Podcast Summary: Dateline NBC – Talking Dateline: Take Two

Date: March 18, 2026
Host: Blaine Alexander
Guest: Andrea Canning (Dateline Correspondent)

Overview: Main Theme & Purpose

This episode of Talking Dateline features Blaine Alexander and Andrea Canning diving deep into Andrea's recent Dateline episode "Take Two." The conversation revolves around a complex, twist-filled true crime case involving Susan and Ira Bernstein, a couple caught up in not one but two failed murder-for-hire plots. Remarkably, no murder ever took place, thanks to the intervention of resourceful individuals and law enforcement. The discussion covers behind-the-scenes insights, character analyses, the challenges of following a case over years, and addresses listeners’ burning questions about the episode.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Case Recap (02:08–03:10)

• Susan and Ira Bernstein’s troubled marriage: The couple had longstanding marital issues fueled by financial pressures and an extravagant lifestyle.
• Ira’s affair with Kelly Gribelouk: Kelly, an eccentric former mortician-turned-model-turned-orthotics saleswoman, becomes involved with Ira and together they conspire to kill Susan.
• Crucial mistake: The couple seeks out Markenzi for the plot, who instead becomes a key informant, working with police to avert the crime.
• Second murder plot: After prison, Ira again tries to orchestrate Susan’s murder, now soliciting a landscaper who also rebuffs the scheme.

"Thankfully, Ira picks badly for assassins." – Andrea Canning (03:17)

2. Unique Aspects of the Case (03:21–04:00)

• No actual murder: Unlike typical Dateline stories, this episode centers on attempted (but foiled) murder plots.
• Markenzi’s courage: Rather than walking away, Markenzi makes concerted efforts – wiring his car, repeated meetings, putting himself at risk – to see justice done.

"He just decided, you know what? I'm gonna bring you two down because this is wrong." – Andrea Canning (02:32)

3. Markenzi – The Unlikely Hero (04:00–05:55)

• Andrea’s personal impressions: Markenzi came across as a gentle, family-oriented man, not someone you'd suspect as a criminal contact.
• Courage under pressure: He skillfully handled multiple tense situations, including convincingly covering up a hidden camera.

"I was really just struck by how much time he spent trying to bring this case down." – Blaine Alexander (04:52)
"Markenzi was brilliant, by the way. He was the right person for this... he really thought on his feet." – Blaine Alexander (05:49)

4. Emotional & Real-World Stakes (06:25–07:08)

• The real impact on Susan: Andrea reflects on the terror Susan must’ve felt, twice being the target of murder by her husband.

"Poor Susan, she had a target on her back twice... The fear that you would have looking over your shoulder and going to sleep at night. And it's real..." – Andrea Canning (06:45)

5. Following a Case Over Years (08:12–09:25)

• Andrea’s evolving involvement: She describes the challenges and personal growth encountered covering the case for years, including revisiting the subject after significant updates.
• Courtroom anecdote: Andrea recounts a surreal moment sitting next to Ira at sentencing.

"He says, why would I talk to you? You screwed me over the first time. Paraphrasing... Really? I screwed you over? How about you screwed yourself over, buddy?" – Andrea Canning (09:08)

6. Ira’s Unwavering Victim Mentality (13:26–14:38)

• Ira’s blame-shifting: From his contempt for Susan to blaming the landscaper, Ira consistently sees himself as the victim, never accepting responsibility.

"He is always the victim, right? He blames other people for everything..." – Andrea Canning (09:33)

7. The Undercover Operation & Andrea’s Past Undercover Experience (15:48–17:40)

• Sting operation logistics: The complexity and risks involved in wiring Markenzi’s car and orchestrating meetings.
• Andrea’s undercover story: Andrea recalls her own heart-pounding undercover experience for Dateline, going undercover in an adoption scam investigation while pregnant.

"You want to talk about heart pounding... My heart was pounding, like, during the adoption undercover." – Andrea Canning (16:50)

8. Character Focus

Ira Bernstein – The Perpetual Manipulator (18:22–20:45)

• Absurdity and bad luck for would-be criminals: Ira was the official podiatrist for the police – and meets with conspirators in police parking lots.
• His relationship with Kelly: Described as both manipulative and illogical – Kelly displays total loyalty, while Ira ultimately leaves her in jail longer than himself.

Kelly Gribelouk – The Unconventional Accomplice (19:44–21:06)

• Complex motivations: Despite her role in the plot, Kelly comes across as detached from the crime and unwaveringly loyal to Ira.

"I've never met anyone like her where she did such a bad thing. And then it was almost like it wasn't that bad or something with talking to her." – Andrea Canning (19:44)

Susan Bernstein – The Survivor (21:06–21:34)

• Post-trauma: At sentencing, Susan avoids cameras, underscoring her ordeal and desire for privacy.

"She really summed it up in her victim impact statement, what her life has been like and how horrible it is for her, for her children." – Andrea Canning (21:26)

9. Escalation and Unbelievable Plot Twists

• Failed ‘DRUG FRAME’ plot: Detective Peggy Braddock recounts Ira’s idea to plant drugs in Susan’s car to get her arrested – rejected as implausible by the landscaper.

"Who's going to think that a woman who goes to book club and to cooking club is carrying a kilo of drugs in her car? That's the stupidest thing I ever heard..." – Detective Peggy Braddock (23:30–24:09)

• The Absurdity: Hosts balk at the comic-book villainy and illogic of Ira’s schemes while remaining sensitive to the real pain suffered by Susan.

"It's hard not to laugh at moments of the absurdity of Ira Bernstein." – Andrea Canning (24:49)
"It just defies reality. It defies logic." – Blaine Alexander (24:57)

10. Audience Questions & Social Media (27:59–31:32)

• Kelly’s mortician credentials: She trained but never embalmed due to Jewish funeral practices.
• Ira’s wealth: Stemmed from multiple foot centers and real estate, not family inheritance.
• Markenzi’s motivations: He was not paid, acted out of a desire to help Susan.
• Ira’s lenient sentences: Legal technicalities led to tampering charges rather than conspiracy to murder.
• Financial consequences for Ira/Susan: Susan sued Ira and his sister; case unresolved.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Markenzi’s role:
  "Markenzi was brilliant, by the way. He was the right person for this... he really thought on his feet." – Blaine Alexander (05:49)

• On Ira’s repeated plotting:
  "The judge called it mind boggling. The judge said that he was confused how someone could do this. I think we all are. Like, why would you do this again?" – Andrea Canning (14:38)

• On the failed drug frame plot:
  "That's the stupidest thing I ever heard what's wrong with you?" – Detective Peggy Braddock (24:09)

• On the absurdity:
  "It's hard not to laugh at moments of the absurdity of Ira Bernstein." – Andrea Canning (24:49)
  "It just defies reality. It defies logic." – Blaine Alexander (24:57)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Case Summary: 02:08–03:10
• Markenzi’s Decision & Heroic Actions: 03:21–05:55
• Emotional Reality for Susan: 06:45–07:08
• Covering the Case Over Years: 08:12–09:25
• Ira’s Victim Mentality & Courtroom Stories: 09:08–13:26
• Sting Operations & Andrea’s Experience Undercover: 15:48–17:40
• Ira’s Absurd Side & Police Connection: 18:22–18:38
• Kelly’s Role and Motivation: 19:44–21:06
• Susan’s Perspective: 21:06–21:34
• Escalation to Drug Frame Plot: 22:55–24:21
• Social Media Q&A: 27:59–31:32

Final Thoughts

This episode offers an insider look at one of Dateline’s most elaborate, reality-defying cases—full of twists, failed plots, and very human motives and mistakes. Andrea Canning and Blaine Alexander provide not only recaps and context but also personal reactions and behind-the-scenes details. The social media Q&A rounds out the conversation, answering lingering questions and highlighting the broader impact of the story.

For further coverage:

• Listen to the original "Take Two" Dateline episode
• Check out more episodes of Talking Dateline and Andrea’s undercover episode “Hope & Heartbreak”