Scandal Water

*Content warning: This episode contains references to physical and sexual abuse. Listener discretion is advised. 

Known as the Queen of Country Pop, Shania Twain is the best-selling female artist in country music history, globally, widely praised for her ground-breaking country-to-pop crossover style. 

Yet Shania has suffered a great deal of personal trauma in her life, during her childhood and also after achieving superstardom. And in this fascinating episode on the legendary Shania Twain, we discuss all of it!

What abuse did Shania both suffer and witness while growing up? Why (and how) was Shania performing in bars from the age of 8? What circumstances led to the hit album “The Woman in Me,” and how did it change the singer’s life? What health condition left Shania unable to perform for several years– at the same time her marriage was disintegrating? And why do some people say we are now in the Shaniassance? 

She’s still the one… don’t miss this fascinating episode on country pop superstar Shania Twain. 

How to support Scandal Water:

Become a member on patreon.com/ScandalWaterPodcast or buymeacoffee.com/scandalwaterpod – which will also grant you access to fabulous bonus content!

*Content warning: This episode contains mention of a stillbirth and suicide. Listener discretion is advised.

The world certainly found a kindred spirit in Anne Shirley, the young girl who famously spoke these words in the beloved 1908 classic “Anne of Green Gables.”  

And in this podcast, we discuss not only the best-selling novel that ultimately led to an 8-book series, but also the author who penned the ground-breaking works, Lucy Maud Montgomery. 

What real-life incident sparked the idea for “Anne of Green Gables?” How did Maud finally manage to get the book published?  Just how closely did Lucy Maud Montgomery’s own life parallel the events in her famous “Anne of Green Gables” series? And what mystery surrounds the author’s death? 

We discuss all this and more in this fascinating podcast that highlights BOTH strong women, the character Anne Shirley and her creator, Lucy Maud Montgomery.  

How to support Scandal Water:

Become a member on patreon.com/ScandalWaterPodcast or buymeacoffee.com/scandalwaterpod – which will also grant you access to fabulous bonus content!

You know a performance is iconic when a simple phrase like “Kevin!” or “Fold in the cheese, David” can immediately bring a detailed image to your mind… and a smile to your face. 

Such is the case with beloved actress and comedian Catherine O’Hara,  who passed away on January 30, and to whom we pay tribute in this podcast. 

What young comedian (who would go on to become famous) helped Catherine get her start at Second City? How did renowned director Tim Burton play matchmaker for Catherine on the “Beetlejuice” set? What was the actress’s breakout Hollywood role, and what title did it earn her? How did Catherine create the quirky but lovable character Moira Rose, and what role did Catherine say she would most like to be remembered for? 

We discuss all this and more. 

Thank you to Ron for his top-of-the-episode shout-out! 

How to support Scandal Water:

Become a member on patreon.com/ScandalWaterPodcast or buymeacoffee.com/scandalwaterpod – which will also grant you access to fabulous bonus content!

It was 44 years ago that a theater audience first heard mild-mannered Seymour and his bombshell crush, Audrey, belt out “Suddenly Seymour”  while a bloodthirsty plant lurked in the background. 

Yet today, that same show– “Little Shop of Horrors”– is currently in its 6th year of a highly successful Off-Broadway revival. And if you have an appetite for fun, we’re here to feed it with this entertaining podcast on the beloved cult classic!

What black-and-white B movie was the inspiration behind the musical “Little Shop of Horrors”? How did “Sesame Street” puppeteer Martin Robinson design the original, ever-growing Audrey II? What behind-the-scenes stories does Frank Oz recall from directing the hit 1986 movie adaptation? And what issue with the ending nearly derailed the film?

We discuss all this and more, so just “leaf” it to us! 

Many thanks to Rich for his top-of-the-episode shout-out! 

How to support Scandal Water:

Become a member on patreon.com/ScandalWaterPodcast or buymeacoffee.com/scandalwaterpod – which will also grant you access to fabulous bonus content!

Trolls stink… literally. 😉

But as we see in the 2010 cult classic “Trollhunter,” trolls also make powerful antagonists, with their massive size, brute strength, ability to smell the blood of a Christian man, and tendency to turn to stone in the sunlight. What else do they make? A fascinating subject for this week’s podcast!

How did Asbjornsen and Moe– the Norwegian equivalent of the Brothers Grimm–contribute to troll lore? What are some of the most famous works about trolls from Norwegian culture? Where have the dim-witted brutes appeared in recent books and movies, and what are some of the most common troll tropes?

We discuss all this and more in this beast of a podcast! 

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Bram Stoker likely had no idea when he created the infamous Count Dracula that his monster would not only help solidify the archetype of a vampire, but also one day be named the most portrayed literary character in film by the Guinness Book of World Records.

In this fascinating podcast, we discuss the creation of “Dracula” and the circumstances that led to its wild success… unfortunately, years after Bram Stoker’s passing. 

What famous literary work about vampires pre-dates “Dracula”? Why did Bram Stoker say his horror story touches on both mystery and fact? What evidence points to Vlad the Impaler as a source of inspiration for the character Count Dracula? And how did a copyright battle with the makers of “Nosferatu” lead to a stage and film version of “Dracula”? 

You’re going to dig this episode… you can stake your life on it! 😉  

How to support Scandal Water:

Become a member on patreon.com/ScandalWaterPodcast or buymeacoffee.com/scandalwaterpod – which will also grant you access to fabulous bonus content!

The 1933 classic “King Kong” has been referred to as not only a terrifying monster movie, but also an epic fairy tale, tragic love story, and landmark piece of cinema. 

In fact, this groundbreaking film actually originated the legendary character of King Kong, now part of the MonsterVerse… and it’s the focus of this week’s fun podcast!

What role did a Komodo dragon play in inspiring the story concept for “King Kong”? Why has Fay Wray been called the very first Scream Queen? Just how did Willis O’Brien and his team bring King Kong to life, in what has been described as “a towering achievement of ingenuity and early effects mastery”? And what is the mystery behind the lost spider pit sequence?

We discuss all this and more in this monster of an episode! 

How to support Scandal Water:

The 1960 novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” became an American classic. 

The 1962 film adaptation earned 8 Oscar nominations, 3 wins, and Atticus Finch the #1 spot on AFI’s 2003 list of greatest movie heroes.

And the Pulitzer Prize awarded to Harper Lee is believed to be one factor behind her failed friendship with Truman Capote.

In this fascinating podcast, we discuss the legacy of Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird,” and trace the long journey of this classic work. 

What elements of Harper Lee’s own life are reflected in “To Kill a Mockingbird”? What does Mary Badham, who played Scout, consider her favorite memory from filming? What role did Harper Lee play in creating Truman Capote’s book “In Cold Blood,” and what caused the long-time friends to drift apart? And why has Aaron Sorkin’s adaptation of “To Kill a Mockingbird” for Broadway been referred to as a ‘rethink’?

We discuss all this and more!

Thank you to Scamanda creator/investigator Nancy Moscatiello for her shout-out at the top of the episode! Be sure to check out the podcast Scamanda, available everywhere podcasts are found, along with the docuseries of the same name, exclusively on Hulu. Our coverage of the case can be found in Episodes 198, 199, 205, and 206 (September & November 2025)!

How to support Scandal Water:

Become a member on patreon.com/ScandalWaterPodcast or buymeacoffee.com/scandalwaterpod – which will also grant you access to fabulous bonus content!

Often referred to as “The Master of the Legal Thriller,“ John Grisham published his first book, “A Time to Kill,” in 1989, and 37 years later, he shows no signs of slowing down. 

He has now written 51 consecutive #1 bestsellers that have been translated into more than 50 languages. 

So  what better time to celebrate the career of the acclaimed and prolific author John Grisham than the week of his 71st birthday (February 8)?

What real-life experience inspired John Grisham to write “A Time to Kill”? How did “The Firm” change the author’s life? What’s the best writing advice John ever received? How has John’s wife Renee been instrumental to his success? And just how HAS he produced more than 50 bestsellers?

The verdict is in… this podcast episode is for you! 

How to support Scandal Water:

Become a member on patreon.com/ScandalWaterPodcast or buymeacoffee.com/scandalwaterpod – which will also grant you access to fabulous bonus content!

“You can’t handle the truth…”

If you’re a fan of  the 1992 classic “A Few Good Men”-- a film is widely considered to be one of the top 10 courtroom dramas in American film history– this episode is for you!

What mystery surrounds a Marine involved in the real-life incident that inspired “A Few Good Men”? How did Aaron Sorkin’s sister (and cocktail napkins) help him create the story? Why did a TV exec question Demi Moore’s casting? And what have Jack Nicholson’s castmates said about their experience working with the legendary actor?

We discuss all this and more, including a brief tribute to director Rob Reiner. 

How to support Scandal Water:

#OrderintheCourt #JuryDuty #Courtroom #AFewGoodMen #AaronSorkin #RobReiner #TomCruise #JackNicholson #DemiMoore #KevinPollack #KevinBacon #Film #Movies #Podcast #February