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Pop Mystery Pod

Pop Mystery Pod

By: Tess Barker
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About this listen

Investigative journalist and pop culture junkie Tess Barker, dives into the pop culture moments that have puzzled her for years. This addictive, informative and revelatory show dives features the deep research and first person reporting that helped her launch the #FreeBritney movement while co-hosting Britney's Gram. Each episode unpacks a moment in celebrity news that was misunderstood or intentionally covered up at the time. Part true crime, part comedy, part deconstructing pop culture trivia, the show shines light on the dark corners in the entertainment capital of the world.© Tess Barker Politics & Government Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Angelyne (with Chris Farah)
    Feb 19 2026

    If Los Angeles has a mascot, it is the beautiful, busty figure who’s been flitting about our freeways for decades: Angelyne. Basically, Angelyne invented being “famous for no reason.” This enchanting icon has also long been a figure of mystique and intrigue for Angelinos. Who is Angelyne, really? And how was she able to engineer her own super stardom? Joining Tess to talk about the queen of the City of Angels is Chris Farah (@chrislfarah) host of the “Vanity Farah” podcast.


    Read “Angelyne’s True Identity is Finally Solved,” by Gary Baum

    Watch “Angelyne” on Peacock


    Follow Pop Mystery Pod on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok @popmysterypod


    Pop Mystery Pod is written and produced by Tess Barker @tesstifybarker. Produced by Tyler Hill.


    Theme song by Rick Wood @Rickw00d.


    Support independent pop journalism and join us on Patreon at Pop Mystery Pod. Get access to ad free episodes, bonus content, and polls about upcoming topics. patreon.com/PopMysteryPod


    Follow Tess’s other podcasts Lady to Lady and Toxic: The Britney Spears Story wherever you get your pods.


    Make sure to leave us a review! And tell a friend about the show!



    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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    1 hr and 35 mins
  • Babes in Hollyweirdland: Can We Keep Young Performers Safe? (with Staci Keanan and Christine Lakin)
    Feb 12 2026

    Clearly, there will always be a demand for young people on screen. Shows geared toward young audiences have a huge appeal, and they usually feature kids as principal performers. Recent revelations about the conditions on kids shows like “All That” have led to serious concerns by some people over whether it’s ethical to have kids on set at all. Joining Tess to share their own experiences as child stars are Staci Keanan and Christine Lakin lead actors on the sitcom “Step by Step.”Staci and Christine are also hosts of the podcast “Keanan and Lakin Give You Deja Vu.” (@keananandlakin)

    Follow Pop Mystery Pod on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok @popmysterypod


    Pop Mystery Pod is written and produced by Tess Barker @tesstifybarker. Produced by Tyler Hill.


    Theme song by Rick Wood @Rickw00d.


    Support independent pop journalism and join us on Patreon at Pop Mystery Pod. Get access to ad free episodes, bonus content, and polls about upcoming topics. patreon.com/PopMysteryPod


    Follow Tess’s other podcasts Lady to Lady and Toxic: The Britney Spears Story wherever you get your pods.


    Make sure to leave us a review! And tell a friend about the show!



    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 17 mins
  • The Music Universal Studios Lost Forever (with Steven Ray Morris)
    Feb 5 2026

    When a fire tore through the backlot of Universal Studios in 2008, it took with it countless priceless music archives. Recordings from a staggering number of artists, from Nirvana to Aretha Franklin were incinerated, never to be heard by anyone again. For its part, Universal Music Group has appeared to be transparent with neither the impacted artist nor the general public, in terms of assessing the scale of the damage done that day. Joining Tess to talk through this sad and fascinating story is Steven Ray Morris @stevenraymorris, host of “See Jurassic Right,” who has produced shows like “My Favorite Murder” and “Jordan Jesse Go.”


    Read “The Day the Music Burned” by Jody Rosen


    Follow Pop Mystery Pod on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok @popmysterypod


    Pop Mystery Pod is written and produced by Tess Barker @tesstifybarker. Produced by Tyler Hill.


    Theme song by Rick Wood @Rickw00d.


    Support independent pop journalism and join us on Patreon at Pop Mystery Pod. Get access to ad free episodes, bonus content, and polls about upcoming topics. patreon.com/PopMysteryPod


    Follow Tess’s other podcasts Lady to Lady and Toxic: The Britney Spears Story wherever you get your pods.


    Make sure to leave us a review! And tell a friend about the show!


    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 20 mins
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