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 to top the ratings, but things went quickly sideways. When radio shock jock Howard Stern took aim at Johnson, relentlessly making fun of his lackluster hosting abilities on air, Fox did the unthinkable and invited Stern onto the show for a confrontation that is almost too uncomfortable to revisit….a...
Mar 25, 2024•43 min•Ep. 28
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 meat and biting heads off of fish. His supplement empire grew into a $100-million-a-year business. But the Liver Kingdom was shaken to its rock hard core when it was revealed Bryan's eight pack abs were actually thanks to over $10,000 worth of steroids each month. Gianmarco Soresi & Ahmed Al-kadri ...
Mar 18, 2024•40 min•Ep. 26
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 sweet treats”, in Glasgow, families traveled far and wide to experience a candy-filled, immersive wonderland. The misspelled marketing campaign promised a Twilight Tunnel and an Enchanted Garden! But what greeted them was both alarming and depressing: actors in bargain bin costumes performing a barely ...
Mar 15, 2024•27 min•Ep. 27
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 followed was one of the most catastrophically awkward nights in Oscars history. Bobby Finger & Lindsey Weber from Who? Weekly join Misha for a peak behind that famous red curtain. Follow The Big Flop on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to The Big Flop early and ad-fr...
Mar 11, 2024•40 min•Ep. 25
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 whole new face. The women were isolated for months, berated, operated on multiple times, and pitted against one another at the beauty pageant finale. The critical response was severe... and so were the brow lifts. Allison Raskin and Gabe Dunn, co-hosts of Just Between Us , join Misha to discuss the sho...
Mar 04, 2024•41 min•Ep. 24
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 producer, the artists were forced to fake the funk and didn't sing a single note on their album. Once their secret was revealed, Milli Vanilli became the butt of every joke, with their producer laughing all the way to the bank. Comedians Demi Adejuyigbe (Gilmore Guys, The Good Place) and Moshe Kasher (...
Feb 26, 2024•44 min•Ep. 23
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 Clevelanders proud. By the end, fingers would be blistered, horses traumatized, a search and rescue mission thwarted, and the good people of Cleveland would be facing an environmental disaster of their own making...yet again. Podcast hosts Luke Burbank and Andrew Walsh (Too Beautiful to Live) join Misha to s...
Feb 19, 2024•41 min•Ep. 22
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 disregard for safety created an on-field product that was as weird as it was boring. In the end, not even sexy cheerleaders could save the XFL, or as McMahon liked to call it, the "Extra Fun League." Social media sports superstar Annie Agar and comedian Noah Gardenswartz (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) join M...
Feb 12, 2024•40 min•Ep. 21
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 celebrated the end of the millennium by moshing to acts like Limp Bizkit, Korn and Kid Rock. But, when food and water became scarce, and the porta potties overflowed, they ended up rioting. If you thought Fyre Fest was bad…at least it wasn’t actually on fire! Journalist Sam Sanders ( Vibe Chec...
Feb 05, 2024•40 min•Ep. 20
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 exploding grills, to ill-conceived box office bombs and highly questionable restaurants. There’s not an opportunity out there that Hogan won’t slap his name on, but Hulk has simply never had the brains for business, brother! Comedians Brian Posehn ( The Big Bang Theory, New Girl ) and Ron Funches ( G...
Jan 29, 2024•39 min•Ep. 19
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 experience the real and digital world in harmony. The product generated substantial buzz and adorned the famous faces of Oprah and King Charles, but safety and privacy concerns hounded the specs as they quickly became a symbol of Silicon Valley elitism - and gifting us with the iconic term “Glass holes”...
Jan 22, 2024•34 min•Ep. 18
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 stoked. But the only thing that rocked that night was her career...as it fell off a cliff. Ashlee's lip-syncing catastrophe follows her to this day - but there's more to the story. Her own family pushed her to perform despite diagnosed vocal problems, which left Ashlee completely unprepared when the PR...
Jan 15, 2024•39 min•Ep. 17
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 spending too much money on something they didn't need. After pouring hundreds of millions into the fryer developing a "burger for adults," McDonald's stock prices dropped by 70%. The golden arches were tarnished for the first time in decades...and not even a dancing Ronald McDonald could help. Comedian...
Jan 08, 2024•35 min•Ep. 16
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 pressed juice accessible to everyone. The main problem? It was only accessible to the super rich. It still became one of the buzziest products of 2016, but after a Bloomberg exposé of the machine went viral, not even Goop would touch it. Chelsea Devantez ( Glamorous Trash with Chelsea Devantez ) and S...
Jan 01, 2024•42 min
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 porn, and many, many things that should never be associated with Star Wars. Budget restrictions, Harrison Ford's refusal to sing or dance, and some seriously questionable choices made for a production so chaotic, it's a miracle this thing ever made it to air. Comedians and Star Wars aficionados Adam P...
Dec 25, 2023•38 min•Ep. 15
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 forever. Instead, she endangered patients and defrauded investors. In the end, the only thing Holmes invented was her persona, and even that involved a lot of stealing. Oh, and green juice. It took a lot of green juice. Comedians Heather McDonald ( Juicy Scoop with Heather McDonald ) and Kathleen Madig...
Dec 18, 2023•33 min•Ep. 14
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 rapper Ja Rule collabed on the notorious Fyre Festival, a disaster that cost millions, almost got festival workers killed or kidnapped, and is forever burned into flop history. Comedians Laci Mosley ( Scam Goddess, A Black Lady Sketch Show ) and Lauren Ashley Smith ( Grown-ish, A Black Lady Sketch Show...
Dec 11, 2023•42 min•Ep. 13
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 Dench! Instead, it crapped the (litter) box office. Find out how a race to the Oscars pushed the visual effects team to their limits, creating a total CAT-tastrophe complete with accidental animated feline buttholes. On this episode of The Big Flop, comedians Jackie Zebrowski (Page 7) and Sarah Coope...
Dec 04, 2023•43 min
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 lawsuits. Misha is joined by Chris Garcia, Kurt Braunohler & Megan Gailey ( I Love My Kid, But… ) to examine CBS's absolutely bonkers 2007 reality show, Kid Nation. Follow The Big Flop on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to The Big Flop early and ad-free on Wondery+. ...
Nov 27, 2023•37 min
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 ignored Stephen Spielberg’s sage advice, and who was actually responsible for the NC-17 madness of Showgirls. Movie and pop culture experts Andrew Jupin (We Hate Movies) and Aisha Harris (NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour) join MIsha to unpack these truly wild films and their legacies. Follow The Big Flop on...
Nov 20, 2023•40 min
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 riling up the youth on a new thing called the internet, whipping them intro a frenzy with his anti-war rhetoric and eating sandwiches on live streams. Just when it seemed like Dean might actually have a chance at the White House, it all came crashing down. Some call it, "The Scream Heard Round the ...
Nov 13, 2023•40 min•Ep. 12
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 Rogowsky. However, not even celebrity guests like Dwayne Johnson could save HQ from its ultimate demise: a secretly twisted workplace environment full of lies, drugs, harassment and…salad controversies?! Comedians Alice Wetterlund ( Silicon Valley, Resident Alien ) and Karen Chee ( Late Night with Seth Meye...
Nov 06, 2023•41 min•Ep. 11
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, caffeine-free, lower calorie soda with the same great taste of regular Pepsi. The only issue? It didn’t taste anything like regular Pepsi. Dulcé Sloan (The Daily Show) joins Misha to digest one of the most infamous flops in pop culture history, AND to uncover Coca-Cola’s secret shocking plan to sabotage the wh...
Oct 30, 2023•41 min•Ep. 10
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 lawless wasteland that needed to be stopped. Shady business dealings, headless crash test dummies, and the most shocking rides you’ve ever heard of are just the tip of the Action Park iceberg. Guests Sasheer Zamata ( Best Friends ) and actual Action Park survivor Chris Gethard ( Beautiful/Anonymous ) j...
Oct 23, 2023•33 min•Ep. 9
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 pressed juice accessible to everyone. The main problem? It was only accessible to the super rich. It still became one of the buzziest products of 2016, but after a Bloomberg exposé of the machine went viral, not even Goop would touch it. Chelsea Devantez ( Glamorous Trash with Chelsea Devantez ) and S...
Oct 16, 2023•42 min•Ep. 8
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 and huge disappointment. TanaCon was over before you could say, “Like and subscribe”. Misha is joined by Milly Tamarez & Alisa Morales ( The Betches Sup Podcast ) to break down this bafflingly big flop. Follow The Big Flop on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to Th...
Oct 09, 2023•42 min•Ep. 7
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 Dench! Instead, it crapped the (litter) box office. Find out how a race to the Oscars pushed the visual effects team to their limits, creating a total CAT-tastrophe complete with accidental animated feline buttholes. On this episode of The Big Flop, comedians Jackie Zebrowski (Page 7) and Sarah Coope...
Oct 02, 2023•43 min•Ep. 6
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 patch. Gaines was supposed to be Brooks' ticket to Hollywood, with a greatest hits album and major motion picture to follow... the only problem was, everyone hated him. On this episode of The Big Flop , comedians Sarah Tiana ( 44 ) and Dusty Slay ( We're Having a Good Time ) join Misha to unfurl the ...
Sep 25, 2023•38 min•Ep. 5
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 lawsuits. Misha is joined by Chris Garcia, Kurt Braunohler & Megan Gailey ( I Love My Kid, But… ) to examine CBS's absolutely bonkers 2007 reality show, Kid Nation. Follow The Big Flop on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to The Big Flop early and ad-free on Wondery+. ...
Sep 18, 2023•37 min•Ep. 4
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 all-time... but by the time the final curtain closed, bones would be broken, lawsuits would be filed, friendships unraveled, careers destroyed, and millions of onlookers would be left wondering: “what the hell did I just watch?” On this theatrical episode of The Big Flop , comedians Guy Branum ( Talk Show...
Sep 11, 2023•38 min•Ep. 3
