Pop Mystery Pod

Tess Barker
  • 4.9 (180)
  • Documentary
  • Updated Weekly

Investigative journalist and pop culture junkie Tess Barker, dives into the pop culture moments that have puzzled her for years. This addictive, informative and revelatory show dives features the deep research and first person reporting that helped her launch the #FreeBritney movement while co-hosting Britney's Gram. Each episode unpacks a moment in celebrity news that was misunderstood or intentionally covered up at the time. Part true crime, part comedy, part deconstructing pop culture trivia, the show shines light on the dark corners in the entertainment capital of the world.

  1. 1d ago

    Grimes, Mother of X Æ A-12 (with Steven Ray Morris)

    Since hard launching with Elon Musk at the Met Gala in 2018, recording artist Grimes has been a mysterious and divisive figure. Who is Grimes as an artist, and what could she have been had Musk not interceeded in her strange little indie career? Joining Tess for a deep dive on this mid aughts trance diva is Steven Ray Morris @stevenraymorris, host of “See Jurassic Right,” who has produced shows like “My Favorite Murder”, “Keenan and Lakin Give You Deja Vu” and “Jordan Jesse Go.”   Listen to “The Daily’s”  episode on Elon Musk  Read “Star Tribune” Houseboat Article  Watch Grimes’ “Pitchfork” interview  Listen to “Girl in Stem”  Follow Pop Mystery Pod on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok @popmysterypod  Pop Mystery Pod is written and produced by Tess Barker @tesstifybarker. Produced by Tyler Hill.  Theme song by Rick Wood @Rickw00d. Support independent pop journalism and join us on Patreon at Pop Mystery Pod. Get access to ad free episodes, bonus content, and polls about upcoming topics. patreon.com/PopMysteryPod Follow Tess’s other podcasts Lady to Lady and Toxic: The Britney Spears Story wherever you get your pods.  Make sure to leave us a review! And tell a friend about the show! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Grimes, Mother of X Æ A-12 (with Steven Ray Morris)

  2. Aug 6

    The Cult That Jared Leto Runs (with Shannon McNamara)

    Jared Leto started his career as a 23 year old teen heartthrob on “My So Called Life.” He then went on to achieve the nearly impossible: dual careers as both a rock star and a critically acclaimed actor. Recent bombshell reporting from the BBC has revealed that over decades, as he’s enjoyed wild success, Leto has allegedly assaulted a staggering number of teenaged girls. Oh, and also he appears to have started a cult. Joining Tess to talk through Leto’s apparent history of predatory behavior is podcaster Shannon McNamara @fluentlyforward, host of the Fluently Forward podcast.  Listen to “Who’s the Clown?” By Audrey Hobert  Read Read the NY Post article “Hey Leto Girl: Leto Shows He’s a Teen Player.” Read the Air Mail article “The Cult of Leto”  Watch the BBC’s “Jared Leto: Hollywood’s Darkest Open Secret”  Follow Pop Mystery Pod on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok @popmysterypod  Pop Mystery Pod is written and produced by Tess Barker @tesstifybarker. Produced by Tyler Hill.  Theme song by Rick Wood @Rickw00d. Support independent pop journalism and join us on Patreon at Pop Mystery Pod. Get access to ad free episodes, bonus content, and polls about upcoming topics. patreon.com/PopMysteryPod Follow Tess’s other podcasts Lady to Lady and Toxic: The Britney Spears Story wherever you get your pods.  Make sure to leave us a review! And tell a friend about the show! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    The Cult That Jared Leto Runs (with Shannon McNamara)

  3. Jul 30

    Tyra Banks Cuts Models (with Jackie Johnson)

    “America’s Next Top Model” is a stunning piece of television. For over a decade, svelte contestants ostensibly vied for a chance at modeling success. What they were also seemingly fighting for, however, is their mental well-being. What actually went down behind the scenes of this singular juggernaut of a show? Is the recent backlash against Tyra warranted? What exactly is she claiming in her lawsuit against Netflix? Perhaps most importantly wtf is hit ice cream? Joining Tess to walk the runway is comic, actor, and writer Jackie Johnson (@jackiemichellejohnson) Natch Beat; How to Get a Second Husband.  See Jackie’s show “How to Get a Second Husband” here!  Watch “Mr. Jambo” by Kyle Gordon  Watch “Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model”  Listen to “Curse of: America’s Next Top Model”  Follow Pop Mystery Pod on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok @popmysterypod  Pop Mystery Pod is written and produced by Tess Barker @tesstifybarker. Produced by Tyler Hill.  Theme song by Rick Wood @Rickw00d. Support independent pop journalism and join us on Patreon at Pop Mystery Pod. Get access to ad free episodes, bonus content, and polls about upcoming topics. patreon.com/PopMysteryPod Follow Tess’s other podcasts Lady to Lady and Toxic: The Britney Spears Story wherever you get your pods.  Make sure to leave us a review! And tell a friend about the show! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Tyra Banks Cuts Models (with Jackie Johnson)

  4. Jul 23

    The Ice Cream Blonde Cold Case (with Babs Gray)

    Thelma Todd seemed to be living the life of classic Hollywood dreams. She had a busy career, an active social life, and she owned a restaurant at arguably the most beautiful corner of southern California coastline. Then, one cold LA Christmas season, she died, alone in her own garage. The official ruling was that her death had been accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. A slough of suspicious characters surrounding Thelma and her death cast doubt on this theory, though. Investigating this 90 year old mystery with Tess is Babs Gray (@babsdgray) of Lady to Lady, Comedy Central, Vice.  Read Michelle Morgan’s “The Ice Cream Blonde” Read Thelma’s LA Times Obituary  Watch  Thelma Todd and Patsy Kelly in their comedy shorts Follow Pop Mystery Pod on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok @popmysterypod  Pop Mystery Pod is written and produced by Tess Barker @tesstifybarker. Produced by Tyler Hill.  Theme song by Rick Wood @Rickw00d. Support independent pop journalism and join us on Patreon at Pop Mystery Pod. Get access to ad free episodes, bonus content, and polls about upcoming topics. patreon.com/PopMysteryPod Follow Tess’s other podcasts Lady to Lady and Toxic: The Britney Spears Story wherever you get your pods.  Make sure to leave us a review! And tell a friend about the show! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    The Ice Cream Blonde Cold Case (with Babs Gray)

  5. Jul 16

    Jerry Springer Fakes It (Throwback)

    This week, we revisit a classic American story. For better or worse, “The Jerry Springer Show” changed television as we know it. Were the guests on this trainwreck real? Or fakers? Investigative journalists Tess Barker parses through Jerry Springer’s improbable life for clues as to how genuine the guests on his show were.  Tess is joined by comics Doug Stanhope @dougstanhope  and Terrence Newman @mayorofechopark, who have wild first-hand insights into the veracity of this iconic show.  Follow Pop Mystery Pod on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok @popmysterypod  Pop Mystery Pod is written and produced by Tess Barker @tesstifybarker. Produced by Tyler Hill. Theme song by Rick Wood @Rickw00d. Support independent pop journalism and join us on Patreon at Pop Mystery Pod. Get access to ad free episodes, bonus content, and polls about upcoming topics. patreon.com/PopMysteryPod Follow Tess’s other podcasts Lady to Lady and Toxic wherever you get your pods.  Make sure to leave us a review! And tell a friend about the show!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Jerry Springer Fakes It (Throwback)

  6. Jul 9

    The Secret Life of Canned Laughter (with Holly Brown)

    One of the most divisive figures in television history is not a person, but a box. One that was kept under lock and key for most of its owner’s life: The Laff Box. This tool, which generated fake laughter on countless of television comedies, has an improbable start, and a wild history. Joining Tess to talk through the fascinating life and death of the laugh track is comic and podcaster Holly Brown @hollybrowncomedy (Everyone Knows But Me.)  Read Charles Douglass obituary in the LA Times Read NY Times “Lives They Lived Making Us Laugh”  Read BBC article “The History of Laugh Track.”   Follow Pop Mystery Pod on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok @popmysterypod  Pop Mystery Pod is written and produced by Tess Barker @tesstifybarker. Produced by Tyler Hill.  Theme song by Rick Wood @Rickw00d. Support independent pop journalism and join us on Patreon at Pop Mystery Pod. Get access to ad free episodes, bonus content, and polls about upcoming topics. patreon.com/PopMysteryPod Follow Tess’s other podcasts Lady to Lady and Toxic: The Britney Spears Story wherever you get your pods.  Make sure to leave us a review! And tell a friend about the show! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    The Secret Life of Canned Laughter (with Holly Brown)

  7. Jul 2

    The Top Pop Independence Days

    Pop history is full of notable independence days. If the red, white, and blue isn’t doing it for you, this year, here are some iconic moments of libration to celebrate instead.  Follow Pop Mystery Pod on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok @popmysterypod  Pop Mystery Pod is written and produced by Tess Barker @tesstifybarker. Produced by Tyler Hill.  Theme song by Rick Wood @Rickw00d. Support independent pop journalism and join us on Patreon at Pop Mystery Pod. Get access to ad free episodes, bonus content, and polls about upcoming topics. patreon.com/PopMysteryPod Follow Tess’s other podcasts Lady to Lady and Toxic: The Britney Spears Story wherever you get your pods.  Make sure to leave us a review! And tell a friend about the show! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    The Top Pop Independence Days

  8. Jun 25

    James Cameron’s Quest to Pester Ghosts (with Caitlin Durante)

    The Titanic is one of the most famous and chilling disasters of all time. The movie “Titanic.”  could have also been a lesson in hubris. It was helmed by James Cameron, whose reportedly maniacal behavior may have been the impetus for a bizarre and mysterious food poisoning. There is so much to say about this strange and unlikely megahit. Joining Tess to explore “Titanic’s” wreckage is Caitlin Durante @caitlindurante (The Bechdel Cast).  Read  “The Futurist,” by Rebecca Keegan  Read the Time article “Glub, Glub, Glub,” by Kim Masters  Follow Pop Mystery Pod on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok @popmysterypod  Pop Mystery Pod is written and produced by Tess Barker @tesstifybarker. Produced by Tyler Hill.  Theme song by Rick Wood @Rickw00d. Support independent pop journalism and join us on Patreon at Pop Mystery Pod. Get access to ad free episodes, bonus content, and polls about upcoming topics. patreon.com/PopMysteryPod Follow Tess’s other podcasts Lady to Lady and Toxic: The Britney Spears Story wherever you get your pods.  Make sure to leave us a review! And tell a friend about the show! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    James Cameron’s Quest to Pester Ghosts (with Caitlin Durante)
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Trailer

4.9
out of 5
180 Ratings

About

Investigative journalist and pop culture junkie Tess Barker, dives into the pop culture moments that have puzzled her for years. This addictive, informative and revelatory show dives features the deep research and first person reporting that helped her launch the #FreeBritney movement while co-hosting Britney's Gram. Each episode unpacks a moment in celebrity news that was misunderstood or intentionally covered up at the time. Part true crime, part comedy, part deconstructing pop culture trivia, the show shines light on the dark corners in the entertainment capital of the world.

Information

  • Creator
    Tess Barker
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    102
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Tess Barker
  • Show Website
    Pop Mystery Pod

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