The Apology Line

Wondery
The Apology Line

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If you could call a number and say you’re sorry, and no one would know…what would you apologize for? For fifteen years, you could call a number in Manhattan and do just that. This is the story of the line, and the man at the other end who became consumed by his own creation. He was known as “Mr. Apology.” As thousands of callers flooded the line, confessing to everything from shoplifting to infidelity, drug dealing to murder, Mr. Apology realized he couldn’t just listen. He had to do something, even if it meant risking everything. From Wondery the makers of Dr. Death and The Shrink Next Door, comes a story about empathy, deception and obsession. Marissa Bridge, who knew Mr. Apology better than anyone, hosts this six episode series. Listen to The Apology Line ad-free on Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-apology-line/ now.

Episodes

  1. EPISODE 1

    Who’s Sorry Now?

    Marissa Bridge has only had a premonition twice in her life: one was on the day in 1981 that she met “Mr. Apology.” As posters for the Apology Line appear all over New York City, callers start to leave messages that confess their deepest secrets and darkest fears. Mr Apology quickly realizes he will have to do more than just sit back and listen.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    37 min

  2. EPISODE 2 • WONDERY+ ONLY

    Going Public

    Even as Allan reckons with a frightening threat, he continues to engage with callers in ways he hadn’t previously imagined. A regular cast of characters forms on the Line. From this sea of voices one caller named “Richie” emerges and pulls Allan in even deeper, much to Marissa’s dismay. Sign up on wonderyplus.com/applepodcasts and stay up-to-date on the latest new podcasts and more from Wondery.

    33 min

  3. EPISODE 3 • WONDERY+ ONLY

    Your Dungeon or Mine?

    Richie details his murders and answers Allan’s many questions on the Line. Allan wants to keep Richie talking. He wants to use the Apology Line as a space to reform and study violent criminals. But will Allan’s efforts be enough? Sign up on wonderyplus.com/applepodcasts and stay up-to-date on the latest new podcasts and more from Wondery.

    37 min

  4. EPISODE 4 • WONDERY+ ONLY

    To Catch A Serial Killer

    Richie is back and Allan is in over his head this time. Help comes in the form of Detective Ray Pierce. Together they devise a plan to find out who Richie really is. Sign up on wonderyplus.com/applepodcasts and stay up-to-date on the latest new podcasts and more from Wondery.

    34 min

  5. EPISODE 5 • WONDERY+ ONLY

    Mrs. Apology

    With Richie gone from his life, Allan must reinvent himself and the Line. The community around the Line grows, while being married to Mr Apology becomes ever more challenging. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, here are some additional resources. For the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline call 1-800-273-8255. For the National Alliance on Mental Illness dial 1-800-950-6264. And for the Crisis Text Line Text HOME, H-O-M-E to 741741. If you or someone you know is experiencing intimate partner violence here are some additional resources. For the National Domestic Violence Hotline call 1-800-799-7233. Or visit thehotline.org to chat with someone live at any time. Sign up on wonderyplus.com/applepodcasts and stay up-to-date on the latest new podcasts and more from Wondery.

    39 min

  6. EPISODE 6 • WONDERY+ ONLY

    Strawberry Fields Forever

    Allan’s death is like an atomic bomb going off in Marissa’s life. She’s left to make sense of his life, and his life’s work. And twenty-five years later, Marissa learns the truth about what happened to Richie. Sign up on wonderyplus.com/applepodcasts and stay up-to-date on the latest new podcasts and more from Wondery.

    31 min

  7. EPISODE 7 • WONDERY+ ONLY

    And The Calls Live On

    Marissa talks to long time callers and listeners about the making of Apology Line then and now and what the making of this series has meant to her. Sign up on wonderyplus.com/applepodcasts and stay up-to-date on the latest new podcasts and more from Wondery.

    42 min

  8. 01/05/2021

    Introducing: The Apology Line

    If you could call a number and say you’re sorry, and no one would know…what would you apologize for? For fifteen years, you could call a number in Manhattan and do just that. This is the story of the line, and the man at the other end who became consumed by his own creation. He was known as “Mr. Apology.” As thousands of callers flooded the line, confessing to everything from shoplifting to infidelity, drug dealing to murder, Mr. Apology realized he couldn’t just listen. He had to do something, even if it meant risking everything. From Wondery the makers of Dr Death and The Shrink Next Door, comes a story about empathy, deception and obsession. Marissa Bridge, who knew Mr. Apology better than anyone, hosts this six episode series. All episodes are available now. You can binge the series ad-free on Wondery+ or on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or Amazon Music Unlimited subscription. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    2 min

  9. DEC 2

    Listen Now - Hollywood & Crime: The Cotton Club Murder

    On June 10th, 1983, the decomposing body of a well-dressed man was found in a desolate canyon near Los Angeles. John Doe #94 would soon be identified as missing variety show producer Roy Radin. He'd last been seen after meeting with a mysterious woman in a gold dress. Her name was Lanie Jacobs. Jacobs and Radin were obsessed with becoming Hollywood movie producers. And when their paths collided, it led them to a tantalizing film deal promising fame and fortune. But then, a twisted script unfolded, plunging them into a million-dollar cocaine and cash heist, a tangled web of lies, and ultimately – murder. The trail led investigators right to Hollywood's doorstep, linking former golden boy producer Robert Evans to the case and dredging up Radin's own troubled past. But the case turned ice cold. It would take more than five years of dogged pursuit by the L.A. Sheriff’s Department detectives, a secret undercover witness, and another murder almost 3,000 miles from Hollywood – to unlock the truth. This is the story of a doomed Hollywood partnership, a grisly murder and the search that stretched across the country for a killer – or killers. From Wondery, and the team behind the hit series Hollywood & Crime: The Dating Game Killer, The Wonderland Murders, Death of Starlet, and the Execution of Bonny Lee Bakley comes a six part series that dives into the dark side of Hollywood through a shocking murder – fueled by ruthless ambition and desperate dreams. Co-hosted by Tracy Pattin and Josh Lucas. Listen to Hollywood & Crime: The Cotton Club Murder: Wondery.fm/Hollywood_and_Crime_ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    5 min

  10. BONUS

    Where to find Episodes 2-7 of The Apology Line

    The Apology Line has moved. You can listen to all seven episodes ad-free by subscribing to Wondery+ in Apple Podcasts or the Wondery app, or you can listen on Amazon Music with your Prime Membership: Wondery.fm/The_Apology_Line See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1 min

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Hosts & Guests

4.5
out of 5
7,353 Ratings

About

If you could call a number and say you’re sorry, and no one would know…what would you apologize for? For fifteen years, you could call a number in Manhattan and do just that. This is the story of the line, and the man at the other end who became consumed by his own creation. He was known as “Mr. Apology.” As thousands of callers flooded the line, confessing to everything from shoplifting to infidelity, drug dealing to murder, Mr. Apology realized he couldn’t just listen. He had to do something, even if it meant risking everything. From Wondery the makers of Dr. Death and The Shrink Next Door, comes a story about empathy, deception and obsession. Marissa Bridge, who knew Mr. Apology better than anyone, hosts this six episode series. Listen to The Apology Line ad-free on Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-apology-line/ now.

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