Criminal Podcast: Episode Summary – "The Pride of Pine Hill"

Criminal, hosted by Phoebe Judge, delves into the intricate stories surrounding crime, morality, and human behavior. In the episode titled "The Pride of Pine Hill," released on April 4, 2025, listeners are taken on a fascinating journey through a unique journalistic experiment conducted during the 1996 North Carolina gubernatorial campaign. This summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions drawn from the episode, providing a comprehensive overview for those who haven't tuned in.

1. Introduction: Setting the Political Stage

The episode begins by setting the historical context of the 1996 North Carolina gubernatorial race. Phoebe Judge introduces the main candidates:

• Jim Hunt (Democrat): The incumbent, widely respected and seen as a mainstream establishment figure with strong support for children's issues.

• Robin Hayes (Republican): Notorious for his controversial sex education bill, which earned him the nickname "Lysol Man" due to his suggestion that Lysol could prevent STDs. Hayes received substantial financial backing from his mother, contributing significantly to his campaign and the Republican National Committee (00:00 - 02:08).

Notable Quote:

"Robin Hayes also suggested that people could use Lysol to prevent STDs, leading some people to refer to him as Lysol Man." – Phoebe Judge [02:08]

2. The Birth of an Idea: Creating Jolene Strickland

Barry Yeoman, a journalist for the Independent Weekly in Durham, North Carolina, recounts a pivotal staff meeting led by editor Bob Moser. Faced with the challenge of covering a gubernatorial race with two unremarkable candidates, the team conceived a bold plan: create a fictional candidate to inject fresh perspectives into local politics (03:00 - 04:42).

Notable Quote:

"If we had two candidates who we were not crazy about, that we would make up one of our own." – Barry Yeoman [03:20]

3. Crafting Jolene Strickland: The Perfect Candidate

The fictional candidate, Jolene Strickland, was meticulously developed to resonate with voters:

• Background: Mayor of Pine Hill, a non-existent small town in North Carolina, daughter of a tobacco farmer affected by lung cancer, retired educator, active Methodist, and progressive representative of rural North Carolina.

• Personal Traits: Outspoken, humorous, financially prudent, and deeply connected to working-class values.

Barry Yeoman explains the extensive effort to ensure Jolene's credibility, from her backstory to her visual representation, employing Joanna Maclay, a professor with a striking resemblance to Texas Governor Ann Richards, to portray her (08:37 - 14:17).

Notable Quote:

"She was active in her community. She was a lapsed evangelical Christian who had become an active Methodist." – Barry Yeoman [08:37]

4. The Execution: Launching the Campaign

The Independent Weekly published a comprehensive and believable profile of Jolene Strickland, complete with photographs and a detailed biography. The profile highlighted her policies on crime, emphasizing rehabilitation over incarceration, and touched upon various social issues (16:35 - 19:31).

Notable Quote:

"Crime does not pay is such a tired cliche. We've got to teach kids that a life well lived does pay." – Jolene Strickland [18:14]

5. Public Reception: Belief and Enthusiasm

The response was overwhelmingly positive. Readers were captivated by Jolene's persona, leading to unsolicited campaign contributions, orders for campaign merchandise, and genuine voter interest. The lack of immediate skepticism was a testament to the effectiveness of the Independent Weekly's approach (19:31 - 20:20).

Notable Quote:

"People really wanted to send her campaign contributions but they didn't know where to send them, so they sent us campaign contributions." – Barry Yeoman [19:31]

6. The Unraveling: Discovering the Fiction

Two weeks post-publication, recognizing the unintended consequences, the staff decided to subtly hint at Jolene's fictional nature. However, the enthusiasm had already taken hold, leading to confusion and eventually, a public press conference where Jolene was to address journalists in person (20:27 - 23:14).

During the press conference, intense scrutiny from journalists exposed discrepancies in Jolene's background, leading to her eventual panic and the revelation of the stunt.

Notable Quote:

"It's impossible to get elected in North Carolina unless you have lots of your own cash or know how to kowtow to those who do." – Jolene Strickland [27:30]

7. Aftermath: Reactions and Consequences

The fallout was immediate. Competing campaigns and other newspapers accused the Independent Weekly of deception. Readers felt betrayed, questioning the paper's credibility and the authenticity of its reporting practices.

However, some praised the experiment for its innovative approach to engaging readers and highlighting political issues without direct attacks on real candidates.

Notable Quote:

"Irony is a marvelous tool, but its uses are regrettably limited. [...] I think Jolene was a stroke of genius." – Greensboro News and Record [32:13]

8. Reflections: The Legacy of Jolene Strickland

Barry Yeoman reflects on the experiment with mixed feelings. While acknowledging the missteps in execution, he remains proud of the intention to fill the gaps left by declining alt weeklies. The episode underscores the challenges faced by alternative media in maintaining credibility and experimenting with innovative storytelling.

Notable Quote:

"Alternative weeklies were killed by Craigslist and the Internet because what funded us were classified ads and personal ads and those moved off of print online as soon as there was a Craigslist." – Barry Yeoman [37:58]

9. Conclusion: Lessons Learned

"The Pride of Pine Hill" serves as a poignant exploration of journalistic ethics, the power of storytelling, and the delicate balance between engaging readers and maintaining trust. The fictional campaign of Jolene Strickland remains a compelling case study on the impact and risks of blending fiction with real-world journalism.

Key Takeaways:

• Innovative Storytelling: The Independent Weekly's creation of a fictional candidate aimed to inspire political engagement and highlight policy issues in a relatable manner.

• Ethical Considerations: The experiment raised questions about the boundaries of journalistic integrity and the potential consequences of blurring fact with fiction.

• Media Landscape Evolution: The episode reflects on the decline of alt weeklies and the challenges faced by independent media in the digital age.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Robin Hayes' Controversial Suggestions:

  "Robin Hayes also suggested that people could use lysol to prevent STDs..." – Phoebe Judge [02:08]

• Creation of a Fictional Candidate:

  "If we had two candidates who we were not crazy about, that we would make up one of our own." – Barry Yeoman [03:20]

• Jolene's Policy on Crime:

  "Crime does not pay is such a tired cliche. We've got to teach kids that a life well lived does pay." – Jolene Strickland [18:14]

• Public Enthusiasm for Jolene:

  "People really wanted to send her campaign contributions but they didn't know where to send them..." – Barry Yeoman [19:31]

• Reflections on Alt Weeklies:

  "Alternative weeklies were killed by Craigslist and the Internet..." – Barry Yeoman [37:58]

Conclusion

"The Pride of Pine Hill" is a thought-provoking episode that challenges listeners to consider the role of media in shaping political discourse and the ethical boundaries of journalistic experimentation. By weaving together personal anecdotes, historical context, and critical reflections, Criminal offers a nuanced narrative that resonates with both media enthusiasts and general audiences alike.