Scandal Water

“That’s no goblin…”

Part of the massive success of the beloved film ‘E.T.” was the little alien himself, who was described by one writer as “one of the most soulful, expressive special effects ever conceived.” Steven Spielberg himself once referred to the animatronic model as "the 8th wonder of the movie world."

In part 2 of this episode, we focus on the creation of E.T., both the animatronic elements that made it an “engineering masterpiece” and also the human elements that were required to bring the endearing creature to life. 

We also discuss other behind-the-scenes stories related to the filmmaking process, from the involvement of ILM in creating the iconic image of E.T. and Elliot flying across the face of the full moon, to the design of the spaceship, to the directing style Spielberg used with his child actors. 

So grab your Reese’s Pieces and settle in to listen as we spill the tea about one of the most iconic 80s films of all time, ‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.’ 

‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’ has been called “one of the finest fantasy films ever made, and the most tender of all Steven Spielberg’s movies.” 

41 years after its 1982 release, the classic film is still celebrated for its themes, creativity, cinematic artistry, and sense of childhood wonder. 

But how did the idea for ‘E.T.’ occur to Steven Spielberg while he was filming ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’? What role did Harrison Ford play in helping bring the story to life? In what ways was ‘E.T’ based on Spielberg’s own life? And how were child actors Henry Thomas, Robert McNaughton, and Drew Barrymore cast for the project? 

We explore all this and so much more in part 1 of this 2-part episode focused on the beloved blockbuster ‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.’  

At 80 years of age, film star Harrison Ford is currently involved with 3 high-profile hit projects… one in which he plays a therapist (“Shrinking”), another in which he plays a patriarchal rancher (“1923”), and the third in which he revisits the character that took his stardom to a whole new level… the beloved adventurer, Indiana Jones. 

In a career that spans six decades, Harrison Ford has achieved legendary status as one of Hollywood’s favorite action heroes. And he clearly shows no signs of slowing down. 

In this episode, we share behind-the-scenes stories related to three of Harrison Ford’s most celebrated roles: Han Solo, Indiana Jones, and Rick Deckard. We also discuss the actor himself… who some have said is not totally unlike the charming rogues he portrays.  

Join us for this light-hearted look at Hollywood’s favorite action hero, Harrison Ford. 

Do you fondly remember playing with a Chewbacca, Han Solo, Princess Leia, or Luke Skywalker action figure? Have you ever uttered the phrase, “May the Force Be With You”? Are you strongly in the camp of either Team R2D2 or Team C3PO?

For the vast majority of us, the answer to at least one of these questions would be a resounding YES. 

When George Lucas brought “Star Wars” to movie theaters and drive-in screens in 1977, he did much more than share a great story… he literally changed the face of both filmmaking and merchandising. The impact of his ground-breaking ‘space Western’ is being felt to this day.

Join us for this out-of-world episode focused on the cultural phenomenon of “Star Wars.” From behind-the-scenes stories about the development of the space saga, to the reasoning behind the casting choices, to the technological innovations necessitated by the ambitious script, to the merchandising explosion that occurred after the movie’s release, we cover it all. 

The Dating Game… The Newlywed Game… The Gong Show. Chuck Barris created some of TV’s most enduring and beloved game shows, at one point supplying network TV with 27 hours worth of game-show programming a week. 

Did he also work as a contract killer for the CIA, assassinating government targets during the 1960s and 1970s?

According to his 1984 book “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind,” and the 2002 movie directed by George Clooney, that’s exactly what Chuck Barris did. In the film, he’s portrayed as murdering 33 people while also holding down a full-time job producing game shows. 

But was it true? Or was it a desperate bid for attention from a man sad to see his identity change from “The King of Daytime Television” to “The Baron of Bad Taste”?

Join us as we dig into the controversy surrounding Chuck Barris, one of TV’s most prolific and also wackiest figures.

#ChuckBarris #ConfessionsofaDangerousMind #TheGongShow #TheDatingGame #TheNewlyWedGame #GameShow #Television #Spy #GeorgeClooney #PuttingtheScandalinScandalWater #SpilltheTea

What better way to celebrate Tax Day than with a look at some of Hollywood’s most sensational tax scandals?

Which revered Hollywood star had her house repossessed by the IRS? How did a legendary actress finally receive vindication decades after she was jailed for tax evasion? What’s the real story behind the much-publicized Operation Varsity Blues? And what does Nicolas Cage have to say about the debt that has plagued him over the last 15 years (and his two-headed snake)?

You can bet your bottom dollar you won’t find a better way to celebrate April 18. 

Caution: This episode is not intended for all audiences.

Who killed Elizabeth Short, dubbed the Black Dahlia by the press?  76 years after her brutal murder, investigators still don’t know… although some people think they do.

In part 2 of this episode, we focus on the murder investigation of the Black Dahlia case. 

Who was the man believed to be the last person in Elizabeth Short’s company? What taunting notes were sent to the press, some signed by the Black Dahlia Avenger, and what items were in one of those envelopes? And what key suspects have been proposed even within the last decade, their theories defended in widely-read books?

You won’t want to miss the fascinating conclusion to this 2-part episode.

Caution: This episode is not intended for all audiences.

On January 15, 1947, a mother was out with her 2-year-old daughter in a Los Angeles neighborhood when her eye was drawn to something lying in the grass of a vacant lot. At first, the mother thought she was seeing a mannequin because of the figure’s unnatural paleness and ghastly pose. Horrified, she suddenly realized she was looking at the brutalized and mutilated body of a young woman.

Join us for part 1 of this episode, as we share the details of the murder case and the background of the beautiful young woman, “Beth” Short, who fell victim to this brutal killer.

Spiders and snakes? Scary settings like graveyards or abandoned houses? Bogeymen hiding in the shadows? What ranks high on your list of scary elements in horror movies?

For many of you, creepy dolls and clowns would be right at the top.

But how did two common things generally associated with children and originally intended to provide comfort and entertainment come to be so feared? Join us as we explore the psychology behind this question. 

From the theories of conditioning and the “uncanny valley,” to the clown panic of 2016, to the rise of the ‘scary clown’ archetype in pop culture, to the controversial documentary about Wrinkles the Clown, we cover it all in this frightfully fun episode. (Mwah ha ha!)

The term “Jekyll and Hyde” can be found in the Merriam-Webster dictionary and the plot spoofed in everything from “The Simpsons” to “Saturday Night Live” to “Scooby Doo.” The characters Jekyll and Hyde have achieved a prominent spot in pop culture. 

But the story of how Robert Louis Stevenson came to write “Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” is almost as strange as the novel itself. 

Join us as we discuss how both a nightmare– referred to by Louis as a “fine bogey tale”--and the crime spree of the notorious bandit Deacon Brodie helped inspire this classic monster story. We’ll also dig into the controversies over the burning of the first draft and wife Fanny’s influence over Louis’s writing. 

You can bet your “Hyde” this episode will draw you into the intriguing story behind the iconic work that now spans stage, screen, literature, video games, and more.