Pop Mystery Pod
Investigative journalist and pop culture enthusiast Tess Barker explores pop culture moments that have puzzled her for years. Drawing on deep research and first-person reporting, she unpacks celebrity news stories that were misunderstood or deliberately covered up at the time. The show blends true crime, comedy, and pop culture trivia to reveal hidden aspects of the entertainment industry. Barker is known for her role in launching the #FreeBritney movement while co-hosting Britney's Gram.
Episodes
Bedside Man: The Diddy Files Chapter Five
A fixer. A security guard. A real estate investor. Fahim Muhammed played key roles in both Sean Diddy Comb’s and Michael Jackson’s lives. Is it just a coincidence that similar players appear in the grisly behind the scenes of both of these music tales? Tess dives into the strange connection between the end of life and death of Michael Jackson, and the alleged litany of crimes committed by Sean Did
Mo Money Less Problems: The Diddy Files Chapter Four
To unravel the business of Sean Combs is to see the ways in which his vast empire is connected to the music industry at large. In the past few years, two big entertainment stories stand out as exceptionally shocking and horrifying: the wrongful conservatorship of Britney Spears, and the alleged large-scale sex trafficking syndicate of Sean Diddy Combs. It’s chilling then, to consider th
Girl Meets Bad Boy For Life: The Diddy Files Chapter Three
It’s hard to think about Sean DIddy Combs without thinking about the mysterious death of Kim Porter. Sean Diddy Combs’ long-time partner and co-parent died at the young age of 47. At the time, her death was ruled the result of pneumonia, but insiders have expressed suspicions around why Porter really died. Given what’s been alleged about Combs in recent years, Tess unpacks the facts and
What the Security Cameras Caught: The Diddy Files Chapter Two
Though Sean Diddy Combs ultimately was found guilty of some of the lesser charges brought against him by the federal government, it can’t be argued that Diddy’s reputation has been irrevocably changed. The landslide of allegations against Sean Diddy Combs was started by a singular person - R&B singer Cassie Ventura. Cassie’s allegations formed the framework for the federal case against Sean Co
A Gruesome Celebrity Encounter: The Diddy Files Chapter One
Though this case has since been dismissed, the allegations made by plaintiff ashley Parham are chilling. One line in her complaint says it all: “Plaintiff would pay for her statement regarding Tupac.” In this unnerving text from an assault case filed against Sean Diddy Combs, legal representatives for Ashley Parham, an alleged victim’s of Sean Combs synopsize what is a shocking and brutal cl
The Tupac Verdict: What It Was Like in the Court Room
A jury has found Duane Davis guilty of killing Tupac Shakur. It has officially taken longer to convict a killer in this case than Tupac himself actually lived. Can we consider this justice served? Tess has insights from inside the court room, and some analysis into how the DA was able to land a guilty verdict despite having any corroborating evidence in their case.
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The Prosecution Rests: Updates from the Tupac Murder Trial
The prosecution has rested their case against Duane Davis…but is it really time to call it? Tess gives an update from the Vegas court room and some thoughts on the prosecution’s tactics as we head toward a verdict.
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Pop Mystery Pod is written and produced by Tess Barker @tesstifybarker. Produced by Tyler Hill.
The Tupac Murder Trial: Revelations from Inside the Courtroom
It’s almost exactly thirty years since Tupac Shakur was gunned down in Las Vegas. Finally, someone is being charged with the rap legend’s murder. Is convicting defendant Duane Davis really bringing about justice for Tupac, though? Already, testimony and opening statements in this case reveal new questions about whether the death of Tupac Shakur was a carefully orchestrated event. Tess is in person
Grimes, Mother of X Æ A-12 (with Steven Ray Morris)
Since hard launching with Elon Musk at the Met Gala in 2018, recording artist Grimes has been a mysterious and divisive figure. Who is Grimes as an artist, and what could she have been had Musk not interceeded in her strange little indie career? Joining Tess for a deep dive on this mid aughts trance diva is Steven Ray Morris @stevenraymorris, host of “See Jurassic Right,” who has produced shows li
The Cult That Jared Leto Runs (with Shannon McNamara)
Jared Leto started his career as a 23 year old teen heartthrob on “My So Called Life.” He then went on to achieve the nearly impossible: dual careers as both a rock star and a critically acclaimed actor. Recent bombshell reporting from the BBC has revealed that over decades, as he’s enjoyed wild success, Leto has allegedly assaulted a staggering number of teenaged girls. Oh, and also he appears to
Tyra Banks Cuts Models (with Jackie Johnson)
“America’s Next Top Model” is a stunning piece of television. For over a decade, svelte contestants ostensibly vied for a chance at modeling success. What they were also seemingly fighting for, however, is their mental well-being. What actually went down behind the scenes of this singular juggernaut of a show? Is the recent backlash against Tyra warranted? What exactly is she claiming in her lawsu
The Ice Cream Blonde Cold Case (with Babs Gray)
Thelma Todd seemed to be living the life of classic Hollywood dreams. She had a busy career, an active social life, and she owned a restaurant at arguably the most beautiful corner of southern California coastline. Then, one cold LA Christmas season, she died, alone in her own garage. The official ruling was that her death had been accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. A slough of suspicious chara
Jerry Springer Fakes It (Throwback)
This week, we revisit a classic American story. For better or 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 @
The Secret Life of Canned Laughter (with Holly Brown)
One of the most divisive figures in television history is not a person, but a box. One that was kept under lock and key for most of its owner’s life: The Laff Box. This tool, which generated fake laughter on countless of television comedies, has an improbable start, and a wild history. Joining Tess to talk through the fascinating life and death of the laugh track is comic and podcaster Holly Brown
The Top Pop Independence Days
Pop history is full of notable independence days. If the red, white, and blue isn’t doing it for you, this year, here are some iconic moments of libration to celebrate instead.
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Pop Mystery Pod is written and produced by Tess Barker @tesstifybarker. Produced by Tyler Hill.
Theme song by Rick Wood @Rickw00d.
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James Cameron’s Quest to Pester Ghosts (with Caitlin Durante)
The Titanic is one of the most famous and chilling disasters of all time. The movie “Titanic.” could have also been a lesson in hubris. It was helmed by James Cameron, whose reportedly maniacal behavior may have been the impetus for a bizarre and mysterious food poisoning. There is so much to say about this strange and unlikely megahit. Joining Tess to explore “Titanic’s” wreckage is Caitlin Dura
The NFL is Bravo (with Megan Gailey)
You don’t have to be a sports fan to appreciate the wild and jaw dropping tale of a sports reporter and a head coach whose affair may have changed the direction of the entire football league. Joining Tess to talk VrabelGate is Megan Gaiiley @bettermegaingailey Sports Bitches, The Roasts of Tom Brady and Kevin Hart)
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Pop Myster
An Alleged Tupac Assassin Stands Trial. Who Hired Him?
Nearly thirty years after the killing of Tupac Shakur, Duane Davis is set to face murder charges in a Nevada court. Additionally, Davis has been named in a civil complaint filed by Tupac’s step brother Mopreme Shakur. If Davis was contracted to kill Tupac Shakur, why is he the only guy facing trial?
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Pop Mystery Pod is writte
The TMZ Secret Sauce (with Lauren Vino)
When TMZ reports on a tragedy in Los Angeles, chances are, it’s true. How does this tabloid source its seedy confidential information, and why do TMZ and its founder Harvey Levin remain such powerful forces in the land of pop journalism? Joining Tess to talk TMZ sleaze is comic and journalist Lauren Vino @boxedvino (Playboy, GQ, Mel Magazine, Black Out Diaries)
Read “The Digital Dirt” by Nicholas
A Literal Captive Audience
After Tess learns about a shocking method of filling live studio audiences, she is sent on a long journey to get to the bottom of a clandestine and widespread practice.
In her search for the truth, Tess talks with comics Allen Strickland Williams (@allenstricklandwilliams) and Julia Hladkowicz (@juliacomedy).
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Pop Mystery Po
The Terrifying Face Behind Those Pass It On Billboards (from the vault)
This is dark money hiding in plain sight. Tess revisits the twisted reality of those strange ads the in one of her favorite vault episodes.
There’s something unsettling about those “Pass It On” billboards that feature celebrities like Dolly Parton, Whoopi Goldberg, and William Shatner. These ads don’t seem to be selling anything except abstractly positive concepts like perseverance and resilienc
Exposing “Girls Gone Wild” (with Courtney Kocak)
Few commercials were as ubiquitous in the early aughts as the ones for the video series “Girls Gone Wild.” The premise of these videos was so dumb it seemed funny: girls being treated as zoo animals as they flashed the camera. A deeply disturbing truth permeated this cultural phenomena, however. Joining Tess to talk through her own first hand experience with the franchise is comic, writer, and pod
The Settlement: What Justin Baldoni’s Lawyer Doesn’t Want Us to Know
Blake Lively’s case against Justin Baldoni has settled. Baldoni’s lawyer Bryan Freedman has been doing a media tour in an attempt to frame this as a “victory.” Yet, for all Freedman has been talking, he doesn’t seem to be giving us the full story.
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Pop Mystery Pod is written and produced by Tess Barker @tesstifybarker. Produc
Banksy Gets His Mask Ripped Off (with Chris Fairbanks)
For decades, the street artist Banksy was one of the most famous anonymous people in the world. Like most street artists, Banksy used anonymity for cover, but also as a means of generating mystique. A recent expose in Reuters, however, seems to have gotten to the bottom of this icon’s identity. But did they truly blow up Banksy’s spot? Joining Tess to talk all things Banksy is comic and podcaster
Nevertheless, Blake Lively Persists (with MJ Morley)
Blake Lively’s civil case is scheduled to head to trial. As the actor is set to claim retaliation against Justin Baldoni, many of her harassment claims have been tossed out on a technicality. Why were some of Lively’s claims actually tossed out? What is at stake in this trial, and what do we expect each side to claim? Joining Tess for a legal analysis of where this case stands today is attorney an
The Tom Cruise Wife Casting Couch (with Claire Lim)
When Tom Cruise jumped on Oprah’s couch and declared “I’m in love!” he may as well have been playing one of the high octane characters that has made him a super star since the ‘80s. Was the Church of Scientology a driving force in Cruise’s marriage to Holmes? Was it part of why he divorced Nicole Kidman? Joining Tess on an illicit trip to the Celebrity Centre is Calie Lim (@weeclairehere)
Read “Wh
Bluntly, Afroman Prevails (with Paul Danke)
Finally, some good news. After being sued for making music videos based on a break in of his own home, Afroman scores a big win for free speech, and, honestly, millennial stoners at large. Joining Tess to parse through the legal specifics of this case is comic and actor Paul Danke (@pauldanke).
Buy some Afroman merch here!
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Is Spencer Pratt a Villain in Reality? (with Rachel Brodsky)
Spencer Pratt is one of reality television’s iconic bad guys…but is he really a bad guy? What is it about this former “Hills,” cast member that has led to his surprising endurance as a public figure? The truth about who Spencer Pratt really is is more complex than may seem at first glance. Joining Tess to talk about her recent LA Times profile of Spencer Pratt is journalist Rachel Brodsky (@rebrod
Shen Yun (with Jenny Yang)
What actually is the mysterious dance show Shen Yun, whose advertisements are seemingly everywhere, always? The answer is weirder and more profound than you may imagine. Joining Tess to talk through this fascinating performing arts phenomenon is comic, writer, and actor Jenny Yang (@JennyYangTV) of “The Brothers Sun,” “The Great North,” “Gordita Chronicles,” and host of “What Should We Talk About?
The Screenwriter Who Faded to Black (with Christian Duguay)
In the 1990s, action screenwriter Gary Devore had the career many people dream of. Late one night after finishing a draft, though, he disappeared seemingly without a trace. Was Gary abducted because he researched his movies a little too well? Joining Tess to talk through this creepy tale is actor, writer and podcaster Christian Duguay (@csduguay) of “Valley Heat.”
Seriously, listen to “Valley He
Free Britney Was Right.
After a reading a slough of bad takes on recent Britney news, Tess has some thoughts on the enduring legacy of the Free Britney movement, and why attention still needs to be turned, not to Britney, but to the people who victimized her for years.
Follow Pop Mystery Pod on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok @popmysterypod
Pop Mystery Pod is written and produced by Tess Barker @tesstifybarker. Produced
The People You Meet at Groundhog Day
Tess reports from the field in Punxsutawney, PA on Groundhog Day. This is more than just a fake holiday. It’s a singular, surreal experience. Tess gets to the bottom of this absurd celebration and learns why people travel far and wide to celebrate it. She delves into the philosophy of the movie, and how the film’s themes relate to the real-life events that transpire every year on Gobbler’s Knob.
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Britney Spears Sells Britney Spears: A Britney’s Gram Reunion! (with Babs Gray)
Britney Spears has sold the rights to her huge music catalogue for a reported 200 million dollars. What might the sale of Britney’s music mean for Britney herself, and what was the financial condition in which her estate was handed back to her after 14 years of being usurped by other people? Joining Tess to talk through Britney’s catalogue sale, and to reflect on the Free Britney movement is Babs
Angelyne (with Chris Farah)
If Los Angeles has a mascot, it is the beautiful, busty figure who’s been flitting about our freeways for decades: Angelyne. Basically, Angelyne invented being “famous for no reason.” This enchanting icon has also long been a figure of mystique and intrigue for Angelinos. Who is Angelyne, really? And how was she able to engineer her own super stardom? Joining Tess to talk about the queen of the Ci
Babes in Hollyweirdland: Can We Keep Young Performers Safe? (with Stacy Keanan and Christine Lakin)
Clearly, there will always be a demand for young people on screen. Shows geared toward young audiences have a huge appeal, and they usually feature kids as principal performers. Recent revelations about the conditions on kids shows like “All That” have led to serious concerns by some people over whether it’s ethical to have kids on set at all. Joining Tess to share their own experiences as child s
The Music Universal Studios Lost Forever (with Steven Ray Morris)
When a fire tore through the backlot of Universal Studios in 2008, it took with it countless priceless music archives. Recordings from a staggering number of artists, from Nirvana to Aretha Franklin were incinerated, never to be heard by anyone again. For its part, Universal Music Group has appeared to be transparent with neither the impacted artist nor the general public, in terms of assessing th
Jenna Jameson: The Porn Industry Climaxes (with Molly Lambert)
In the 1990s, the porn industry dominated the mainstream aesthetic and vice versa, as stars like Jenna Jameson used appearances on the Howard Stern show to become household names. The porn industry has shifted along with popular culture, and in many ways been the literal impetus for technological revolution. Joining Tess to talk about Jenna Jameson and this fascinating industry is writer and podc
Mary Cosby’s Church (with Will Weldon)
One of the most compelling and confounding cast members on Real Housewives of Salt Lake City is Mary Cosby, a woman who is a reverend of her own church. While housewives fans have been enjoying Mary’s antics, some former members of Mary’s church say Mary is no laughing matter. They allege that they’ve been financially and emotionally abused by Mary Cosby’s church. So is this organization a cult? J
The Bots Versus Taylor’s Bops (with Joe Romm and Antonia Romm)
When Taylor Swift Taylor Swift’s latest album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” dropped, a swarm of internet haters voiced their loud and out-of-left field opinions about it. A couple months after the drop, though, reporting from Rolling Stone revealed that the conversation around Taylor’s album being a problematic flop was driven largely by bots. This tactic, called astroturfing is the same one Taylor’s
The Chicks Get Cancelled (with Laganja Estranja)
The country and blue grass group The Chicks achieved wild success, almost immediately after the release of their album “Wide Open Spaces.” After a handful of years enjoying a fandom across a wide swath of ages and political ideologies, however, The Chicks were the subject of a widespread and passionate boycott. Rather than being a quick hit story that the artists were able to bounce back from, the
Presenting: Lady to Lady “Botox Shot to Space with Jackie Zebrowski”
Tess has been co-hosting the comedy podcast “Lady to Lady” with her partners in mayhem Brandie Posey and Babs Gray for…about as long as podcasts have existed. If you’ve never checked out L2L, this ep with Pop Mystery fave Jackie Zebrowski is a great place to start! (There’s hundreds more where that came from!) Jackie Zebrowski (@jackthatworm) joins the ladies to talk about gross hair after working
(From the Vault): Dirty Disney
‘Tis the season for revisiting childhood memories. In this reissue vault episode, 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? Guests include Liz Climo (“The Simpsons,” children’s book author & illustrator), Mike Hollingsworth (“Bo Jack Horseman,” “Tuca and Bertie”), Tom Sito (“The Little Mermaid,” “W
“Jaws”: Out for Blood
Just when you thought it was safe to go in the water, Steven Spielberg created an opus that absolutely rattled human beings everywhere: “Jaws.” This movie is a horror classic. It’s also a highly misunderstood film that led to serious death and destruction in our oceans, and not at the hands of white sharks. What is it about “Jaws” that scares us so badly, and how have our human phobias harmed our
The Dave Matthews Incident (with Babs Gray)
The Dave Matthews Band has enjoyed a large and loyal following for over 30 years. They are a live performance giant. Perhaps nothing in the band’s long history, however, looms quite as large as one very infamous incident that happened when one of the band’s tour buses, well, dumped on some unsuspecting Chicago tourists. Joining Tess to talk through this hilarious scatological tale is comedian and
“Love is Blind,” Being on a Reality Show is a Job (with Giulia Rozzi)
The guilty pleasure show “Love is Blind,” may feel like a silly love/hate watch, but according to former cast members, the experience working on the show was anything but a joke. The many serious allegations made against the producers of “Love is Blind,” have highlighted serious potential violations of labor law. By speaking out in spite of the NDAs they have signed, some cast members may be about
(Reprise) “Cats”: Crime of the Century?
Happy Holiday week everyone! This week we’re visiting the Pop Mystery vault for a look at “Cats” an absurd show that really keeps giving. Highly recommend the movie version for that post-meal fever dream period if your Friendsgivign is cool. “Cats” is a musical so ridiculous that it often drives people to anger. So why has this absurd show made so much money, and how does it keep taunting us all w
Bruno Mars is Maybe Stuck in Vegas Forever (with Sean Green)
Bruno Mars is one of the most prolific pop artists of our time. Is he also one of our most degenerate gamblers? Joining Tess to assess the veracity of rumors that Bruno Mars has amassed 50 million dollars in gambling debt that he’s having to perform indefinitely to pay off is Sean Green (SGPN), host of the Sports Gambling Podcast. (And…huge credit…Tess’ husband!) Read the GQ article “The Mars Expe
It Looks Like A Child: Tilly Norwood, the AI Actor (with Gretchen Andrew)
AI “actor” Tilly Norwood made divisive headlines when it was announced that major agencies were circling up to sign the ingenue-looking robot. Norwood’s arrival to the scene presents a number of existential questions. This new technology also offers a window into the ways beauty standards will be further shifting in Hollywood. Joining Tess to talk through the implications of AI actors is artist Gr
The F**d Up World of Lisa Frank (with Tess Bellomo)
Lisa Frank became an absolute 1990s icon among children with her colorful, cheerful cartoon animals. The truth behind the Lisa Frank company, however, is anything but sunshine and rainbows. Joining Tess to talk through the whacked out truth behind this school supplies queen is Tess Bellomo, co-host of the “Right Answers Mostly” podcast. Watch the documentary “Glitter and Greed: The Lisa Frank Sto
Michael Jackson, Sean Diddy Combs, and the Man in the Middle
Two disgraced superstars. One man who acted for both as their head of security. Is it just a coincidence that a man named Fahim Muhammed played key roles in both Sean Diddy Comb’s and Michael Jackson’s life? Tess dives into the strange connection between the end of life and death of Michael Jackson, and the alleged litany of crimes committed by Sean Diddy Combs. Watch the documentary Murder Rap he
Sean Diddy Combs: An Incomplete Sentence
A judge has decided how long will Sean Combs will serve for the two counts of transportation for prostitution he’s been accused of. Here’s a look at the spectacle and ego that surrounded Combs’ Manhattan sentencing. Watch the full Combs sentencing hype video here. Follow Pop Mystery Pod on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok @popmysterypod Pop Mystery Pod is written and produced by Tess Barker @tesstif
Elevatorgate (with Lauren Smith and Rachel Smith)
The footage was silent, but it still felt like a shot heard round the world. The infamous leaked elevator security camera footage of Beyonce and Solange Knowles seemingly giving Jay Z his due is one of the most compelling moments in history. (According to this historian at least.) Joining Tess to unpack what actually went down that famous night after the Met Gala are Lauren Smith (@mslas) and Rac
All of the Times Harrison Ford Has Crashed a Plane (with Jon Gabrus)
Harrison Ford is a long-time pilot. That doesn’t mean he’s a great one. The only thing perhaps more impressive than Harrison’s long acting resume is the number of times he’s managed to find himself involved in aviation incidents. How many times has this star come pummeling frim the heavens? And why does he keep going back? Joining Tess to talk through Harrison’s spotty flight log, is Jon Gabrus @g
Lisa Left Eye Lopes Barbecues Her Some Shoes (with Ashley Ray)
TLC was the definitive girl group of the ‘90s. They dominated both the hip hop and pop music scenes. They were pioneers of feminist music and culture. Perhaps no member of TLC embodied the group’s independent ways more than Lisa Left Eye Lopes. After Lopes was charged with arson for setting the home she shared with her football player boyfriend on fire, Lopes was seen as a truly chaotic figure. Wh
The Swan (with Jackie Johnson)
A competitive plastic surgery reality show. Perhaps premise kind of sells itself. It certainly did in 2004, when 15 million people tuned in to watch this darkly comic trainwreck. How did “The Swan,” even happen? And, perhaps less puzzling, why? Joining Tess to navigate the wild west of 2004 reality TV is comic, actor, and writer Jackie Johnson (Natch Beaut @jackiemichellejohnson). Grab tickets to
Us Weekly Time Capsule Mini
This timeline sucks, yes? This week, we’re doing something a little different, a quick time travel back to the world of September 15, 2003. Tess flips through an US Weekly from this glorious time, when Madonna and Britney had just kissed at the VMAs, Beyonce was just starting to go solo, and life was pretty good. Follow Pop Mystery Pod on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok @popmysterypod Pop Mystery P
Mariah and Mom’s Spaghetti (with Kara Luiz)
In part two of this Mariah tale, we get into the nitty gritty of what actually went down between Mariah Carey and Eminem. Did Mariah and Marshall Mathers actually date? Why is Eminem so obsessed with her? Was it all worth it, for us to get a music video of Mariah in drag as Eminem? We’ll say this - beware of all Detroit “touchdowns.” Joining Tess to chat through this long, bizarre and often one-si
The Incarceration of Mimi (with Kara Luiz)
Mariah Carey is, in many ways, a definitive diva. She’s got the pipes, she’s got the style, and the attitude. Behind Mariah’s coy smile and wind blown curls, though, there is a person who has survived extraordinary circumstances. As Mariah Carey was blowing up as one of the most famous and successful recording artists in the world, she was living a double life - one that belies an all-too-familiar
Everyone F—-ing Everyone in Fleetwood Mac (with Jackie Zebrokwski)
“Rumors,” is an apropos name for the dream of an album that was born of two and a half couples all sharing a tiny recording studio while actively doing all of the cocaine. Rumors, indeed, have long circulated that while Fleetwood Mac was creating its opus, each member was also actively destroying their lives. What really happened in those powder filled studio walls? Joining Tess to talk through th
Tri Star: The Combs to Spears Connection
In the past few years, two big entertainment stories stand out as exceptionally shocking and horrifying: the wrongful conservatorship of Britney Spears, and the alleged large-scale sex trafficking syndicate of Sean Diddy Combs. It’s chilling then, to consider that both the business affairs of Sean Combs and Britney Spears were handled by the same business management company: TriStar Sports and Ent
Sex and the Inequity (with MK Paulsen)
“Sex and the City,” did more than usher in the ‘golden’ era of HBO. It created characters that endeared themselves to countless viewers with their depth, relatability, and deeply enviable wardrobes. Despite the fact that this is a show about friends and friendship, however, rumors have persisted for years that a long-standing feud exists between two of its stars: Sarah Jessica Parker and Kim Cattr
La Veneno: Queen of the Late Night (with Tamara Yajia)
“La Veneno,” aka Cristina Ortiz Rodriguez, was a tour de force and a revolutionary. She delivered jokes flawlessly, covered her nipples barely, and changed the way Spain viewed trans people. Joining Tess to talk through the legendary life and mysterious death of Cristina Ortiz Rodriguez is writer and performer Tamara Yajia @tamarayajia (“Acapulco”; “This Fool”) and author of the new memoir “Cry
Injustice is Served: The Sean Diddy Combs Verdict
After weeks of disturbing witness testimony, the jury in the Sean Diddy Combs case has delivered a confounding, and frankly insulting verdict. How did we get here? And why? 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 j
The Framing of Pee-Wee Herman (with Erin Lampart)
It was a place where everyone was welcome: “Pee-Wee’s Playhouse.” This magical fever dream of a show impacted an entire generation of people. It also made such a big star of its creator, Paul Reubens, that when Reubens was arrested after being targeted by Florida police, his reputation had a far way to fall. Joining Tess to talk though the genius of Paul Reubens and the tragedy of his media bludge
THE Dress (with Jamie Loftus)
Was it white and gold or blue and black? The important thing is, when “The Dress” took over the internet for a glorious week in 2015, the internet was still fun. Joining Tess to talk through the historic and fascinating phenomenon of The Dress, and what it says about today’s internet is Jamie Loftus @jamiechristsuperstar (The Bechdel Cast, My Year in Mensa, 16th Minute, Lolita Podcast. Raw Dog: T
The Mysterious Death of Kim Porter
Sean Diddy Combs’ long-time partner and co-parent died at the young age of 47. At the time, her death was ruled the result of pneumonia, but insiders have expressed suspicions around why Porter really died. Given what’s been alleged about Combs in recent years, Tess unpacks the facts and rumors around Porter’s life and death. Follow Pop Mystery Pod on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok @popmysterypod
Why We’re Still Seeing So Many “Stories” About the Lively/Baldoni Case
It’s been half a year since anything meaningful happened in the Baldoni/Lively case. So why do we keep seeing headlines about it? Tess has some ideas. 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
The Sean Diddy Combs Trial - Bombshells So Far
As we cross what appears to be the midpoint of Sean Diddy Combs’ federal trial, Tess rounds up highlights from witnesses like Cassie Ventura and Kid Cudi, and assesses the prosecution and defense’s strategies thus far. 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
The Dinosaur Movie Whoopi Goldberg Made Under Duress (with Tom Lenk)
Making a dinosaur buddy cop movie is all fun and games, until you’re Whoopi Goldberg and you actually have to shoot this thing with sworn enemies. Joining Tess on this bonkers journey that sent Tess into the courthouse archives is the hilarious Tom Lenk @tommylenk (“Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Tilda Swinton Answers a Craigslist Ad.”If you must, watch “Theodore
Patti LuPone Loses It (with Paul Caiola)
There’s only one Patti LuPone. Which is why the s**t hit the gold plated fan when Andrew Llyod Webber tried to have two Norma Desmonds. Tess is joined by Paul Caiola, one of the hosts of “That Aged Well,” (@thatagedwell) as the two of them dissect the fascinating and high drama turns of Patti Lupone’s “Sunset Blvd,” firing, and the antics that followed. Follow Pop Mystery Pod on Twitter, Instagram
Tommy Boy is Hamlet (with Lisa Chanoux)
To be, or not to be? Aye, there’s the central question at the heart of the classic work “Tommy Boy” the 1995 broad comedy starring the late Chris Farley. This movie is more than a work of staggering childish genius. It is also a sophisticated adaptation of “Hamlet,” as in, the Shakespeare one. Joining Tess for a close reading of “Tommy Boy” through a Shakespearean lens is the comedian and podcaste
Cassidy Ventura: The One That Got Away
The landslide of allegations against Sean Diddy Combs was started by a singular person - R&B singer Cassie Ventura. Cassie’s allegations formed the framework for the federal case against Sean Combs, which is set to kick off May 5, 2025. Tess takes a deep look into Cassie’s harrowing escape and the surprising stories Cassie’s intersects with. Follow Pop Mystery Pod on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTo
Selena, Yolanda, and the Room Where It Happened (with Vanessa Gonzalez)
Selena Quintanilla was 23 years old, and well on her way to becoming an international megastar when she was shot and killed by Yolanda Saldivar, the president of her fan club. Though a biopic starring Jennifer Lopez paints a fairly simple picture of this tragic death, the truth appears less black and white. Only two people really know how and Selena died that day, and one of them was Selena. Joini
It Takes Two (Episodes) - The Olsen Twins Return (With Guy Branum)
If there is such a thing as the typical college experience, Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, the two most famous child star twins of all time, were probably never going to have it. Nevertheless, they persisted…kind of. Joining Tess to talk through the Olsen twins transition to otherworldly fashion icons is writer, actor, and comic Guy Branum. See Guy’s new one-person show “Fruitful” live in Chicago Ma
The Olsen Twins: The Origin Story (With Guy Branum)
The Olsen twins are endlessly fascinating celebrities. They were selected for stardom before they could walk. They’re both an inspirational story and I cautionary tale. They’re just so important. Joining Tess to talk through the wild mystery that is the Olsen twins existence is writer, actor, and comic Guy Branum. See Guy’s new one-person show “Fruitful” live in Chicago May 6th, St. Paul May 7th.
The Mall in Barbra Streisand’s Basement (with Chelsea Devantez)
Forget skeletons in the closet. Barbra Streisand has a mall. In her basement. Like, a real one. Joining Tess to tour this fascinating and unhinged corner of American architecture is writer, director, and podcaster Chelsea Devantez. Chelsea’s memoir “I Shouldn’t Be Telling You This, But I’m Going to Anyway,” is out now. Her podcast “Glamorous Trash” is pop perfection and a must-listen! Got 48 hou
Jojo Siwa and Unhappy Pop Star Campers (with Jade Catta-Preta)
Before she was proclaiming she’d invented “gay pop,” child dance phenom-turned heavily costumed try-hard helmed a junior girl group called XOMG. The group claimed to offer aspiring pop stars as young as 8 years old a line into their show biz dreams. Some claim what followed was a candy-flavored nightmare. Joining Tess to talk through Jojo’s turn as a teacher and her life as a child star, is comedi
Sean Diddy Combs: An Alleged Surprise Attack
“Plaintiff would pay for her statement regarding Tupac.” In this chilling line from an assault case filed against Sean Diddy Combs, legal representatives for Ashley Parham, an alleged victim’s of Sean Combs synopsize what is a shocking and brutal claim of sexual assault by Combs. Parham’s story is deeply disturbing. It also provides telling insight into Comb’s alleged network of trafficking and co
Blake Lively vs Justin Baldoni: It Ends Here (For Now)
Cameras wrap on “It Ends With Us.” Now, the real battle begins. After Blake Lively alleges that she’s been harassed while filming this movie, her attempts at wrestling back agency stall out. Ultimately, Lively is able to get back some power…but at what cost? And who is really making her pay? Tess has sifted through the many legal filings in this case. As this story’s concludes (for now) what d
Blake Lively vs Justin Baldoni: The Beginning
Betrayal. Gaslighting. Things not being what they seem. These are themes in the movie “It Ends With Us,” but they could also describe the dramatic and seemingly constantly escalating conflict between actor and fashionista Blake Lively and her co-star and director Justin Baldoni. Tess has sifted through the many wordy legal filings and blurry screen grabbed texts, and a narrative seems to emerge ar
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