Perry Mason and Motive For Murder

HBO is out with a reboot of “Perry Mason.” But this time, Mason is not a 1950s defense attorney. Instead, he’s a 1930s private eye, working for a lawyer and investigating the case of a kidnapping-gone-wrong. Will Mason find the answers in Hollywood’s underbelly...and will he get the case-clearing confession the character is known for?

FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "PERRY MASON" GO TO THE 29th MINUTE.

In 2012, Gelareh Bagherzadeh was shot in her car outside her home. Police were stumped not only as to who the killer was, but why someone would want the graduate student and political activist dead. Dateline and NBC News are back with the new podcast “Motive for Murder.”

FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "MOTIVE FOR MURDER" GO TO THE 61st MINUTE.

In Crime of the Week, ain't nobody here except us chickens. 

VIEW THE CWO PODCAST ON FACEBOOK WATCH!

Uncover: Dead Wrong and Quiz

On this episode we introduce our podcast audience to our new Facebook Watch audience. Be sure to tune in and be a part of both CWO families.

His alibi was solid and the case went cold...until investigators put together a prosecution with bad evidence and dodgy witnesses. He was exonerated after two decades, but if Glen Assoun isn't Brenda Way's killer...was it the serial killer living a block away? We’re talking about season 7 of the CBC podcast "Uncover: Dead Wrong."

FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF UNCOVER: DEAD WRONG, GO TO 31:00

Then, did a British couple cheat their way to a fortune on “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” in 2001? When Charles Ingram goes from clueless contestant to game show champion, it doesn’t take long for executives to get suspicious. We'll review AMC's "Quiz."

FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "QUIZ" GO TO 57:00

In crime of the week: take-out food. 

I'll Be Gone in the Dark! Plus a review of Slow Burn: David Duke

Here's a big announcement from the team. "Crime Writers On..." is now a video show on FACEBOOK WATCH. Just search for "Crime Writers On..." on Facebook Watch or on Facebook to see video from the podcast. DEBUTS JULY 7.

In the latest season of “Slow Burn” from Slate, host Josh Levin chronicles white supremacist David Duke’s methodical journey from fringe figure to mainstream politician, a journey not fully appreciated by the establishment until it was too late.

FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "SLOW BURN," GO TO 27:00

Then, HBO’s six-part adaptation of Michelle McNamara's book, "I’ll Be Gone In The Dark," pulls together the narratives of the criminal’s many victims, the cops frustrated by the cold case, and the army of armchair detectives dabbling into the five-decade unsolved mystery of the Golden State Killer. But at the heart of the documentary is McNamara, who died before completing her manuscript.

FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "I'LL BE GONE IN THE DARK," GO TO 1:00:00

In crime of the week: pepperoni, sausage, extra cheese, and what? 

Does Killing Eve still slay? Plus, the important documentary "The 13th"

We begin with season three of the highly-acclaimed and much-loved comic-espionage drama "Killing Eve." Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer return as the rivals driven by equal measures of dangerous obsession and fatal attraction. Can Eve root out the spies and what will happen when she finally crosses paths with Villanelle?

FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "KILLING EVE" SEASON THREE GO TO 27:00

Then, it's an important time to revisit Ava DuVerney's Oscar nominated "The 13th." The Netflix doc is timely and trending...touching on the politics, policies, financial influences, and systemic racism which causes the unequal application of justice in America.

FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "THE 13TH" GO TO 52:00

In crime of the week: sting operation.

ALL BETTY! It Was Simple and Dirty John 2: The Betty Broderick Story

It's the summer of Betty Broderick!

First, The LA Times is out with a four-part podcast called "It Was Simple: The Betty Broderick Murders." The series is more of a retrospective of the crime and its cultural effects. 

FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "IT WAS SIMPLE" GO TO [+1]

Then season two of the "Dirty John" TV series (also with LA Times roots) is an eight-part television melodrama. "Dirty John 2: The Betty Broderick Story" features Amanda Peet as Betty, a woman unable to come to grips with the end of her marriage, vacillating between winning back her husband (Christian Slater) and making him feel her pain.

FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "DIRTY JOHN 2: THE BETTY BRODERICK STORY" GO TO [+4] 

In crime of the week: took you long enough. 

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Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich and The Imperfect Alibi

He was the billionaire investor who hosted celebrities, politicians, and royalty. He was also a pedophile who used his enormous wealth to traffic young girls. Netflix’s four-part series “Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich,” goes deep into the people and events around his life and provides a platform for his many victims, who are not afraid to name names.

FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "FILTHY RICH" GO TO MINUTE 32.

The Atlanta Journal Constitution is out with a multi-media investigation into a 1985 double murder and whether the right man is in prison. In a YouTube documentary on the case, “The Imperfect Alibi,” reporter Joshua Sharpe picks up the trail which leads to an alternate suspect.

FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "THE IMPERFECT ALIBI" GO TO MINUTE 53.

In Crime of the Week, license to dill. 

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"The Lost Kids" and season 2 of Prime's "Homecoming"

Why did 16 year old Daniel Yuen walk away from a school for "troubled teens" and where did he go? The podcast “The Lost Kids” explores the under-regulated industry of “tough love” programs and, in particular, the Southern California facility known as CEDU and its historical connections to a dangerous cult.

FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "THE LOST KIDS" GO TO :34

A woman wakes up in a canoe with no memory of how she got there. The trail leads her to the Geist corporation, the mysterious company behind those mind-erasing experiments on veterans. Prime's second season of "Homecoming" veers away from the podcast, with novel characters and new plan's for Geist's product.

FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "HOMECOMING" GO TO 1:03

In crime of the week: robocall me, maybe. 

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Wind of Change and Son of a Hitman

In this episode: two investigations that touch on spycraft and show business. 

First, he was a professional gambler in-and-out of trouble with the law. He was also the father of future-actor Woody Harrelson. But in 1979, Charles Harrelson was charged with slaying a federal judge. The new podcast “Son of a Hitman,” explores Harrelson’s life of crime with the help of his son, Brett. Was he involved in the most famous assassination in history?

FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "SON OF A HITMAN," GO TO 26:00

Was the power ballad “Wind of Change” an artistic commentary on the end of the Cold War or western propaganda designed to weaken Soviet influence? The podcast “Wind of Change” investigates whether the CIA was responsible for The Scorpions’ iconic hit. 

FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "WIND OF CHANGE," GO TO 56:00

Then in Crime of the Week, Mack truck and cheese.

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Our review of "Trial by Media"

Sweat pants? Has Kevin finally given up? Plus, does Toby know who anybody is? 

The crime writers discuss “Trial by Media,” from Netflix. The six part series looks at a group of high-profile cases and how press coverage influenced their outcomes. Sometimes the intense media coverage and live television broadcasts were major factors. Sometimes, public opinion shifted and turned one-time heroes into villains. And in other instances, engaging the media was a deliberate defense strategy.

FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF “TRIAL BY MEDIA,” GO TO 1:03

In crime of the week: caught red (wine) handed. 

For exclusive podcasts and more, go to patreon.com/partnersincrimemedia. 

Giri/Haji and Waco (Both on Netflix!)

A murder in London sparks a gang war in Tokyo among rival Yakuza. Detective Kenzo Mori is told his brother, thought to be dead, may be living in the UK and central to the conflict. “Giri/Haji,” from BBC-2 and Netflix. is a bilingual drama that bends genres...plus it has an ending unlike anything we’ve seen. 

FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEWS OF "GIRI/HAJI" GO TO 25:00

Then we talk about the re-release of the Paramount Network’s miniseries “Waco.” It features a sanitized version of David Koresh as a thoughtful, spiritual leader offering enlightenment to his followers. We also follow an FBI hostage negotiator who fears the agency’s reliance on military tactics is the wrong direction.

FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEWS OF "WACO" GO TO 47:00

Then in crime of the week: baby driver.

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Run and The Innocence Files eps 4-9

After a rage-inducing opening act, the crime writers discuss the final two sections of Netflix's The Innocence Files. Each story is good on its own; how do they work stacked side-by-side?

FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "THE INNOCENCE FILES" EP 4-9, GO TO 33:00

Then the panel hits the rails for HBO's romantic comedy, Run. Starring Emmy-winner Merritt Wever, we’re left to wonder where the reunited couple are going and what they’re leaving behind. 

FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "RUN," GO TO 57:00

In crime of the week: a train crashes into a boat. For real. 

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Bad Education and The Innocence Files (Part 1)

School’s in! We’re looking at HBO’s new movie, “Bad Education.” Based on a true story, school superintendent Frank Tassone is on top of the world, but things begin to unravel when a high school journalist is assigned a story about the budget. Does it get a passing grade? (Note: This film is based on an outstanding New York Magazine article by Bob Kolker.)

FOR OUR SPOILER FREE REVIEW OF “BAD EDUCATION,” GO TO 28:00

Then, a look at episodes 1-3 of Netflix’s ambitious series, “The Innocence Files.” Part one deals with a pair of rape-homicides of children in Mississippi. This case - and many others - revolves around an arrogant dentist whose application of bite mark analysis has led to wrongful convictions. 

FOR OUR SPOILER FREE REVIEW OF “THE INNOCENCE FILES” ep 1-3, GO TO 54:00

In Crime of the Week: return to sender.

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Atlanta's Missing & Murdered, plus The Pale Horse

Are the crime writers eating well? Some of them are.

Leading off: A woman dies under mysterious circumstances with a list. Are they in danger? And does it have anything to do with a coven of witches in an English village? The two-part adaptation of “The Pale Horse” from BBC One and Amazon Prime veers from Agatha Christie’s novel, keeping its supernatural overtones but leaning more on domestic suspense than its murder-for-hire origins. 

FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "THE PALE HORSE," GO TO 24:00

Up next: Atlanta was enjoying an economic and cultural resurgence, but in 1979 African American boys began disappearing from its streets. “Atlanta’s Missing & Murdered: The Lost Children” from HBO tugs at the threads of the Wayne Williams case. The series is part historical-and-cultural retrospective, part investigation into the system perhaps too quick to put the case behind them.

FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "ATLANTA'S MISSING & MURDERED," GO TO 54:00

In Crime of the Week: take one down, pass it around.

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Ozark & How to Fix a Drug Scandal

When Massachusetts State Police discover a chemist  has been tampering with evidence at the drug lab, it opens a legal Pandora's box. Netflix’s four-part “How to Fix a Drug Scandal” follows the lawyers seeking answers, the prosecutors who tried to cover it up, and the troubled life of one of the chemists whose personal addiction up-ended the scales of justice.

FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF “HOW TO FIX A DRUG SCANDAL,” GO TO 29:00.

In season three of Netflix’s “Ozark,” a drug war in Mexico has put additional pressure on Marty and Wendy Byrde to launder money in their new casino. But complications ensue with new arrivals, like cartel lawyer Helen Pierce and Wendy’s brother, Ben. 

FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF “OZARK” SEASON THREE, GO TO 58:00.

In crime of the week, back end data.

Cool Mules and The Valhalla Murders

Our first review is “Cool Mules” from Canadaland. Vice Canada music editor Slava Pastukhov believed the only way to advance at the gonzo news outlet was through more extreme journalism. A mix of greed and ambition led him to orchestrate a drug trafficking ring to Australia. 

OUR SPOILER FREE REVIEW OF “COOL MULES” BEGINS IN MINUTE 34

Next is a look at Netflix’s foriegn-language series, “The Valhalla Murders.” This police procedural is the latest in the growing number of shows set in Iceland which try to capture their own version of Scandianivan noir. But does the story capture either that dark Scandi style...or the interest of streaming mystery lovers?

OUR SPOILER FREE REVIEW OF “THE VALHALLA MURDERS” BEGINS IN MINUTE 1:03

In Crime of the Week: please don’t rollover. 

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Our review of Tiger King!

A big announcement from Toby! His new 10-part podcast, "Strange Arrivals," is out March 31. Subscribe now!

Then the panel discusses the much-buzzed about documentary, "Tiger King." Expanding on the characters and themes of the recent "Joe Exotic" podcast, this Netflix doc dives even deeper into the world of big cats and the shady people who love them. No doubt it's entertaining, but does it handle the people and issues in a responsible way? 

FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "TIGER KING" GO TO 1:03

In crime of the week, it makes my eyes burn.

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The Dating Game Killer and Lost Girls

The crime writers check in with updates on how they're dealing with self-isolation and ponder the world confronted by the coronavirus.

In the first review, the panel discusses "The Dating Game Killer" from Wondery and Hollywood & Crime. The docu-drama recalls the tale of serial killer/game show contestant Rodney Alcala. How will the team react to the podcast's style and substance?

FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "THE DATING GAME KILLER," GO TO 29:00

Then the group gets into Netflix's film adaptation of "Lost Girls" staring Amy Ryan. Does this two-hour dramatization of Bob Kolker's excellent book live up to the expansive source material? 

FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "LOST GIRLS," GO TO 54:30

Then in crime of the week: Cheese-us Christ.

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Down the Hill: The Delphi Murders and Verified

Leading off, the crime writers discuss the new podcast from HLN, “Down the Hill: The Delphi Murders.” The reporters attempt to shed light on a double killing with few publicly known facts. Can they advance the story?

OUR SPOILER FREE REVIEW OF “DOWN THE HILL” BEGINS IN MINUTE 33.

Then, they jet to Italy for “Verified” from Witness Docs and Stitcher. This ten-part series looks at a group of women and their search for justice against the man who raped them when they answered his ad on couchsurfer.com. Is there blame to share?

OUR SPOILER FREE REVIEW OF “VERIFIED” BEGINS IN MINUTE 1:03.

In crime of the week, who run the world?

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The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez and a Recommendations Roundup!

After a week of reeling in the years, the Crime Writers are back discussing the hard-hitting Netflix documentary, “The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez.” Viewers learn the long trail of physical and emotional abuse suffered by Gabriel and the many missed opportunities to save his life. And it dives into the issues around the failings of law enforcement, social services, elected officials, and the System’s desire to protect itself at the expense of the children it’s supposed to help.

OUR SPOILER FREE REVIEW OF “THE TRIALS OF GABRIEL FERNANDEZ” BEGINS IN MINUTE 37.

Then, on a lighter note, the team offers their recommendations for content you should be consuming this spring.

Toby:

• Greatest of all Talk

• 36 From The Vault

• The Mirror and the Light by Hilary Mantel

• Knives Out

Lara

• The Long Call by Ann Cleeves

• Locke and Key

• Outlander

• Dublin Murders

Kevin:

• Six

• Stumptown

• Dying for Sex

• Pod Save America

Rebecca:

• Joe Ide’s IQ book series

• Matt Goldman’s Nils Shapiro series

• Deep Water

• Reply All – “The Case of the Missing Hit”

In Crime of the Week: Tinder mercies.

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OUR 200th EPISODE SPECIAL!

This is our 200th episode, and to mark the occasion we’re going to look back at some of our favorite moments from Crime Writers On. We’ll revisit reviews from classic podcasts, games, milestones, things that made us cry with laughter, and shed other kinds of tears.

This week's cover art:

Top row

• Millie Bobby Brown from “Stranger Things”

• David Rudolf from “The Staircase”

• Bowe Bergdahl from “Serial”

• Michael Peterson from “The Staircase”

• Madeleine McCann from “The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann”

• Richard Simmons from “Missing Richard Simmons”

• Dan Taberski from “Headlong”

• Bill Cosby from “Chasing Cosby”

• Keith Morrison from “Dateline NBC”

• Andy from “The Legend of Cocaine Island”

• Adnan Syed from “Serial”

• Jonathan Groff from “Mindhunter”

• Merritt Weaver from “Unbelievable”

• Tyler Alvarez from “American Vandal”

• Bikram Choudhury from “Bikram: Yogi, Guru, Predator”

• Ian Bailey from “West Cork”

• Holt McCallany from “Mindhunter”

• Ear Hustle

• Sister Cathy Cesnik from “The Keepers”

Second row

• Jharrel Jerome from “When They See Us”

• Sarah Paulson from “The People vs OJ Simpson”

• Sterling K. Brown from “The People vs OJ Simpson”

• Eric Bana from “Dirty John”

• Payne Lindsey from “Up and Vanished”

• Matthew McConaughey from “True Detective”

• Woody Harrelson from “True Detective”

• Bob Broberg from “Abducted in Plain Sight”

• Charles Manson from “Young Charlie”

• Patrick Hines from “True Crime Obsessed”

• Colin Miller from “Undisclosed”

• Rabia Chaudry from “Undisclosed”

• Susan Simpson from “Undisclosed”

• Casey Anthony from “Casey Anthony: An American Murder Mystery”

• David Ridgen from “Someone Knowns Something”

Third row

• Doug Evans from “In the Dark”

• Steven Avery from “Making a Murderer”

• John Meehan from “Dirty John”

• John McLemore from “S-town”

• Brendan Dassey from “Making a Murderer”

• Ted Bundy from “The Bundy Tapes”

• Cleo Semaganis Nicotine from “Missing and Murdered”

• Ma Anand Sheela from “Wild Wild Country”

• Joseph Maldonado-Passage from “Joe Exotic”

• Amber Hunt from “Accused”

Front row

• Curtis Flowers from “In the Dark”

• Bill Rankin from “Breakdown”

• Ronan Farrow from “Catch and Kill”

• Madeline Baron from “In the Dark”

• Sarah Keonig from “Serial”

• Kevin Flynn

• Lara Bricker

• Rebeca Lavoie

• Toby Ball

• Debra Newell from “Dirty John”

• Rocksteady Freddie from the New York Ska Jazz Ensemble

Foreground

• Cat of the week

• Slenderman

• “The Staircase” owl

• Miracle Whip

• The crime writers typewriter

• The Brickter Scale

• The Habitat