A pair of pioneering podcasters are pulled into the perils of parasocial relationships. What happened in the comment section to make them end their show? We’ll discuss the podcast “Beth’s Dead.”
In the 2010s, “Totally Laime” wrote the blueprint for podcasts with hot takes, humorous advice, and an engaged audience. Among Elizabeth Laime and Andy Rosen’s colorful group of listeners was one woman struggling with a relationship affected by her past stint as a model. A subset of listeners grew increasingly reliant on Laime’s attention, and when tragedy struck, the hosts questioned what went wrong. But as they dug deeper into what happened, Laime and Rosen feared something more sinister was at play.
The podcast “Beth’s Dead” looks into the dangers of parasocial relationships and the mystery behind why Laime and Rosen ended their trailblazing show. "Armchair Expert"’s Monica Padman holds extended chats with the couple to recount their story and help them confront the unsettled questions of what really happened.
OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEWS OF "BETH'S DEAD" BEGIN IN THE FINAL 14 MINUTES OF THE EPISODE.
In Crime of the Week: Penny for your thoughts.