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!

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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.

S2 Ep2: Why Did the Golden Chicken Cross the Road?

The Crime Writers dissect every aspect of Serial Season 2 Episode 2, "The Golden Chicken," and it gets pretty heated. Also, Rebecca is afraid of accidentally being racist, Toby and Kevin disagree on a bunch of stuff, and Lara didn't bring cheesecake. But harmony is restored by our Crime of the Week.

Related listening:

During our show, Rebecca talked about an old story on This American Life in which Sarah reported on a soldier's true motivation for going to war. You can listen to that right here:

Serial is Back...And So Are We!

Rebecca reveals the deets on when the Crime Writers will return to your feed with some fresh new episodes.

Serial Season Two Rumors, Limetown, and What's Missing from the Maura Murray Podcast?

The Crime Writers respond to rumors that Serial season two will revolve around the Bowe Bergdahl case. While Serial took off thanks to the little-known case of Adnan Syed, can Sarah and company deliver an equally compelling podcast from a story we already (think) we know?

Related: Rebecca mentioned NPR reporter Wade Goodwyn's excellent reporting on Bergdahl. You can listen to one of his stories right here. 

Then, a look at the some other media influenced by "the Serial Effect." Fox is producing a TV show. And the fictional "Limetown" uses Serial's story-telling devices to deliver a (maybe) spooky mystery.

Rebecca interviews producers Lance Reenstierna and Tim Pilleri about their "Missing Maura Murray" podcast. After, Kevin, Toby, and Lara dive into what's missing from the Maura Murray podcast.

Then the Crime of the Week looks at Pope-gate.

WTF, True Detective? Plus, We Answer Your Questions!

We get the world (and TV series) we deserve.

In this episode, we ask if "Undisclosed" has anything left to disclose and whether the new season of "True Detective" has lived up to the hype (spoiler alert: it hasn't). Is Sarah Koenig taking notes on how disappointing a second season can be?

We also take your email, Facebook and Twitter questions - and Kevin explains the difference between "a nice deal" and just "a deal."

We also make some awesome TV recommendations, and Toby's has the rest of us doing a spit-take.

Plus...the latest installment of the Crime of the Week!

Lividity, Brian Williams, and Book Picks

Rebecca and the panel talk about the possibilities for Serial seasons two and three. Will Sarah K. and company have the same success without a murder mystery to solve?

Next, with Rebecca lending technical assistance to the "Undisclosed" podcast, Kevin takes over and quizzes Lara and Toby about developments on that show. Forget "tap, tap, tap"...isn't the livdity evidence the biggest reveal?

The crime writers give their summer reading picks in the areas of true crime, mystery, and seasonal must-read. They also talk about journalism, including Brian Williams' dubious comeback.

And our monthly "Crime of the Week" (see what we did there?) tracks down those daring escapees from that NY prison. Note to convicts: don't go to Lara's aunt's house.

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Crime Writers On...Summer Reading:

Rebecca:

true crime: Lost Girls by Robert Kolker

mystery/thriller: Dare Me and The Fever both by Megan Abbot

other: The Vaults by Toby Ball (who's that?)

Kevin:

true crime: The Onion Field by Joseph Wambaugh

Mystery/thriller: Drizzled with Death by Jessie Crockett

Other: Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee

Lara:

true crime: The Corpse Had a Familiar Face by Edna Buchnan

mystery/thriller: The Light in the Ruins by Chris Bohjalian

other: Animal Vegetable Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver

Toby:

true crime: People Who Eat Darkness by Richard Lloyd Parry

mystery/thriller: A Place of Execution by Val McDermid

other: The Financial Lives of Poets by Jess Walter

Podcastception! Full Disclosure On Undisclosed

Rebecca and the panel talk about the podcast 'Undisclosed,' which features Rabia Chaudry, Colin Miller, and Susan Simpson talking about the evidence and developments in Adnan's case. 

After that, Rebecca asks Lara to intervene in a spousal writing spat, Toby gets WAY personal, and Kevin defends his hero. There's also a question from an awesomely fanatic listener (scroll down to see it!)

Rebecca also forces the panel to continue her ridiculous "Crime of the Week" segment. 

House of Rabia and Scientology

Rebecca talks with Rabia Chaudry, the person who started this whole thing by bringing Adnan's case to Sarah Koenig. 

After that, Rebecca and Kevin, along with fellow crime writers Lara Bricker and Toby Ball, talk about the interview and about the HBO Scientology documentary Going Clear. 

Rebecca also forces the panel to continue her ridiculous "Crime of the Week" segment. 

If you have a question you'd like us to answer, send us an email, or leave a comment on this post. 

You can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes right here. If you do, please leave a review! 

Want to support this independently produced podcast so we can make more episodes? Click the donate button on our home page, and thanks!

JINXED! We talk about The Jinx & The Staircase

Rebecca and Kevin invite fellow crime writers Lara Bricker and Toby Ball to talk a little bit about Serial, and a WHOLE LOT about The Jinx and The Staircase. If you haven't watched them and you hate spoilers, you will hate this episode!

Rebecca also forces the panel to continue her ridiculous "Crime of the Week" segment. 

Links to stuff we talk about:

In this episode, Rebecca mentions some of the coverage of the production timeline of The Jinx, including this story from Gawker.

No One Puts Asia in a Corner!!! Urick, that affidavit & Natasha's drama

Rebecca and Kevin invite fellow crime writers Lara Bricker and Toby Ball to talk about Serial prosecutor Kevin Urick's Intercept interview, the drama surrounding Natasha Vargas-Cooper's Intercept pieces, and that new affidavit from Asia McClain. 

We also respond to questions and comments from you and debut our new "Crime of the week" segment. If you have a question you'd like us to answer, send us an email, or leave a comment on this post. 

You can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes right here. If you do, please leave a review! 

Want to support this independently produced podcast so we can make more episodes? Click the donate button on our home page, and thanks!

Links to stuff we mention in the episode:

In reaction to the omission of Urick's quote in Part 1 of his Intercept interview, Toby talks about an infamous incident in which President Clinton was misquoted about climate change. 

When the gang talks about evidence and the state's case, Rebecca mentions attorney Susan Simpson's excellent Serial blog, which you can find right here. 

You can also hear Urick's recent interview on Sirius Satellite Radio here. 

O...M...Jay!!! We talk about that interview.

Rebecca and Kevin invite special guests and fellow crime writers Lara Bricker and Toby Ball to talk about Jay's interview with The Intercept and the discussion/debate that's followed.

We also talk about the intellectual guilt of true crime lovers, and Lara's theory that this story is more steeped in drugs than we've been led to believe. Also, Toby plays devil's advocate, and a reddit user gets a big shout out for this thread.

During this episode, we discuss how The Intercept's Natasha Vargas-Cooper landed the interview with Jay. You can find more on that in this New York Observer story.

Who's Who in 'Crime Writers on Serial':

Rebecca Lavoie is a public radio digital director and radio producer and the co-author of three mass-market true crime books. If you’re flipping through the more obscure channels on your cable lineup late at night, you might see Rebecca talking about crime on one of those docu-journalism TV shows…you know, the kind with names like Deadly Women and Deadly Sins. 

Kevin Flynn is Rebecca's real-life partner in crime and her co-author. Kevin was a long time TV reporter before jumping into crime writing with his first book about serial killer Sheila LaBarre, You can also hear Kevin talking about that case on this episode of the excellent crime podcast Criminal. Among the books Kevin and Rebecca have written together is Our Little Secret, which they discuss in the episode about "Rumors."  

Special guest panelists:

Lara Bricker is a long-time reporter, freelance writer and the author of the true crime book Lie After Lie. She has also worked as a private detective and a criminal defense investigator. 

Toby Ball is  the author of Invisible Streets and other works of noir and crime fiction. He also works at the Crimes against Children Research Center at the University of New Hampshire. 

Bonus Episode: Season One's Best Moments

Rebecca and Kevin invite special guests and fellow crime writers Lara Bricker and Toby Ball to talk about their favorite moments from Serial: Season One. It's a little bit listicle, and just a little bit like those "very special" clips show they used to make on 80's sitcoms.

Who's Who in 'Crime Writers on Serial':

Rebecca Lavoie is a public radio digital director and radio producer and the co-author of three mass-market true crime books. If you’re flipping through the more obscure channels on your cable lineup late at night, you might see Rebecca talking about crime on one of those docu-journalism TV shows…you know, the kind with names like Deadly Women and Deadly Sins. 

Kevin Flynn is Rebecca's real-life partner in crime and her co-author. Kevin was a long time TV reporter before jumping into crime writing with his first book about serial killer Sheila LaBarre, You can also hear Kevin talking about that case on this episode of the excellent crime podcast Criminal. Among the books Kevin and Rebecca have written together is Our Little Secret, which they discuss in the episode about "Rumors."  

Special guest panelists:

Lara Bricker is a long-time reporter, freelance writer and the author of the true crime book Lie After Lie. She has also worked as a private detective and a criminal defense investigator. 

Toby Ball is  the author of Invisible Streets and other works of noir and crime fiction. He also works at the Crimes against Children Research Center at the University of New Hampshire. 

Episode 12 Discussion: "What We Know"

Note: “Crime Writers on Serial” premiered at the same time as “Serial” episode 10. There are no CWO/CWOS episodes for “Serial” episodes 1-9.

Rebecca and Kevin invite special guests and fellow crime writers Lara Bricker and Toby Ball to talk about the finale episode of Serial: What We Know. It gets pretty meaty, guys.

By the way, at the end of the episode, Rebecca references this interview with Sarah Koenig on NPR.

Who's Who in 'Crime Writers on Serial':

Rebecca Lavoie is a public radio digital director and radio producer and the co-author of three mass-market true crime books. If you’re flipping through the more obscure channels on your cable lineup late at night, you might see Rebecca talking about crime on one of those docu-journalism TV shows…you know, the kind with names like Deadly Women and Deadly Sins. 

Kevin Flynn is Rebecca's real-life partner in crime and her co-author. Kevin was a long time TV reporter before jumping into crime writing with his first book about serial killer Sheila LaBarre, You can also hear Kevin talking about that case on this episode of the excellent crime podcast Criminal. Among the books Kevin and Rebecca have written together is Our Little Secret, which they discuss in the episode about "Rumors."  

Special guest panelists:

Lara Bricker is a long-time reporter, freelance writer and the author of the true crime book Lie After Lie. She has also worked as a private detective and a criminal defense investigator. 

Toby Ball is  the author of Invisible Streets and other works of noir and crime fiction. He also works at the Crimes against Children Research Center at the University of New Hampshire. 

Episode 10 Discussion: "The Best Defense is a Good Defense"

In the premier episode of “Crime Writers On,” Rebecca and Kevin invite special guests and fellow crime writers Lara Bricker and Toby Ball to talk about Episode 10 of Serial: The Best Defense is a Good Defense. Also, the panel catches up on the series, and reveals where they stand on the "did he or didn't he" question.

Note: “Crime Writers on Serial” premiered at the same time as “Serial” episode 10. There are no CWO/CWOS episodes for “Serial” episodes 1-9.

Who's Who in 'Crime Writers on Serial':

Rebecca Lavoie is a public radio digital director and radio producer and the co-author of three mass-market true crime books. If you’re flipping through the more obscure channels on your cable lineup late at night, you might see Rebecca talking about crime on one of those docu-journalism TV shows…you know, the kind with names like Deadly Women and Deadly Sins. 

Kevin Flynn is Rebecca's real-life partner in crime and her co-author. Kevin was a long time TV reporter before jumping into crime writing with his first book about serial killer Sheila LaBarre, You can also hear Kevin talking about that case on this episode of the excellent crime podcast Criminal. Among the books Kevin and Rebecca have written together is Our Little Secret, which they discuss in the episode about "Rumors."  

Special guest panelists:

Lara Bricker is a long-time reporter, freelance writer and the author of the true crime book Lie After Lie. She has also worked as a private detective and a criminal defense investigator. 

Toby Ball is  the author of Invisible Streets and other works of noir and crime fiction. He also works at the Crimes against Children Research Center at the University of New Hampshire. 

Episode 11 Discussion: "Rumors"

Note: “Crime Writers on Serial” premiered at the same time as “Serial” episode 10. There are no CWO/CWOS episodes for “Serial” episodes 1-9.

Rebecca and Kevin invite special guests and fellow crime writers Lara Bricker and Toby Ball to talk about Episode 11 of Serial: Rumors. Not everyone loved it. But Rebecca did.

Who's Who in 'Crime Writers on Serial':

Rebecca Lavoie is a public radio digital director and radio producer and the co-author of three mass-market true crime books. If you’re flipping through the more obscure channels on your cable lineup late at night, you might see Rebecca talking about crime on one of those docu-journalism TV shows…you know, the kind with names like Deadly Women and Deadly Sins. 

Kevin Flynn is Rebecca's real-life partner in crime and her co-author. Kevin was a long time TV reporter before jumping into crime writing with his first book about serial killer Sheila LaBarre, You can also hear Kevin talking about that case on this episode of the excellent crime podcast Criminal. Among the books Kevin and Rebecca have written together is Our Little Secret, which they discuss in the episode about "Rumors."  

Special guest panelists:

Lara Bricker is a long-time reporter, freelance writer and the author of the true crime book Lie After Lie. She has also worked as a private detective and a criminal defense investigator. 

Toby Ball is  the author of Invisible Streets and other works of noir and crime fiction. He also works at the Crimes against Children Research Center at the University of New Hampshire.