Smoke 'Em If You Got 'Em Podcast
Smoke 'Em If You Got 'Em Podcast
64. How to Fake a Hate Crime
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64. How to Fake a Hate Crime

The curious case of Jussie Smollett shows how ambition can override judgment. Also: Stanford's DEI mess, debating "The Jinx" (7 years late), the blue-collar roots of journalism, and PornHub's fall
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Sarah and Nancy discuss the new documentary, Jussie Smollett: Anatomy of a Hoax, about the fake hate crime of the Empire star who once dubbed himself “the gay Tupac.” The real stars are the Osundairos, two Nigerian brothers and aspiring actors hired for the bizarre stunt. Why did they do it? What was up with that bottle of hot sauce? And is celebrity culture a bigger problem than victim culture?

Also: Stanford Law School has a DEI mess following an appearance by Fifth Circuit court judge Kyle Duncan, and once more, ambition overrides judgment (a running theme). Which moment in the 2015 HBO miniseries The Jinx turned Nancy off entirely? Who is the godfather of true crime, and why is it Skip Hollandsworth? The rise and fall of PornHub; yet another glowing recommendation for Jon Ronson’s oeuvre; a fascinating convo about journalism’s working-class roots; and the mysteries of our Google searches. But don’t forget MILF Manor, because Sarah cannot.

Finally: Will Nancy interrupt a story she’s telling to gush over Charlie’s Angels?

The only real question is: Which one is Sarah, and which one is Nancy? (Duh.)

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Smoke 'Em If You Got 'Em Podcast
Smoke 'Em If You Got 'Em Podcast
Journalistas Nancy Rommelmann and Sarah Hepola on what's burning through the culture right now. Flirtatious banter for serious times.