9 episodes
The Dating Game Killer Wondery
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- True Crime
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4.3 • 428 Ratings
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In 1978, Rodney Alcala won a date on the popular TV show, The Dating Game. What no one knew was that he was a prolific serial killer in the middle of a cross-country murder spree. In this six-part series, co-hosts Tracy Pattin (Hollywood & Crime) and Stephen Lang (Avatar, Don’t Breathe) take listeners on an unbelievable journey into Alcala’s twisting secret life. He hid behind normal jobs as a typesetter at a prominent newspaper and a summer camp counselor. How did this predatory monster fool employers, prison psychiatrists, and parole boards — all while committing heinous crimes from coast to coast? And how did a one-time appearance as a game show contestant help lead to his capture? From the makers of Dirty John, Dr. Death, and Young Charlie, learn the story of the most famous serial killer you’ve never heard of - The Dating Game Killer.
Available exclusively on Wondery+ or on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or Amazon Music Unlimited subscription.
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Tali
Eight-year-old Tali Shapiro is abducted on her way to school. At the crime scene, LAPD officer Chris Camacho finds her attacker’s student ID. His name: Rodney Alcala.
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Rehabilitated
After being convicted of child molestation, Rodney Alcala becomes a model prisoner and works hard to convince the parole board he is no longer a threat. But when he is released less than two months later, he strikes again.
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Bachelor Number One
Rodney Alcala appears as a hopeful contestant on the popular TV show The Dating Game, attempting to win the heart of an eligible bachelorette. Soon after, he kills again, with disastrous consequences.
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Mile Marker 11
Another body is found, and one of the detectives on the case recognizes Rodney Alcala on a rerun episode of The Dating Game. As police close in, they begin to suspect they have a serial killer on their hands.
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The Witness
Hoping for a not guilty decision, Rodney Alcala’s defense attorney plans to discredit the state’s main witness and keep Alcala’s prior criminal record out of court. But the mother of one of his victims has a plan of her own.
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The Alice’s Restaurant Defense
Rodney Alcala’s initial conviction and sentence are only the beginning of his time in court. What follows is a 30-year odyssey through the American judicial system. Will the families and friends of his victims ever receive justice?
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Customer Reviews
Great
This is very thoughtfully put together and well presented. An interesting podcast, worth a listen
Ambivalent
Seemed very sensationalised and I sometimes wondered if the details in the story were necessary. However engaging enough, as listened to the whole story - a fascinating story of how slow the legal system was to catch up to the risks he posed.
Trying to extract the storyline is near impossible.
I’m 40 minutes in to the first episode and this is one of the most poorly authored podcasts.
It’s like they’ve engaged the producer of a b grade reality show, a washed up romance author and the editor of a thesaurus to write the podcast.
With countless interjections from advertising themselves without “pausing” the story line it becomes a blur of what’s advertising and what’s the story.
The over description of each and every detail of every part of the story, and referring to the characters like the narrator of a children’s cartoon it becomes a monumental task to follow along.
Im a long distance truck driver so I have nothing but full attention, I have a strong command of the English language and am an experienced podcast listener.
This podcast is a multipart series on what not to do.
I don’t know how this podcast gets such good reviews and referrals. I no longer have faith in anyone who has endorsed this podcast.
Maybe I’m the idiot.