Yeah, we put Chernobyl and Killing Eve in the SAME SHOW!

Yeah, we put Chernobyl and Killing Eve in the SAME SHOW!

Kevin makes his return from his latest surgery to sound that call: TRUE CRIME PODCAST UPDATE! From Paris, the trial of "West Cork" subject Ian Bailey is underway.

Call it the “feel-bad show of the summer.” HBO and Sky Atlantic have teamed for the five-part series “Chernobyl.” We know going in that “Chernobyl” will be scary and depressing...but will it also be entertaining?

FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "CHERNOBYL," GO TO 29:51

It was one of our favorite shows from 2018. BBC America’s "Killing Eve" just wrapped up its second season. Emmy winner Sandra Oh reprises her role as Eve Polastri, the MI-6 analyst obsessed with the delightfully-psychopathic assassin Villanelle, played by Julie Comer. Does the show work better when the frenemies are together or apart?

FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "KILLING EVE" S2, GO TO 51:55

In Crime of the Week - a clean getaway.

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White Lies and that Game of Thrones finale

White Lies and that Game of Thrones finale!

With Kevin taking a week off to recuperate from cancer surgery, Rebecca, Lara, and Toby nerd out on the series finale of Game of Thrones. (Bran the Broken? WTF?) Then the panel digs deep into NPR's new podcast, "White Lies." This look at the cover-up around a 1965 civil rights crime is just as resonant today.

FOR A SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF THE GAME OF THRONES FINALE, GO TO 26:54.

FOR A SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF WHITE LIES, GO TO 50:53.

In Crime of the Week: hey, it's that guy.

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A double review: That Zac Efron Bundy movie and The Last Days of August

That Zac Efron Bundy movie and The Last Days of August

This week on the podcast: TWO REVIEWS!

The panel breaks down the latest film in the Ted Bundy canon: It's called Extremely Wicked Shockingly Evil and Vile and it's on Netflix.

Then, a review of Jon Ronson's latest take on the porn industry, the podcast The Last Days of August.

Plus, a true crime update about the Madeleine McCann case.

In Crime of the Week: winner winner, chicken dinner.

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A double review of "Charged" and "At the Heart of Gold"

The panel begins with some appearance announcements, plus the reveal of our PodX ticket giveaway winner. Then somehow we get on a tangent about the 1978-1981 TV series, "The White Shadow."

There's a new HBO documentary looking at the USA Gymnastics sex abuse scandal. "At the Heart of Gold" doesn’t have the amount of time the podcast "Believed" enjoyed, so it goes for breadth instead of depth.

In "Slate Presents: Charged,” host Emily Bazelon spent two years examining New York’s special gun court for defendants of firearms charges. The series attempts to do what Serial season three could not...turn its longform investigation into a unified narrative about the justice system.

Then in Crime of the Week: getting stiffed.

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A Running from COPS podcast review

A Running from COPS podcast review

Kevin begins with a health update. Then the panel then wields their Valyrian steel and takes a stab at The Battle of Winterfell episode of Game of Thrones.

TO SKIP SPOILERS FROM EP 3 OF GoT, go to 18:12

Moving on, the crime writers talk about the new series from Dan Taberski, "Running from COPS." It's a look at law enforcement reality TV and a contemplation on what it's doing for the public, the police, the suspects, and the system.

TO HEAR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "RUNNING FROM COPS," GO TO 56:23

In Crime of the Week: beat the rap.

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Netflix's Madeleine McCann doc and a Make-a-wish mystery podcast

With Rebecca and Lara on school vacation, Kevin and Toby are joined by special guest Sarah D. Bunting from "The Blotter Presents...."

First off the panel reacts to the Maryland Court of Appeals' refusal to reconsider its recent decision reinstating Adnan Syed's conviction. Next Toby introduces us to an up-and-coming podcast, "What Happened to Holly Bartlett." This six-part series looks at the 2010 death of a blind woman from Halifax. Then we give a glowing review to the mystery podcast from five-year-old Make-a-Wish recipient Azka Sherief, "The Stealer of the Diamonds." It's the best five minutes you'll spend.

To listen to "The Stealer of the Diamonds," click here.

Netflix is offering up the eight-part series "The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann." After the three-year-old British girl vanished from her bedroom while on vacation in Portugal, the crime became an international media sensation.

FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "THE DISAPPEARANCE OF MADELEINE McCANN, GO TO 58:20.

In crime of the week: That's why they call me Thumper.

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The Murder Squad! A Blackout podcast review! And Billy Jensen!

A spotlight on Blackout and joining the Murder Squad

We take a quick look at “Murder Squad.” The concept of the podcast from journalist Billy Jensen and cold case investigator Paul Holes is to not only chat about crimes, but ask listeners to help solve them too. Rebecca has an interview with Jensen, too.

Then, we review “Blackout,” which follows a northern NH disc jockey as he attempts to navigate a world suddenly without power,wondering whether there are nefarious actors bent on forcing modern society to revert to simpler times.

TO GET OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "BLACKOUT," GO TO 53:44

In Crime of the Week: dog day afternoon.

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A double review! Uncover: The Village and The Ballad of Billy Balls!

A double review! Uncover: The Village and The Ballad of Billy Balls!

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“Uncover: The Village,” investigates a series of murders in Toronto’s Gay Village. Despite a 2018 arrest, gay residents of The Village have been vanishing since the mid-70s with the police taking little notice.

TO HEAR OUR SPOILER FREE REVIEW OF "UNCOVER: THE VILLAGE," GO TO 29:38

“Crimetown Presents” is back with a new series about true love and true crime. “The Ballad of Billy Balls” looks at the mysterious death of a New York punk-era musician, told mostly through the eyes of his long-devoted, troubled girlfriend.

TO HEAR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "THE BALLAD OF BILLY BALLS," GO TO 1:02:23

In crime of the week: Lions and rhinos and elephants, oh my!

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To Live and Die in LA. - NOPE. Plus, an In The Dark SCOTUS update!

To Live and Die in LA - NOPE. Plus, an In The Dark SCOTUS update!

In this episode, we review the podcast "To Live and Die in LA" from Tenderfoot TV. We also discuss the latest developments on the Curtis Flowers case.

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The Case Against Adnan Syed Part 4 - what did we learn?

The Case Against Adnan Syed Part 4 - what did we learn?

The crime writers give some hot takes on SCOTUS oral arguments on the Curtis Flowers case. Which justices shocked the panel? Plus, we get a hilarious sneak-peek at Lara's new Patreon-exclusive podcast, The Brickter Scale Podcast.

The group gives their thoughts about the conclusion of HBO's "The Case Against Adnan Syed." The series has provided some emotional notes along with its revealing investigation. The documentary uncovers some explosive evidence on DNA...but would you even know it?

TO HEAR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF THE CASE AGAINST ADNAN SYED, GO TO 1:07:10

In crime of the week: won't you see my neighbor?

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Breaking: Adnan Syed's DNA was NOT found in new evidence tests. But what does that mean?

Breaking: Adnan Syed's DNA was NOT found in new evidence tests. But what does that mean?

Ahead of this weekend's final episode in "The Case Against Adnan Syed," the Baltimore Sun broke the news with an article that says the State of Maryland ran DNA tests in October 2018 on previously untested evidence from the Leakin Park burial site of murder victim Hae Min Lee. And Adnan Syed's DNA was not discovered on any of the samples.

This has sparked a torrent of discussion and misinformation online. So, Rebecca and Kevin discussed the findings and their implications with attorney Susan Simpson of "Undisclosed."

The Case Against Adnan Syed Part 3 - Did we get that bombshell yet?

The Case Against Adnan Syed Part 3 - Did we get that bombshell yet?

Listen to the episode:

After an announcement about Kevin's health, Rebecca gets straight to business with Colin Miller. Legal Siri himself discusses an error he discovered in the Court of Appeal's recent decision against Adnan Syed that could be grounds for reconsideration. Plus, he shares his thoughts on The Case Against Adnan Syed. Have the documentarians discovered the smoking gun which might turn it all around?

Then Rebecca, Kevin, Lara, & Toby dive into episode three of the HBO series. The audience finally learns of the biggest flaws in the state's case: the cell tower evidence. What do they make of the many narrative threads still loose heading into the final episode...and what about that email cliffhanger?

TO REMAIN SPOILER-FREE FOR EPISODE 3 OF THE CASE AGAINST ADNAN SYED, GO TO 1:00:07

In Crime of the Week: method acting.

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The Case Against Adnan Syed (on HBO) and the case against Adnan Syed (in the courts)

The Case Against Adnan Syed (on HBO) and the case against Adnan Syed (in the courts)

Rebecca and Kevin discuss Adnan Syed’s recent legal setback with Rabia Chaudry. She also dishes on what’s missing from the HBO documentary (of which she is an executive producer).

Then the full panel weighs in on episode two of The Case Against Adnan Syed. Important witnesses are introduced, and the new investigators focus on grass. Are these developments going somewhere?

TO REMAIN SPOILER-FREE FOR EPISODE 2 OF THE CASE AGAINST ADNAN SYED, GO TO 1:09

In Crime of the Week, be cruel to your school.

The Case Against Adnan Syed. Plus, Leaving Neverland

HBO Double Review: The Case Against Adnan Syed & Leaving Neverland

The crime writers give their take on part 1 of HBO's "The Case Against Adnan Syed." Like the movie version of a favorite book, the episode covers the story of Adnan and Hae's high school relationship, but adds to it in a way "Serial" did not.

NOTE: This episode was recorded before the Court of Appeals of Maryland issued its decision to deny Adnan Syed a new trial. We will be discussing that news next week.

TO REMAIN SPOILER-FREE FOR EPISODE ONE, GO TO 40:02.

Then the panel wrestles with HBO's two-part "Leaving Neverland." The documentary - told simply and starkly - is the most powerful indictment of Michael Jackson's systematic abuse of star-struck children and their families. (Warning: discussion of this documentary may be triggering for some audience members.)

TO REMAIN SPOILER-FREE FOR LEAVING NEVERLAND, GO TO 1:08:51

In Crime of the Week: how the cookie crumbles.

Listen to the new CWO After Show! You can get that and more exclusive content at Patreon.com/partnersincrimemedia.

Update: Adnan Syed Denied A New Trial

Update: Adnan Syed Denied A New Trial

Kevin and Rebecca react to the breaking news in the Adnan Syed Case.

Listen:

We're all Over My Dead Body

Over My Dead Body review, True Detective wrap, and a Steven Avery win!

A big week for Lara, as she broadcasts from the Great White North of New Hampshire, having traversed the area on a snowmobile. She also hosted True Crime Obsessed’s Patrick Hinds and his family for their Granite State visit (and showed them the town Christmas tree pile). Rebecca also announces a new exclusive feature for Patreon supporters: the new CWO After Show. Get this exclusive podcast by joining us at patreon.com/partnersincrimemedia.

In True Crime Update, we hear about a win for Steven Avery in his bid to get a new trial. Then the panel gives final thoughts about True Detective season 3.

TO HEAR THE SPOILER-FREE DISCUSSION OF TRUE DETECTIVE, GO TO 29:19.

Then Wondery unveils its new podcast series, “Over My Dead Body.” Season one is called “Tally” and looks at a strange murder in Tallahassee, Florida. Does Over My Dead Body share more with binge-worthy Dirty John and Dr. Death than it does with the other all-to-common crime podcasts?

TO REMAIN SPOILER-FREE, GO TO 1:00:50 TO HEAR THE REVIEWS.

In crime of the week: claw and order.

I am the Night! Reply All's The Founder! And an In The Dark update!

I am the Night! Reply All's The Founder! And an In The Dark update!

Rebecca teases the upcoming supplemental episodes of In the Dark, Lara gets sick, Toby has further thoughts on Maura Murray, and Kevin explains his fear of being blown up by his snow blower.

The panel discuss "The Founder," the latest episode of Reply All in which we learn the incredible life of crime of Paul Le Roux. It's a good tale about the super-villain you’ve never heard of. 

Then the Crime Writers talk about TNT's “I Am the Night,” a limited series based on the life story of Fauna Hodel and starring Chris Pine. The show sways between noir and surrealism, looking to tell Fauna’s unbelievable life story in a believable way.  

TO HEAR THE SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "I AM THE NIGHT," GO TO 58:10.

In Crime of the Week: smoke 'em if you got 'em.

A Conviction podcast review! And an (informed) Maura Murray case update!

A Conviction podcast review! And an (informed) Maura Murray case update!

Crime writers assemble! Lara gets to bitch about stuff she can’t hear them saying on “True Detective.” Toby discovers the “Crime Beat” podcast, which he predicts will go big. Rebecca talks to Maggie Freleng about new developments in the Maura Murray case. Kevin stifles a cough.

The panel reviews “Conviction” from Gimlet Media. It’s a profile of a brash, self-assured private investigator who will go to any length to prove his client was set up by a crooked cop. Is he a champion of justice or a detrimental showboat?

TO HEAR THE SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF CONVICTION, GO TO 1:08:31.

In crime of the week: put a tiger in your toke.

The Ted Bundy Tapes, The Dropout, and it's coming...The Case Against Adnan Syed

The Ted Bundy Tapes, The Dropout, and it's coming...The Case Against Adnan Syed

Rebecca and Kevin announce a new benefit for Patreon supporters. You’ll now be able to get Married with Podcast, their exclusive marriage & parenting advice show. Checkout www.patreon.com/partnersincrimemedia for more details.

In True Crime Update, HBO will soon air its post-Serial documentary, “The Case Against Adnan Syed.” A press release promises “new discoveries, as well as groundbreaking revelations that challenge the state's case.”

The panel does a mini-review of “The Dropout” from ABC Radio and ABC News Nightline. This investigation into a self-made billionaire and her massive biotech shell game is a compelling story of corporate true crime.

FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "THE DROPOUT" GO TO 32:18.

Finally, the Crime Writers talk about Netflix’s “Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes.” With a prolific amount of contemporaneous film and personal audio recordings, this reexamination into the serial killer’s daring and deadly life of crime is enlightening.

FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "THE TED BUNDY TAPES" GO TO 1:02:45.

In Crime of the Week: the pursuit of happiness. 

Is True Detective back? We break it down.

Is True Detective back? We break it down.

Lara is hopped up on chocolate-covered espresso beans…so hold on to your hats, people. The panel talks about Hollywood’s plans for a dramatized retelling of the “Wild Wild Country” story. Rebecca poses the question of whether “Conviction” and Gimlet’s other male-driven true crime offers are “too bro.” Then the crime writers discuss whether the sensibility and narrative certitude of true crime publishing has a place in the broken system/unsolved case popularity of modern podcasts.

The group tackles the new season of HBO’s True Detective. It replicates season 1’s neo-gothic settings, stylized cinematography, shifting timelines, unreliable narrators, and its all-star cast. But does the latest installment return True Detective to its once-revered reputation?

WE’LL BE DISCUSSING PLOT POINTS TO TRUE DETECTIVE, SO TO STAY SPOILER-FREE FAST-FORWARD TO OUR REVIEWS AT 1:01:06

Then in crime of the week: kill ‘em with Kindness.