In this special Halloween crossover episode, the Wicked Stage Podcast joins forces with the Fish 'N' Brits Podcast to delve into the infamous mystery of Jack the Ripper. The episode explores the historical context of the Whitechapel murders, examines different suspects including Joseph Barnett, John Pizer, and even the legendary Sergeant Boston Corbett, and discusses the sensational impact of the media at the time. With a detailed analysis of the canonical five victims and a review of modern theories, the podcast offers an in-depth look into one of the most captivating unsolved cases in history. Expert commentary, insightful discussions, and a touch of humor make this a must-listen for true crime enthusiasts. 00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene 00:40 Meet the Hosts 01:21 Podcast Crossover Chaos 04:01 Historical Context: London in 1888 06:54 Living Conditions in Whitechapel 12:22 Policing and Crime in Whitechapel 13:53 Prostitution and Social Issues 24:08 The Whitechapel Murders 39:38 Police Incompetence and Early Investigations 40:40 Press Involvement and Public Pressure 42:13 Introduction of Inspector Frederick Abberline 43:10 Details of the Murders and Victim Profiles 54:44 The Double Event: Two Murders in One Night 01:02:21 The Final Canonical Victim: Mary Jane Kelly 01:09:01 Letters from Jack the Ripper 01:21:12 Cannibalism and Jack the Ripper's Letters 01:23:20 Media Frenzy: The Role of Newspapers 01:27:25 Theories and Suspects: Criminal Profiling Begins 01:28:58 John Pizer: The Leather Apron Suspect 01:37:41 Montague John Druitt: The Educated Suspect 01:45:54 James Maybrick: The Diary Confession 01:52:15 Joseph Barnett: The Jealous Lover 01:58:43 George Chapman: The Poisoner Barber 02:02:41 William Gull: The From Hell Theory 02:07:16 Debunking the Jack the Ripper Suspect: Dr. Thomas Neill Cream 02:07:54 The Tragic Life of Jimmy Kelly James 02:09:55 The Great Escape: Kelly's Connection to the Ripper Murders 02:12:20 Boston Corbett: The Unlikely Suspect 02:15:47 Jill the Ripper: A Feminist Twist 02:20:47 Aaron Kosminski: The DNA Controversy 02:31:10 Final Thoughts and Speculations 02:47:56 Outro and Where to Find Us

The First Annual Floozy Awards - Celebrating a Year of Stories, Laughs, and True Crime In this special episode, hosts Jen, Ashley, and Olivia celebrate the one-year anniversary of their true-crime podcast 'Life Upon the Wicked Stage' by presenting the first annual Floozy Awards. The hosts discuss various memorable episodes from the past year, highlighting their favorite moments, one-liners, shocking twists, and unproblematic men. Categories include 'Biggest Thumb,' 'Creepiest Old Man,' 'Most Unproblematic Man,' 'Best One-Liner,' 'Best Fringe Show You Didn't Ask For,' and more. They also announce some exciting upcoming collaborations and discuss potential future merch. Join the fun as they reflect on a year full of intriguing stories and hilarious discussions. 00:00 Listener Discretion Advised 00:15 Meet the Hosts 01:04 The First Annual Floozy Awards 02:06 Upcoming Halloween Collaboration 03:00 Podcast Anniversary Celebration 03:39 Dress Code and Themes 09:02 Biggest Thumb Award 17:39 Creepiest Old Man Award 26:30 Most Haunted Episode Award 35:01 Best One-Liner Award 45:33 Best Side Character Award 52:53 Best Editing Award 55:24 Introduction to Problematic Stage Moms 55:37 Harry Houdini's Overbearing Mother 56:56 Mama Nesbitt's Negligence 58:51 George Reeves' Troubled Relationship with His Mother 01:02:14 Most Unproblematic Man Nominees 01:12:42 Most Shocking Moments 01:19:01 Best Fringe Show Ideas 01:23:51 Surprise Cameo Performances 01:27:16 Most Wanted Merch Items 01:31:07 Films Olivia Needs to Watch 01:34:57 Jen's Potential Dangers 01:38:28 Best Mispronunciation 01:41:33 Floozy of the Year 01:46:05 Closing Remarks and Thank Yous

This podcast episode, featuring hosts Jen, Ashley, and Olivia, delves into the tragic on-set shooting that occurred during the filming of the movie 'Rust' on October 21, 2021. The hosts discuss the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting of cinematographer Helena Hutchins and the injury of director Joel Souza by a live round discharged from a revolver handled by actor Alec Baldwin. They highlight the safety failures, including inappropriate handling of firearms by the armorer, amateurish safety protocols by assistant director David Halls, and the broader procedural lapses. The episode explores the impact of the incident on those involved, including the ensuing legal battles and ultimate film completion as a tribute to Helena Hutchins. The hosts emphasize the critical importance of teamwork, safety, and accountability in film production. 00:00 Listener Discretion Advised 00:15 Meet the Hosts 00:43 Retrograde Vibes 01:08 Annabelle Doll Discussion 01:43 Introducing the Rust Incident 03:38 Background on the Film Rust 06:42 The Role of a Cinematographer 09:00 Producer Roles Explained 14:12 First Assistant Director: David Hall 18:01 Armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed 30:03 The Incident on Set 43:24 Immediate Aftermath 48:36 The Confusion and Panic Unfolds 49:29 The Investigation Begins 51:30 Alec Baldwin's Emotional Response 53:05 The Blame Game and Legal Battles 54:53 The Shocking Discovery of Live Rounds 59:04 The Aftermath and Legal Consequences 01:06:30 Resuming Filming and Seeking Justice 01:27:24 Final Reflections and Lessons Learned

In this episode, hosts Jen, Ashley, and Olivia delve into the true crime story of Vivian Gordon, also known as the Broadway Butterfly. The podcast explores her life, her involvement in the seedy underworld of 1920s and 30s New York, and the events leading up to her mysterious murder. The story includes her early life, attempts to escape the showgirl lifestyle, her ultimate entanglement in organized crime, blackmail schemes, and a tragic end that coincides with a significant political scandal involving New York City Mayor Jimmy Walker. The narrative also touches on the corruption within the police force and the judicial system, with notable appearances by FDR and Judge Samuel Seabury. The episode concludes with the sad suicide of Vivian's daughter, Benita, and an overview of key historical figures connected to the case. 00:00 Listener Discretion Advised 00:15 Meet the Hosts 00:50 Sponsored by Revenge 02:00 The Broadway Butterfly: Vivian Gordon 02:36 A Body in the Park 08:06 Vivian's Early Life 10:30 From Chorus Girl to Common Law Wife 15:54 A Setup and a Downfall 28:00 Vivian's Rise in the Underworld 29:16 Corruption and Blackmail 44:33 The Seabury Investigation 46:04 Vivian's Last Stand 46:41 Support the Podcast 48:59 Vivian's Bold Move 49:42 The Mysterious Death 50:08 The Investigation Begins 52:12 The Grand Jury and Corruption 57:21 A Tragic Turn 01:00:50 Breakthrough in the Case 01:08:41 The Aftermath and Legacy 01:19:57 Unsolved Mysteries and Reflections 01:28:07 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

In this episode hosts Jen, Ashley, and Olivia delve into the tumultuous relationship of Hollywood legends Humphrey Bogart and Mayo Method. Known as the 'Battling Bogarts,' their marriage was marked by public brawls, violence, and Mayo's increasing paranoia and alcoholism. The episode covers Bogart's rise to fame, Method's early career, and their eventual split after Bogart falls in love with Lauren Bacall on the set of 'To Have and Have Not.' The hosts also explore themes of attachment styles, spousal abuse, and the concept of battered husband syndrome. The episode highlights how Bogart eventually found happiness with Bacall after years of personal turmoil and public scrutiny.

00:00 Listener Discretion Advised 00:15 Meet the Hosts 00:37 Setting the Stage: The Battling Bogarts 05:20 Humphrey Bogart: Early Life and Career 24:47 Mayo Methot: Early Life and Career 34:03 Understanding Attachment Styles 42:20 Spousal Abuse vs. Battered Husband Syndrome 47:45 Emotional Coercion and Threats 48:39 Long-Distance Jealousy and Violence 49:17 Breaking Point and Self-Preservation 50:04 Shame and Silence Among Men 51:34 Psychological Impacts of Abuse 53:51 Reactionary Abuse Explained 55:09 Bogart and Meth's Tumultuous Relationship 01:00:59 Public Violence and Decline 01:10:52 Bogart's New Love: Lauren Bacall 01:18:03 The End of a Toxic Marriage 01:21:31 Mayo's Downfall and Bogart's Legacy 01:30:44 Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser

This episode delves into the notorious NXIVM cult, uncovering its malicious inner workings and the harrowing experiences of its members. Hosts Jen, Ashley, and Olivia shine a light on the guise of self-improvement sold to recruits, the manipulative strategies employed by leader Keith Raniere, and the distressing ordeals faced by those involved, including forced labor, branded rituals, and sexual abuse. The episode also exposes the roles played by high-profile members and the eventual legal downfall orchestrated by brave whistleblowers. Plus a bonus PSA "Are YOU in a cult?" 00:00 Listener Discretion Advised 00:15 Meet the Hosts 00:41 A Chaotic Recording Session 02:17 Introducing the Episode Topic 03:27 NXIVM: The Cult Unveiled 05:54 The Dark Side of NXIVM 09:09 The Cult's Recruitment Tactics 11:37 Inside the Inner Circle 13:03 The Society of Protectors and Other Groups 34:58 Daily Life in the Cult 36:52 The Core of the Cult: DOS 42:33 Volleyball and Inner Circle Dynamics 43:17 The Victim-Abuser Dichotomy 43:46 Psychological Manipulation and Control 49:39 The Horrors of DOS 57:02 The Downfall of NXIVM 59:08 Legal Consequences and Trials 01:12:40 Guilty Pleas and Convictions 01:18:33 The Aftermath and Cult Traits 01:23:15 NXIVM's Lingering Influence 01:27:13 Final Thoughts and PSA

In this episode, Jen, Ashley, and Olivia from the 'Wicked Stage' podcast interview Matt Palm, a notable writer and critic for the Orlando Sentinel. They discuss Matt's extensive focus on arts and culture, specifically his unique experiences covering the 'Basquiat art scandal' at the Orlando Museum of Art. Matt shares his journey, from his start as a theater and arts critic to handling the complexities of reporting on federal investigations. The conversation highlights the critical role of journalism, the challenges of balancing fair critique with community support, and the intricacies of covering a national-level art fraud case as a local journalist. The episode dives deep into the ethics of criticism, the evolution of Matt's career, and the dynamics of the Central Florida arts scene. 00:00 Introduction and Hosts 00:38 Special Guest: Matthew Palm 02:03 Matt Palm's Role and Responsibilities 04:31 Challenges of Being a Critic 09:28 Theme Park Performers and Local Arts 13:27 Social Media and Public Perception 21:21 The Orlando Museum of Art Scandal 49:04 Breaking News and Circus Chaos 51:48 Journalistic Integrity and Responsibility 56:10 Navigating Criticism and Reviews 01:01:40 The Art of Objectivity in Journalism 01:04:16 The Challenges of Live Theater 01:11:38 The Importance of Supporting Journalism 01:19:56 Matt Palm's Personal Artistic Journey 01:29:13 Final Thoughts and Reflections

This episode of the podcast dives into a controversial and gripping true crime story in the art world. Hosts Jen, Ashley, and Olivia discuss the case of 25 alleged Basquiat paintings displayed at the Orlando Museum of Art. The episode explores the dubious provenance of these paintings, their eventual seizure by the FBI, and the downfall of art museum director Aaron De Groft. Despite expert warnings and a shady backstory involving a defunct authentication committee, the museum presented the works as authentic. The story culminates in a massive scandal with the unmasking of the forger and De Groft's subsequent legal battles, casting a spotlight on the murky underworld of art forgery.

00:00 Listener Discretion Advised

00:20 Meet the Hosts

00:55 Today's Topic: Art World and Forgeries

01:37 Introducing the Mona Lisa Peacock

03:01 Art Forgery vs. Artistic Reproduction

04:43 Basquiat: The Artist and His Legacy

05:04 The Grift of Degraf: A Local Scandal

06:06 Basquiat's Life and Artistic Style

11:01 The 27 Club and Basquiat's Untimely Death

22:04 The Orlando Museum of Art's New Director

26:03 The Controversial Basquiat Exhibit

44:19 Basquiat's Signature and Authentication Issues

46:33 The FBI's Slow Burn Investigation

47:14 Thad Mumford's Affidavit and the Orlando Museum of Art

49:17 Jordana Morris Saggy's Involvement

01:07:27 The Smoking Gun: FedEx Label

01:13:45 The Aftermath and Legal Battles

01:21:43 The Final Twist: Aaron Degraf's Death

01:29:31 Conclusion and Reflections

In this episode, hosts Jen, Ashley, and Olivia delve into the mysterious and spooky history of William Shakespeare's Macbeth, often referred to as 'The Scottish Play' due to its infamous curse. The program begins with a listener discretion warning due to descriptions of violence. The trio, dressed in eclectic outfits inspired by theater green rooms, discuss the history and superstitions surrounding the play, its historical context, and notable accidents and strange occurrences that have plagued its productions. They explore the potential origins of the curse, including King James I's demonology and his obsession with witch hunts, touching on the connections to historical witch trials. Additionally, they cite numerous instances of accidents and tragedies linked to Macbeth performances and speculate whether the curse is rooted in superstition, psychological self-fulfillment, or deeper moral and cosmic disturbances. The episode wraps up with a detailed recount of the play's plot, adaptations, famous portrayals, and the rituals used to dispel the supposed curse. Words of caution for those who dare to mention 'Macbeth' in a theater, as the hosts highlight the lingering power of stories in the world of theater. 00:00 Listener Discretion Advised 00:15 Meet the Hosts 00:49 Housekeeping and Outfits 03:29 The Scottish Play: Macbeth 07:38 The Curse of Macbeth 14:51 King James and Witchcraft 37:17 Synopsis of Macbeth 40:37 Famous Adaptations of Macbeth 45:45 Sleep No More: An Immersive Experience 50:13 Famous Actors Who Played Macbeth 51:06 Origins of the Macbeth Curse 52:08 Famous Instances of the Macbeth Curse 53:03 The Astor Place Riot 54:51 The Old Vic Production and Other Accidents 57:16 Modern Productions and the Curse 01:07:04 The Curse in Popular Culture 01:09:52 Debunking the Curse 01:23:50 Theater Superstitions and Traditions 01:25:32 Upcoming Episode Teaser: The Grift of Degraf

In this episode of 'Life Upon the Wicked Stage,' hosts Jen, Ashley, and Olivia delve into the suspicious death of George Reeves, the original Superman. The episode explores the night of Reeves' death, the controversial ruling of his demise as a suicide, and the complex web of relationships and events leading up to his passing. The hosts uncover shady findings, including suspicious accidents and potential motives related to Reeves' breakup with his long-term lover, Tony Manix, and his engagement to Leonora Lemon. The episode also highlights a deathbed confession by Tony Manix and various theories suggesting that Reeves' death was not a simple suicide but rather a murder orchestrated by those close to him. Join the discussion as the hosts navigate through conflicting reports, hidden motives, and the ultimate question: who killed George Reeves?

00:00 Listener Discretion Advised

00:16 Meet the Hosts

00:37 A Touch of Humor

00:59 Memorial Day Weekend Vibes

01:28 The Mysterious Call

02:11 The Life of George Reeves

03:15 George's Early Life

09:33 Hollywood Struggles

19:23 Superman and Typecasting

32:53 A New Relationship

41:11 The Fateful Night

47:52 Bizarre Details of the Crime Scene

48:27 Suspicious Behavior and Delayed Police Call

49:10 Inconsistencies in the Suicide Theory

50:33 Leonora Lemon's Odd Statements

51:43 Shady Findings and Theories

55:52 Potential Motives and Suspects

01:10:28 The Mafia Connection

01:25:30 Deathbed Confession and Final Thoughts

01:35:07 Conclusion and Legacy of George Reeves