“Sex and the City,” did more than usher in the ‘golden’ era of HBO. It created characters that endeared themselves to countless viewers with their depth, relatability, and deeply enviable wardrobes. Despite the fact that this is a show about friends and friendship, however, rumors have persisted for years that a long-standing feud exists between two of its stars: Sarah Jessica Parker and Kim Cattrall. So what’s actually behind the gossip? Joining Tess to talk the fab four is comic M.K. Paulsen (...
Jul 24, 2025•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 53
“La Veneno,” aka Cristina Ortiz Rodriguez, was a tour de force and a revolutionary. She delivered jokes flawlessly, covered her nipples barely, and changed the way Spain viewed trans people. Joining Tess to talk through the legendary life and mysterious death of Cristina Ortiz Rodriguez is writer and performer Tamara Yajia @tamarayajia (“Acapulco”; “This Fool”) and author of the new memoir “ Cry for Me, Argentina: My Life As A Failed Child Star .” Watch the HBO series “Veneno ” Read “Digo: Ni Pu...
Jul 17, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 52
After weeks of disturbing witness testimony, the jury in the Sean Diddy Combs case has delivered a confounding, and frankly insulting verdict. How did we get here? And why? Follow Pop Mystery Pod on Twitter , Instagram , and TikTok @popmysterypod Pop Mystery Pod is written and produced by Tess Barker @tesstifybarker . Produced by Tyler Hill. Theme song by Rick Wood @Rickw00d . Support independent pop journalism and join us on Patreon at Pop Mystery Pod. Get access to ad free episodes, bonus cont...
Jul 03, 2025•38 min•Ep. 51
It was a place where everyone was welcome: “Pee-Wee’s Playhouse.” This magical fever dream of a show impacted an entire generation of people. It also made such a big star of its creator, Paul Reubens, that when Reubens was arrested after being targeted by Florida police, his reputation had a far way to fall. Joining Tess to talk though the genius of Paul Reubens and the tragedy of his media bludgeoning, is comic and performance artist Erin Lampart (@thatssolampy) Watch “Pee-Wee As Himself” Read ...
Jun 26, 2025•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 50
Was it white and gold or blue and black? The important thing is, when “The Dress” took over the internet for a glorious week in 2015, the internet was still fun. Joining Tess to talk through the historic and fascinating phenomenon of The Dress, and what it says about today’s internet is Jamie Loftus @jamiechristsuperstar ( The Bechdel Cast, My Year in Mensa , 16th Minute , Lolita Podcast . Raw Dog: The Naked Truth About Hot Dogs) Follow Pop Mystery Pod on Twitter , Instagram , and TikTok @popmys...
Jun 19, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 49
Sean Diddy Combs’ long-time partner and co-parent died at the young age of 47. At the time, her death was ruled the result of pneumonia, but insiders have expressed suspicions around why Porter really died. Given what’s been alleged about Combs in recent years, Tess unpacks the facts and rumors around Porter’s life and death. Follow Pop Mystery Pod on Twitter, Instagram , and TikTok @popmysterypod Pop Mystery Pod is written and produced by Tess Barker @tesstifybarker. Produced by Tyler Hill. The...
Jun 12, 2025•36 min•Ep. 48
It’s been half a year since anything meaningful happened in the Baldoni/Lively case. So why do we keep seeing headlines about it? Tess has some ideas. Follow Pop Mystery Pod on Twitter , Instagram , and TikTok @popmysterypod Pop Mystery Pod is written and produced by Tess Barker @tesstifybarker . Produced by Tyler Hill. Theme song by Rick Wood @Rickw00d . Support independent pop journalism and join us on Patreon at Pop Mystery Pod. Get access to ad free episodes, bonus content, and polls about u...
Jun 05, 2025•25 min•Ep. 47
As we cross what appears to be the midpoint of Sean Diddy Combs’ federal trial, Tess rounds up highlights from witnesses like Cassie Ventura and Kid Cudi, and assesses the prosecution and defense’s strategies thus far. Follow Pop Mystery Pod on Twitter , Instagram , and TikTok @popmysterypod Pop Mystery Pod is written and produced by Tess Barker @tesstifybarker . Produced by Tyler Hill. Theme song by Rick Wood @Rickw00d . Support independent pop journalism and join us on Patreon at Pop Mystery P...
May 29, 2025•27 min•Ep. 46
Making a dinosaur buddy cop movie is all fun and games, until you’re Whoopi Goldberg and you actually have to shoot this thing with sworn enemies. Joining Tess on this bonkers journey that sent Tess into the courthouse archives is the hilarious Tom Lenk @tommylenk (“Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Tilda Swinton Answers a Craigslist Ad.” If you must, watch “Theodore Rex” here. Follow Pop Mystery Pod on Twitter , Instagram , and TikTok @popmysterypod Pop Mystery Po...
May 22, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 45
There’s only one Patti LuPone. Which is why the s**t hit the gold plated fan when Andrew Llyod Webber tried to have two Norma Desmonds. Tess is joined by Paul Caiola, one of the hosts of “ That Aged Well, ” ( @thatagedwell ) as the two of them dissect the fascinating and high drama turns of Patti Lupone’s “Sunset Blvd,” firing, and the antics that followed. Follow Pop Mystery Pod on Twitter , Instagram , and TikTok @popmysterypod Pop Mystery Pod is written and produced by Tess Barker @tesstifyba...
May 15, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 44
To be, or not to be? Aye, there’s the central question at the heart of the classic work “Tommy Boy” the 1995 broad comedy starring the late Chris Farley. This movie is more than a work of staggering childish genius. It is also a sophisticated adaptation of “Hamlet,” as in, the Shakespeare one. Joining Tess for a close reading of “Tommy Boy” through a Shakespearean lens is the comedian and podcaster Lisa Chanoux @LisaChanoux. Listen to BBC’s “In Our Time: Hamlet” Listen to the Hardcore Literature...
May 08, 2025•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 43
The landslide of allegations against Sean Diddy Combs was started by a singular person - R&B singer Cassie Ventura. Cassie’s allegations formed the framework for the federal case against Sean Combs, which is set to kick off May 5, 2025. Tess takes a deep look into Cassie’s harrowing escape and the surprising stories Cassie’s intersects with. Follow Pop Mystery Pod on Twitter, Instagram , and TikTok @popmysterypod Pop Mystery Pod is written and produced by Tess Barker @tesstifybarker. Produce...
May 01, 2025•41 min•Ep. 42
Selena Quintanilla was 23 years old, and well on her way to becoming an international megastar when she was shot and killed by Yolanda Saldivar, the president of her fan club. Though a biopic starring Jennifer Lopez paints a fairly simple picture of this tragic death, the truth appears less black and white. Only two people really know how and Selena died that day, and one of them was Selena. Joining Tess to talk through this operatic tale of a forever young pop star is hilarious comic Vanessa Go...
Apr 24, 2025•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 41
If there is such a thing as the typical college experience, Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, the two most famous child star twins of all time, were probably never going to have it. Nevertheless, they persisted…kind of. Joining Tess to talk through the Olsen twins transition to otherworldly fashion icons is writer, actor, and comic Guy Branum. See Guy’s new one-person show “Fruitful” live in Chicago May 6th, St. Paul May 7th. And watch “Hacks,” the HBO comedy Guy just won a Golden Globe for. Read sour...
Apr 17, 2025•52 min•Ep. 40
The Olsen twins are endlessly fascinating celebrities. They were selected for stardom before they could walk. They’re both an inspirational story and I cautionary tale. They’re just so important. Joining Tess to talk through the wild mystery that is the Olsen twins existence is writer, actor, and comic Guy Branum. See Guy’s new one-person show “Fruitful” live in Chicago May 6th, St. Paul May 7th. And watch “Hacks,” the comedy Guy just won a Golden Globe for. See the “Tiny Tycoon” TV Guide cover ...
Apr 10, 2025•53 min•Ep. 39
Forget skeletons in the closet. Barbra Streisand has a mall. In her basement. Like, a real one. Joining Tess to tour this fascinating and unhinged corner of American architecture is writer, director, and podcaster Chelsea Devantez. Chelsea’s memoir “I Shouldn’t Be Telling You This, But I’m Going to Anyway,” is out now. Her podcast “Glamorous Trash” is pop perfection and a must-listen! Got 48 hours? Check out “ My Name is Barbra. ” Want to see more of that Malibu house? Check out “My Passion for ...
Apr 03, 2025•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 38
Before she was proclaiming she’d invented “gay pop,” child dance phenom-turned heavily costumed try-hard helmed a junior girl group called XOMG. The group claimed to offer aspiring pop stars as young as 8 years old a line into their show biz dreams. Some claim what followed was a candy-flavored nightmare. Joining Tess to talk through Jojo’s turn as a teacher and her life as a child star, is comedian, actor, podcaster, and singer Jade Catta-Preta @jadecattapreta . To learn more about this story c...
Mar 27, 2025•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 37
“Plaintiff would pay for her statement regarding Tupac.” In this chilling line from an assault case filed against Sean Diddy Combs, legal representatives for Ashley Parham, an alleged victim’s of Sean Combs synopsize what is a shocking and brutal claim of sexual assault by Combs. Parham’s story is deeply disturbing. It also provides telling insight into Comb’s alleged network of trafficking and coercion…and seems to point to figures still hiding in the darkness. Follow Pop Mystery Pod on Twitter...
Mar 20, 2025•41 min•Ep. 36
Cameras wrap on “It Ends With Us.” Now, the real battle begins. After Blake Lively alleges that she’s been harassed while filming this movie, her attempts at wrestling back agency stall out. Ultimately, Lively is able to get back some power…but at what cost? And who is really making her pay? Tess has sifted through the many legal filings in this case. As this story’s concludes (for now) what does it have to tell us about media and how easily we can all be manipulated by it? Read the New York Tim...
Feb 13, 2025•43 min•Ep. 32
Betrayal. Gaslighting. Things not being what they seem. These are themes in the movie “It Ends With Us,” but they could also describe the dramatic and seemingly constantly escalating conflict between actor and fashionista Blake Lively and her co-star and director Justin Baldoni. Tess has sifted through the many wordy legal filings and blurry screen grabbed texts, and a narrative seems to emerge around what actually happened behind the scenes. It may not be the narrative you expect. Follow Pop My...
Feb 06, 2025•41 min•Ep. 31
You don’t have to be a Swiftie to know there’s bad blood between Taylor Swift, Kanye West, and Scooter Braun. What exactly went down between these three powerful and strong personalities? Who was really in the wrong here, and how did Kanye taking the mic from Taylor at the VMAs lead to the re-recorded albums known as “Taylor’s Version?” Joining Tess to parse and explain this twisted and juicy tale is performance artist and Taylor Swift expert Amber Kenny. Read “ The Many Faces of Scooter Braun ”...
Jan 09, 2025•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 30
Few murders have rocked the music world like the untimely deaths of Biggie Smalls and Tupac Shakur. Neither slain rapper has ever had their killer brought to justice. Recent allegations against Sean Diddy Combs, the producer who have Biggie Smalls his start, have forced questions about Diddy’s involvement in this dark and violent tale. Joining Tess to talk through Diddy’s role in the Tupac and Biggie murders is writer, podcaster, and digital strategist Wynter Mitchell Rohrbaugh @wynter . To lear...
Dec 19, 2024•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 29
A sweet movie about a talking pig turned a whole new generation of children into vegetarians. Those children often remained vegetarians into adulthood, and played a role in transforming the plant-based food industry. How did “Babe” make such a lasting impact on kids, and why were so many of those ‘90s babes girls? Joining Tess to talk through this phenomenon are psychologist and author Dr. Carla Manly ( @drcarlamanly ); author of books including “The Sexual Politics of Meat” and “Pedaling Resist...
Dec 12, 2024•43 min•Ep. 28
So this actually happened: one of the most unpredictable and eccentric NBA players of all time put the entire United States (and maybe the whole world) at risk when he found himself cozying up to one of the world’s most notorious dictators. Joining Tess to talk through this strange and hilarious story is writer, actor, and comedian Megan Koester (@ bornferal ). Read Megan’s writing here. To learn more about this story, check out the documentary “Big Bang in Pyongyang” and “The Hermit Kingdom” Fo...
Dec 05, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 27
While we’re all lining up to see “Wicked,” Tess has some thoughts on a different upcoming Jon Chu movie musical – the Britney Spears biopic. Britney herself has said on Instagram that this movie, which was optioned from the book “A Woman in Me,” is not actually a biopic. So what is really going on here? Follow Pop Mystery Pod on Twitter , Instagram , and TikTok @popmysterypod Pop Mystery Pod is written and produced by Tess Barker @tesstifybarker . Produced by Tyler Hill. Theme song by Rick Wood ...
Nov 28, 2024•20 min•Ep. 26
There was a moment in history where it seemed like every celeb was dabbling in Kabbalah - the secretive spiritual practice that set up camp at the bottom of Beverly Hills. Madonna and her many famous friends were all wearing red bracelets and talking about awareness and balance, but for all the press Kabbalah got, Kabbalah’s darker side was pushed into the shadows. Joining Tess to talk through this very LA fad are Rachel Fisher ( @childlikeempress ) and Desi Jedeikin (@ desijed ), hosts of the H...
Nov 21, 2024•1 hr 39 min•Ep. 25
Aliens: their existence seems kind of inevitable, right? So why are they such a fringe topic? They’re not, to legendary comedian Dan Aykroyd, who has spent his entire life studying alien encounters. This SNL founding member has a lot to say about extraterrestrials, and Tess brings on comedian CJ Sullivan (@ cjsullivanwastaken ) to sift through what Dan Aykroyd knows, and what the government is (and isn’t) telling us. Follow Pop Mystery Pod on Twitter , Instagram , and TikTok @popmysterypod Pop M...
Nov 14, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 24
Brandon Lee was supposed to have a long and successful film career. Instead, he died in a freak shooting accident on the set of his breakout film “The Crow.” He was shot by a blank. So how was that shot fatal? Tess talks with professional armorer Mike Tristano about how and why this horrific tragedy occurred. Follow Pop Mystery Pod on Twitter, Instagram , and TikTok @popmysterypod Pop Mystery Pod is written and produced by Tess Barker @tesstifybarker. Produced by Tyler Hill. Theme song by Rick W...
Nov 07, 2024•39 min•Ep. 23
Happy Halloween! We don't talk much about the woman buried at Donald Trump's golf course, huh? This strange and alarming story has been on Tess' mind for a couple years, and the week ahead of election day seems as good a time as any to get into it. Pop Mystery Pod is written and produced by Tess Barker Produced by Tyler Hill Theme song by Rick Wood See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Oct 31, 2024•16 min•Ep. 22
Woody Harrelson is a huge movie star. His dad Charles Harrelson was a storied hit man with a fascinating life. The two Harrelsons shared a lot, including the spotlight in twisted various ways. Joining Tess to talk through this strange noir father son story is comedian River Butcher @rivbutcher Listen to the “Son of a Hitman” podcast by Jason Cavanaugh here. Follow Pop Mystery Pod on Twitter , Instagram , and TikTok @popmysterypod Pop Mystery Pod is written and produced by Tess Barker @tesstifyba...
Oct 24, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 21
