Scandal Water

Natalie Wood’s Mysterious Death: Accident or Foul Play?

CW: Themes/descriptions of violenceLISTENER DISCRETION IS ADVISEDOver 40 years ago Natalie Wood was found floating in the water off the coast of Catalina Island, wearing a flannel nightgown, socks, and a down jacket. Her death was widely believed to be a tragic accident that occurred because of her drunken state. 
However, in 2013 new information about suspicious circumstances led the cause of death to be changed from “accidental drowning” to “drowning and other undetermined factors.” And a 2018 press conference revealed not only that new witness testimony had come to light, but also that Natalie’s husband, Robert Wagner, was now officially considered “a person of interest” in her death. Yet as of this moment, Natalie’s case remains open, her death still a mystery. 
This fascinating episode takes a look at the tragic loss of Natalie Wood and considers the question ‘Was it an accident or foul play?’

Bernie Tiede: Most Loved Murderer

CW: Themes/descriptions of violenceLISTENER DISCRETION IS ADVISEDQuestion: What self-confessed murderer can boast a fan club in his honor, a movie centered around his murder case, and a Facebook fan page with over 1,700 followers?
Answer: Bernie Tiede, the man portrayed by Jack Black in the 2012 movie ‘Bernie,’ who murdered Marjorie Nugent in 1996 and managed to hide her body in a freezer for 9 months before his crime was discovered. 
Hear all about Bernie Tiede, “the most loved murderer,” in episode 26, and consider for yourself whether this was cold-blooded murder or an uncontrollable act triggered by Marjorie’s abuse.

Adrienne Shelly: So Much Left to Do

CW: Themes/descriptions of violenceLISTENER DISCRETION IS ADVISEDAdrienne Shelly had everything to live for in October of 2006. Her filmmaking career was taking off, her film ‘Waitress’ had a great chance of winning a spot at the Sundance Festival, and she loved being a wife and mother. So when her husband found her hanging from a shower rod on November 1, he knew she hadn’t done this to herself, no matter what the detectives said. 
As it turned out, he was right. 
In episode 25 Candy and Ashley explore the mysterious death of actress and filmmaker Adrienne Shelly, and her husband’s quest to not only discover what really happened but to also ensure that Adrienne is remembered as the strong, incredible woman she was, not as a victim.

Stalked: The Rebecca Schaeffer Story

CW: Themes/descriptions of violence LISTENER DISCRETION IS ADVISEDWhen 21-year-old Rebecca Schaeffer (previous star of "My Sister Sam") opened her door on July 18, 1989, she expected to see a courier delivering the ‘Godfather 3’ script she needed for her exciting upcoming audition. Instead, Robert Bardo, who’d been obsessed with Rebecca for some time, pulled out a gun and shot her. Rebecca died within the hour.
While stalking was already a growing problem in America at that time, it was Rebecca’s tragic death, and the outcry that surrounded it, that led to the nation’s first anti-stalking laws. Listen to episode 24 to hear more about Rebecca’s story and the societal changes sparked by her murder. 

Rose Mackenberg: First Female Ghostbuster

Who ya gonna call? Rose Mackenberg!
That’s right. Long before Peter Venkman and his crew showed up with their proton packs to fight the supernatural, there was Rose Mackenberg, Houdini’s top undercover spy in his war against crooked psychics and mediums.
Rose Mackenberg was described in a 1949  Hearst syndicate article as “perhaps the only woman ‘ghost-buster’ in the world.” In this episode, you’ll hear about the seance-gone-bad that essentially ended the friendship between Harry Houdini and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and escalated Houdini’s crusade against Spiritualism, the tactics used by the famed magician to expose psychic con artists, and the important role Rose Mackenberg played in that battle. We guarantee you’ll be fascinated by the story of this truly fearless female. 

Honk & Cheryl Allison: A Goose, a Girl, and a Fairy Tale Ending

Near the start of the pandemic, amid lockdowns and the emotional toll of isolation, Cheryl Allison headed to the park one afternoon for a fitness break. Little did she know how her life would change because of a simple encounter that occurred that day …or that her new bestie would be a goose. 
In this special guest episode, Ashley and Candy speak with Cheryl Allison, an award-winning actress and filmmaker who thousands of Honk fans may know simply as Honk’s Mom.  
In an interview that manages to be both highly entertaining and also touching at times, Cheryl shares the story of her ‘unlikely friendship’ with a Toulouse goose she named Honk. Listeners will hear Cheryl share the story of their first meeting, anecdotes about their time together, her reflections on the legacy of this incredible animal, and so much more, including fascinating memories of her time on Broadway and in film. 
In the spirit of Valentines’ Day, your hosts are honored to share Cheryl and Honk’s message of love and hope. They know you will enjoy it just as much as they did!You can follow Cheryl & Honk's continuing story on Facebook viahttps://www.facebook.com/honkthefilm and Instagram via https://www.instagram.com/honk_thegoose/
Cheryl's book about Honk can be purchased via https://store.bookbaby.com/book/honkstorybookand the activity book can be found viahttps://store.bookbaby.com/book/honk-a-true-story

Whatever Happened to Bette & Joan?

You’ve heard of the Hatfield and the McCoys, but how familiar are you with the infamous feud between Hollywood icons Bette Davis and Joan Crawford? Listen in to learn what sparked the initial feelings of hostility between these fiery women, and how their rivalry progressed to the legendary status it holds today.  Pettiness, drama, snarky comments… this episode has it all!

Trailblazer: Hattie McDaniel

In her 2009 Oscar acceptance speech for Best Supporting Actress, Mo’Nique gave this shout-out to another well-known actress: “I want to thank Miss Hattie McDaniel for enduring all that she had to so that I would not have to.” 
Many will remember that Hattie McDaniel was the first Black actor to win an Oscar, but perhaps less well-known are some of her other achievements, such as Hattie’s status as the first Black woman to be broadcast on US radio or her two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Be sure to catch episode 20 to learn more about the life and legacy of this remarkable woman, “Trailblazer: Hattie McDaniel.” 

Frozen In Time: An Interview with Charleston’s Tommy Dew

For 26 years Tommy Dew has led tourists through the streets of Charleston, South Carolina, on his famed walking tours–one of those tourists being Ashley! And now you have the opportunity to “Dew Charleston” from the comfort of your own device. 
In a special guest episode, Ashley and Candy have the pleasure of interviewing Tommy Dew, a master of both history and of storytelling. Included are insightful comments about the performance elements of leading tours, fascinating historical info about the Dock Street Theatre, the origin of “Porgy and Bess,” laugh-out-loud anecdotes from his tours (including how tourists REALLY react to meeting Bill Murray), and one of the 'weirdest' tours he's ever conducted. Tommy Dew takes us on a journey you won’t want to miss!

The Theatre Event That Changed History: Lincoln’s Assassination at Ford’s Theatre

April 14, 1865, was “surely one of Abraham Lincoln’s happiest days” but ended with an assassin’s bullet in his brain. Calling on reports from primary documents and other sources, Candy leads Ashley through the night that Booth and his co-conspirators put their murderous plot into action… a plot that called not only for the death of a President but also two other senior members of the executive branch. Listen to episode 18 to find out what you missed in history class.