The panel begins with some appearance announcements, plus the reveal of our PodX ticket giveaway winner. Then somehow we get on a tangent about the 1978-1981 TV series, "The White Shadow." There's a new HBO documentary looking at the USA Gymnastics sex abuse scandal. " At the Heart of Gold " doesn’t have the amount of time the podcast " Believed " enjoyed, so it goes for breadth instead of depth. TO HEAR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "AT THE HEART OF GOLD," GO TO THE 33 MINUTE MARK. In " Slate Pres...
May 13, 2019•1 hr 9 min
Kevin begins with a health update. Then the panel then wields their Valyrian steel and takes a stab at The Battle of Winterfell episode of Game of Thrones. TO SKIP SPOILERS FROM EP 3 OF GoT, go to minute 18. Moving on, the crime writers talk about the new series from Dan Taberski, "Running from COPS." It's a look at law enforcement reality TV and a contemplation on what it's doing for the public, the police, the suspects, and the system. TO HEAR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "RUNNING FROM COPS," GO...
May 06, 2019•1 hr 7 min
With Rebecca and Lara on school vacation, Kevin and Toby are joined by special guest Sarah D. Bunting from " The Blotter Presents... ." First off the panel reacts to the Maryland Court of Appeals' refusal to reconsider its recent decision reinstating Adnan Syed's conviction. Next Toby introduces us to an up-and-coming podcast, " What Happened to Holly Bartlett ." This six-part series looks at the 2010 death of a blind woman from Halifax. Then we give a glowing review to the mystery podcast from ...
Apr 29, 2019•1 hr 2 min
We take a quick look at “Murder Squad.” The concept of the podcast from journalist Billy Jensen and cold case investigator Paul Holes is to not only chat about crimes, but ask listeners to help solve them too. Then, we review “Blackout,” which follows a northern NH disc jockey as he attempts to navigate a world suddenly without power,wondering whether there are nefarious actors bent on forcing modern society to revert to simpler times. TO GET OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "BLACKOUT," GO TO 53:44. I...
Apr 22, 2019•1 hr 2 min
“ Uncover: The Village ,” investigates a series of murders in Toronto’s Gay Village. Despite a 2018 arrest, gay residents of The Village have been vanishing since the mid-70s with the police taking little notice. TO HEAR OUR SPOILER FREE REVIEW OF "UNCOVER: THE VILLAGE," GO TO MINUTE 30. “Crimetown Presents” is back with a new series about true love and true crime. “ The Ballad of Billy Balls ” looks at the mysterious death of a New York punk-era musician, told mostly through the eyes of his lon...
Apr 15, 2019•1 hr 11 min
In this episode, we review the podcast "To Live and Die in LA" from Tenderfoot TV. We also discuss the latest developments on the Curtis Flowers case. For exclusive podcasts and more, sign up at Patreon . Sign up for our newsletter at crimewriterson.com.
Apr 08, 2019•1 hr 7 min
The crime writers give some hot takes on SCOTUS oral arguments on the Curtis Flowers case. Which justices shocked the panel? Plus, we get a hilarious sneak-peek at Lara's new Patreon-exclusive podcast, The Brickter Scale Podcast. The group gives their thoughts about the conclusion of HBO's "The Case Against Adnan Syed." The series has provided some emotional notes along with its revealing investigation. The documentary uncovers some explosive evidence on DNA...but would you even know it? TO HEAR...
Apr 01, 2019•1 hr 18 min
After an announcement about Kevin's health, Rebecca gets straight to business with Colin Miller. Legal Siri himself discusses an error he discovered in the Court of Appeal's recent decision against Adnan Syed that could be grounds for reconsideration. Plus, he shares his thoughts on The Case Against Adnan Syed. Have the documentarians discovered the smoking gun which might turn it all around? Then Rebecca, Kevin, Lara, & Toby dive into episode three of the HBO series. The audience finally le...
Mar 25, 2019•1 hr 5 min
Rebecca and Kevin discuss Adnan Syed’s recent legal setback with Rabia Chaudry . She also dishes on what’s missing from the HBO documentary (of which she is an executive producer). Then the full panel weighs in on episode two of The Case Against Adnan Syed . Important witnesses are introduced, and the new investigators focus on grass. Are these developments going somewhere? TO REMAIN SPOILER-FREE FOR EPISODE 2 OF THE CASE AGAINST ADNAN SYED, GO TO MINUTE 69. In Crime of the Week, be cruel to you...
Mar 18, 2019•1 hr 16 min
The crime writers give their take on part 1 of HBO's " The Case Against Adnan Syed ." Like the movie version of a favorite book, the episode covers the story of Adnan and Hae's high school relationship, but adds to it in a way "Serial" did not. Note: this episode was recorded before Friday's decision in the case by the MD Court of Appeals. TO REMAIN SPOILER-FREE FOR EPISODE ONE, GO TO MINUTE 40. Then the panel wrestles with HBO's two-part " Leaving Neverland ." The documentary - told simply and ...
Mar 11, 2019•1 hr 17 min
A big week for Lara, as she broadcasts from the Great White North of New Hampshire, having traversed the area on a snowmobile. Rebecca also announces a new exclusive feature for Patreon supporters: the new CWO After Show. Get this exclusive podcast by joining us at patreon.com/partnersincrimemedia . In True Crime Update, we hear about a win for Steven Avery in his bid to get a new trial. Then the panel gives final thoughts about True Detective season 3. TO HEAR THE SPOILER-FREE DISCUSSION OF TRU...
Mar 04, 2019•1 hr 9 min
Rebecca teases the upcoming supplemental episodes of In the Dark , Lara gets sick, Toby has further thoughts on Maura Murray, and Kevin explains his fear of being blown up by his snow blower. The panel discuss "The Founder," the latest episode of Reply All in which we learn the incredible life of crime of Paul Le Roux. It's a good tale about the super-villain you’ve never heard of. Then the Crime Writers talk about TNT's “ I Am the Night ,” a limited series based on the life story of Fauna Hodel...
Feb 25, 2019•1 hr 17 min
Crime writers assemble! Lara gets to bitch about stuff she can’t hear them saying on “True Detective.” Toby discovers the “ Crime Beat ” podcast, which he predicts will go big. Rebecca talks to Maggie Freleng about new developments in the Maura Murray case. Kevin stifles a cough. The panel reviews “ Conviction ” from Gimlet Media. It’s a profile of a brash, self-assured private investigator who will go to any length to prove his client was set up by a crooked cop. Is he a champion of justice or ...
Feb 18, 2019•1 hr 26 min
Rebecca and Kevin announce a new benefit for Patreon supporters. You’ll now be able to get Married with Podcast, their exclusive marriage & parenting advice show. Check out www.patreon.com/partnersincrimemedia for more details. In True Crime Update, HBO will soon air its post-Serial documentary, “ The Case Against Adnan Syed .” A press release promises “new discoveries, as well as groundbreaking revelations that challenge the state's case.” The panel does a mini-review of “ The Dropout ” fro...
Feb 11, 2019•1 hr 18 min
Lara is hopped up on chocolate-covered espresso beans…so hold on to your hats, people. The panel talks about Hollywood’s plans for a dramatized retelling of the “Wild Wild Country” story. Rebecca poses the question of whether “ Conviction ” and Gimlet’s other testosterone-fueled true crime offers are “a little too bro.” Then the crime writers discuss whether the sensibility and narrative certitude of true crime publishing has a place in the broken system/unsolved case popularity of modern podcas...
Feb 04, 2019•1 hr 14 min
It's a breakfast-hour recording for the panel after a basement flooding emergency threw off the schedule (not to fear...Studio C is undamaged). Also, the dog's weird behavior has a medical explanation. The Crime Writers do a quick take on the new installment of " Done Disappeared ." After a shaky sophomore season, the podcast parody seems to be back to peak form. Then the team gives their thoughts (and they have a lot of them) about the new doc from Netflix, " Abducted in Plain Sight ." The stor...
Jan 28, 2019•1 hr 9 min
The crime writers discuss the finer points of hate mail. Toby gives a shout out to a little-known but important local podcast called 2nd Read , Rebecca and Kevin plug their appearance on Netflix's " You Can't Make This Up " podcast, and Lara has wine come out her nose. The panel reviews Monster , which explores the sinister ciphers and random slayings of the Zodiac Killer that gripped California in 1969. Documentary or exposé, is it possible they’ll put forth a theory which has yet to be made af...
Jan 21, 2019•1 hr 13 min
Two true crime updates this week. The "hot sheriff" from Murder Mountain issues a rebuttal of-sorts to the Netflix doc. Meantime, based on a recent court decision favorable to his case, Adnan Syed's legal team has submitted a supplemental filing in his appeal. Then there's a special cameo from this month's guest on Toby Ball's Deep Dive podcast. Next the crime writers talk about the hit podcast " Broken Harts ." This collaboration between HowStuffWorks and Glamour magazine looks at the case of a...
Jan 14, 2019•1 hr 11 min
It’s 2019 and the Crime Writers resolve to bring it in the new year. The panel clicks its way through " Bandersnatch ," Netflix’s hot interactive TV show. Toby thinks it meshes gimmick with good story, Kevin likes its meta themes, and Lara is still trying to figure out her Roku. Meanwhile, Rebecca finally finishes her summer reading. The Crime Writers catch the 4:20 to “ Murder Mountain ,” the new Netflix doc about the outlaw California region where black market marijuana is cultivated. Does the...
Jan 07, 2019•1 hr 11 min
Is it an early Christmas present, or a justified lawsuit? We weigh in on the news that one of the maybe-corrupt law enforcement officers featured in Making A Murderer has filed suit against Netflix and the filmmakers. Plus, one of the Bundy clan is walking away from the movement we heard about in the excellent podcast Bundyville . Why? The answer might surprise you. And yes, a much-maligned podcast gets a follow up as we break down what we heard in the new trailer for Monster: The Zodiac Killer....
Dec 24, 2018•1 hr 14 min
OH SNAP! Rebecca describes her misadventure in the woods. We make an announcement about PodX . In true crime update , Curtis Flowers's defense hopes to turn the tables on Doug Evans. We review Cold , the new podcast from KSL examining the Susan Powell case. A thorough examination of the lives of the Powells through recovered computer files, audio diaries, videotape, and dramatic readings, we ask how much is too much? TO HEAR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF COLD, FAST-FORWARD TO 32:58. We look back 20...
Dec 17, 2018•1 hr 23 min
IRL Rebecca renders a verdict...and gets to check something off her bucket list. There's a true crime update out of Australia with an arrest in the Teacher's Pet case. Should we reconsider the quality of a podcast story poorly told, yet effective at solving the crime? HBO brings us to tears with The Sentence , a look at one woman's 15-year mandatory-minimum sentence and its effects on her young children. Can a documentary about a single family speak to a larger institutional issue? TO HERE OUR S...
Dec 10, 2018•1 hr 28 min
Good news/bad news in our true crime podcast updates. He’s podcasting’s second most-famous inmate. Now someone is leaving Ear Hustle …for a great reason. Also, a return trip to Winona by Madeline Baron and In the Dark gins up more CWO anger. Was that recent fire a coincidence or payback for supporting Curtis Flowers? A microchip has solved the mystery of the stray cat taken in by Lara. Seems she soon after had an awkward conversation with a neighbor. Bravo’s Dirty John is the first true crime po...
Dec 03, 2018•1 hr 12 min
Serial wraps up season 3 with more from Joshua behind bars (should the whole season have been him?). We leave some notes in the suggestion box for Sarah Koenig about how S3 could have pulled together the many themes touched on: overcharging, racial inequality, police misconduct, and the indifference to improving the system. Then we binge Amazon Prime's " Homecoming ," the first major TV adaptation of a hit podcast. It has its own visual and musical style and a plot that suddenly veers from the s...
Nov 19, 2018•1 hr 24 min
Sarah Koenig talking to a man behind bars who got done-wrong by the system. Wait, what season of Serial is this? We're talking about "A Madman's Vacation" with its revealing look at the Cleveland juvenile justice system. Then we talk about the powerful series from Michigan Radio and NPR, " Believed ." This podcast takes a hard look at the crimes of gymnastics trainer Larry Nassar who was convicted of sexually assaulting more than 200 girls. Believed tells the tale through the stories of his vict...
Nov 12, 2018•1 hr 22 min
Killers or conspiracy? Justice or just desserts? We dedicate our entire episode to the much-awaited sequel to 2016's breakout hit and cultural phenomenon: Netflix's Making a Murderer 2 . Our review takes two paths. First the panel discusses the Brendan Dassey story line. Did it capture the drama of his reversed reversal of fortune? Then on to the tale of Steven Avery's attorney Kathrine Zellner. Does her investigation create more doubt about Avery's conviction? Or is it more of (a different kind...
Nov 05, 2018•1 hr 22 min
In Serial episode 7, "Snowball Effect," we see the negative after-effects of Erimius's and Jesse's cases. What were once two men with the moral high ground against police misconduct are now spiraling into self-sabotage. Then we look at Gladiator: Aaron Hernandez and Football, Inc . This podcast from the Boston Globe Spotlight team examines how football and his environment contributed to Hernandez going from NFL tight end to having three murder charges. A must-listen, even for non-sports fans. Wa...
Oct 29, 2018•1 hr 15 min
It's the return for the Brickter Scale. In Serial episode 6, "You in the Red Shirt," Sarah and Emmanuel get into the story of a man beaten by East Cleveland police who seems to get justice in the court but continues to pay for it on the street. Then we talk about "Happy Face" AKA "My dad, the serial killer." This podcast of a daughter's take on her secretly-homicidal father has everything: truckers, bunk beds, prison correspondence... bears . But does it have a point? (Spoiler alert: Nope!) FOR ...
Oct 22, 2018•1 hr 9 min
In Serial episode 5, Pleas Baby Pleas, Sarah brings us inside the prosecutor’s office, giving us a view of what it’s like to be one of too-few prosecutors in a system with too many felonies to prosecute, with some decisions made for justice and some for expediency. But does this episode live up to Serial's promise? The panel is split 3-1. Then, we review The Dream, a new podcast from Stitcher that looks at the unsavory world of multi-level marketing companies, and the reasons some people get suc...
Oct 15, 2018•1 hr 24 min
For Serial season 3 episode 4, " A Bird in Jail is Worth Two on the Street ," Sarah introduces us to man charged with shooting of an infant in a car before the state dropped the charges. Could this have been avoided? We learn that a snitch in time could have saved him a year in jail. Then... American Vandal is back with number two. Netflix's smart, Peabody Award winning, true crime satire returns with Pete and Sam looking for the Turd Burglar. Call the police, because DeMarcus steals the show. F...
Oct 07, 2018•1 hr 13 min
