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PODCAST

Life Upon the Wicked Stage

Under the spotlight of arts and entertainment, Jen, Olivia, and Ashley (who are, in fact, three different people) unpack details of "murder, mayhem, and Mame" in sagas of crime, scandal, hauntings, and more!

true crime performing arts

All Episodes

01:32:41

The Gig is Up: Hollywood Actor Gig Young's Tragic End

Life Upon the Wicked Stage ·

2026/04/10

Ashley delves into the life and death of Hollywood actor Gig Young (born Byron Ellsworth Barr), a prolific Golden Age performer with over 100 film credits, Oscar nominations, and a Best Supporting Actor win for They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969), yet persistent feelings of inadequacy rooted in an emotionally cold childhood and alleged sexual abuse by a caregiver. Known as the charming second lead who "loses the girl," Young struggled with insecurity, career frustration, and alcoholism, leading to

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01:21:41

Jerry Lee Lewis: Great Balls of Fire, Indeed

Life Upon the Wicked Stage ·

2026/03/27

The hosts discuss Jerry Lee Lewis's career and controversies, including his rise at Sun Records, membership in the "Million Dollar Quartet," and hits like "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" and "Great Balls of Fire," alongside stories of ego and volatile behavior. They outline his marriages and family tragedies: a bigamous second marriage before his first divorce finalized; marriage at 22 to 13-year-old cousin Myra Gale Brown, which derailed his British tour; and allegations of physical and mental

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01:37:22

Missing Masterpieces: The Gardner Museum Heist

Life Upon the Wicked Stage ·

2026/03/13

The hosts of Wicked Stage Pod introduce an episode about the still-unsolved 1990 Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum heist in Boston, including background on Isabella Gardner's Venetian-palace-style museum, her restrictive will, and spotty security. On March 18, 1990, two men posing as Boston police were buzzed in, handcuffed and duct-taped two guards in the basement, and spent 81 minutes stealing 13 works, including Vermeer's The Concert and Rembrandt's Christ in a Storm on the Sea of Galilee, cutting

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01:29:46

William Desmond Taylor: ScaDAL in Hollywood

Life Upon the Wicked Stage ·

2026/02/27

The hosts of a true-crime arts-and-entertainment podcast discuss the 1922 unsolved murder of silent film director William Desmond Taylor, who was found shot in the back inside his Los Angeles bungalow; early crime-scene contamination and a mysterious "doctor" who wrongly declared a stomach hemorrhage complicated the case. Born William Cunningham Deane-Tanner in Ireland, Taylor immigrated to the U.S., married actress Ethel May Harrison, had a daughter, then disappeared in 1908, later resurfacing in

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01:30:15

The Murder of Sharon Tate: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Life Upon the Wicked Stage ·

2026/02/13

In this episode of 'Life Upon the Wicked Stage,' hosts Jen, Ashley, and Olivia dive deep into the chilling events surrounding the Tate-LaBianca murders orchestrated by Charles Manson and his followers. They explore the brutal details of the crimes, discuss various motives including the infamous helter-skelter theory, failed music ambitions, and potential drug connections. The discussion also highlights the profound impact these murders had on Hollywood and American culture in the late 60s. The

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01:39:44

A Very Floozy Christmas

Life Upon the Wicked Stage ·

2025/12/24

Holiday Horrors: JonBenét Update & Krampus' Legend In this Christmas-themed episode of the Wicked Stage Pod, the hosts delve into the darker side of the festive season. They start with Jen discussing ghost stories' deep roots in Christmas traditions, tracing back to medieval Europe and Charles Dickens' influence. Ashley updates listeners on the ongoing JonBenét Ramsey case, revealing new forensic analysis and potential breakthroughs. Olivia wraps up with an exploration of Krampus, the mythical

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02:49:52

Halloween Special: Jack the Ripper

Life Upon the Wicked Stage ·

2025/10/30

In this special Halloween crossover episode, the Wicked Stage Podcast joins forces with the Fish 'N' Brits Podcast to delve into the infamous mystery of Jack the Ripper. The episode explores the historical context of the Whitechapel murders, examines different suspects including Joseph Barnett, John Pizer, and even the legendary Sergeant Boston Corbett, and discusses the sensational impact of the media at the time. With a detailed analysis of the canonical five victims and a review of modern

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01:50:32

The First Annual Floozy Awards

Life Upon the Wicked Stage ·

2025/09/19

The First Annual Floozy Awards - Celebrating a Year of Stories, Laughs, and True Crime In this special episode, hosts Jen, Ashley, and Olivia celebrate the one-year anniversary of their true-crime podcast 'Life Upon the Wicked Stage' by presenting the first annual Floozy Awards. The hosts discuss various memorable episodes from the past year, highlighting their favorite moments, one-liners, shocking twists, and unproblematic men. Categories include 'Biggest Thumb,' 'Creepiest Old Man,' 'Most

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01:37:04

Rust: Tragedy on Set

Life Upon the Wicked Stage ·

2025/09/05

This podcast episode, featuring hosts Jen, Ashley, and Olivia, delves into the tragic on-set shooting that occurred during the filming of the movie 'Rust' on October 21, 2021. The hosts discuss the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting of cinematographer Helena Hutchins and the injury of director Joel Souza by a live round discharged from a revolver handled by actor Alec Baldwin. They highlight the safety failures, including inappropriate handling of firearms by the armorer, amateurish

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01:32:58

Broadway Butterfly: NYC Corruption, Tammany Hall, and...

Life Upon the Wicked Stage ·

2025/08/22

In this episode, hosts Jen, Ashley, and Olivia delve into the true crime story of Vivian Gordon, also known as the Broadway Butterfly. The podcast explores her life, her involvement in the seedy underworld of 1920s and 30s New York, and the events leading up to her mysterious murder. The story includes her early life, attempts to escape the showgirl lifestyle, her ultimate entanglement in organized crime, blackmail schemes, and a tragic end that coincides with a significant political scandal

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01:31:47

Before Bogie and Bacall: The Battling Bogarts

Life Upon the Wicked Stage ·

2025/08/08

In this episode hosts Jen, Ashley, and Olivia delve into the tumultuous relationship of Hollywood legends Humphrey Bogart and Mayo Method. Known as the 'Battling Bogarts,' their marriage was marked by public brawls, violence, and Mayo's increasing paranoia and alcoholism. The episode covers Bogart's rise to fame, Method's early career, and their eventual split after Bogart falls in love with Lauren Bacall on the set of 'To Have and Have Not.' The hosts also explore themes of attachment styles,

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01:32:41

Nobody Joins a Cult: NXIVM

Life Upon the Wicked Stage ·

2025/07/25

This episode delves into the notorious NXIVM cult, uncovering its malicious inner workings and the harrowing experiences of its members. Hosts Jen, Ashley, and Olivia shine a light on the guise of self-improvement sold to recruits, the manipulative strategies employed by leader Keith Raniere, and the distressing ordeals faced by those involved, including forced labor, branded rituals, and sexual abuse. The episode also exposes the roles played by high-profile members and the eventual legal downfall

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01:32:02

A Very Special Interview Episode: What Would Matt...

Life Upon the Wicked Stage ·

2025/07/18

In this episode, Jen, Ashley, and Olivia from the 'Wicked Stage' podcast interview Matt Palm, a notable writer and critic for the Orlando Sentinel. They discuss Matt's extensive focus on arts and culture, specifically his unique experiences covering the 'Basquiat art scandal' at the Orlando Museum of Art. Matt shares his journey, from his start as a theater and arts critic to handling the complexities of reporting on federal investigations. The conversation highlights the critical role of

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01:30:37

The Grift of De Groft

Life Upon the Wicked Stage ·

2025/07/11

This episode of the podcast dives into a controversial and gripping true crime story in the art world. Hosts Jen, Ashley, and Olivia discuss the case of 25 alleged Basquiat paintings displayed at the Orlando Museum of Art. The episode explores the dubious provenance of these paintings, their eventual seizure by the FBI, and the downfall of art museum director Aaron De Groft. Despite expert warnings and a shady backstory involving a defunct authentication committee, the museum presented the works as

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01:29:41

Cursed Curtains: The Haunting of Macbeth

Life Upon the Wicked Stage ·

2025/06/27

In this episode, hosts Jen, Ashley, and Olivia delve into the mysterious and spooky history of William Shakespeare's Macbeth, often referred to as 'The Scottish Play' due to its infamous curse. The program begins with a listener discretion warning due to descriptions of violence. The trio, dressed in eclectic outfits inspired by theater green rooms, discuss the history and superstitions surrounding the play, its historical context, and notable accidents and strange occurrences that have plagued its

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01:39:04

Superman is Dead: The Suspicious Death of George Reeves

Life Upon the Wicked Stage ·

2025/06/13

In this episode of 'Life Upon the Wicked Stage,' hosts Jen, Ashley, and Olivia delve into the suspicious death of George Reeves, the original Superman. The episode explores the night of Reeves' death, the controversial ruling of his demise as a suicide, and the complex web of relationships and events leading up to his passing. The hosts uncover shady findings, including suspicious accidents and potential motives related to Reeves' breakup with his long-term lover, Tony Manix, and his engagement to

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01:24:24

Helen Mintiks: Murder at the Met

Life Upon the Wicked Stage ·

2025/05/30

Hosts Jen, Ashley, and Olivia delve into the chilling true crime case of Helen Mintiks, a talented violinist who was murdered during a performance at the Metropolitan Opera House in 1980. Through a detailed narrative, the hosts explore the investigation led by detectives Mike Struck and Jerry Giorgio, uncovering the involvement of stagehand Craig Crimmins, who ultimately confessed to the crime. The episode provides an in-depth look at the evidence, interviews, and the complex dynamics behind the

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01:32:10

Olive Thomas: The Longest Run on Broadway

Life Upon the Wicked Stage ·

2025/05/16

In this episode, Jen leads the discussion on Olive Thomas, an American silent film actress, model, and Ziegfeld girl who is rumored to haunt the New Amsterdam Theater in New York (and they celebrate Olivia finally getting a professional microphone). The episode details Olive's rise to fame, tumultuous marriage to Jack Pickford, and her mysterious death at age 25 from mercury poisoning under unclear circumstances. Various theories, including accident, suicide, and murder, are explored. The hosts

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01:23:31

John Wilkes Booth: American Brutus Pt. 2

Life Upon the Wicked Stage ·

2025/05/02

This episode dives into the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln by actor John Wilkes Booth. Hosts Jen, Ashley, and Olivia explore how Booth's Confederate sympathies led him to kill Lincoln, detailing his failed plan to also assassinate other government leaders. They highlight Booth’s methodical approach, his escape, and eventual capture, while juxtaposing this with Edwin Booth's life and career. Through an in-depth discussion, they reveal the intertwining of art, history, and crime,

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01:33:23

John Wilkes Booth: Everybody Called Him Wilkеs Pt. 1

Life Upon the Wicked Stage ·

2025/04/18

In the season two premiere of 'The Wicked Stage Pod,' hosts Jen, Ashley, and Olivia dive into the convoluted early life and career of infamous actor-turned-assassin, John Wilkes Booth. From his tumultuous family dynamics to his rise as a popular but controversial stage actor, Booth’s journey is explored in detail. The episode also examines his relationships, clandestine activities, and the events leading up to his fateful decision to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln. The hosts blend a mix of

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34 results

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