Horrorwood: True Crime in Tinseltown
**2025 Ambie Award Nominee: Best Indie Podcast Hosts** Kate and Kevin met way back when they worked together at a (likely haunted) theatre and the two became fast friends. Skip ahead a few years to present day, where they mostly sit around and talk about true crime. From horrific homicides to unsolved mysteries, spooky haunts to behind-the-scenes secrets, these two are here to bring you all the drama - and trauma - of Tinseltown. Settle in, Misfits.
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Episodes
Monday Jan 15, 2024
Monday Jan 15, 2024
CW: This episode contains heavy discussion of rape and sexual assault.
18-year-old Sally Anne Bowman had two main goals in life: appear on the cover of Vogue Magazine and perform at the Royal Albert Hall with famed actor/singer Michael Ball. As a student at the BRIT School - which boasted such alumni as Adele, Tom Holland and Jessie J - along with winning a modeling contest to become the face of SWATCH, it seemed Sally was well on her way. But in September of 2005 after a girls' night out, Sally's life was brutally taken from her...just steps from her front door.
Episode Sources:
“Crimewatch UK: The Killing of Sally Anne Bowman”
“Murdered girl’s parents request grave to be exhumed” by Rachael Revesz, Independent UK, Aug. 3, 2017
“A MUM'S DEFIANCE" by Ben Griffiths, The Sun UK, Mar. 10, 2018
“TWISTED KILLER’S CONFESSION” by Sara Kamouni, The Sun UK, Jul. 30, 2017
“The boyfriend and first suspect” by Helen Pidd, The Guardian, Feb. 22, 2008
“Boyfriend: We had a big row but I did not kill Sally Anne” by John Twomey, Express, Feb. 7, 2008
“A petty row then I left Sally Anne yards from home” by Paul Cheston, The Standard UK, Apr. 12, 2012
“Sally Anne Bowman’s killer linked to cold case murder of mum-of-three” by Brittany Vonow, The Sun UK, Nov. 25, 2017
“When Sally Anne was killed, her boyfriend was in the frame. But DNA told a more chilling story” by Polly Taylor, Mamamia, Apr. 2, 2018
"'Why did you kill my little girl?': Mother of Sally Anne Bowman confronts her daughter's murderer” The Standard UK, Apr. 13, 2012
“Would Sally Anne Bowman's killer have been caught under Tory DNA policy?” by Alan Travis, The Guardian UK, Apr. 9, 2010
“Sally Anne Bowman killer Mark Dixie jailed for more attacks” BBC, Nov. 24, 2017
“Mother of Sally Anne Bowman: Store everyone's DNA on a national database” by Danny Brierley, The Standard UK, Apr. 12, 2012
“Sally Anne tried to defend herself” This is Local London, Feb. 8, 2008
“Mum of murdered model Sally Anne Bowman begs ‘coward’ killer to reveal where daughter’s belongings are hidden” by Ben Griffiths, The Sun UK, Oct. 3, 2020
“Sally Anne Bowman's mother blasts Australia for deporting her daughter’s killer” by Martin Robinson, May 4, 2021
“Boyfriend of model denies argument led to murder” by Helen Pidd, The Guardian UK, Feb. 6, 2008
"Girl who dreamed of being Croydon's next top model” by Paul Cheston, The Standard UK, Apr. 12, 2012
“Boyfriend not involved in Sally Anne’s murder say police” by Gemma Wheatley, Your Local Guardian, Feb. 22, 2008
“Sally Anne's boyfriend takes the stand” by Graham Moody, Your Local Guardian, Feb. 6, 2008
“Sally Anne Bowman's killer Mark Dixie admits other sex attacks” Sky News, Jul. 27, 2017
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Monday Jan 08, 2024
Monday Jan 08, 2024
CW: This episode discusses the sexual assault of a child.
Happy New Year, Misfits! We're back after a much needed holiday break, and we have a doozy of a case for you.
Roman Polanski, a French and Polish movie director, producer, screenwriter and actor, is a huge name in Hollywood. He has received several of the movie industry's top accolades for his original and popular films, but his ultimate downfall occurred in 1977 when he was accused of raping a 13-year-old girl. After messy legal proceedings led to Polanski fleeing the United States, never to return, the case went down in Hollywood infamy - mainly because justice was never fully served.
Episode Sources:
“Roman Polanski and the woman he pleaded guilty to raping pose together 45 years later” by Nardine Saad, May 1, 2023, Los Angeles Times
“L.A. fugitive Polanski seized in Switzerland” by Harriet Ryan, September 28, 2009, Los Angeles Times
“Timeline of Roman Polanski’s 45-year-old teen sex abuse case” by The Associated Press, July 18, 2022, The Associated Press
“Is Roman Polanski Rape Case Near An End? Here’s Why It Has Taken 45 Years - Guest Column” by William C. Rempel and Sam Wasson, February 9, 2023, Deadline
“Roman Polanski’s Alleged Sexual Assaults: What You Need to Know” by Jessica Wakeman, October 5, 2017, Rolling Stone
“What does Hollywood’s reverence for child rapist Roman Polanski tell us?” by Hadley Freeman, January 30, 2018, The Guardian
“Roman Polanski loses court case over expulsion from Oscar body” by Jill Serjeant, August 25, 2020, Reuters
“Unsealed transcripts open door to end of Roman Polanski’s 45-year legal saga in the U.S.” by James Queally, July 18, 2022, Los Angeles Times
“Roman Polanski’s Wife Interviews His Rape Victim, Who Says: ‘I Was Fine. I’m Still Fine.’” by Zack Sharf, April 14, 2023, Variety
“Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired,” HBO Documentary directed by Marina Zenovich, YouTube
“Roman Polanski sexual abuse case” Wikipedia page
“Roman Polanski” Wikipedia page
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Thursday Dec 21, 2023
Thursday Dec 21, 2023
We're back with the conclusion of our Phil Hartman two-parter. When we left off in Part 1, Phil was at a low point both personally and professionally. But all of that was about to change. Phil's career is about to get a HUGE boost, and his relationship status is going to take a dramatic turn, to put it lightly. All we can say is when Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, gives you advice - TAKE IT.
Episode Sources:
Phil Hartman: Behind Closed Doors
The Last Days of Phil Hartman
“Beneath the Surface” by Alex Tresniowski
“Actor Phil Hartman, Wife Killed in Murder-Suicide” by Solomon Moore, Greg Braxton and T. Christian Miller
“The man behind the laughter: 'SNL,' 'Simpsons' star Phil Hartman's life off-screen before his violent death” by Allie Yang, Gwen Gowen and Ed Lopez
“Inside Phil Hartman's Tragic and Shocking Death” by Jordan Zakarin
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Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast
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Monday Dec 18, 2023
Monday Dec 18, 2023
He was the man of a thousand voices. Phil Hartman was a comedic dynamo, but he didn't start out with dreams of stardom. If you'd asked him in college what his five year plan was, he probably would have answered "to surf, smoke and make art." In Part 1 of a two-parter, we'll talk about Phil's childhood, his hobbies, relationships and career moves. This episode runs the gamut from Boy Scouts, Disneyland, Crosby Stills and Nash...and a Charles Manson follower??? Let's go!
Episode Sources:
Phil Hartman: Behind Closed Doors
The Last Days of Phil Hartman
Excerpt from “You Might Remember Me: The Life and Times of Phil Hartman” by Mike Thomas
"My Private Letters from 'Squeaky' Fromme" by Paul Larosa
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Monday Dec 11, 2023
Monday Dec 11, 2023
CW: This episode discusses suicide and abortion.
"The Comedy Store is a dark temple of fear and pain that to this day I believe is built over one of the gates to Hell.” - Marc Maron
It might surprise some to learn that a place meant to bring laughter to audiences every night is the same place hiding some DARK secrets. We're talking MOB secrets. MURDER secrets. Add in some of the funniest people on the planet, a labor strike, LOTS of cocaine and a queen bee that would give even Regina George a run for her money, and you've got the world-famous Comedy Store. Oh, and it's haunted AF.
Episode Sources:
The Comedy Store website
“The Dark Organization Behind Some Of The World's Biggest Comedians” by Elizabeth Collins, Jan. 23, 2023
“It’s Not All Laughs at The Comedy Store” by Linda Cauthen, Oct. 29, 2023
“The Comedy Store Celebrates 50 Years on The Sunset Strip” WeHo Times, Apr. 8, 2022
“The Sad Final Days of a Very Funny Man: Inside Comedian Brody Stevens’ Tragic Death” by Scott Johnson, The Hollywood Reporter, June 20, 2019
“Pauly Shore talks growing up at The Comedy Store as iconic Hollywood club turns 50” by Kelli Skye Fadroski, Los Angeles Daily News, Mar. 29, 2022
“Is The Comedy Store Haunted? (We Asked A Regular)” by JD Roberson, Cracked, Oct. 30, 2021
“Leslie Jones' Comedy Store Ghost Encounter”
“Unsolved Mysteries with Robert Stack” S8, E12, 1996
“The First Comedy Strike” by Richard Zoglin, Time, Feb. 4, 2008
“THE STRIKE OF ’79”
Ghost Adventures, S24, E4, 2021
“When mobsters and movie stars ruled the Sunset Strip” by Hadley Meares, “Curbed Los Angeles” Feb. 14, 2019
“The Mostly True Adventures Of Standup Comedy's Legendary Frat House” by David Peisner, BuzzFeed, Oct. 21, 2015
“An Apology: The Son of THR Founder Billy Wilkerson on the Publication’s Dark Past” by W.R. Wilkerson III, The Hollywood Reporter, Nov. 19, 2012
“The Man Behind the Sunset Strip” by Cecilia Rasmussen, LA Times, Dec. 7, 1997
“Sunset Strip Landmark Revisited in 'Dancing at Ciro’s’" - NPR interview with Sheila Weller
“Favorite Haunts of Those Who Haunt” by Annie Murphy, Los Angeles Public Library: Photo Friends, Oct. 29, 2017
"11 Wild And Tragic Stories From The Most Famous Comedy Club In The World” by Erin McCann, Ranker, Sep. 23, 2021
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Monday Dec 04, 2023
Monday Dec 04, 2023
CW: This episode discusses child abuse, domestic abuse and sexual assault.
You probably weren't expecting a content warning on an episode about 'Home Alone', but this is Horrorwood, remember? The film might be a holiday treasure, but behind the scenes things weren't so jolly. The cast of the Christmas classic seemed to have it all: Arrests? Check. Drug addiction? Check. A murder-for-hire plot? Yep, that too. Get cozy, ya filthy misfits, we're diving deep.
Episode Sources:
WTF with Marc Maron - Macaulay Culkin, Jan. 22, 2018
Bunny Ears website
“Junior” by Macaulay Culkin, Miramar, Mar. 14, 2007
“Macaulay Culkin to Receive Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame” by Jen Juneau, People, Nov. 27, 2023
“Home Alone secrets revealed in Netflix show ‘The Movies That Made Us’” by Andrew Bucklow, Dec. 4, 2019
“How John Hughes Came Up With ‘Home Alone’” by Lily Rothman, TIME, Nov. 16, 2015
“Chris Columbus Directed Home Alone Instead of Christmas Vacation Because He Met Chevy Chase” by Ira Madison III, Vulture, Nov. 10, 2015
“Holy Cow, Home Alone Is 25!” By James Hughes, Chicago Magazine, Nov. 10, 2015
Reviews - ‘Home Alone’ - Roger Ebert, Nov. 16, 1990
Reviews - ‘Home Alone' - by Owen Gleiberman
“'Home Alone' Is My Holiday Connection To Post-Communist Poland” by Nicholas Mizera, HuffPost Canada, Dec. 24, 2018
“Home Alone in Poland: An Unexpected National Tradition” by Bartosz Staszczyszyn, Dec. 20, 2013
“‘Home Alone’ Actor Devin Ratray Under Investigation for Rape” by Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, Aug. 24, 2022
“‘This is how you die.’ Actor who played Buzz in ‘Home Alone’ faces charges for allegedly trying to strangle girlfriend while in Oklahoma City” by Hicham Raache / KFOR, Dec. 22, 2021
“Devin Ratray, ‘Home Alone’ actor, under investigation for alleged rape” by Chloe Melas, CNN, Aug. 24, 2022
“Home Alone actor’s case headed to trial in Oklahoma County” by K. Querry-Thompson / KFOR, Jan. 19, 2023
“'Home Alone' Dad John Heard Various Narcotics in System ... At Time of Death” Jan. 8, 2018
“HEARD GUILTY OF PHONE MISUSE, TRESPASSING” The Washington Post, Mar. 21, 1997
“Joe Pesci says he got "serious burns" to his head in iconic "Home Alone" scene” by Li Cohen, CBS News, Dec. 1, 2022
“Macaulay Culkin: ‘No, I was not pounding six grand of heroin a month’” by Rhik Samadder, The Guardian, July 18, 2016
“The Talk of Hollywood; It Seems the Father Of the Child Star Is the Enfant Terrible” by Bernard Weinraub, NY Times, Nov. 1, 1993
“4 KILLED FLEEING BLAZE IN HIGH-RISE” by Susan Sachs, NY Times, Dec. 24, 1998
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Monday Nov 27, 2023
Monday Nov 27, 2023
Parents will often say to children, "Don't worry, it isn't real" when it comes to a scary monster in a movie. But the most terrifying monsters walk among us every day. And I can assure you, Misfits, they are VERY real. Today we’re talking about gruesome serial killer Ed Gein - a.k.a. The Butcher of Plainfield - and the movies his story inspired, including: Psycho, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Silence of the Lambs. Eek.
View photos from the episode
Episode Sources:
“Psycho” on IMDb
“Texas Chain Saw Massacre” on IMDb
“Inside Psycho” Podcast by Mark Ramsey, Wondery
“Ed Gein” on Wikipedia
“Every Horror Movie Inspired By Serial Killer Ed Gein” by Maisy Flowers, July 12, 2020, Screen Rant
“13 Horror Movies Inspired By Serial Killer Ed Gein” by Trisha Bartle, updated December 30, 2022, Creepy Catalog
“Infamous serial killer Ed Gein dies” by History.com Editors, published November 13, 2009, last updated September 29, 2020, HISTORY
“Ed Gein” by Biography.com Editors and Tyler Piccotti, updated October 3, 2023, Biography.com
“The Macabre Story of Ed Gein, The Serial Killer Who Used Human Body Parts To Make Furniture” by Kaleena Fraga, edited by John Kuroski, published January 29, 2022, updated November 7, 2023, All That’s Interesting
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Monday Nov 20, 2023
Monday Nov 20, 2023
Sixty years ago in the early morning hours of Thanksgiving 1963, 22-year-old Karyn Kupcinet lay dead in her West Hollywood apartment. The daughter of prominent Chicago couple Essee and Irv Kupcinet, Karyn had been living in LA to pursue her dreams of stardom. But Karyn was deeply troubled. Not even her own family knew just how far her depression reached. Addicted to a variety of pills, obsessed with a man who did not return her feelings of love, struggling to make it big in show business...it seemed obvious to her closest friends that Karyn had died by suicide. However, as we all know, things aren't always what they seem...
Episode Sources:
Irv and Karyn Kupcinet
“Karyn Kupcinet Gallery” by Matthew Turk, The Parker Weekly, Dec. 20, 2017
“Death of a Dream: The Karyn Kupcinet Story” “E! True Hollywood Story”, Sep. 29, 1999
“The Lost World of Kup” by Carol Felsenthal, Chicago Magazine, July 11, 2007
“Karyn Kupcinet 1963 death still unsolved” by Stephan Benzkofer, Chicago Tribune, Nov. 24, 2013
“Finds Miss Kupcinet Pasted Up One Note” Chicago Tribune, Dec. 5, 1963
The Copper Cow
“Dead in the Wake of the Kennedy Assassination”
“Kup: A Man, An Era, A City” - excerpt, by Irv Kupcinet, Paul G. Neimark, 1988, p.185 - 187
“Legendary Chicago columnist dead at 91” - CNN, Nov. 11, 2003
“Dyer's Pullinsi a stage legend with theatre history” by Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, Jan. 3, 2019
“Chuck Schaden's Conversations with the Stars Who Made it Golden” - Interview with Irv Kupcinet, Speaking of Radio, Oct. 10, 1977
“For Chicago's 'Town Crier,' the Stories Linger” by Jodi Wilgoren, The New York Times, Aug. 14, 2002
“Stranger Killed Actress on Coast” The New York Times, Dec. 2, 1963
“ESSEE KUPCINET 1915 - 2001” by Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, June 17, 2001
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE, Nov. 11, 2003
“Police Step Up Hunt For Killer Who Strangled Hollywood Actress” Assoc. press, Plattsburgh Press-Republican, Dec. 2, 1963
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