Pop Mystery Pod
Investigative journalist and pop culture junkie Tess Barker, dives into the pop culture moments that have puzzled her for years. This addictive, informative and revelatory show dives features the deep research and first person reporting that helped her launch the #FreeBritney movement while co-hosting Britney's Gram. Each episode unpacks a moment in celebrity news that was misunderstood or intentionally covered up at the time. Part true crime, part comedy, part deconstructing pop culture trivia, the show shines light on the dark corners in the entertainment capital of the world.
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.
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 c...
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 in the courtroom in Vegas, and bringing you an update on where things stand so far.
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Pop Mystery Pod is writte...
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 like “My Favorite Murder”, “Keenan and Lakin Give You Deja Vu” and “Jordan Jesse Go.”
Listen to “The Daily’s” episode on Elon Musk
Read “Star Tribune” Houseboat Article <...
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 have started a cult. Joining Tess to talk through Leto’s apparent history of predatory behavior is podcaster Shannon McNamara @fluentlyforward, host of the Fluently Forward podcast.
Listen 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 lawsuit against Netflix? Perhaps most importantly wtf is hit ice cream? Joining Tess to walk the runway is comic, actor, and writer Jackie Johnson (@jackiemichellejohnson) Natch Beat; How to Get a Second Husband.
See J...
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 characters surrounding Thelma and her death cast doubt on this theory, though. Investigating this 90 year old mystery with Tess is Babs Gray (@babsdgray) of Lady to Lady, Comedy Central, Vice.
Read M...
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 @mayorofechopark, who have wild first-hand insights into the veracity of this iconic show.
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Pop Mystery Pod is written and produc...
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 @hollybrowncomedy (Everyone Knows But Me.)
Read Charles Douglass obituary in the LA Times
Read NY Times “Lives They Lived Making Us Laugh”
Re...
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.
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/P...
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 Durante @caitlindurante (The Bechdel Cast).
Read “The Futurist,” by Rebecca Keegan
Read the Time article “Glub, Glub, Glub,” by Kim Masters
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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)
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 jour...
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?
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...
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 Schmidle
Read the LA Times Coverage of the fallout from Mel Gibson’s arrest
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Pop Myste...
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).
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...
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 resilience. But what’s really going on here? Investigative journalist and pop culture junkie uncovers the dark truth behind these seemingly banal signs.
Featuring Judd Legum of the Popular Information newsletter.
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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 podcaster Courtney Kocak (Private Parts Unown).
Read Courtney Kocak’s memoir “Girl Gone Wild”
Watch “Girls Gone Wild: The Untold Story”
Read Scaachi Koul’s “From Girls Gone Wild to Yo...
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.
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 acce...
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 Chris Fairbanks @chris_fairbanks (Do You Need a Ride?)
Read Reuters’ “In Search of Banksy”
Watch “Exit Through the Gift Shop”
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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 and writer MJ Morley (@morewithMJ)
Follow MJ’s Substack here.
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Pop My...
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 “What Katie Didn’t Know” By Maureen Orth for Vanity Fair
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...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!
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.
Su...
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 (@rebrods), writer for LA Times, Rolling Stone, and Time magazine.
Read Rachel’s piece “Spencer Pratt knows you love to hate him. Now he wants to lead Los A...
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? with Jenny Yang”
Read Jia Tolentino: Stepping Into the Uncanny Wold of Shen Yun
Read Falun Gong: Spiritual Warfare and Martyrdom by James R. Lewis
Watch Elijah Lemard: “I Infiltrated Shen Yun”
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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 Heat.”
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...
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 by Tyler Hill.
Theme song by Rick Wood @Rickw00d.
Support independent pop journalism and join us on Patreon at Pop Mystery Pod. Get acc...
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.
Watch Greg Sadler’s lectures on “The Myth of Sisyphus” here.
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Pop Mystery Po...
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 Gray (@babsdgray) co-host of Britney’s Gram (@BritneysGram)!
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Pop Mystery Pod is written and produced by Tess...
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 City of Angels is Chris Farah (@chrislfarah) host of the “Vanity Farah” podcast.
Read “Angelyne’s True Identity is Finally Solved,” by Gary Baum
Watch “Angelyn...
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 stars are Stacy Keanan and Christine Lakin lead actors on the sitcom “Step by Step.”Stacy and Christine are also hosts of the podcast “Keanan and Lakin Give You Deja Vu.” (@keana...
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 the scale of the damage done that day. Joining Tess to talk through this sad and fascinating story is Steven Ray Morris @stevenraymorris, host of “See Jurassic Right,” who has produced shows like “My Favorite Murder...
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 podcaster Molly Lambert (@molly_lambert) from the JennaWorld podcast.
Read “How to Make Love Like a Porn Star: A Cautionary Tale,” by Jenna Jameson
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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? Joining Tess to did through the sordid details of Mary’s house of worship is comedian and actor Will Weldon (@oldmanweldon), host of the “I Hate Bill Maher” podca...
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 friend Blake Lively has alleged was used against her by Justin Baldoni. This is particularly pertinent, because “The Life of a Showgirl,” has a track, “Cancelled!” about Lively’s own cancellation. Who was really behind this a...
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 cancellation of The Chicks had a profound impact on the duration of their career. Joining Tess to investigate how this happened, and why, is Jay Jackson aka Laganja Estranja (@laganjaestranja)
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 out, how no one actually likes camping and getting Botox without being upsold. They then talk about Katy Perry going to space and answer a lady problem ab...
(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,” “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,” “Rob...
“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 planet?
Joining Tess to talk through this fascinating and highly consequential story are: Frank Lehman, associate professor of music at Tufts University...
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 Tess’ Lady to Lady and Britney’s Gram co-host Babs Gray (@babs_gray).
Read the the WBEZ round up the the Dave Matthews...
“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 to change the way reality shows are produced forever. Joining Tess to talk through this fascinating and disturbing world is comic Giuilia Rozzi (@msgiuliarozzi)
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(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 with its reemergence into culture? Jellicle journalist, comic, and pop culture junkie Tess Barker is on the case.
Featurin...
