9 episodes
The Apology Line Wondery
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- True Crime
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4.5 • 7.3K Ratings
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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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Customer Reviews
Excellent podcast
Such a bizarre and original story- it’s hard to believe it really happened. Mystery, intrigue, nostalgia, crime, psychology, plot twists… it’s all there.
PAYWALLED
Wonderful seeing this and all my favorite OLD Wondery Podcasts suddenly paywalled on Wondery+ as “exclusives.” This is an OLD podcast. A very good old podcast. No warning AT ALL. You have every right to MAKE new exclusive content, but paywalling content years later is unethical at a minimum. And to add insult to injury, Wondery+ has ads AND forces you to use THEIR app. Meaning Amazon—I mean Wonder—I mean Art19 — all the same corporation now… aren’t doing actual podcasting. RSS = Podcasting. You can’t bind podcasts to an app.
Release the old podcasts from your unfair retroactive paywalling, and I’ll update this to what it originally was. If you’re lucky enough to hear this podcast — definitely listen to it. One of my favorites :(
Apology Line—don’t waste your time
Long and drug out filled with unnecessary personal drivel. Episode 1 and 2 strayed out ok but the whole podcast could’ve been wrapped up in a total of about three episodes. The rest was her angst about her unhappiness in her marriage and discussion of Alan’s narcissism.