | 82
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 Hollyw
Barbie’s Most Embarrassing Fails with Maddie Wiener and Leah Rudick | 81
Think you know everything about Barbie? Think again. We're pulling back the pink curtain on three Mattel missteps that had parents lining up for refunds and PR teams working overtime. From pregnant Midge to “gay” Ken, these Barbie blunders had executives screaming ""Oh no!"" instead of ""Oh Barbie!""Maddie Wiener and Leah Rudick join Misha to unbox some of the weirdest Barbie products of
The $3 Billion Energy Drink Scam: The Rise and Fall of Bang with Emma Willmann and Anjelah Johnson Reyes | 80
From substitute teacher to energy drink mogul, Jack Owoc rode a wave of caffeine to build Bang Energy into a billion-dollar empire. Bang promised to make you smarter, stronger, and immune to hangovers. Turns out, the only thing it boosted was CEO Jack Owoc's bank account. But when Monster came for his market share and the music industry came for his TikToks, Jack learned that no amount of
U2: A Song Of Innocence & Backlash with Andy Daly and Izzy Roland | 79
In the fall of 2014, half a billion Apple iTunes users woke up to find U2's latest album downloaded to their devices. The band thought they were democratizing music, instead, U2’s attempt to force-feed their music to the masses turned into a PR nightmare complete with deletion tutorials, customer revolts, and the most expensive 'unsubscribe' button in music history.Izzy Roland (Dimension
The “Male Enhancement” Millionaire Who Got a Stiff Sentence with the Camp Counselors Podcast | 78
In 2001, Steve Warshak turned America's insecurities into gold with Enzyte, a 'male enhancement' pill hawked by TV's smuggest pitchman, Smilin' Bob. But when federal agents discovered Steve’s real genius wasn't in making anything “bigger” (besides his bank account through fraud), they unearthed a world of fake doctors, unauthorized charges, and Steve’s 70-year-old mother who helped run a
N*Sync's Secret Sixth Member: The Boy Band Pyramid Scheme with Good Children Podcast | 77
He turned five fresh-faced teens into the Backstreet Boys, then secretly created their rivals N*SYNC. But while his boy bands were hitting high notes, Lou Pearlman was orchestrating one of the biggest Ponzi schemes in history. From fake accounting firms to $300 million in fraud, discover how the man who built a pop empire ended up behind bars.The hosts of Good Children, Joe Hegyes and And
Tiger King: Joe Exotic's Cat-astrophic Flop with Last Podcast On the Left | 76
Joe Exotic built his kingdom on the backs of big cats, bad decisions, and bedazzled button-downs. But when his roadside zoo empire collided with animal rights crusader Carole Baskin, their clash unleashed a storm of eccentric enemies, failed murder plots, and the worst country music videos ever uploaded to YouTube.Ed Larson and Henry Zebrowski (Last Podcast On the Left) join Misha to unco
Tyra Banks: America’s Next Top Businesswoman? with Scam Goddess and Aida Rodriguez | 75
In the modeling world, Tyra Banks was untouchable—breaking barriers, creating catchphrases, and teaching a generation how to 'smize.' But when she tried to parlay that success into a business empire, things got messier than a Cover Girl photoshoot. From forcing Top Model contestants to promote her tone-deaf projects to selling $225 VIP tickets to a glorified Instagram museum, the queen of
All You Can't Eat: Red Lobster's Last Supper with Lewberger | 74
Bill Darden built Red Lobster from a single Florida restaurant into a billion-dollar empire. But after private equity vultures swooped in, they pushed endless shrimp promotions and installed toxic management that had workers wading through kitchen grease. Coupled with cringe-worthy viral campaigns, this is the story of how America's seafood sanctuary turned into an all-you-can-eat disaste
The CEO Who Couldn't Stop Partying: Steven Galanis' Cameo Collapse | 73
He built an empire on Kevin from The Office that turned into the hottest tech startup in town: Cameo. But when Steve Galanis became more interested in throwing Miami mansion parties than running his company, his billion-dollar tech darling became a digital bargain bin featuring more fraudsters than A-listers.Aaron Goldenberg and Jake Jonez (The Mean Gays) join Misha to break down how Came
Chimp Crazy: Tonia Haddix's Great Ape Escape with Grace Helbig and Mamrie Hart | 72
A Holiday Inn bathroom becomes a makeshift chimp sanctuary. A headless ape corpse rides shotgun down the highway. PETA and Alan Cumming join forces against a middle-aged nurse with a penchant for primates. This isn't a fever dream – it's the bonkers true story of Tonia Haddix and one woman's simian obsession gone wild.Grace Helbig and Mamrie Hart from This Might Get Weird join Misha to pe
The Most Hated Man In America: Pharma Bro Martin Shkreli with Kyle Prue and Miles Bonsignore | 71
Martin Shkreli jacked up drug prices, trolled the world, and bought a two million-dollar Wu-Tang album before the age of 35. But the karma (and real) police came for the Pharma Bro when the world caught wind of his price-gouging antics on life saving medicine. From hedge fund schemes to court-room memes, Martin earned the now infamous title of “Most Hated Man in America”.Kyle Prue (How to
Varsity Blues: The $25 Million College Admissions Scandal with Chris Burns and Sarah Tiana | 70
Rick Singer went from failed basketball coach to college admissions kingpin, engineering a $25 million scheme that had the rich and famous buying their kids' way into elite schools. From Aunt Becky to the Hot Pockets Heiress, this smooth-talking grifter exposed the dark underbelly of elite education. That is, until he brought down some of America's most privileged in the process. Chr
Risky Business: Tom Cruise's Flop Era with What Went Wrong | 69
For over a decade, Tom Cruise was Hollywood's most bankable star, ruling Tinseltown with a million-dollar grin and a carefully crafted image. But when ditching his publicist led to couch-jumping antics, Scientology scandals, and box office bombs, La La Land’s Top Gun found himself in a tailspin that even Ethan Hunt couldn't escape.Lizzie Bassett and Chris Winterbauer from What Went Wrong
Ozy Media: Fake It Till You Break It with Mara Wilson and Nish Kumar | 68
Carlos Watson built Ozy Media on a foundation of lies, fake views, and impersonated executives. From star-studded festivals that never happened to a $40 million con call, Carlos built a multi-million dollar media mirage. Ozy’s story proves that in the world of startups, sometimes the biggest disruptor is reality itself.Mara Wilson (Matilda, Where Am I Now?) and Nish Kumar (Pod Save the UK
ENCORE - Fyre Festival: Bring Your Own Toilet Paper with Laci Mosley and Lauren Ashley Smith | 67
When Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner, and Bella Hadid signed up to promote a scorching new music festival, they had no idea the flaming mess they were really in for. Entrepreneur Billy McFarland and rapper Ja Rule collabed on the notorious Fyre Festival, a disaster that cost millions, almost got festival workers killed or kidnapped, and is forever burned into flop history. Comedians La
The Floppies with Scott Seiss and Monét X Change | 66
The Flop Academy unproudly presents, The Floppies! An awards show highlighting the best — or should we say worst — meltdowns of the year. From pop culture catastrophes to business blow ups, we cover all the spectacular trainwrecks that defined 2024.Scott Seiss (Angry Retail Guy, Cocaine Bear) and Monét X Change (Ru Paul's Drag Race) join Misha to dishonor the biggest losers of the year an
Jim Bakker’s Christian Disneyworld: Heritage USA with Gianmarco Soresi and Mackenzie Barmen | 65
In the 1970s, Heritage USA wasn't just a theme park, it was a "Christian Disneyland" that had the faithful flocking to its divine water slides, righteous rides, and—wait for it—bible study with a side of funnel cake. But when its founder, televangelist extraordinaire Jim Bakker, got caught with his hand in the collection plate and his pants around his ankles, God-fearing tourists decided
How Abercrombie & Fitch Lost Its Shirt with CJ Franco and Leslie Liao | 64
In the late '90s, Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries transformed the once defunct sporting goods store into the hottest brand in America. He did that by intentionally making Abercrombie & Fitch seem unattainable for any kids he deemed ""uncool."" But after crossing multiple lines with racial discrimination, offensive graphic tees, and absolutely appalling thongs for middle scho
Martha Stewart Prison Living with Matt Friend and Nicole DuBois | 63
Martha Stewart used her oh-so-perfect cooking, gardening, and decorating skills to create one of the most valuable brands in the world. A guru, an icon, a billionaire: she had it all. That is, until an insider trading scandal spun her business into a death spiral and Martha went from decorating mansions to sprucing up "Camp Cupcake."Matt Friend (Friend in High Places, The Simpsons) and Ni
Back to the Failure: The DeLorean with Betsy Sodaro and Arjun Banerjee | 62
After basically creating the "muscle car," rebel auto-maker John Delorean became GM’s golden boy, only to leave it all behind for a risky venture in troubled Northern Ireland. But when his gull-winged wonder flopped, DeLorean's desperate moves led to unethical dealings, courtroom drama, and cocaine stings. The infamous car king was all but forgotten until his car made an unexpected cameo
Britney Spears, Guy Fieri, and Eva Longoria's Food Fails with Cody Rigsby and Amanda Hirsch | 61
The restaurant business is tough: The margins are slim and the risk of failure is high—but that doesn’t stop celebrities from trying to open their own restaurants over and over again, even though they should definitely know it is a bad idea. Britney Spears had Nyla, Guy Fieri had Guy's American Kitchen & Bar, Eva Longoria had a steakhouse for women called SHe (that is not a typo), and
May The Flop Be With You: The Star Wars Hotel with Jessi Cruickshank and Moshe Kasher | 60
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, a park executive named Bob Chapek set out on a mission to create an immersive experience that Star Wars fans would never forget. The luxury Disney hotel would feature a two-day role playing adventure, fun foods, funner games, and unique memories they would cherish forever. But the exorbitant cost, embarrassing technical glitches, and a little th
Rachel Dolezal's White Lies with Naomi Ekperigin and Andy Beckerman | 59
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
Hyperloop: Elon Musk's Fast Lane to Flopdom with Aparna Nancherla and Greta Titelman | 58
When Elon Musk boasted to Shervin Pishevar about inventing a revolutionary form of transportation, Pishevar took him at his word — turns out with Elon, that's a huge mistake. Musk promised travel at the speed of sound, unprecedented city connections, and a complete societal transformation, but conveniently left out the potential for catastrophic failure. After wasting millions of dollars
The Truth About D.A.R.E. with Fumi Abe and Jon Gabrus | 57
In the 80s and 90s, the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program sent police officers into schools to teach kids to stay off drugs. D.A.R.E.'s cringey curriculum was taught in schools all over the U.S., spawning lame PSAs, a whole bunch of weird merchandise, and maybe some light childhood trauma. There was just one problem… D.A.R.E. didn’t actually work. It did, however, cost ta
The Battle Over Pink Slime with Van Lathan and Brad Leone | 56
For years, “lean finely textured beef” was added to meat products that could be found in supermarkets, fast food restaurants, and school cafeterias across America. Most consumers had no idea that this gooey, salmon-colored substance was in their food. Finely textured beef was a million dollar business, but it wound up setting off an all out PR-war between a meat magnate and some food blog
I Wanna Marry "Harry": His Royal Lie-ness with Joe Amabile and Serena Pitt | 55
In 2013, a British TV producer named Danny Fenton brought 12 American women to England to take part in a new reality dating show. The yanks were led to believe that they had a chance to marry one of the most eligible bachelors in the world: Prince Harry of the British royal family. There was just one problem: the guy they were competing for was actually a Harry look-alike. Even though Fen
Blockbuster: Streaming Killed the Video Store with Lauren Lapkus and Laura Ramoso | 54
At the turn of the millenium, Blockbuster Video, with its ubiquitous blue-and-yellow stores, was the reigning champion of movie rentals. But early on, when presented with the chance to buy a little company called Netflix... Blockbuster made the wrong choice. Despite attempts to launch online rental services, the quaint allure of browsing store aisles couldn't compete with the instant grat
Tiger Woods Drives His Marriage Into the Rough with Even the Rich | 53
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-Will
Celebration, Florida: The Unhappiest Place on Earth with Stuff You Should Know | 52
Celebration, Florida was conceived by the Disney Corporation as a magical utopian community, something straight out of a fairy tale—meticulously planned, picturesque neighborhoods replete with ice cream parlors, bike paths, and state-of-the-art facilities. But the promise of living in a theme park soon became nauseating thanks to a greedy real estate developer, crumbling houses, rampant d
Nipplegate: Janet Jackson's Super Bowl Slip Up with Dylan Adler and Akilah Hughes | 51
It was the nip slip seen round the world. Whether by accident or on purpose, the nation caught a brief glimpse of Janet Jackson’s breast on live television during the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show while she was performing with Justin Timberlake. Quickly dubbed "Nipplegate," the incident ignited a firestorm of controversy and debate over broadcast decency standards and media regulation. It
Sam Bankman-Fried: The Downfall of a Crypto Bro with Fabrizio Copano and Zoltan Kaszas | 50
Sam Bankman-Fried was the king of crypto, living large in a penthouse in the Bahamas. But his billion dollar empire was built on a foundation of fraud, and when his dubious deals were exposed, this crypto bro went from blockchain to a cell block.Fabrizio Copano (4th From the South) and Zoltan Kaszas (This Week in Zoltan, Honorary Jones) join Misha to decrypt how Sam Bankman-Fried lost his
Oceangate: A Flop of Titanic Proportions with Jake Cornell and Noah Miller | 49
Billionaire Stockton Rush III dreamt of exploring the Titanic. Only problem? It's really freaking hard to get to. So he pieced together the world's shoddiest submersible built from Playstation parts and promised rich tourists a view of the Titanic for the price of $250,000. Less than two hours into the dive, Rush's dream quite literally imploded... taking 4 people with him. At least, acco
Shame of Thrones: How GOT Season 8 Imploded with Ronnie Karam and Ben Mandelker | 48
Game Of Thrones entered its final season as the undisputed king of TV. Every Sunday, millions would take a seat in the church of HBO in hopes of witnessing another Battle of the Bastards. Creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss needed to deliver a finale so grand it would make King’s Landing look like the Iron Islands. But when they were met with grueling night shoots, sloppy production mis
Gigli: A Cinematic Dumpster Fire with Peyton Dix and Hunter Harris | 47
Gigli would go down in history as not only one of the biggest box office bombs… but also the reason Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez broke up the first time. In 2001, Oscar nominated filmmaker Martin Brest penned the gritty tale of a lowlife mobster unable to escape his mundane existence, but by 2003 Gigli had been reverse engineered into a corny, sloppy, rom-com thanks to the Hollywood “it
Rome's Most Bonkers Emperor: Nero with Rachel Bloom | 46
How much do you think about the Roman Empire? Emperor Nero’s answer would have been “not that much.” At just 16 years old, Nero starts his reign off with a bang, throwing lavish festivals for the plebs and giving himself headlining gigs as an aspiring singer-songwriter. But thanks to a power-hungry mom, some heated rivalries, and a whole lot of sex with people who are not his wife, Nero g
Tonya Harding: On Thin Ice with Shannon Fiedler and Liza Treyger | 45
Figure skating rivals Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan were set to face off at the 1994 Olympics... but Tonya decided to try and eliminate the competition a little early. When a botched attempt to “kneecap” Kerrigan before the Olympics led back to Tonya and her inner circle of inept criminals, Harding was thrust into a media frenzy that spiraled into a triple axel of chaos.Liza Treyger (T
Salem Witch Trials: Coven of Conspiracy with Em Schulz and Christine Schiefer | 44
Back in the day, Salem Village was awash in bad vibes. What started as a few stressed out colonial tweens messing around became a conspiracy of religious paranoia with townsfolk turning on each other quicker than Kendrick and Drake. Months of false testimony and baseless accusations in packed courtrooms resulted in death, ruin, and one of the most embarrassing judicial failures of all tim
How O.J. Simpson's Memoir Ended Up in Book Jail with Boze and Carl Tart | 43
You know the Bronco chase, the trial and the glove, but do you know …the book? In 2006, O.J. Simpson teamed up with prominent publisher, Judith Regan, to make a killing from his controversial life story. With the help of a ghostwriter, they created a “hypothetical” tell-all book about the actual murders O.J. stood trial for. Thousands of copies were printed and a companion TV special was
Watergate: Deep Throat, Deeper Trouble with Langston Kerman and Gareth Reynolds | 42
In 1972, five clumsy burglars broke into the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate Hotel. They were armed with tear gas pens, wads of cash, and enough surveillance equipment to make the NSA blush - and they were immediately caught. What could’ve been written off as the dumbest burglary in history swiftly unraveled through leaks from gossip queen Martha “Mouth of the
Segway: Ridin' Nerdy with Adam Rose | 41
Before it became the butt of countless jokes and the preferred transportation for mall cops, the Segway had grand ambitions. Its inventor, Dean Kamen, believed his self-balancing, two-wheeled electric scooter would change the way we get around, and ultimately eliminate the need for cars all together. But when the rubber met the road and consumers met Segway’s slow speed, short battery lif
New Coke Goes Flat with Preacher Lawson and Paul F. Tompkins | 40
In the early 90’s, an earth shattering event occurred that would change the face of American culture forever: Coca-Cola changed their recipe. New Coke was supposed to be sweeter to combat the rising popularity of Pepsi, but the customer reaction was decidedly sour. Lawsuits and public outrage contributed to the PR Nightmare - somehow hiring Bill Cosby as their spokesperson wasn’t the wors
JCPenney Sells Out with Joel Kim Booster and Scott Seiss | 39
When JCPenney, the 100-year-old department store, decided to rebrand in 2011, they sought the best in the biz to give them a makeover. Enter Ron Johnson, the affable retail genius behind the Apple Store. Hailed as a techy visionary, Johnson was supposed to reinvent the brand. Instead, he alienated customers with high prices and a baffling shopping experience. Martha Stewart and a tea kett
Olestra: The Crappiest Flop of All with Kevin James Thornton | 38
After 30 years of development, Procter & Gamble rolled out a new, calorie-free oil substitute with the luxurious name, Olestra. This “miracle food” was supposed to revolutionize junk food and allow snackers to eat all the chips and crackers they could cram down their gullets without gaining any weight. Unfortunately for Procter & Gamble, Olestra did not help them meet their bottom
George Santos: Snatch Me If You Can with Jon Lovett and Monét X Change | 37
US Congressman George Santos was an inspiring embodiment of the American dream. A son of immigrants who worked his way through the finest universities, rose through the ranks of Wall Street and started his own successful business before winning an election. Only catch? Almost none of it was true. Santos lied, schemed and embezzled his way into Congress until the world caught on and his ca
Downsizing WeWork with Smosh's Ian Hecox and Courtney Miller | 36
Can the office also be a party? Would you really want it to be? For WeWork’s CEO and founder Adam Neumann, the answer was an unequivocal, hell yes! Neumann propelled his co-working space empire to incredible heights and a valuation over $45B, all while throwing nonstop ragers, hot boxing his private jet, and arm wrestling with Jared Kushner. But when the rent came due, Neumann couldn’t co
Beanie Babies Go Bust with Ian Karmel and Brian Moller | 35
When eccentric toy maker Ty Warner created a new line of floppy stuffed animals with cute names and charming poems, he unleashed pure havoc and chaos into the world. At the height of Beanie Mania, people spent their life savings and even assaulted others to collect the rare creatures like Patti the Platypus and Ziggy the Zebra before they “retired”. When the dust settled, fortunes were lo
Dance Moms: Abby Lee Miller Behind Barres with Ronnie Karam and Ben Mandelker | 34
Abby Lee Miller was the force behind the hit reality show "Dance Moms" where she hurled insults - and occasionally chairs - to motivate future stars like JoJo Siwa and Maddie Ziegler. But while Abby was rising to the top of her own pyramid, she was also choreographing a little thing called financial fraud. Find out what happens when you text your accountant that you "need a little money l
How MoviePass Bombed at the Box Office with Jamie Loftus and Austin Nasso | 33
Stacy Spikes came to Hollywood with dreams of revolutionizing the industry. His creation, MoviePass, promised to offer low-fee, all-you-can-watch theater subscriptions for movie fans. The only problem? It couldn't make any money. Find out what happens when Stacy sells out to an eccentric investor, why a dog had to issue an apology to customers, and how John Travolta is somehow at the cent
Biosphere 2: Out of Oxygen with Alie Ward and Josh Gondelman | 32
Imagine sealing yourself in giant, glass, self-contained ecosystem with your boyfriend and a lady who's learning to play saxophone... for TWO YEARS. In 1991, eight semi-qualified volunteers entered Biosphere 2, and promised that they would live inside the giant science experiment without any help from the outside. However, thanks to chopped off fingers, oxygen-gulping bacteria, rampant co
Dude, Where's My Pepsi Jet? With Kel Mitchell and Tehran Von Ghasri | 31
In the sugar-fueled '90s, Pepsi had one goal: win the Cola Wars. But when it launched “Pepsi Stuff", an ambitious promotion that encouraged people to buy Pepsi and redeem points for prizes, they overlooked their own fine print. When they promised a military-grade plane for less than it was worth "as a joke," Pepsi never imagined somebody might try to actually snag it. After an enterprisin
Elon Musk: Chief Twit with Corporate Bro and Hari Kondabolu | 30
One night in 2022, Billionaire Elon Musk decided to impulse-buy Twitter and reduce it to ashes in just two weeks. After losing billions and destroying a public forum, Musk's attempt to 'own the libs' backfired spectacularly. Or did it? Mass layoffs, walking around with a kitchen sink, and verification nightmares teach us to never underestimate the power of one rich a**hole.Comedians Ross
The Wing: #GirlBoss Goes Bust with Sarah Marshall and Franchesca Ramsey | 29
In the run-up to the 2016 US Presidential election, a new, glossy coworking enclave for women emerged to meet the moment. The Wing was supposed to be a model for feminist social clubs, built on activism, inclusion, and self-care. Instead, it became a glaring example of toxic girlboss culture and workplace discrimination, with employees mainly using the nursing rooms to cry.Sarah Marshall
Magic Johnson's Late Night Nightmare with W. Kamau Bell and Reggie Watts | 28
After a Hall of Fame career, basketball legend Magic Johnson was given his very own late night talk show on Fox, The Magic Hour. It seemed like a slam dunk! Johnson had the fame, charisma, and charm to top the ratings, but things went quickly sideways. When radio shock jock Howard Stern took aim at Johnson, relentlessly making fun of his lackluster hosting abilities on air, Fox did the un
Slaying the Liver King with Ahmed Al-kadri and Gianmarco Soresi | 26
Wellness influencer and self-titled “Liver King” Bryan Johnson reigned supreme with 5 million TikTok followers. His followers, known as "primals", believed in his ancestral lifestyle of eating raw meat and biting heads off of fish. His supplement empire grew into a $100-million-a-year business. But the Liver Kingdom was shaken to its rock hard core when it was revealed Bryan's eight pack
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