The Big Flop

The Big Flop

Wondery
Comedy Society & Culture Business
en

Fyre Fest goes up in flames, Madame Web is panned, the hot new crypto coin crashes. Who doesn’t love a good flop? From Silicon Valley scandals to Hollywood meltdowns - every epic fail has a story worth telling. Join TikTok superstar Misha Brown on Wondery’s The Big Flop as we unpack history’s most fascinating flops, frauds, and fiascos. Whether it’s Tom Cruise’s couch-jumping or Taylor Swift in Cats, we’re dissecting the moments when ambition, ego, and poor decisions collide. Each week, Misha and hilarious guests break down these spectacular crashes and try to answer the burning question: Who thought THIS was a good idea? Because on The Big Flop, the best stories are always about the worst ideas. New episodes come out every week.

Follow The Big Flop on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Watch new episodes on YouTube, or listen to The Big Flop early and ad-free by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. New episodes every Monday.

Episodes (109)

Hooters Goes Bust with Jimmy Pardo and Courtney Revolution | 103

Hooters Goes Bust with Jimmy Pardo and Courtney Revolution | 103

September 01, 2025 44m Episode 103
What happens when six guys with zero restaurant experience open a bar just so they'll always have somewhere to drink? You get Hooters – a wing joint that grew from Florida novelty to international...
The Bling Ring: Hollywood’s Wildest Teen Crime Spree with Sydney Battle and Matt Bellassai | 102

The Bling Ring: Hollywood’s Wildest Teen Crime Spree with Sydney Battle and Matt Bellassai | 102

August 25, 2025 52m Episode 102
They say dress for the job you want, not the job you have. For the Bling Ring, that meant stealing $3 million worth of designer goods from Hollywood's elite. From Paris Hilton's forgotten fortune to...
Weinergate: The Rise And Fall Of Anthony's Weiner with Alana Levinson and Dan O'Sullivan | 101

Weinergate: The Rise And Fall Of Anthony's Weiner with Alana Levinson and Dan O'Sullivan | 101

August 18, 2025 45m Episode 101
Anthony Weiner went from passionate congressional crusader to America's most infamous sexter faster than you can say ""Carlos Danger."" With a powerful wife, promising career, and path to the mayor's...
The Wild, Broken Ride of Bird and Its Scooter Empire with Joe Fenti and Maddy Smith | 100

The Wild, Broken Ride of Bird and Its Scooter Empire with Joe Fenti and Maddy Smith | 100

August 11, 2025 49m Episode 100
In 2017, Santa Monica residents woke up to find their streets invaded by mysterious electric scooters. The culprit? Travis VanderZanden, a former Uber exec with a plan to revolutionize urban transit....
From Antivirus King to Fugitive: The John McAfee Story with Jeff Hiller and Leslie Liao | 99

From Antivirus King to Fugitive: The John McAfee Story with Jeff Hiller and Leslie Liao | 99

August 04, 2025 52m Episode 99
John McAfee turned computer security into a fortune, then spent the rest of his life making increasingly questionable life choices. Whether he was running from murder charges, pumping crypto schemes,...
Business Wars Presents: The AOL-Time Warner Disaster

Business Wars Presents: The AOL-Time Warner Disaster

July 31, 2025 7m
Think business is boring? What about when your streaming bill goes up, or your favorite restaurant files for bankruptcy? Do you ever wonder what’s going on behind the scenes? Business Wars gives you a...
Katy Perry’s Flop Era: Bad Music, Bad Press, and Space with Jordan Myrick and Kendahl Landreth | 98

Katy Perry’s Flop Era: Bad Music, Bad Press, and Space with Jordan Myrick and Kendahl Landreth | 98

July 28, 2025 48m Episode 98
She kissed a girl, she liked it, and for a decade, Katy Perry could do no wrong. But when cultural appropriation scandals and lukewarm albums replaced her candy-coated hits, not even Jeff Bezos's...
Burning Down The Hype House with Chaz May and Brendan Sagalow | 97

Burning Down The Hype House with Chaz May and Brendan Sagalow | 97

July 21, 2025 48m Episode 97
In 2019, a group of TikTok stars thought they'd cracked the code to social media stardom: live together, dance together, get rich together. But when the Hype House turned into a pressure cooker of...
Battlefield Earth: John Travolta’s $75 Million Sci-Fi Disaster with Cassie Willson and Katie Marovitch | 96

Battlefield Earth: John Travolta’s $75 Million Sci-Fi Disaster with Cassie Willson and Katie Marovitch | 96

July 14, 2025 45m Episode 96
John Travolta spent 18 years trying to turn L. Ron Hubbard's Battlefield Earth into the next Star Wars. Instead, he delivered a cinematic disaster that made Waterworld look like Citizen Kane. With...
American Airlines' Ultimate Travel Scam with Katie Boyle and Erin Jackson | 95

American Airlines' Ultimate Travel Scam with Katie Boyle and Erin Jackson | 95

July 07, 2025 36m Episode 95
What happens when you give two men unlimited first-class flights for life? American Airlines found out the hard way when their "brilliant" cash-grab turned into a multi-million dollar nightmare,...
Fitness Product Fails with Angela Giarratana, Jeremy Culhane and Kylie Brakeman | 94

Fitness Product Fails with Angela Giarratana, Jeremy Culhane and Kylie Brakeman | 94

June 30, 2025 53m Episode 94
What do you get when you combine Yale graduates, Orange County bros, and Skechers' sketchy ""research""? Three of the most memorable fitness product fails of all time. From David Beckham's magic...
Napster: The App That Broke the Music Industry with Amber Autry and Alec Flynn | 93

Napster: The App That Broke the Music Industry with Amber Autry and Alec Flynn | 93

June 23, 2025 45m Episode 93
Before she became known as “The She-Wolf of France,” Isabella was a princess sent to unite two warring kingdoms through marriage. But her husband, King Edward II of England, didn’t get the same...
Jen Shah: From Real Housewife to Real Prison Time with Watch What Crappens | 92

Jen Shah: From Real Housewife to Real Prison Time with Watch What Crappens | 92

June 16, 2025 51m Episode 92
When Jen Shah fled a Bravo filming location minutes before federal agents arrived, her castmates thought the cops might be strippers. They weren't. Instead, they were there to bust a...
Bernie Madoff’s Empire of Deception with Brent Pella and Joey Dardano | 91

Bernie Madoff’s Empire of Deception with Brent Pella and Joey Dardano | 91

June 09, 2025 41m Episode 91
Bernie Madoff wasn't just good at making money disappear—he was a master at making people believe in financial magic. But when the 2008 financial crisis hit, his house of cards came tumbling down,...
Jenny Craig: Cashing In On Crash Diets with Ronald Young Jr. and Emmy Blotnick | 90

Jenny Craig: Cashing In On Crash Diets with Ronald Young Jr. and Emmy Blotnick | 90

June 02, 2025 48m Episode 90
In the '90s, Jenny Craig wasn't just selling frozen meals – she was selling the American dream, one tiny chocolate cheesecake at a time. But between shady advertising claims, the Fen-Phen crisis, and...
Fed Up With K-Fed (A.K.A Britney Spears Ex) with Alex Falcone And Robby Hoffman | 89

Fed Up With K-Fed (A.K.A Britney Spears Ex) with Alex Falcone And Robby Hoffman | 89

May 26, 2025 46m Episode 89
In 2004, backup dancer Kevin Federline hit the relationship jackpot when Britney Spears spotted him at an LA club. Two years, two babies, and one reality show later, K-Fed decided being Mr. Spears...
23andMe: Spit, Scandal, and a $6 Billion Meltdown with Kevin Sullivan and Laura Peek | 88

23andMe: Spit, Scandal, and a $6 Billion Meltdown with Kevin Sullivan and Laura Peek | 88

May 19, 2025 53m Episode 88
Celebrity spit parties, Met Gala appearances, and dreams of personalized medicine made 23andMe the hottest thing in biotech. Anne Wojcicki’s DNA tests promised to unlock the secrets of our genes – and...
Myspace and its $580 Million Mistake with Erika Ishii and Brennan Lee Mulligan | 87

Myspace and its $580 Million Mistake with Erika Ishii and Brennan Lee Mulligan | 87

May 12, 2025 54m Episode 87
Before there was Facebook, there was MySpace – and Tom Anderson was everyone's first friend. With his iconic profile pic and revolutionary platform, Tom turned social media into a cultural phenomenon....
Unzipping American Apparel with Sasheer Zamata and Jared Goldstein | 86

Unzipping American Apparel with Sasheer Zamata and Jared Goldstein | 86

May 05, 2025 51m Episode 86
In the early 2000s, American Apparel was the coolest kid on the block, slinging ethically-made tees and scandalous billboards. But founder Dov Charney's penchant for office orgies and nude photoshoots...
The McDonald's Monopoly Game: A Supersized McFlop with Beth Stelling and Ify Nwadiwe | 85

The McDonald's Monopoly Game: A Supersized McFlop with Beth Stelling and Ify Nwadiwe | 85

April 28, 2025 45m Episode 85
The Hamburglar was just a mascot, but Jerome Jacobson was the real deal - a McDonald's security chief who pulled off the ultimate inside job. While millions of Americans peeled game pieces hoping for...
Encore: Rachel Dolezal's White Lies with Naomi Ekperigin and Andy Beckerman  | 84

Encore: Rachel Dolezal's White Lies with Naomi Ekperigin and Andy Beckerman | 84

April 21, 2025 51m Episode 84
Rachel Dolezal built a life for herself as a teacher, a civil rights advocate, and a leader in her local NAACP chapter. There was just one problem: She built it all on a foundation of lies—and the...
Encore: Tiger Woods Drives His Marriage Into the Rough with Even the Rich | 83

Encore: Tiger Woods Drives His Marriage Into the Rough with Even the Rich | 83

April 14, 2025 48m Episode 83
At 2:30AM on Thanksgiving night 2009, Tiger Woods, one of the most famous athletes in the world, drove his car into a tree outside his neighbor’s house. This bizarre accident set off a chain of events...
Fantastic Flop: How Josh Trank Tanked the Fantastic Four with Paul Scheer and Amy Nicholson | 82

Fantastic Flop: How Josh Trank Tanked the Fantastic Four with Paul Scheer and Amy Nicholson | 82

April 07, 2025 47m Episode 82
When 27-year-old wunderkind Josh Trank got the keys to Marvel's First Family, he promised a dark, gritty take on the Fantastic Four. But his own origin story—complete with on-set meltdowns, studio...
Barbie’s Most Embarrassing Fails with Maddie Wiener and Leah Rudick | 81

Barbie’s Most Embarrassing Fails with Maddie Wiener and Leah Rudick | 81

March 31, 2025 41m Episode 81
Think you know everything about Barbie? Think again. We're pulling back the pink curtain on three Mattel missteps that had parents lining up for refunds and PR teams working overtime. From pregnant...
The $3 Billion Energy Drink Scam: The Rise and Fall of Bang with Emma Willmann and Anjelah Johnson Reyes | 80

The $3 Billion Energy Drink Scam: The Rise and Fall of Bang with Emma Willmann and Anjelah Johnson Reyes | 80

March 24, 2025 48m Episode 80
From substitute teacher to energy drink mogul, Jack Owoc rode a wave of caffeine to build Bang Energy into a billion-dollar empire. Bang promised to make you smarter, stronger, and immune to...
U2: A Song Of Innocence & Backlash with Andy Daly and Izzy Roland | 79

U2: A Song Of Innocence & Backlash with Andy Daly and Izzy Roland | 79

March 17, 2025 46m Episode 79
In the fall of 2014, half a billion Apple iTunes users woke up to find U2's latest album downloaded to their devices. The band thought they were democratizing music, instead, U2’s attempt to...
The “Male Enhancement” Millionaire Who Got a Stiff Sentence with the Camp Counselors Podcast | 78

The “Male Enhancement” Millionaire Who Got a Stiff Sentence with the Camp Counselors Podcast | 78

March 10, 2025 51m Episode 78
In 2001, Steve Warshak turned America's insecurities into gold with Enzyte, a 'male enhancement' pill hawked by TV's smuggest pitchman, Smilin' Bob. But when federal agents discovered Steve’s real...
N*Sync's Secret Sixth Member: The Boy Band Pyramid Scheme with Good Children Podcast | 77

N*Sync's Secret Sixth Member: The Boy Band Pyramid Scheme with Good Children Podcast | 77

March 03, 2025 47m Episode 77
He turned five fresh-faced teens into the Backstreet Boys, then secretly created their rivals N*SYNC. But while his boy bands were hitting high notes, Lou Pearlman was orchestrating one of the biggest...
Tiger King: Joe Exotic's Cat-astrophic Flop with Last Podcast On the Left | 76

Tiger King: Joe Exotic's Cat-astrophic Flop with Last Podcast On the Left | 76

February 24, 2025 52m Episode 76
Joe Exotic built his kingdom on the backs of big cats, bad decisions, and bedazzled button-downs. But when his roadside zoo empire collided with animal rights crusader Carole Baskin, their clash...
Tyra Banks: America’s Next Top Businesswoman? with Scam Goddess and Aida Rodriguez | 75

Tyra Banks: America’s Next Top Businesswoman? with Scam Goddess and Aida Rodriguez | 75

February 17, 2025 49m Episode 75
In the modeling world, Tyra Banks was untouchable—breaking barriers, creating catchphrases, and teaching a generation how to 'smize.' But when she tried to parlay that success into a business empire,...
All You Can't Eat: Red Lobster's Last Supper with Lewberger | 74

All You Can't Eat: Red Lobster's Last Supper with Lewberger | 74

February 10, 2025 48m Episode 74
Bill Darden built Red Lobster from a single Florida restaurant into a billion-dollar empire. But after private equity vultures swooped in, they pushed endless shrimp promotions and installed toxic...
The CEO Who Couldn't Stop Partying: Steven Galanis' Cameo Collapse | 73

The CEO Who Couldn't Stop Partying: Steven Galanis' Cameo Collapse | 73

February 03, 2025 44m Episode 73
He built an empire on Kevin from The Office that turned into the hottest tech startup in town: Cameo. But when Steve Galanis became more interested in throwing Miami mansion parties than running his...
Chimp Crazy: Tonia Haddix's Great Ape Escape with Grace Helbig and Mamrie Hart | 72

Chimp Crazy: Tonia Haddix's Great Ape Escape with Grace Helbig and Mamrie Hart | 72

January 27, 2025 43m Episode 72
A Holiday Inn bathroom becomes a makeshift chimp sanctuary. A headless ape corpse rides shotgun down the highway. PETA and Alan Cumming join forces against a middle-aged nurse with a penchant for...
The Most Hated Man In America: Pharma Bro Martin Shkreli with Kyle Prue and Miles Bonsignore | 71

The Most Hated Man In America: Pharma Bro Martin Shkreli with Kyle Prue and Miles Bonsignore | 71

January 20, 2025 45m Episode 71
Martin Shkreli jacked up drug prices, trolled the world, and bought a two million-dollar Wu-Tang album before the age of 35. But the karma (and real) police came for the Pharma Bro when the world...
Varsity Blues: The $25 Million College Admissions Scandal with Chris Burns and Sarah Tiana | 70

Varsity Blues: The $25 Million College Admissions Scandal with Chris Burns and Sarah Tiana | 70

January 13, 2025 47m Episode 70
Rick Singer went from failed basketball coach to college admissions kingpin, engineering a $25 million scheme that had the rich and famous buying their kids' way into elite schools. From Aunt Becky to...
Risky Business: Tom Cruise's Flop Era with What Went Wrong | 69

Risky Business: Tom Cruise's Flop Era with What Went Wrong | 69

January 06, 2025 50m Episode 69
For over a decade, Tom Cruise was Hollywood's most bankable star, ruling Tinseltown with a million-dollar grin and a carefully crafted image. But when ditching his publicist led to couch-jumping...
Ozy Media: Fake It Till You Break It with Mara Wilson and Nish Kumar | 68

Ozy Media: Fake It Till You Break It with Mara Wilson and Nish Kumar | 68

December 30, 2024 52m Episode 68
Carlos Watson built Ozy Media on a foundation of lies, fake views, and impersonated executives. From star-studded festivals that never happened to a $40 million con call, Carlos built a multi-million...
ENCORE - Fyre Festival: Bring Your Own Toilet Paper with Laci Mosley and Lauren Ashley Smith  | 67

ENCORE - Fyre Festival: Bring Your Own Toilet Paper with Laci Mosley and Lauren Ashley Smith | 67

December 23, 2024 42m Episode 67
When Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner, and Bella Hadid signed up to promote a scorching new music festival, they had no idea the flaming mess they were really in for. Entrepreneur Billy McFarland and...
The Floppies with Scott Seiss and Monét X Change | 66

The Floppies with Scott Seiss and Monét X Change | 66

December 16, 2024 53m Episode 66
The Flop Academy unproudly presents, The Floppies! An awards show highlighting the best — or should we say worst — meltdowns of the year. From pop culture catastrophes to business blow ups, we cover...
Jim Bakker’s Christian Disneyworld: Heritage USA with Gianmarco Soresi and Mackenzie Barmen | 65

Jim Bakker’s Christian Disneyworld: Heritage USA with Gianmarco Soresi and Mackenzie Barmen | 65

December 09, 2024 54m Episode 65
In the 1970s, Heritage USA wasn't just a theme park, it was a "Christian Disneyland" that had the faithful flocking to its divine water slides, righteous rides, and—wait for it—bible study with a side...
How Abercrombie & Fitch Lost Its Shirt with CJ Franco and Leslie Liao  | 64

How Abercrombie & Fitch Lost Its Shirt with CJ Franco and Leslie Liao | 64

December 02, 2024 48m Episode 64
In the late '90s, Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries transformed the once defunct sporting goods store into the hottest brand in America. He did that by intentionally making Abercrombie &...
Martha Stewart Prison Living with Matt Friend and Nicole DuBois | 63

Martha Stewart Prison Living with Matt Friend and Nicole DuBois | 63

November 25, 2024 47m Episode 63
Martha Stewart used her oh-so-perfect cooking, gardening, and decorating skills to create one of the most valuable brands in the world. A guru, an icon, a billionaire: she had it all. That is, until...
Back to the Failure: The DeLorean with Betsy Sodaro and Arjun Banerjee | 62

Back to the Failure: The DeLorean with Betsy Sodaro and Arjun Banerjee | 62

November 18, 2024 50m Episode 62
After basically creating the "muscle car," rebel auto-maker John Delorean became GM’s golden boy, only to leave it all behind for a risky venture in troubled Northern Ireland. But when his gull-winged...
Britney Spears, Guy Fieri, and Eva Longoria's Food Fails with Cody Rigsby and Amanda Hirsch | 61

Britney Spears, Guy Fieri, and Eva Longoria's Food Fails with Cody Rigsby and Amanda Hirsch | 61

November 11, 2024 49m Episode 61
The restaurant business is tough: The margins are slim and the risk of failure is high—but that doesn’t stop celebrities from trying to open their own restaurants over and over again, even though they...
May The Flop Be With You: The Star Wars Hotel with Jessi Cruickshank and Moshe Kasher  | 60

May The Flop Be With You: The Star Wars Hotel with Jessi Cruickshank and Moshe Kasher | 60

November 04, 2024 50m Episode 60
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, a park executive named Bob Chapek set out on a mission to create an immersive experience that Star Wars fans would never forget. The luxury Disney hotel...
Rachel Dolezal's White Lies with Naomi Ekperigin and Andy Beckerman  | 59

Rachel Dolezal's White Lies with Naomi Ekperigin and Andy Beckerman | 59

October 28, 2024 51m Episode 59
Rachel Dolezal built a life for herself as a teacher, a civil rights advocate, and a leader in her local NAACP chapter. There was just one problem: She built it all on a foundation of lies—and the...
Hyperloop: Elon Musk's Fast Lane to Flopdom with Aparna Nancherla and Greta Titelman  | 58

Hyperloop: Elon Musk's Fast Lane to Flopdom with Aparna Nancherla and Greta Titelman | 58

October 21, 2024 50m Episode 58
When Elon Musk boasted to Shervin Pishevar about inventing a revolutionary form of transportation, Pishevar took him at his word — turns out with Elon, that's a huge mistake. Musk promised travel at...
The Truth About D.A.R.E. with Fumi Abe and Jon Gabrus | 57

The Truth About D.A.R.E. with Fumi Abe and Jon Gabrus | 57

October 14, 2024 45m Episode 57
In the 80s and 90s, the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program sent police officers into schools to teach kids to stay off drugs. D.A.R.E.'s cringey curriculum was taught in schools all...
The Battle Over Pink Slime with Van Lathan and Brad Leone  | 56

The Battle Over Pink Slime with Van Lathan and Brad Leone | 56

October 07, 2024 47m Episode 56
For years, “lean finely textured beef” was added to meat products that could be found in supermarkets, fast food restaurants, and school cafeterias across America. Most consumers had no idea that this...
I Wanna Marry "Harry": His Royal Lie-ness with Joe Amabile and Serena Pitt  | 55

I Wanna Marry "Harry": His Royal Lie-ness with Joe Amabile and Serena Pitt | 55

September 30, 2024 44m Episode 55
In 2013, a British TV producer named Danny Fenton brought 12 American women to England to take part in a new reality dating show. The yanks were led to believe that they had a chance to marry one of...
Blockbuster: Streaming Killed the Video Store with Lauren Lapkus and Laura Ramoso  | 54

Blockbuster: Streaming Killed the Video Store with Lauren Lapkus and Laura Ramoso | 54

September 23, 2024 52m Episode 54
At the turn of the millenium, Blockbuster Video, with its ubiquitous blue-and-yellow stores, was the reigning champion of movie rentals. But early on, when presented with the chance to buy a little...
Tiger Woods Drives His Marriage Into the Rough with Even the Rich | 53

Tiger Woods Drives His Marriage Into the Rough with Even the Rich | 53

September 16, 2024 48m Episode 53
At 2:30AM on Thanksgiving night 2009, Tiger Woods, one of the most famous athletes in the world, drove his car into a tree outside his neighbor’s house. This bizarre accident set off a chain of events...
Celebration, Florida: The Unhappiest Place on Earth with Stuff You Should Know  | 52

Celebration, Florida: The Unhappiest Place on Earth with Stuff You Should Know | 52

September 09, 2024 40m Episode 52
Celebration, Florida was conceived by the Disney Corporation as a magical utopian community, something straight out of a fairy tale—meticulously planned, picturesque neighborhoods replete with ice...
Nipplegate: Janet Jackson's Super Bowl Slip Up with Dylan Adler and Akilah Hughes | 51

Nipplegate: Janet Jackson's Super Bowl Slip Up with Dylan Adler and Akilah Hughes | 51

September 02, 2024 48m Episode 51
It was the nip slip seen round the world. Whether by accident or on purpose, the nation caught a brief glimpse of Janet Jackson’s breast on live television during the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show...
Sam Bankman-Fried: The Downfall of a Crypto Bro with Fabrizio Copano and Zoltan Kaszas  | 50

Sam Bankman-Fried: The Downfall of a Crypto Bro with Fabrizio Copano and Zoltan Kaszas | 50

August 26, 2024 49m Episode 50
Sam Bankman-Fried was the king of crypto, living large in a penthouse in the Bahamas. But his billion dollar empire was built on a foundation of fraud, and when his dubious deals were exposed, this...
Oceangate: A Flop of Titanic Proportions with Jake Cornell and Noah Miller | 49

Oceangate: A Flop of Titanic Proportions with Jake Cornell and Noah Miller | 49

August 19, 2024 46m Episode 49
Billionaire Stockton Rush III dreamt of exploring the Titanic. Only problem? It's really freaking hard to get to. So he pieced together the world's shoddiest submersible built from Playstation parts...
Shame of Thrones: How GOT Season 8 Imploded with Ronnie Karam and Ben Mandelker | 48

Shame of Thrones: How GOT Season 8 Imploded with Ronnie Karam and Ben Mandelker | 48

August 12, 2024 51m Episode 48
Game Of Thrones entered its final season as the undisputed king of TV. Every Sunday, millions would take a seat in the church of HBO in hopes of witnessing another Battle of the Bastards. Creators...
Gigli: A Cinematic Dumpster Fire with Peyton Dix and Hunter Harris | 47

Gigli: A Cinematic Dumpster Fire with Peyton Dix and Hunter Harris | 47

August 05, 2024 45m Episode 47
Gigli would go down in history as not only one of the biggest box office bombs… but also the reason Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez broke up the first time. In 2001, Oscar nominated filmmaker Martin...
Rome's Most Bonkers Emperor: Nero with Rachel Bloom | 46

Rome's Most Bonkers Emperor: Nero with Rachel Bloom | 46

July 29, 2024 46m Episode 46
How much do you think about the Roman Empire? Emperor Nero’s answer would have been “not that much.” At just 16 years old, Nero starts his reign off with a bang, throwing lavish festivals for the...
Tonya Harding: On Thin Ice with Shannon Fiedler and Liza Treyger | 45

Tonya Harding: On Thin Ice with Shannon Fiedler and Liza Treyger | 45

July 22, 2024 47m Episode 45
Figure skating rivals Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan were set to face off at the 1994 Olympics... but Tonya decided to try and eliminate the competition a little early. When a botched attempt to...
Salem Witch Trials: Coven of Conspiracy with Em Schulz and Christine Schiefer | 44

Salem Witch Trials: Coven of Conspiracy with Em Schulz and Christine Schiefer | 44

July 15, 2024 45m Episode 44
Back in the day, Salem Village was awash in bad vibes. What started as a few stressed out colonial tweens messing around became a conspiracy of religious paranoia with townsfolk turning on each other...
How O.J. Simpson's Memoir Ended Up in Book Jail with Boze and Carl Tart  | 43

How O.J. Simpson's Memoir Ended Up in Book Jail with Boze and Carl Tart | 43

July 08, 2024 44m Episode 43
You know the Bronco chase, the trial and the glove, but do you know …the book? In 2006, O.J. Simpson teamed up with prominent publisher, Judith Regan, to make a killing from his controversial life...
Watergate: Deep Throat, Deeper Trouble with Langston Kerman and Gareth Reynolds  | 42

Watergate: Deep Throat, Deeper Trouble with Langston Kerman and Gareth Reynolds | 42

July 01, 2024 50m Episode 42
In 1972, five clumsy burglars broke into the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate Hotel. They were armed with tear gas pens, wads of cash, and enough surveillance equipment to...
Segway: Ridin' Nerdy with Adam Rose | 41

Segway: Ridin' Nerdy with Adam Rose | 41

June 24, 2024 41m Episode 41
Before it became the butt of countless jokes and the preferred transportation for mall cops, the Segway had grand ambitions. Its inventor, Dean Kamen, believed his self-balancing, two-wheeled electric...
New Coke Goes Flat with Preacher Lawson and Paul F. Tompkins | 40

New Coke Goes Flat with Preacher Lawson and Paul F. Tompkins | 40

June 17, 2024 46m Episode 40
In the early 90’s, an earth shattering event occurred that would change the face of American culture forever: Coca-Cola changed their recipe. New Coke was supposed to be sweeter to combat the rising...
JCPenney Sells Out with Joel Kim Booster and Scott Seiss | 39

JCPenney Sells Out with Joel Kim Booster and Scott Seiss | 39

June 10, 2024 49m Episode 39
When JCPenney, the 100-year-old department store, decided to rebrand in 2011, they sought the best in the biz to give them a makeover. Enter Ron Johnson, the affable retail genius behind the Apple...
Olestra: The Crappiest Flop of All with Kevin James Thornton  | 38

Olestra: The Crappiest Flop of All with Kevin James Thornton | 38

June 03, 2024 37m Episode 38
After 30 years of development, Procter & Gamble rolled out a new, calorie-free oil substitute with the luxurious name, Olestra. This “miracle food” was supposed to revolutionize junk food and...
George Santos: Snatch Me If You Can with Jon Lovett and Monét X Change | 37

George Santos: Snatch Me If You Can with Jon Lovett and Monét X Change | 37

May 27, 2024 46m Episode 37
US Congressman George Santos was an inspiring embodiment of the American dream. A son of immigrants who worked his way through the finest universities, rose through the ranks of Wall Street and...
Downsizing WeWork with Smosh's Ian Hecox and Courtney Miller | 36

Downsizing WeWork with Smosh's Ian Hecox and Courtney Miller | 36

May 20, 2024 46m Episode 36
Can the office also be a party? Would you really want it to be? For WeWork’s CEO and founder Adam Neumann, the answer was an unequivocal, hell yes! Neumann propelled his co-working space empire to...
Beanie Babies Go Bust with Ian Karmel and Brian Moller | 35

Beanie Babies Go Bust with Ian Karmel and Brian Moller | 35

May 13, 2024 40m Episode 35
When eccentric toy maker Ty Warner created a new line of floppy stuffed animals with cute names and charming poems, he unleashed pure havoc and chaos into the world. At the height of Beanie Mania,...
Dance Moms: Abby Lee Miller Behind Barres with Ronnie Karam and Ben Mandelker  | 34

Dance Moms: Abby Lee Miller Behind Barres with Ronnie Karam and Ben Mandelker | 34

May 06, 2024 44m Episode 34
Abby Lee Miller was the force behind the hit reality show "Dance Moms" where she hurled insults - and occasionally chairs - to motivate future stars like JoJo Siwa and Maddie Ziegler. But while Abby...
How MoviePass Bombed at the Box Office with Jamie Loftus and Austin Nasso | 33

How MoviePass Bombed at the Box Office with Jamie Loftus and Austin Nasso | 33

April 29, 2024 40m Episode 33
Stacy Spikes came to Hollywood with dreams of revolutionizing the industry. His creation, MoviePass, promised to offer low-fee, all-you-can-watch theater subscriptions for movie fans. The only...
Biosphere 2: Out of Oxygen with Alie Ward and Josh Gondelman | 32

Biosphere 2: Out of Oxygen with Alie Ward and Josh Gondelman | 32

April 22, 2024 49m Episode 32
Imagine sealing yourself in giant, glass, self-contained ecosystem with your boyfriend and a lady who's learning to play saxophone... for TWO YEARS. In 1991, eight semi-qualified volunteers entered...
Dude, Where's My Pepsi Jet? With Kel Mitchell and Tehran Von Ghasri  | 31

Dude, Where's My Pepsi Jet? With Kel Mitchell and Tehran Von Ghasri | 31

April 15, 2024 41m Episode 31
In the sugar-fueled '90s, Pepsi had one goal: win the Cola Wars. But when it launched “Pepsi Stuff", an ambitious promotion that encouraged people to buy Pepsi and redeem points for prizes, they...
Elon Musk: Chief Twit with Corporate Bro and Hari Kondabolu  | 30

Elon Musk: Chief Twit with Corporate Bro and Hari Kondabolu | 30

April 08, 2024 39m Episode 30
One night in 2022, Billionaire Elon Musk decided to impulse-buy Twitter and reduce it to ashes in just two weeks. After losing billions and destroying a public forum, Musk's attempt to 'own the libs'...
The Wing: #GirlBoss Goes Bust with Sarah Marshall and Franchesca Ramsey | 29

The Wing: #GirlBoss Goes Bust with Sarah Marshall and Franchesca Ramsey | 29

April 01, 2024 43m Episode 29
In the run-up to the 2016 US Presidential election, a new, glossy coworking enclave for women emerged to meet the moment. The Wing was supposed to be a model for feminist social clubs, built on...
Magic Johnson's Late Night Nightmare with W. Kamau Bell and Reggie Watts | 28

Magic Johnson's Late Night Nightmare with W. Kamau Bell and Reggie Watts | 28

March 25, 2024 43m Episode 28
After a Hall of Fame career, basketball legend Magic Johnson was given his very own late night talk show on Fox, The Magic Hour. It seemed like a slam dunk! Johnson had the fame, charisma, and charm...
Slaying the Liver King with Ahmed Al-kadri and Gianmarco Soresi | 26

Slaying the Liver King with Ahmed Al-kadri and Gianmarco Soresi | 26

March 18, 2024 39m Episode 26
Wellness influencer and self-titled “Liver King” Bryan Johnson reigned supreme with 5 million TikTok followers. His followers, known as "primals", believed in his ancestral lifestyle of eating raw...
Willy’s Chocolate Experience Melts Down with Matt Bellassai and Sydney Battle | 27

Willy’s Chocolate Experience Melts Down with Matt Bellassai and Sydney Battle | 27

March 15, 2024 26m Episode 27
Board the glass elevator down to Willy’s Chocolate Experience! This viral flop-in-progress has absolutely not infringed on the Willy Wonka IP. Why would you say that?! Advertised as a “pasadise of...
Anne Hathaway and James Franco’s Oscar Buzzkill with Bobby Finger and Lindsay Weber | 25

Anne Hathaway and James Franco’s Oscar Buzzkill with Bobby Finger and Lindsay Weber | 25

March 11, 2024 39m Episode 25
For the 83rd Academy Awards, producers wanted hosts that were "young and hip." But when they nominated Anne Hathaway and James Franco to run the show, they ended up with "nervous and bored". What...
The Swan: I Want My Face Back with Gabe Dunn and Allison Raskin | 24

The Swan: I Want My Face Back with Gabe Dunn and Allison Raskin | 24

March 04, 2024 41m Episode 24
Contestants on 2004 reality TV show The Swan were tasked with transforming from "ugly ducklings" into gorgeous creatures. But they weren't just given a new wardrobe and attitude, they were given a...
Milli Vanilli: Girl You Know Everybody Lip Syncs with Demi Adejuyigbe and Moshe Kasher | 23

Milli Vanilli: Girl You Know Everybody Lip Syncs with Demi Adejuyigbe and Moshe Kasher | 23

February 26, 2024 43m Episode 23
In 1989, a hot new duo took the world by storm. With their sexy looks, enigmatic accents, and flashy moves, Rob and Fab of Milli Vanilli became bonafide breakout stars. But thanks to a controlling...
1.5 Million Balloons Cause Chaos in Cleveland with Luke Burbank and Andrew Walsh | 22

1.5 Million Balloons Cause Chaos in Cleveland with Luke Burbank and Andrew Walsh | 22

February 19, 2024 40m Episode 22
Back in 1986, Cleveland was trying to make a new name for itself with a huge, record-breaking balloon launch. The goal was to increase the population, raise money for the community, and make...
Even The Rock Couldn't Save the Original XFL with Annie Agar and Noah Gardenswartz | 21

Even The Rock Couldn't Save the Original XFL with Annie Agar and Noah Gardenswartz | 21

February 12, 2024 39m Episode 21
In 2001, wrestling mogul Vince McMahon attempted to conquer new sports territory by founding a violent, horny football league meant to compete with the NFL. McMahon's focus on entertainment and...
Woodstock '99: Mosh Pit at the Apocalypse with Sam Sanders and Lindy West | 20

Woodstock '99: Mosh Pit at the Apocalypse with Sam Sanders and Lindy West | 20

February 05, 2024 39m Episode 20
Woodstock '99 was meant to commemorate the original, historic festival with “three days of peace and music” but instead became "three days of rage and chaos." Hundreds of thousands of angry young men...
Celeb Fail: Hulk Hogan, Businessman with Ron Funches and Brian Posehn | 19

Celeb Fail: Hulk Hogan, Businessman with Ron Funches and Brian Posehn | 19

January 29, 2024 38m Episode 19
In the ring, Hulk Hogan is a legendary figure who helped turn sports entertainment into a global phenomenon. But in the boardroom, The Hulkster’s always been a loser, failing hard at everything from...
Google Glass Half Empty with Leah Rudick and Rod Thill | 18

Google Glass Half Empty with Leah Rudick and Rod Thill | 18

January 22, 2024 34m Episode 18
Back in 2013, Google’s top secret lab, Google X attempted to change the world with a computer you could wear on your face. The strange looking spectacles, Google Glass, promised a seamless way to...
Ashlee Simpson: The Great Lip Sync Debate with Yamaneika Saunders and Isabel Hagen  | 17

Ashlee Simpson: The Great Lip Sync Debate with Yamaneika Saunders and Isabel Hagen | 17

January 15, 2024 38m Episode 17
At only 20 years old, Ashlee Simpson was already a star, and her parents were raking it in. When she was asked to perform on Saturday Night Live alongside host Jude Law, she and her entourage were...
McDonald's Arch Deluxe: The Big McFlop with Rachel Dratch and Jared Freid | 16

McDonald's Arch Deluxe: The Big McFlop with Rachel Dratch and Jared Freid | 16

January 08, 2024 34m Episode 16
With their popularity waning in the mid 90's, McDonald's became concerned that they weren't pandering to adults enough. So they did the very adult thing of having a middle-aged crisis, and started...
ENCORE - Juicero Gets Squeezed Out with Chelsea Devantez & Solomon Georgio

ENCORE - Juicero Gets Squeezed Out with Chelsea Devantez & Solomon Georgio

January 01, 2024 42m
What do Gwyneth Paltrow and Oprah have that you don’t have? A $700 juicer…and lots and lots of money to buy it with. The Juicero was supposed to revolutionize at-home juicing and make organic, cold...
The Star Wars Holiday Special that Luke Skywalker Hates ft. Adam Pally and Betsy Sodaro | 15

The Star Wars Holiday Special that Luke Skywalker Hates ft. Adam Pally and Betsy Sodaro | 15

December 25, 2023 37m Episode 15
Back in 1978, George Lucas and CBS created a Star Wars holiday special so staggeringly bad, Lucas has publicly stated he wants it destroyed. The variety show featured Carrie Fisher singing, Wookiee...
Theranos: Silicon Valley's Bloodbath with Kathleen Madigan and Heather McDonald  | 14

Theranos: Silicon Valley's Bloodbath with Kathleen Madigan and Heather McDonald | 14

December 18, 2023 32m Episode 14
More than a few vials of blood were spilled in the unbelievable story of Theranos. Its CEO, Elizabeth Holmes, took the world by storm with the promise of a device that was going to change medicine...
Fyre Festival: Bring Your Own Toilet Paper with Laci Mosley and Lauren Ashley Smith  | 13

Fyre Festival: Bring Your Own Toilet Paper with Laci Mosley and Lauren Ashley Smith | 13

December 11, 2023 42m Episode 13
When Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner, and Bella Hadid signed up to promote a scorching new music festival, they had no idea the flaming mess they were really in for. Entrepreneur Billy McFarland and...
ENCORE - Cats The Movie: Even Taylor Swift Couldn't Save It with Jackie Zebrowski & Sarah Cooper

ENCORE - Cats The Movie: Even Taylor Swift Couldn't Save It with Jackie Zebrowski & Sarah Cooper

December 04, 2023 42m
The 2019 movie adaptation of Cats had all the makings of a huge hit: a beloved Broadway musical, an award-winning director, and a star-studded cast including: Taylor Swift, Idris Elba, and Dame Judi...
ENCORE - Kid Nation: 'Survivor' for Children! with Kurt Braunohler, Megan Gailey & Chris Garcia

ENCORE - Kid Nation: 'Survivor' for Children! with Kurt Braunohler, Megan Gailey & Chris Garcia

November 27, 2023 37m
What happens when 40 children are sent out into the New Mexico desert and left to fend for themselves, all in the name of reality TV? Injuries, emotional trauma... and lawsuits. Lots and lots of...
Box Office Bombs: The Lone Ranger, Waterworld, and Showgirls with Aisha Harris and Andrew Jupin

Box Office Bombs: The Lone Ranger, Waterworld, and Showgirls with Aisha Harris and Andrew Jupin

November 20, 2023 39m
Join us as we break down THREE cinematic catastrophes: The Lone Ranger, Waterworld, and Showgirls. Find out why Johnny Depp thought it was a good idea to play a Native American, how Kevin Costner...
Howard Dean: I Have a Scream with Gareth Reynolds  | 12

Howard Dean: I Have a Scream with Gareth Reynolds | 12

November 13, 2023 40m Episode 12
Some dreams end with a whimper, others with an impulsive and unhinged shriek. Way back in 2004, Howard Dean, the straight-talkin' governor of Vermont was making an improbable run for President. He was...
HQ Trivia: Gone in a Glitch with Karen Chee & Alice Wetterlund  | 11

HQ Trivia: Gone in a Glitch with Karen Chee & Alice Wetterlund | 11

November 06, 2023 41m Episode 11
HQ Trivia was the revolutionary gameshow app that briefly took over the world. Millions of people across the globe tuned in for the chance win money from host and resident "Quiz Daddy", Scott...
Crystal Pepsi: It's Clear This Ain't Working with Dulcé Sloan | 10

Crystal Pepsi: It's Clear This Ain't Working with Dulcé Sloan | 10

October 30, 2023 41m Episode 10
When you think of health and wellness, do you think…clear soda? One Pepsi executive in the 90s was determined to capitalize on the healthier soda trend by releasing Crystal Pepsi, a clear,...
Action Park: The Water Park of Your Nightmares with Sasheer Zamata & Chris Gethard | 9

Action Park: The Water Park of Your Nightmares with Sasheer Zamata & Chris Gethard | 9

October 23, 2023 32m Episode 9
At New Jersey’s most dangerous water park, people of all ages broke bones, tore flesh, lost teeth, and yes, even lost their lives. For some, Action Park was a rite of passage. For others, it was a...
Juicero Gets Squeezed Out with Chelsea Devantez & Solomon Georgio | 8

Juicero Gets Squeezed Out with Chelsea Devantez & Solomon Georgio | 8

October 16, 2023 42m Episode 8
What do Gwyneth Paltrow and Oprah have that you don’t have? A $700 juicer…and lots and lots of money to buy it with. The Juicero was supposed to revolutionize at-home juicing and make organic, cold...
TanaCon: YouTube's Fyre Festival with Milly Tamarez & Alise Morales | 7

TanaCon: YouTube's Fyre Festival with Milly Tamarez & Alise Morales | 7

October 09, 2023 41m Episode 7
YouTuber Tana Mongeau tries to take down VidCon by hosting a convention of her own on the exact same day: TanaCon. Unfortunately poor planning and hilariously bad gift bags lead to horrible sunburns...
Cats The Movie: Even Taylor Swift Couldn't Save It with Jackie Zebrowski & Sarah Cooper | 6

Cats The Movie: Even Taylor Swift Couldn't Save It with Jackie Zebrowski & Sarah Cooper | 6

October 02, 2023 42m Episode 6
The 2019 movie adaptation of Cats had all the makings of a huge hit: a beloved Broadway musical, an award-winning director, and a star-studded cast including: Taylor Swift, Idris Elba, and Dame Judi...
Garth Brooks vs. Chris Gaines with Sarah Tiana & Dusty Slay | 5

Garth Brooks vs. Chris Gaines with Sarah Tiana & Dusty Slay | 5

September 25, 2023 38m Episode 5
At the height of his career, country music megastar Garth Brooks took a big swing by transforming himself into an alt-rock singer named Chris Gaines, complete with eye liner, tight pants, and a soul...
Kid Nation: 'Survivor' for Children! with Kurt Braunohler, Megan Gailey & Chris Garcia | 4

Kid Nation: 'Survivor' for Children! with Kurt Braunohler, Megan Gailey & Chris Garcia | 4

September 18, 2023 37m Episode 4
What happens when 40 children are sent out into the New Mexico desert and left to fend for themselves, all in the name of reality TV? Injuries, emotional trauma... and lawsuits. Lots and lots of...
Spider-Man Hits All the Wrong Notes with Guy Branum & Jessica McKenna | 3

Spider-Man Hits All the Wrong Notes with Guy Branum & Jessica McKenna | 3

September 11, 2023 37m Episode 3
Marvel’s attempt at bringing Spider-Man to Broadway didn’t go as planned. With high-flying action and music by U2, Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, was one of the most-hyped Broadway musicals of...
Four Loko: Hold My Energy Beer with DJ EFN & Kenice Mobley | 2

Four Loko: Hold My Energy Beer with DJ EFN & Kenice Mobley | 2

September 04, 2023 35m Episode 2
What happens when you mix an energy drink... and beer? On this episode of The Big Flop, DJ EFN (Drink Champs) and Kenice Mobley (Follow Up Question) join Misha to relive the boom and the bust of the...
Quibi Bites the Dust with Connor Ratliff & Matt Bellassai | 1

Quibi Bites the Dust with Connor Ratliff & Matt Bellassai | 1

August 28, 2023 37m Episode 1
Remember Quibi? The app with short videos you could only watch on your phone? No?! That's because it only lasted SIX months before shutting down. On the first episode of The Big Flop, host Misha Brown...
Introducing: The Big Flop

Introducing: The Big Flop

August 10, 2023 1m
Follow The Big Flop wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to The Big Flop early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery app or on Apple Podcasts.The most expensive musical in...

About this Podcast

Copyright
© 2023 Wondery LLC. All rights reserved.
Language
en
Categories
Comedy, Society & Culture, Business