The Big Flop • Wondery

This episode explores Magic Johnson's ill-fated venture into late-night television with "The Magic Hour." Magic aimed to provide a platform for Black voices after Arsenio Hall's exit, but struggled without the comedic skill typical of late-night hosts. The show faced challenges finding a suitable sidekick, as seen in the rotating cast, including Craig Shoemaker's regrettable offensive jokes.

Howard Stern's intense criticism and provocative guest appearance, marked by inappropriate remarks about Magic's HIV status, spiked ratings but tarnished the show's reputation. Ultimately, "The Magic Hour" could not overcome its issues, leading to its cancellation and leaving an unfavorable legacy for Magic's late-night stint.

The Liver King, also known as Brian Johnson, experienced a meteoric rise in popularity through promoting an "ancestral lifestyle" centered on natural practices and launching a supplement business called Ancestral Supplements. However, his image was tarnished when leaked emails revealed he had been using performance-enhancing drugs, contradicting his claims of achieving his physique through his lifestyle alone.

This podcast episode delves into the Liver King's journey, from his initial success in the wellness industry to the steroid scandal that threatened to undermine his brand. It explores the fallout of the controversy, including his eventual admission of steroid use and the surprising resilience of his dedicated following despite the revelations.

This episode delves into the notorious Willy's Chocolate Experience, an event that garnered widespread ridicule due to its failure to deliver on its promises of an immersive chocolate world. The organizers faced criticism for poor planning, misleading advertising, and an overall lack of effort in creating the advertised fantastical environment.

Despite promises of chocolate fountains and performances, attendees were met with a sparsely decorated warehouse devoid of any chocolate delights. The episode explores the disastrous attendee experience, the aftermath of viral backlash and memes, and how the event became an international spectacle, with rumors even circulating about its alleged ulterior motives.

The 82nd Academy Awards aimed to target a younger viewership by hiring popular actors Anne Hathaway and James Franco as hosts. However, their contrasting work styles and lack of chemistry created challenges for the writing team, who struggled to craft material that would appeal to both young and old viewers.

In this behind-the-scenes look at the Oscar ceremony, the podcast explores Franco's awkward, aloof performance juxtaposed with Hathaway's nervous energy from rehearsals to the live show. It examines how the co-hosts' disconnect, coupled with the writing's inability to resonate across generations, led to scathing reviews and disappointing ratings—an outcome that lingered for those involved.

In this episode, the controversial reality series "The Swan" is examined. The show featured contestants undergoing extensive plastic surgery and other physical transformations over three months. The women, many dissatisfied with their post-pregnancy bodies, endured regimens of surgical procedures, exercise, and restrictive diets—all in pursuit of a drastically altered appearance.

The format culminated in a pageant where contestants were judged on their new looks. While successful on-air, "The Swan" faced intense backlash, with critics decrying its misogynistic premise and glorification of extreme makeovers. The episode delves into contestants' lack of aftercare, long-term health issues, and the show's eventual cancellation after just two seasons.