What happened to the case the "Breakdown" podcast had been following? And are crime tastes different in the US and the UK?
Breakdown's Breakdown and British Crime's Dark Side
These Are Their Stories: A Very Special Law & Order Special
These Are Their Stories: A Very Special Law & Order Special
Kevin and Rebecca are joined by two very special guests to discuss Law & Order: "Original Recipe," AKA, the first series in the juggernaut franchise that's been on the air for nearly three decades.
The panel talks about what makes Law & Order so compelling, their favorite characters, the weird writing tropes of the Law & Order universe, and a lightning round that pits Jerry Orbach against Dennis Farina, and Jill Hennessy against Angie Harmon.
Links:
Meet our brand new special guest panelist Brady Carlson and read his book, Dead Presidents
Rebecca talked about a study that looked at views of law enforcement through the lens of Law & Order. Here's an article about that.
And, if you want to see Brady Carlson's Happy Birthday photo signed by Jerry Orbach, here it is:
S2 Ep 13: Endings are Important! Plus, Our Podcast & Media Picks
Endings are Important! Plus, Our Podcast & Media Picks
The crime writers respond to a listener's very British rant about the critical nature of endings in a good story, talk about what TV shows totally failed at the end, and settle a long-term marital dispute that's been tearing Kevin and Rebecca apart.
In response to a less swear-filled voice memo (and dozens of listener emails), the panel gives their picks for podcasts, books, and TV worth consuming.
Plus, the Crime of the Week delves in to Australia's long national nightmare and reveals that there's a killer living with one of the panel! Watch out, Toby!!!
Our Media Picks:
Rebecca's picks:
Listen: Embedded podcast & Beautiful Stories from Anonymous People
Read: Silent City by Alex Segura
Watch: The Americans (AKA the BEST SHOW ON TV)
Also check out: Hinterland on Netflix
Toby's Picks:
Listen: You Must Remember This podcast
Read: Of Better Blood by Susan Moger
Watch: Billions
Also check out: Jodorowsky's Dune (documentary film) and Deep Water (doc film on Netflix)
Lara's Picks:
Listen: Modern Love podcast
Read: Outfoxed by Rita Mae Brown
Watch: Outlander, Season 2
Also check out: Belgravia, by Julian Fellowes
Kevin's Picks:
Listen: Guys We F**cked
Read: The Thin Man by Dashiell Hammett
Watch: Bosch on Amazon Prime
Also check out: Game of Thrones, people!
S2 Ep 12: Does Someone Know Something? Damned if We Know.
Does Someone Know Something? Damned if We Know.
The Crime Writers talk about another true crime podcast, Someone Knows Something, the Canadian-crafted cold case show that's holding firm on the charts. Rebecca also checks in with the show's creator and host, David Ridgen.
Also, we talk about the kerfluffle over Asia McClain's book announcement, find out what celebrity Toby most resembles and ask him, "Why oh why did you leave your sister hanging?"
Then, the gang answers a few listener questions before going on to the Crime of the Week which delves into the gang's vanity...and crippling insecurity.
Related:
Wondering how Kevin's Fritz Wetherbee impression stacks up to the real deal? Check out this video - and then google a few more.
Want proof that Toby looks exactly like Brad Pitt and Rebecca resembles Nicole Kidman? Check out the photos below, and then find out what celebrity you resemble on this creepy, creepy web site.
S2 Ep 11.5: The People Vs. Serial Season 2 - Was OJ The Better-Told Story?
The People Vs. Serial Season 2 - Was OJ The Better-Told Story?
The Crime Writers welcome very special guest Lt. Col (R) James Weirick on board to talk about the art of storytelling, and whether Serial delivered on the big promises it made in season 2.
We also take apart the storycraft behind The People Vs. OJ Simpson, and how the cast, the plot frame, and even the casting of Ross as Robert Kardashian affected that show's arc.
Plus, we listen to some pithy listener voice memos and tackle a juvenile crime of the week.
A special thanks to classy-voiced British journalist Emma Finamore for reading some of the items our listeners from across the pond purchased on Amazon UK!
Mentioned in the Episode:
Check out Toby's handwritten plot outline of Serial seasons 1 and 2:
Here's the article Toby mentioned in which the courtroom sketch artist compares the actors' portrayals to the real people in the OJ Simpson case.
What's on Weirick's Netflix list? Here you go:
1. Bronson
2. H.H. Holmes, America's First Serial Killer
3. Carl Panzram, The Spirit of Hatred and Vengeance
4. Punch-Drunk Love
5. Mirage Men
Crime of the Week link:
Read the Orange Street News, the greatest newspaper ever written by a kid.
S2 Ep 11: Reporting For The End (of Serial Season 2)
Reporting For The End (of Serial Season 2)
After eleven episodes, Sarah and team tapped out of season two. In "Present for Duty," the Serial squad does some solid enterprise reporting into whether anyone was actually killed or wounded in efforts to recover Bowe.
While saving judgement on the season as a whole until next week, the panel breaks down the series finale. Did Ken Wolf's declaration make a difference in the minds of those who want the maximum punishment for Bowe Bergdahl? Do the fates of Jimmy Hatch and Matt Allen make it harder to forgive Bowe for his actions?
The Crime of Week is a shocker! A NC man gets arrested because of an overdue video rental. Please be kind and rewind.
Links:
Here's more on the case that Lara mentioned of the guy who gave a whole of people Hepatitis
And here are two links (one and two) about the research into brain wiring of liberals and conservatives - something Rebecca mentioned in the show
S2 Ep 10.5: JAGged Little Pill, Your Questions, & A People Vs. OJ Breakdown
JAGged Little Pill, Your Questions, & A People Vs. OJ Analysis
It's yet another a super long episode! (Sorry about that.)
But hey, at least there are t-shirts you guys can buy. Here's the link to those.
For civilians, is there something about Serial Season 2 that neither we nor Sarah fundamentally get?
Rebecca and Kevin have a talk with JAG Lt Col James Weirick (ret), one of the hosts of the Task and Purpose Radio podcast. Weirick shares his take on Bowe, how the legal case against him is playing out, and what military listeners are saying about Serial Season 2. He also confesses to stalking Sarah Keonig in a "non-criminal" way.
We also answer a few listener questions (including one from Michael Jackson's old house!) and Kevin makes yet another terrible transition into our sponsor's ads. There's also a meaty discussion about our latest TV obsession, "The People vs OJ Simpson." What started as a cheesy, escapist miniseries has become a riveting character study - and maybe a feminist manifesto?.
So a guy walks into a sushi bar with a giant snake. And he says, "This sounds like it could be the Crime of Week." Let the good times maki roll.
Task & Purpose website (podcast)
S2 Ep 10: We Never Promised You A Rose Garden - Serial Season 2
We Never Promised You A Rose Garden
The Crime Writers dissect almost every aspect of Serial, Season 2, Episode 10, "Thorny Politics." It gets so deep that Rebecca feels the need to include extra out-takes for comic relief.
Plus, Kevin explains what a "news fixer" is and makes a better-than-last-week transition into our ads, Rebecca asks whether or not public radio reporters are SO committed to journalistic neutrality that they only talk to Republicans, we hear what a traffic report in New Hampshire would have sounded like a decade ago, and the panel discusses a Crime of the Week designed for the twenty-five percent.
Related:
Here's the New York Times article that gets mentioned about twelve times during this episode
An Atlantic story about news fixers and how they decide which crimes you actually hear about on network TV
Rebecca mentioned this reddit thread in which a user made a comment about Sarah Koenig's use of sources and public radio's reporters' fear of being seen as "liberal shills"
The Crime of the Week: An Alabama man faces charges for stealing almost $200,000 in quarters, which weighed about 10,000 pounds.
S2 Ep 9.5: Ruff Week, Trumping Bowe, OJ on the Side, & Downton's Downturn
S2 Ep 9.5: Ruff Week, Trumping Bowe, OJ on the Side, & Downton's Downturn
The Crime Writers talk about why it's not a good idea to say you think someone committed a murder in public and also cover some new developments around Bowe Bergdahl media projects and his lawyer's request to interview Donald Trump.
Plus, there are some silly ads, and after those, a discussion about The People Versus O.J. Simpson and that Downton Abbey finale, which Toby has a whole lot of opinions about.
Also, the Crime of the Week gives Kevin a case of the 'Green Apple Splatters.'
S2 Ep 9: Trade...Ahem...Secrets - Serial Season 2
S2 Ep 9: Trade...Ahem...Secrets
The Crime Writers zoom all around a huge episode of Serial in which Sarah unpacks the attempts at diplomacy that led (and didn't lead) to Bowe Bergdahl's release.
Also, we talk about that mysterious throat clearing incident, beg our listeners to start watching The Grinder, and frame a whole episode around what you thought we should talk about. Plus, THAT KNIFE FOUND AT OJ SIMPSON'S HOUSE!!!
Listen:
Related:
Here are the books recommended by the panel during our ad for Audible.com (we're linking to the physical books through Amazon):
S2 Ep 8.5: Bowe's Brain, Loose Story Threads, & Listener Questions - Serial Season 2
Bowe's Brain, Loose Story Threads, & Listener Questions
The Crime Writers pick at some loose threads from Serial's recent episodes, and talk with an actual expert on about how Bowe's personality disorder may have led to his walking away but also helped him cope with five years in captivity.
Plus, Toby's away! But we have an able-bodied PT Stud sitting in his place, reporter and Outside/In podcast host Sam Evans-Brown.
Also, the Crime of the Week puts the Crime Writers on the spot when it comes to internet sleuthing.
Links:
Here's that Daily Mail article about the girlfriend Bowe Bergdahl had when he walked away.
Remember when Sam Evans-Brown said he "wasn't that fast" a runner? Yeah, he's a liar. Check out the results of this 2014 5K in Concord, NH, in which nearly 3,000 people participated. Spoiler alert: he placed 7th.
S2 Ep7/8: Hindsight, in Two Episodes - Serial Season 2
S2 Episodes 7 and 8: Hindsight, in Two Episodes - Serial Season 2
The Crime Writers dissect the most interesting aspects of this week's 2-part Serial Season 2 release, 'Hindsight.' Highlights include Rebecca's unprecedented disagreement with Sarah Koenig, Toby's astute analysis of "slippery slope," the over-use of the word "hippie," and a the beginning of a feline face-off.
Plus, the Crime of the Week - and a special surprise we've all been waiting for right in the middle of the ep.
Links:
Toby talked about white supremacists being let into the military on special wavers. Here's some reporting on that.
Additional episode scoring music from Jahzzar, via the Free Music Archive.
S2 Ep 6.5: Making a Murderer's 'Silver Fox', Adnan Syed's PCR Wrap, Bowe's Brain, & The People Vs. O.J. Simpson
S2 Ep 6.5 Megasode: Making a Murderer's 'Silver Fox', Adnan Syed's PCR Wrap, Bowe's Brain, & The People Vs. O.J. Simpson
Rebecca's dream comes true as she gets the chance to chat with Making a Murderer's breakout press-pool guy Aaron Keller. Well, it would have been her dream come true if Kevin hadn't tagged along.
Anyway, the Crime Writers also talk about how Adnan Syed's PCR hearing wrapped up, dive into reactions about their Bowe Bergdahl Autism speculations, talk about their initial impressions of 'The People v. OJ Simpson' on FX, and tackle yet another compelling Crime of the Week. Plus, a listener clears up a mystery sparked by Toby's misread of one of those Amazon items.
Related links:
Making a Murder journalist Aaron Keller wants everyone to read the Wisconsin Rules of Conduct for attorneys. So, here they are.
Listen to the episode of This American Life Toby mentioned, the one in which you get to find out just how weird OJ Simpson actually is.
Rebecca mentioned a story about Gawker reporters being allowed to make political donations. Here's that article.
S2 Ep6: Adnan's Hearing & Bowe's 5 O'Clock Shadow - Serial Season 2 (and 1!)
S2 Ep6: Adnan's Hearing & Bowe's 5 O'Clock Shadow - Serial Season 2 (and 1!)
The Crime Writers take on Sarah Koenig's phoned-in updates on Adnan Syed's PCR hearing and try to solve the mystery of why she's staying in a hotel that provides animal-print bathrobes.
Plus, we dissect Serial Season 2 Episode 6: 5 O'Clock Shadow. What do we think of Bowe's story now that we know he smoked a pipe? And how about the idea that he'd get picked first for a fantasy sports team of soldiers? And what, exactly, are the major exports from Amsterdam?
All this, plus Toby reads Amazon items, the team shares their best NH Primary stories, takes on the Crime of the Week, and much, much more.
Related:
The Baltimore Sun's coverage of Adnan Syed's PCR hearing.
Colin Miller's blog on the hearing
View the Guardian photos and their video - the final footage of Bowe before he walked away
Top hearing tweeter Jessie DaSilva (@jdasilva)
Star witness twitter feed Asia (McClain) Chapman (@AsiaRChapman)
S2 Ep 5.5 Mega Show: Kratz's Book, Your Questions, & The Black Tapes Tanis Guys
S2 Ep 5.5 Mega Show: Kratz's Book, Your Questions, & The Black Tapes/Tanis Guys
It's Serial's off-week, so we turn our attention to the prosecutor you love to hate, Ken Kratz. Will he trump our panel of crime writers by authoring his own book on the Avery case? Then the gang takes listener questions which cover jury views, blood splatter, press conference protocol, and whether the Crime Writers On cast was too hard on Nancy Grace (spoiler: nope).
Rebecca shares her interview with the creators of the hit podcasts "Tanis" and "The Black Tapes," Paul Bae and Terry Miles. They're very Canadian chaps who refuse to break character even when on another podcast. The writers weigh in on what works for these Serial-influenced thriller shows.
The Crime of the Week brings us back to the gridiron, as another football legend is under suspicion just days before the Super Bowl.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Comedian Jena Friedman Interviews Former Prosecutor Ken Kratz from Making a Murderer
S2 Ep 5: We Zoomed! To Tampa! - Serial Season 2
S2 Ep 5: We Zoomed! To Tampa! - Serial Season 2
Holy cow did this episode take us places! We talk all about Serial's episode 'Meanwhile, In Tampa.'
We also get the lowdown on how Lara would commit murder, hear more on why Rebecca's convinced Obama might show up on Serial, and find out why Toby can relate to super soldier Jason Amerine.
Plus, Kevin gives an inappropriate response to the Crime of the Week.
Related:
Rebecca mentioned reading up on Jason Amerine, the "super soldier" who tried to bring Berdahl home. Here's one story from Bustle about him.
Lara talked about committing the perfect murder, and here's how she would do it.
Rebecca and Kevin talked about the documentary called 'Manhunt,' about the hunt for Osama Bin Laden. Here's the trailer for that film:
S2 Ep 4.5: Sarah Pauses, Colin Ponders, & Nancy Grace Interrupts
Sarah Pauses, Colin Ponders, & Nancy Grace Interrupts
We THOUGHT we'd be talking about the Bergdahl story this week, but instead, we talk about Sarah Koenig's big announcement about Serial going biweekly, and return to our dissection of the Netflix series "Making a Murderer."
Colin Miller makes an appearance, and Toby talkind about watching Nancy Grace for the first time - it's pretty traumatic.
Plus, we answer some listener questions and talk about the Crime of the Week!
Related:
In this episode, Rebecca mentions Colin's blog, which you can read right here
We also talk about the O.J. Simpson trial - here's the Wikipedia on that
And did you miss that episode of Nancy Grace we were talking about? Well, you can watch the raw interview with Steven Avery's ex-fiancee right here:
S2 Ep4: 'Making a Murderer' is Still Our Captor, But So is Serial Season 2
'MAKING A MURDERER' IS STILL OUR CAPTOR, BUT SO IS SERIAL SEASON 2
The gang talks some more about the Netflix hit documentary series "Making a Murderer," and then chats about Serial's "Captors."
Also, Rebecca makes the case for "Poorfluenza," Jon Cryer humiliates Kevin, someone barely tolerates Toby, and Lara learns about the supernatural powers of asparagus.
Links:
Here's the Slate piece Rebecca mentioned in which Dean Strang discusses his heart-throb status
Here's some of the Rolling Stone coverage of the Avery/Dassey cases
Here's a little something on debtors prisons in N.H
S2 Ep3.5 Bonus: We Talk About 'Making a Murderer'
Serial's holiday break couldn't have been better timed...as the world is going crazy this week over the Netflix 10-part documentary "Making a Murderer." The Crime Writers have been flooded with tweets, posts, and emails asking - nay, DEMANDING - that we talk about it. So, who are we to disappoint all of you?
(Spoiler alert: if you haven't finished "Making a Murderer," you may want to leave this episode in your feed until you do.)
Find out who is skeptical, who is outraged, and who's been yelling at the TV (hint: it's the former defense investigator). Also, we respond to voice messages left by listeners around the country.
We wrap things up with our Crime of the Week...and a not-so-romantic anniversary card.\
S2 Ep3 The Escaping Clause
Just in time for Christmas, Serial left this episode in our stocking. It might just be the feel-bad story of the holidays.
The Crime Writers discuss every aspect of Episode 3 of Serial, including Bowe Bergdahl's twin escape attempts, those propaganda videos, and Bowe's cool affect when recounting his captivity. Also, Lara has a big theory, Toby talks about Mad Dog 20/20, and Kevin makes a HUGE confession.
Plus, the Crime of Week looks at the scandal involving a lottery official who "won" millions in rigged jackpots (and who single-handedly just ruined Kevin's new book).
Related:
In Serial's opening montage, we hear brief bits of Bowe Bergdahl pleading for his release . In this extended clip (taken before his second escape attempt), listen to the normally taciturn Bowe hold back tears as he talks for two whole minutes about seeing his family, ending the fighting, and releasing all the prisoners of war.