CLASSIC: The Time a Soviet Premier Was Banned From Disneyland

Summary

Ridiculous History: CLASSIC Episode Summary Title: The Time a Soviet Premier Was Banned From Disneyland
Host: Ben Bowlin and Noel Brown
Release Date: February 15, 2025

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Introduction

In this classic episode of Ridiculous History, hosts Ben Bowlin and Noel Brown delve into one of the most peculiar episodes of Cold War diplomacy: Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev's attempted visit to Disneyland. Through a blend of historical analysis and humorous banter, Bowlin and Brown explore the events that led to Khrushchev being barred from America's most iconic amusement park, shedding light on the underlying tensions of the era.

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Background on Nikita Khrushchev and the Cold War

[06:21] Noel:
“He was born in April 15th of 1894 in a Russian village called Kilanovka. And he ended up joining the Bolsheviks, the Communist Bolsheviks, and rising in the ranks quite quickly found his way into the inner circle of our man, Joseph Stalin...”

Ben and Noel provide a concise overview of Khrushchev's ascent within the Soviet Union, highlighting his close association with Joseph Stalin and his role in the brutal political landscape of the time. They reference the satirical film The Death of Stalin to illustrate the absurdity and paranoia that characterized Soviet leadership.

[10:05] Noel:
“Tragically ridiculous. And the movie really leans on that. It's this incredible director, satirist Armando Iannucci, who is responsible for the show...”

They discuss Khrushchev's reputation for ruthlessness and his paranoia about potential rivals, painting a vivid picture of his leadership style.

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Khrushchev's U.S. Tour

[07:52] Ben:
“...he does the kind of touristy things you think you might do. He went to New York City, went to Los Angeles and Des Moines. What? He went to Des Moines. It was a weird choice.”

The hosts recount Khrushchev's whirlwind tour of the United States in 1959, noting his visits to major cities and the unexpected choice of Des Moines, Iowa. They speculate on the reasons behind such a selection, emphasizing the symbolic nature of experiencing both America's bustling metropolises and its heartland.

[08:31] Noel:
“...he had all these strange, amazing. And what I always think is missing from this story and what I would love to learn more about is what that interpreter went through...”

Bowlin and Noel touch upon the challenges faced by Khrushchev's interpreter, hinting at the complexities of translating diplomatic dialogues under high tension.

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The Disneyland Incident

[19:26] Noel:
“I found a picture of him on his visit to Des Moines where there's quite a rotund fellow in front of him wearing some overalls, and you see Khrushchev patting his belly. And then the quote next to the picture is, 'now that is a real American.'”

This segment focuses on Khrushchev's attempted visit to Disneyland, exploring the symbolic clash between Soviet leadership and American cultural icons. The hosts analyze the security concerns that ultimately led to Khrushchev being denied entry to the theme park.

[34:04] Noel:
“...Bob Hope causing diplomatic incidents with your congeniality. And then when Khrushchev erupted, he was surrounded by these celebrities and Frank Sinatra, apparently...”

They discuss the role of celebrities like Bob Hope and Frank Sinatra in the diplomatic scene, contributing to the tensions that culminated in Khrushchev's Disneyland debacle.

[35:29] Ben:
“...it's too much to handle for a guy like that to be able to go and have a nice, fun day at Disneyland without, like, shutting the whole park down and devoting the whole thing to him.”

Ben humorously underscores the impracticality of accommodating a Soviet Premier in Disneyland, highlighting the logistical nightmares and security risks involved.

[36:34] Walt Disney Clip:
“...we could not guarantee his safety...”

A pre-recorded statement from Walt Disney explains the official reason for denying Khrushchev entry: security concerns. This reinforces the episode's exploration of how political tensions infiltrate even the most whimsical aspects of American life.

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Reactions and Consequences

[37:26] Ben:
“...If Khrushchev did somehow die, even if it was a complete accident, even if he was just walking down the street and had a heart attack...”

The hosts contemplate the grave implications of Khrushchev's presence in the U.S., emphasizing how a mishap could have escalated Cold War tensions into direct conflict.

[39:24] Ben:
“...we have to understand there's, if not a credible threat to security, the consequences of the Soviet premier dying in the US Are huge.”

They further elaborate on the high stakes of international diplomacy during the Cold War, where even minor incidents could have significant geopolitical repercussions.

[47:34] Ben:
“...the Soviet Republic of Georgia. And he was called back and they made him resign... he never got to Disneyland.”

Bowlin and Noel conclude Khrushchev's story by detailing his forced retirement and untimely death, nostalgically noting that he never fulfilled his Disneyland dream.

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Conclusion

In wrapping up, Ben and Noel reflect on the absurdity and gravity intertwined in Khrushchev's attempted Disneyland visit. They highlight how this incident serves as a microcosm of Cold War tensions, blending cultural exchange with deep-seated political distrust. The hosts invite listeners to ponder the "what-ifs" of history and the enduring impact of seemingly small diplomatic events on international relations.

[50:24] Noel:
“Is Vladimir Putin gonna make it to Universal Studios, finally see that Harry Potter... Land I keep hearing so much about?”

They end on a humorous note, drawing parallels to contemporary figures and encouraging audience engagement through social media.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Ben [00:00]:
  “You guys like Disneyland, right?”

• Noel [07:06]:
  “We have to look at the context of the Cold War. And when we talk about the Cold War, we must mention and explore the life and times of the Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev.”

• Noel [10:49]:
  “They're just verbally abusing each other. It did not come to fisticuffs, and it appeared to have a good result.”

• Ben [16:35]:
  “What's called the shoe banging incident. You remember this one, right?”

• Noel [24:06]:
  “It was nothing but a chaotic charade.”

• Ben [37:10]:
  “And he exploded when he found out we have the quote.”

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Key Insights and Discussions

• Cultural Symbolism vs. Political Tensions:
  The episode underscores how Disneyland, as a symbol of American capitalism and joy, became a focal point of Soviet-American tensions.

• Diplomatic Nuances:
  Khrushchev's intent to showcase the American dream clashed with the underlying mistrust, making his Disneyland visit a diplomatic minefield.

• Humanizing Historical Figures:
  Through discussions of personal anecdotes and Khrushchev's interactions, the hosts humanize a figure often viewed solely through a political lens.

• Impact of Media and Public Perception:
  The role of celebrities and public figures like Bob Hope and Frank Sinatra in shaping the narrative around Khrushchev's visit highlights the intersection of media and politics.

---

Conclusion

This episode of Ridiculous History masterfully blends humor with historical analysis to explore an unconventional and often overlooked episode of Cold War history. By examining Khrushchev's thwarted Disneyland dream, Ben Bowlin and Noel Brown illuminate the intricate dance of diplomacy, culture, and power that defined an era. For listeners seeking to uncover the bizarre and lesser-known stories of human civilization, this episode offers both enlightenment and entertainment.

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Connect with Ridiculous History: Follow Ben and Noel on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to stay updated on future episodes and join the Ridiculous Historians community for exclusive content and discussions.

Transcript

[Ben]

You guys like Disneyland, right?

[Noel]

You know, I haven't been to Disneyland since I was a little, little kid. But I do love Disney World.

[Ben]

It's a land all its own. And you would never want to be banned.

[Noel]

Oh, never. No, that rhymes, too. But I'll tell you. During the height of the Cold War, a series of debates held in a weirdly like model kitchen in Moscow led the premier of Russia, Nikita Khrushchev, to come to the US On a whirlwind you public tour publicity tour and ended up at Disneyland, where things did not go particularly well.

[Ben]

Yes, ridiculous historians, please join us in today's classic episode where we explore Khrushchev's doomed quest to meet Mickey Mouse.

[Noel]

Indeed. Let's roll it.

[Maria Tremarki]

Welcome to the Criminalia Podcast. I'm Maria Tremarki.

[Holly Fry]

And I'm Holly Fry. Together, we invite you into the dark and winding corridors of historical true crime.

[Maria Tremarki]

Each season we explore a new theme. From poisoners to art thieves, we uncover.

[Holly Fry]

The secrets of history's most interesting figures, from legal injustices to body snatching.

[Maria Tremarki]

And tune in at the end of each episode as we indulge in cocktails and mocktails inspired by each story.

[Holly Fry]

Listen to criminalia on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Arturo Castro]

Hi, I'm Arturo Castro, and I've been lucky enough to do stuff like Broad City and Narcos and Roadhouse. And now I'm starting a podcast because honestly, guys, I don't feel the space is crowded enough. Get ready for Greatest Escapes, a new comedy podcast about the wildest true escape stories in history. Each week, I'll be sitting down with some of the most hilarious actors and writers and comedians. People like Ed Helms, Diane Guerrero, and Joseph Gordon Levitt.

[Ben]

I love storytelling and I love you, so I can't wait.

[Arturo Castro]

Listen and subscribe to Greatest escapes on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you your podcasts Catch Jon Stewart back.

[Jon Stewart]

In action on the Daily show and in your ears with the Daily Show Ears Edition podcast. From his hilarious satirical takes on today's politics and entertainment to the unique voices of correspondence and contributors, it's your perfect companion to stay on top of what's happening now. Plus, you'll get special content just for podcast listeners, like in depth interviews and a roundup of the week's top headlines. Listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Noel]

Hey, man, what are you into? I have the hookup.

[Unknown]

The hookup? The hookup for what? I'M solving a mystery through sex and haven't made a private dick joke until now. Poppers. Why are there so many poppers? All roads lead to the hookup.

[Noel]

You think it's causing people to turn aggro?

[Ben]

I'm gonna rip your arms off and use them to.

[Unknown]

Yeah, that's a word for it. Listen to the hookup on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.

[Ben]

Ridiculous History is a production of iHeartrad. Welcome to the show Ridiculous Historians. Thank you for tuning in. We hope that you brought a fluffy coat or a nice heavy blanket, because this episode is going to be cold. Cold War esque. Look, not all the intros are gonna be winners. Hi, I'm Ben.

[Noel]

You ever seen the space blankets that they give the refugee children?

[Ben]

Mm. I have one in my car.

[Noel]

I'm sorry, I really took a dark turn there. But they look like the things you'd put in your window to keep the sun from heating up your tight leather seats.

[Ben]

Yeah. Those emergency blankets are incredible.

[Noel]

Right?

[Ben]

And if you are someone who routinely drives long distances, I highly recommend putting one in your go bag.

[Noel]

And also one of those things you can use to break the glass from the inside in case you ever go off a cliff or into the ocean or a lake, somebody of water, they.

[Ben]

And make sure you get the kind that will let you cut the seatbelt.

[Noel]

Right. It has like an extra attachment.

[Ben]

Little razor almost right behind the hammer. But why are we talking about being prepared? Why are we talking about Cold War stuff? Hey, you're no right.

[Noel]

Oh, yeah, yeah. Still me.

[Ben]

And who. Who is that handsome devil just outside the booth on the ones and twos?

[Noel]

That good boy out there? Our boy, Casey Pegram.

[Ben]

Yes. Super producer Casey Pegram.

[Noel]

Hey, remember that song by Dada called I'm going to Disneyland?

[Ben]

Yeah. Actually, yeah.

[Noel]

It's like this is a part where it says, hitched a ride on a monkey's back, headed west into the black. I'm going to Disneyland. Bang. Dang dang da dang dang dang da da da. You know who's not going to Disneyland? Nikita Khrushchev.

[Ben]

Yep. We were going to tease it out a little bit with the history of Disneyland, but let's just get right to the heart of the matter. Disneyland is an iconic American thing, Right? It's one of the world's most famous amusement parks. And people from across the planet associate it with the American dream, the iconic image of what Americans do for fun. Right. You've probably met some people from Abroad who just assume you've been to Disneyland.

[Noel]

What do you do at Disneyland, Ben?

[Ben]

Well, let's see. You can watch the fireworks for free.

[Noel]

I've seen that. I've been to Anaheim and I did not go to Disneyland. But those fireworks, they probably get real dull to the people that live there. And they're just like, oh, look, now.

[Ben]

You'Ll recall I saw them, too, because I was in the same car driving us back from the beach.

[Noel]

You're right, Ben. I have a short memory when it comes to beach related things.

[Ben]

So with this in mind, we also have to look at the context of the Cold War. And when we talk about the Cold War, we must mention and explore the life and times of the Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev. Or as he's called in one of those press releases of the time.

[Noel]

Oh, yeah, there's this newsreel. Well, I don't know. Let's just hear it.

[Walt Disney]

Soviet Premier Khrushchev meets the masters of moviedom at a studio luncheon on the 20th Century Foxlot in Hollywood, a meeting.

[Noel]

At which Mr. K gives himself quite a buildup. Yeah, I don't know if this guy's like, smarter than us and all the rest of the people that I've ever heard pronounce his name, but he says it a little funny.

[Ben]

Yeah. And I wonder, too. Yeah, and I wonder, too, if this is a matter of the. The vestiges of transatlantic accent that was used commonly back in the day for broadcast and radio.

[Noel]

Maybe it's secretly like a dig. They're mispronouncing his name on purpose.

[Ben]

Yeah, maybe it's nefarious attempt at propagandistic demeaning.

[Noel]

Because here's the thing. This clip that we just heard, obviously was from Khrushchev's tour of the United States in 1959. And, you know, he does the kind of touristy things you think you might do. He went to New York City, went to Los Angeles and Des Moines. What? He went to Des Moines. It was a weird choice.

[Ben]

It's a very popular, very popular city.

[Noel]

What's in Des Moines?

[Ben]

Americans, man.

[Noel]

The American dream. Okay, so he was touring the American dream, so he had to see what it's like in the big cities. And then you had to see what it's like in Des Moines, which I'm sure is lovely, by the way.

[Ben]

Yeah, it's the capital and most populous city in Iowa. It's the big tent of Iowa.

[Noel]

I think that's where Slipknot the band is from.

[Ben]

I believe you're Right. It's definitely Iowa.

[Noel]

Right.

[Ben]

And off air. While we were prepping for this episode, Casey brought up a fantastic parallel that nicely complements our Khrushchev. Khrushchev question. Casey, maybe could you explain it for us?

[Noel]

Wait, is this Casey on the case?

[Ben]

Yeah. I was thinking if maybe when they first started reporting on this guy, they didn't have the pronunciation quite down yet, which is kind of seems to have happened much more recently in the news with Robert Mueller, or as he was initially known, Robert Mueller. And it's kind of strange how, like all the news coverage sort of shifted to that updated pronunciation. Just something I kind of picked up on. And that's been Casey on the case. I love that segment.

[Noel]

I love that guy.

[Ben]

Yes, unreservedly. Someone who was a little bit tougher to love, of course, was Nikita Khrushchev. What do you say? No, you want to talk a little bit about his life and times, his rise to power? Pre US Tour.

[Noel]

Have you seen the Death of Stalin?

[Ben]

The movie watched on a plane. It was great.

[Noel]

So good. If anyone hasn't seen it, I highly recommend it. To get a little info on what led to Khrushchev gaining power. He was born in April 15th of 1894 in a Russian village called Kilanovka. And he ended up joining the Bolsheviks, the Communist Bolsheviks, and rising in the ranks quite quickly found his way into the inner circle of our man, Joseph Stalin, who ruled Soviet Russia with an.

[Ben]

Iron fist, I would say platinum. This was a neutron star of a fist. Massive pressure. In fact, the death of Stalin, the historical occurrence, not just the film, could be its own episode because it is tragically ridiculous.

[Noel]

Oh, tragically ridiculous. And the movie really leans on that. It's this incredible director, satirist Armando Iannucci, who is responsible for the show. And he also did another show that was similarly satirical and political called the Thick of It that aired on British television. But this film, Death of Stalin, it uses the absurdity that you might see in something like Curb youb Enthusiasm, this kind of like slapstick, almost just cartoonish buffoonery of the jockeying of these various members of Stalin's inner circle to one up each other and get the upper hand after the leader dies. And in the end, Khrushchev, who's played by Steve Buscemi, who doesn't put on a Russian accent, that's part of the joy of the movie, too, is they all use their own voices.

[Ben]

And your first question whenever you're contemplating seeing a film is, is Steve Buscemi in it. So this has the Buscemi seal of.

[Noel]

Approval, and he plays Khrushchev, and he plays it so I don't know what the word is. It's like he's. He's got that. He's got that Steve Buscemi skittering nervous energy, just like you'd think.

[Ben]

He's not Peter lore very much so.

[Noel]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Peter lore. Like, who does? Well, he did all those monster movies, right? Like. Yeah. Anyway, he's got that look with those Buscemi eyes that are dreamy slash sunken and large.

[Ben]

You know who else has that look is the protagonist in. Oh, what's that? Mr. Robot.

[Noel]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Romy Malek is playing Freddie Mercury in the new Queen biopic. It looks okay.

[Ben]

Yeah. It was supposed to be Sacha Baron Cohen, but they left over creative differences, which is a shame. I'd love to see that film.

[Noel]

Well, I wouldn't be surprised if those creative differences remain and they wash over some of the more controversial parts of Freddie Mercury story. But we're not talking about Freddie Mercury, are we?

[Ben]

So before we get to Khrushchev, let's step back to the death of Stalin and right before his life, because we say that he ruled with a massive, heavy hand, and we hear that often about different political leaders. But in Stalin's case, this is not an exaggeration, and that is a very unfortunate tr. He was legendary for not just killing people, but removing them from history, having them scrubbed out of photographs. He was brutal, ruthless, relentless, had no friends, only interest, and was also known to regularly replace members of his inner circle. Not if they. Not because they had done anything or even tried to do anything, but because he did not want someone consistently being there, because he saw that as just a longer length of time for them to undermine him or try to grab power.

[Noel]

Just that kind of paranoia that everyone will eventually betray me. And that's why the way it's depicted in this movie is so cool. Because it's just this. No one trusts anybody because that's the precedent that's been set. And that's the attitude that kind of pervades throughout the whole thing.

[Ben]

I'm gonna talk a little bit about his death. He died, as we said, March in 1953. On the 1st of March. A few days beforehand, his staff found him semi conscious on the bedroom floor. He had suffered a cerebral hemorrhage. And even now, after this very terrible, difficult death, people still suspect that he may have been murdered. So keep this in mind when we talk about Khrushchev who, as we established, does win this power struggle, Khrushchev remains a possible murder suspect.

[Noel]

Well, everyone was a suspect. Right. Like that was. I mean, there's this. As soon as someone realizes that he is dead, there's this immediate rush to point fingers anywhere else but at oneself in his inner circle. Right.

[Ben]

And one of the things that I think inspires or informs the film, the death of Stalin is just how terrified people were to disturb him while he was dead. They thought that he might still be alive and that they would encounter the death penalty for waking him from his slumber that, you know, turned out to be an eternal slumber. And Khrushchev, Khrushchev, who did succeed and become the ruler in this chaotic. What'd you call it?

[Noel]

Charade.

[Ben]

Sure, this chaotic charade. And Khrushchev becomes the first secretary of the Communist Party there in the USSR on the 14th of September in 1953. And then by 1958, March, he moves up to become the Chairman of the Council of Ministers.

[Noel]

And I believe he was already the head of the Communist Party, the highest ranking official only six months after the death of Stalin. And then it was governed, the USSR was governed by a collective many for. For several years. And then he became premier after George Malinkov. That's right. Malinkov was a guy that was played by Jeffrey Tambor in the movie. And he's sort of a patsy. The way he's portrayed in the movie is like he gets the top job, but no one likes him. And he's kind of. Everyone thinks he's sort of a buffoon. He likes to be the one that's sort of the smiling face of, you know, the party. But behind the scenes, he's portrayed as kind of an idiot.

[Ben]

Right. And there's. There's a huge geopolitical context to this as well, because you'll notice we mentioned different dates in the 50s. The Cold War is in full swing between the USSR and the United States, or I mean, most particularly through them. But then that also factors in some forces that are friendly with the ussr, some forces that are historically friendly with the US in this time, both leaders of these countries are attempting to minimize the possibility of a catastrophic atomic war, ultimately. Right. And that's when we see things like the concept of mutually assured destruction, of the idea that the only way to prevent nuclear weapons being deployed is if your enemies can also retaliate, you know, and they know you can. So there's a lot of propaganda that goes on. Khrushchev is, to this day the recipient of some misquotes. You know, that history is kind of exaggerated.

[Noel]

What was the biggie you mentioned earlier, Ben?

[Ben]

What's called the shoe banging incident. You remember this one, right? Yeah.

[Noel]

It's like when Bush got the shoe thrown at him, but kind of in reverse.

[Ben]

Oh, here's an episode idea pitch. Tell us what you think of this, folks. History's most important shoes.

[Noel]

There you go.

[Ben]

It could be like a new version of weird people who built weird things.

[Noel]

Yeah, I like it. The shoes that built a nation or crushed one or tore it down.

[Ben]

Yeah. So in 19. This is just a outsider chronology example. And in 1960, at the United Nations General assembly in October, Khrushchev pounded his shoe in public, protesting a speech by a delegate from the Philippines. And then the story spread in a propagandistic way, and multiple versions proliferated. But this all goes to show, these were intense times. And regardless of how you feel about Khrushchev and Nixon, when we go back to the 50s, the fact of the matter is that they were trying to. At least on some levels, they were trying to prevent a civilization leveling war. And they engaged in something that ended up being called the kitchen debate. They sat down with them and their interpreters and had what corporate America today would call a healthy conversation about their differing viewpoints.

[Noel]

It wasn't about, like, interior design.

[Ben]

It was not. It was not kitchen decor. It was not about the advantages of an island kitchen layout, Nor was it about whether or not to have a trash compactor in the White House. Instead, it was about their vastly different views of which economic system was superior, capitalism and this representative democracy idea or communism and a more centralized economy. Khrushchev, like Nixon being a man with a temper, had impassioned arguments. And it was actually. It did take place in a kitchen. It was in a model kitchen at the American National Exhibition in Moscow. So it's like you and me getting in a fight at an ikea.

[Noel]

That's not too much of a stretch, man. Every time I go into an ikea, I feel like I go a little bit insane. The way they trap you in those hedge mazes of tiny furniture and accessories.

[Ben]

You gotta know the shortcuts.

[Noel]

I know the shortcuts, man, but it still does. It just. It's. It's. Oh, it hurts my brain. And I always find myself, like, this close to flying off the handle.

[Ben]

I love it, man.

[Noel]

I love Ikea flying off the tiny Swedish ergonomic handle.

[Ben]

There we go. There we go. There was a guy. I can't Remember where it was? It was definitely in the States, who, while his apartment was being fixed, cracked a deal with his local IKEA to live there. Did you hear about that?

[Noel]

Yeah. I wonder if you could pull that kind of scenario off in an ikea. I feel like you could hide under, you know, one of those little hideaway beds and, you know, kind of stow away in the ikea.

[Ben]

They have a lot of cameras, though, in surprising places. But I guess all that has to do with today's episode is mass surveillance. Right. So what's the outcome of this debate? They're just verbally abusing each other. It did not come to fisticuffs, and it appeared to have a good result.

[Noel]

Oh, thank God. What kind of result was that?

[Ben]

They agreed that Khrushchev, the leader of the Soviet Union, would visit the U.S.

[Noel]

Mr. Khrushchev comes to Washington, Right.

[Ben]

And this comes about. So to be clear, Richard Nixon was vice president at this time when he was visiting Moscow. It's not as if the president of the time visited Russia. That would be Dwight Eisenhower. So President Eisenhower decided to invite Khrushchev, kind of inspired by this kitchen debate talk and also by some concerns about Berlin.

[Noel]

Yeah, for sure. Because it was also Khrushchev, I believe, that okayed the building of the Berlin Wall.

[Ben]

Yeah, tensions are high.

[Noel]

Big time.

[David Eagleman]

This is David Eagleman, host of the science podcast Inner Cosmos. For Valentine's Day, we're diving into the question, what is is love from the brain's point of view? What does love have to do with how you were raised? Or the symmetry of someone's face or the smell of their underarms? Why does the character of love change throughout our lives? Why is heartbreak like drug withdrawal? And what does any of this have to do with sweaty T shirts or rom coms or monogamous animals and the future of love. And Alex, join me for this week's Inner Cosmos. For a deep dive into the neurobiology of love, listen to Inner Cosmos with David Eagleman on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Maria Tremarki]

Welcome to the Criminalia Podcast. I'm Maria Tremarke.

[Holly Fry]

And I'm Holly Fry. Together, we invite you into the dark and winding corridors of historical true crime.

[Maria Tremarki]

Each season, we explore a new theme. Everything from poisoners and pirates to art thieves and snake oil products and those who made and sold them.

[Holly Fry]

We uncover the stories and secrets of some of history's most compelling criminal figures, including a man who built a submarine as a getaway vehicle. Yep, that's a fact.

[Maria Tremarki]

We also look at what kinds of societal forces were at play at the time of the crime, from legal injustices to the ethics of body snatching, to see what, if anything, might look different through today's perspective.

[Holly Fry]

And be sure to tune in at the end of each episode as we indulge in custom made cocktails and mocktails inspired by the stories. There's one for every story we tell.

[Maria Tremarki]

Listen to criminalia on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Arturo Castro]

Hi, I'm Arturo Castro and I've been lucky enough to do stuff like Broad City and Narcos and Roadhouse and so many commercials about back pa. And now I'm starting a podcast because honestly guys, I don't feel the space is crowded enough. Get ready for Greatest Escapes, a new comedy podcast about the wildest true escape stories in history. Each week I'll be sitting down with some of the most hilarious actors and writers and comedians to tell them a buck wild tale from across history and time. People like Ed Helms, Diane Guerrero, Joseph Gordon Levitt and Zoe Chao.

[Unknown]

Titanic, Charles Manson, Alcatraz, Assata Shakur, the.

[Ben]

Sketchy guy named Steve.

[Arturo Castro]

It's giving funny true crime.

[Unknown]

I love storytelling and I love you.

[Noel]

So I can't wait.

[Arturo Castro]

Listen and subscribe to Greatest escapes on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Jon Stewart]

Catch Jon Stewart back in action on the Daily show and in your ears with the Daily Show Ears Edition podcast. From his hilarious satirical takes on today, today's politics and entertainment, to the unique voices of correspondents and contributors, it's your perfect companion to stay on top of what's happening now. Plus, you'll get special content just for podcast listeners, like in depth interviews and a roundup of the week's top headlines. Listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Noel]

So what do you do with a diplomatic tour like this?

[Ben]

Benjamin well, noeljamin, you are immediately confronted by a ton of considerations. Oh yeah, first what we call today the optics, right? And then both sides probably have competing opinions about what should be depicted because.

[Noel]

It'S go for show. I mean, let's be real. What else is there to accomplish? You know, I even read like he came back at the end for some very unproductive talks, which I'm sure ultimately these kitchen debates didn't exactly set the world on fire in terms of like, oh, communism is good, or oh, capitalism is good. It's like, maybe we just should hang out and not shoot missiles at each other.

[Ben]

Yeah. Which is an excellent starting point.

[Noel]

You know, Ben, when you put it like that, that is a pretty good outcome. I don't know what I was saying, but, Ben, considerations.

[Ben]

Well, first off, wouldn't it have been amazing? Wouldn't the world be such a different place if either of them had persuaded the other one? I'm interested in your idea because can you imagine Nixon coming back to the US and saying, guys, I got in an argument in this model kitchen and I'm convinced we should be communist. That would be amazing. He probably wouldn't have been president.

[Noel]

No. Don't think that would have gone over too well with these small business owners of America.

[Ben]

So we found this great article on the Smithsonian, Nikita Khrushchev goes to Hollywood, that examines some of the timeline and some of the factors playing into this famous visit. And we mentioned optics, but another huge, huge concern is security. Right?

[Noel]

Yeah. I mean, they had like parades in Washington. I think it was some of the biggest attendance of any foreign dignitary centric parade. Right. Because people wanted to get a load of this guy. Right. I mean, this was like a. He loomed large in the consciousness of the American public being, you know, this big bad kind of, you know, that was like pointing missiles at us. Yeah. And he ducking cover and all that, right? Yeah.

[Ben]

And he was such a ham when he initially showed up. Eisenhower read a welcoming speech when Khrushchev landed in September 15, 1959. And during the whole time Khrushchev was mugging was like doing.

[Noel]

He was like, like, he like was purse snatching.

[Ben]

Yeah, that's what he was doing from the stage, which was really weird. People just kept walking up.

[Noel]

That's tough, man.

[Ben]

He was doing a. Luckily he was doing a much friendlier version of that. He, he was like, picture him.

[Noel]

Oh, he's a goofy looking dude.

[Ben]

Yeah. Oh, yeah.

[Noel]

He's got a big old gap tooth and, and this like, kind of funny double chin and just like a odd shaped face and his shaved head. Shaved head, just very clownish kind of look. And I'm not, that's not passing judgment. Look at the guy. He's got a odd vibe.

[Ben]

And he, he embraced it, at least at this part, because while, while Eisenhower was talking, he was like waving his hat at people. He winked at a little girl. He clearly wasn't paying too much attention because remember, he was. He hears English through interpreters.

[Noel]

That's right.

[Ben]

That's right. So he saw a butterfly go by and just had to turn and like stick. Yes.

[Noel]

Me. Khrushchev in America.

[Ben]

One reporter taking it all in. One reporter said he stole the show with the studied nonchalance of an old vaudeville trooper.

[Noel]

You know, that's funny. I'm looking at this picture, too, from that news clip we played earlier, and it's him posing next to Ike and I believe Eisenhower's wife. And Eisenhower is just stony faced with his arms crossed in front of him, and Khrushchev is just goofily grinning from ear to ear, because you gotta think, ma'am, he was probably being cocky about it, Right? It's like, I mean, we welcomed him with open arms, you know, gave him a parade. He sort of probably felt like he had got one over on old Ike.

[Ben]

Yeah. And then he also. He felt like this was an opportunity. We're speculating here, but he also had to feel like this is an opportunity to show the people of the US That I'm not this scary, monstrous entity. But you can find these great anecdotes of different parts of his visit. But we also have to admit a lot of this was calculated, right? It had to be.

[Noel]

Oh, yeah.

[Ben]

And there's this story where he went to a farm in Maryland, and he quotes, quote, petted a pig and complained that it was too fat, then grabbed a turkey and griped that it was too small. So he's just, like, doing live comedy.

[Noel]

Oh, I saw a thing about the turkey. He said, oh, in. In Russia, we only like fat turkeys. It's just like, what. What are you talking. What kind of thing to say is that? And, you know, all seems to be going to plan. I still want to know what he did in Des Moines. Probably visited. I. I get. He was doing, like, the heartland kind of situation, right?

[Ben]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. The Soviet embassy, in the days leading up to the visit, in the weeks leading up to the visit, they received hundreds of letters from small and large towns in the US that were inviting Khrushchev and the Soviet delegation. They were saying, like, come to our county fair. It's happening while you're in the country, you can enter afloat, said the chairman of the Minnesota Apple Festival. If you have an idea, let us know.

[Noel]

I got a good one. I found a picture of him on his visit to Des Moines where there's quite a rotund fellow in front of him wearing some overalls, and you see Khrushchev patting his belly. And then the quote next to the picture is, now that is a real American. Is that okay? Can I do the. Can I do the Russian accent?

[Ben]

I think so. I think it's in good fun.

[Noel]

It's in good fun. And in good faith.

[Ben]

In good faith.

[Noel]

Yeah, sure.

[Ben]

So he had all these strange, amazing.

[Noel]

Dog and pony show moments.

[Ben]

Yeah. Hilarious encounters, I'd say. And what I always think is missing from this story and what I would love to learn more about is what that interpreter went through because he had to basically be Khrushchev's shadow and translate whatever wild cockamamie stuff this guy was spouting off with into something that sounded reasonable.

[Noel]

Yes, that's true. I always wondered about that. Do. Do interpreters ever editorialize? Do you think they're ever given, like, special instructions from, like, higher ups where it's like, look, don't translate exactly what this crazy dude says. Try to soften the blow a little bit, you know?

[Ben]

You know, there are some pretty hard and fast rules about that.

[Noel]

Yeah.

[Ben]

Depending on what. What type of interpretation or what kind of sphere it occurs in. But one of the weird things about these different languages is that in some languages, you can say things in a way that you cannot in other languages.

[Noel]

Right? That's right. Yeah.

[Ben]

So you might say, tell them I want to make the deal, but it's no walk in the park. And if they say that in the other language, that doesn't make any sense. Right. So they have to say something else.

[Noel]

Might be something like, that's no butter on the blanket.

[Ben]

Right.

[Noel]

I don't know. You know, what it makes me think of, too, is people that do sign language at rap concerts, surely they're taking some liberties as well. That's just, you know, a lot of information going by.

[Ben]

I'm interested. I'm very interested in that. You know, it may surprise some people to learn that signing. The signing languages also differ by language. There's like, we know ASL here in the US we know of it rather. But if someone who is. Who can sign, travels to China or. Or more appropriately, Russia for this episode, they might be entirely adrift.

[Noel]

Yeah, see, we haven't lost the plot. We're still talking about Russia.

[Ben]

Yeah, we got there. So let's get to the heart of the matter. Everything's everything, at least trucking right along from Khrushchev's perspective. Yeah, he's having a great time. He goes to Hollywood, and people are super excited to see him. I believe that he made a deal with 20th Century Fox to watch the filming of a Broadway musical.

[Noel]

Yeah, I think he did a studio tour. Right. And the president of 20th Century Fox at the time, a man named Spiro Skouras introduced him at a special luncheon at Los Angeles Town Hall. And this is actually where a little static got into the mix. It's kind of when things started going south. Skouras made a bit of a joke about referencing this line that Khrushchev had said in the past that the Soviet Union would bury capitalism. And he said something to the effect of, in la, we were not interested in burying anyone, but we would meet any challenge. And then Khrushchev, very miffed, responds, if you want to go on with the arms race, very well. We accept that challenge. As for the output of rockets, well, they are on the assembly line. This is a most serious question. It is one of life or death, ladies and gentlemen. One of war and peace. Oof. Yeah, that little dog and pony show took a. Took a turn.

[Ben]

Yeah, those dogs started biting, but this. And those ponies started kicking, I feel like, as they do, just to complete that reference. But this is just the beginning, as Billy Mays was want to say, wait, there's more. Khrushchev, who, again, I think we said earlier, had a notorious temper. His. His anger went through the roof when he learned that not only was Spiros Skoros part of what he saw as a campaign to heckle him. Did you see that part? He thought there was a campaign to heckle him throughout the US Trying to.

[Noel]

Make a fool of me.

[Ben]

I know I am the one who makes a fool of me. Oh, is that a butterfly?

[Noel]

Yay. Right?

[Ben]

And he became even more incensed when he learned that of all the places he was going, of all the places he had planned to visit, that one was off limits to him now. And that was Disneyland.

[Noel]

It's only the happiest place on earth.

[Ben]

Fireworks every night, guys, I'm telling you. So we could reasonably assume that maybe he was being punished by not being led into Disneyland. Like, hey, if you start threatening people, including everyone in our country, with this idea of rockets bombarding citizens, then you can't go to our funnest place.

[Noel]

Well, now, you know, that's what I thought. I figured it was like someone saying, nah, man, we don't want you here. Disney himself, even, right? Who, as we know, was no fan of communism. He's a tried and true capitalist all the way. But it turns out it was much more likely that the security you were talking about, Ben, those considerations, it was just too much to handle for a guy like that to be able to go and have a nice, fun day at Disneyland without, like, shutting the whole park down and devoting the whole thing to him. And, you know, man, it's not going to happen. I don't care who you are. No one gets Disneyland for a day.

[Ben]

Right? Not even Walt.

[Noel]

Not even Walt.

[Ben]

And we have a short clip here of Walt Disney actually speaking about Khrushchev.

[Walt Disney]

Khrushchev was a guest of the government, so, I mean, we were ready to receive cruise ship. But it so happened that the security problem here in Los Angeles, because actually, Disneyland is in another county. And the chief of police, we can't blame him. He had a. He had quite a chore there to carry out. He just was a little worried about somebody maybe walking in Disneyland with a shopping bag and what they might have in it. You'd never know, you know, Exactly. But we were ready for him. The press was ready. Both the State Department security and the Soviet security had come and cased Disneyland, and they were all set. I was already. In fact, we've had a lot of dignitaries down there, and he was one that Mrs. Disney wanted to go down and meet with Khrushchev. Oh, she was disappointed he didn't come.

[Noel]

Well, it's. It's certainly not ever an empty place, so I can understand the security men's concern.

[Walt Disney]

We had different shots, places where we take pictures with Khrushchev. And I had one, my favorite, where I lined up in front of my eight submarines, you see, And I thought, well, it'll be nice. I've been pointing to Mr. Khrushchev saying, well, now, Mr. Khrushchev, here's my Disneyland submarine fleet. It's the eighth largest submarine fleet in the world. Is it really?

[Ben]

So despite the fact that there's clearly a lot of tension here, the stated official concern is that it would be, as we said, so difficult to protect him in these crowds.

[Noel]

Right. They said they could not guarantee his safety, which even the wording of that, taken the wrong way through a translator, perhaps by a particularly cantankerous man who's used to getting his way, almost sounds like a bit of a threat. Yeah, we can't guarantee your safety.

[Ben]

And he exploded when he found out we have the quote. And I say, I would very much like to go and see Disneyland, but then we cannot guarantee your security. They say, then what must I do? Commit suicide? What is it? Is there an epidemic of cholera there or something? Or have gangsters taken hold of the place? That can destroy me. He left Los Angeles the next morning.

[Noel]

In a huff, no doubt.

[Ben]

Oh, sure.

[Noel]

Did you read who we can kind of blame for planting this idea in his Head.

[Ben]

Who was it?

[Noel]

Bob Hope, apparently. At that luncheon at Town hall where the comment was made by the 20th Century Fox president, Bob Hope said that it was a lovely place and that he really should check it out. Come on. Bob Hope causing diplomatic incidents with your congeniality. And then when Khrushchev erupted, he was surrounded by these celebrities and Frank Sinatra, apparently. This just sounds comical. Apparently leaned over to David Niven, and a lot of this was centered around.

[Ben]

To Khrushchev's wife wanted to Nina Khrushchev.

[Noel]

Yeah, that was more the thing. And his child. Sinatra leans over to David Niven and says, tell the old broad you and I will take him down there this afternoon.

[Ben]

And so this is also one of those things where the guy feels like his social reputation's on the line. If you're married, don't you want your spouse and your kid to be happy?

[Noel]

Well, but the thing is, the State Department did give the thumbs up for his wife and daughter to go to Disneyland, but he couldn't do it. And the way he's portrayed in these stories, he sounds like a big man, baby, where it's like, I want to go to Disneyland, and if I can't go, you can't go. You know, he would deny his wife and child the joys of the happiest place on earth. What a monster.

[Ben]

Right? It is what we call, in today's common parlance, not a good look. That's an early 2000s turn of phrase, I guess. So when they say they cannot guarantee his safety and therefore he cannot go, even though other members of his entourage, including his family, can, we have to understand there's, if not a credible threat to security, the consequences of the Soviet premier dying in the US Are huge.

[Noel]

Well, nobody dies at Disneyland, Ben.

[Ben]

Right. I think I was gonna do an episode on that a while back. Maybe we could do it on this show. Sure.

[Noel]

But you know what I'm talking about. It's like the early gets, like a myth, I guess.

[Ben]

It's a common. It's a common Internet rumor.

[Noel]

Yes, that's right.

[Ben]

But the thing is, if Khrushchev did somehow die, even if it was a complete accident, even if he was just walking down the street and had a.

[Noel]

Heart attack, even if he got decapitated.

[Ben]

On Space Mountain, we would, as a country, dare I say as a species, be much, much closer to some sort of international arms exchange.

[Noel]

Yeah. It's a very tenuous situation. And that's why it's like. It's weird, because with politics like this on the one hand you're like, it's all for show, but on the other hand, it's life and death whining and dining these leaders and, you know, having successful meetings in a sense that they're being respected and, you know, given the, the, the five star treatment or whatever. And so even this idea of him being denied entry into Disneyland and him having a hissy fit, that could have set off an international incident. Right?

[Ben]

Yeah, right. And they were already playing Fast and loose because that, that musical they mentioned, apparently Khrushchev was not a fan of that. Later he denounced it as pornographic exploitation.

[Noel]

Didn't he meet Shirley MacLaine? Wasn't she in it?

[Ben]

Yeah, because in the musical he saw Shirley MacLaine playing a dancer and Sinatra plays a French lawyer who falls in love with MacLaine's character. But the crazy thing is just to give you the way the US later saw this, Wiley T. Buchanan, the State Department's chief of protocol, later described the choice of showing him this musical as, quote, the worst choice imaginable.

[Noel]

Ah, yes.

[Ben]

The least good thing we could have done.

[Noel]

First of all, I cannot even begin to imagine Sinatra playing a French person.

[Ben]

It's like a. Did you ever see that John Wayne film where he tries to play Genghis Khan?

[Noel]

Oh, yeah. Oh, that's real.

[Ben]

It's a real oof. Moment.

[Noel]

Oh, goodness gracious.

[Ben]

Yeah, it was in the Conqueror. And yeah, they did that thing and it didn't seem that great when it came out, even in 1956. And spoiler alert, it did not age well.

[Noel]

Well, let's see what the musical with Shirley MacLaine and Sinatra was called.

[Ben]

Right? Cancan.

[Noel]

Ah, yes, Cancan. I have not seen it, but I'm interested now that I know that I get to see Frank Sinatra playing a French. It's also got Maurice Chevalier in it.

[Ben]

But no Steve Buscemi.

[Noel]

Ah. Alas.

[David Eagleman]

This is David Eagleman, host of the science podcast Inner Cosmos. For Valentine's Day, we're diving into the question, what is love from the brain's point of view? What does love have to do with how you were raised? Or the symmetry of someone's face or the smell of their underarms arms? Why does the character of love change throughout our lives? Why is heartbreak like drug withdrawal? And what does any of this have to do with sweaty T shirts or rom coms or monogamous animals and the future of love and AI? Join me for this week's Inner Cosmos for a deep dive into the neurobiology of love. Listen to Inner Cosmos with David Eagleman on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Maria Tremarki]

Welcome to the Criminalia Podcast. I'm Maria Tremarke.

[Holly Fry]

And I'm Holly Frey. Together we invite you into the dark and winding corridors of historical true crime.

[Maria Tremarki]

Each season we explore a new theme, everything from poisoners and pirates to art thieves and snake oil products and those who made and sold them.

[Holly Fry]

We uncover the stories and secrets of some of history's most compelling criminal figures, including a man who built a submarine as a getaway vehicle. Yep, that's a fact.

[Maria Tremarki]

We also look at what kinds of societal forces were at play at the time of the crime, from legal injustices to the ethics of body snatching, to see what, if anything, might look different through today's perspective.

[Holly Fry]

And be sure to tune in at the end of each episode as we indulge in custom made cocktails and mocktails inspired by the story. There's one for every story we tell.

[Maria Tremarki]

Listen to criminalia on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Arturo Castro]

Hi, I'm Arturo Castro and I've been lucky enough to do stuff like Broad City and Narcos and Roadhouse and so many commercials about back pain. And now I'm starting a podcast because honestly guys, I don't feel the space is crowded enough. Get ready for Greatest Escapes, a new comedy podcast about the wildest true escape stories in history. Each week I'll be sitting down with some of the most hilarious actors and writers and comedians to tell them a buckwild tale from across history and time. People like Ed Helms, Diane Guerrero, Joseph Gordon Levitt and Zoe Chow.

[Unknown]

Titanic, Charles Manson, Alcatraz, Assata Shakur, the.

[Ben]

Sketchy guy named Steve.

[Arturo Castro]

It's giving funny true crime.

[Unknown]

I love storytelling and I love you.

[Noel]

So I can't wait.

[Arturo Castro]

Listen and subscribe to Greatest escapes on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Jon Stewart]

Jon Stewart is back at the Daily show and he's bringing his signature wit and insight straight to your ears with the Daily Show Ears Edition podcast. Dive into John's unique take on the biggest topics in politics, entertainment, sports, and more. Joined by the sharp voices of the show's correspondence and contributors, and with extended interviews and exclusive weekly headline roundups, this podcast gives you content you won't find anywhere else. Ready to laugh and stay informed, listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Ben]

So what happens after he is denied entry into this American paradise on Earth.

[Noel]

He kind of goes. He kind of gets over it.

[Ben]

He eventually does get over it.

[Noel]

I mean, in the same trip he makes his way, continues the rest of his itinerary, and ends up back in Washington where, as I said, they had some very unproductive talks.

[Ben]

Some unproductive talks. The US and the Soviet relationship would continue to be very tense.

[Noel]

Chilly.

[Ben]

Fraught. Yeah, chilly.

[Noel]

Bring your space blanket.

[Ben]

A bit frigid and fraught with problems, especially in 1960 and 61 U2 planes, the spy aircraft, not planes flown by Bono and the Edge. They became the subject of an international healthy conversation. And the Cold War would continue. In October of 1964, Khrushchev retired from his office due officially to advanced aid and ill health. Notice here, friends and neighbors, that I say officially because you see, his request to retire was not voluntary. Not entirely voluntary on his part.

[Noel]

Yeah. Apparently he was on vacation in Georgia. Not our Georgia, the other Georgia.

[Ben]

The Soviet Republic.

[Noel]

Sunda. The Soviet Republic of Georgia. And he was called back and they made him resign as. Not only as the premier, but also that illustrious post as the head of the. Of the Communist Party. And he lived out the remainder of his life working on a memoir. And he ultimately died of a heart.

[Ben]

Attack in a deep depression. He had a pension of 500 rubles. A month later they cut it to 400.

[Noel]

Oh, man. Insults, injury.

[Ben]

Yeah.

[Noel]

It is a dog eat dog world over there in Soviet Russia at the heights of power.

[Ben]

Right. Yeah, he. He was a victim of a conspiracy and he never got to Disneyland.

[Noel]

Sad.

[Ben]

But you can, you can.

[Noel]

Yeah. If you got about $500 to blow.

[Ben]

And, and the free time and the travel.

[Noel]

Right.

[Ben]

But again, one of my favorite things about it is you just have to be in town to see those beautiful fireworks.

[Noel]

Yeah. I opted not to go because I was looking at the rides and stuff and I'm like, these are all like kid rides. But then I guess it's all about the design and the experience. And I'm also not a fan of waiting in lines if I can avoid it.

[Ben]

I don't think anyone's a fan of waiting in line. It's true.

[Noel]

But there's a, there's a cost versus reward equation for me where it's like, all right, what's the line for? How much do I want it? How long a line am I willing to wait in Disneyland? Just seems like a series of lines to me.

[Ben]

For me, roller coasters are a tough sell. There's also a lot of corruption in Disney World and Disneyland. There was recently with the use of different sorts of passes.

[Noel]

Oh, you mean like bootlegging fast passes.

[Ben]

Or just like, bootlegging fast passes? Traveling with someone who has a physical disability so that you can jump in the line.

[Noel]

A line mule.

[Ben]

Yeah. For me, there's a huge cost benefit analysis that makes roller coasters a tough sell, especially on a crowded day. Cause it's not just that you're waiting for 45 minutes or an hour, it's that you're waiting for some. Something that takes three minutes. Oh, totally.

[Noel]

That's a really good point. I have season passes to Six Flags here in Georgia, and I will only go during the down season because I went, like, on the first day of summer with my kid. We waited in line for an hour and a half, got to the front of the line, and the ride broke. And we were. It broke us mentally. We're like, we're going home. But thankfully, we have season passes, so it wasn't like we traveled, you know, across the country, ride this roller coaster.

[Ben]

Speaking of things across the country and even across the world, it's a shame that Khrushchev never got to go to Disneyland. But I think it leads us to an inspiring question. What's your favorite amusement park in your part of the world? One that a lot of people might not know of? For us here in Atlanta, it's Six Flags Over Georgia.

[Noel]

Yeah. And what's the next step for us, diplomatically, as far as amusement parks are concerned? Is it going to be Kim Jong Un Goes to Magic Mountain? Yeah, you tell me.

[Ben]

Is Vladimir Putin gonna make it to Universal Studios, finally see that Harry Potter.

[Noel]

Land I keep hearing so much about?

[Ben]

Let us know on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter where you can find us as ridiculous history. Also, as we always like to say, check out our community page. Ridiculous historians.

[Noel]

Yeah, we got some fun conversations there and little extra bits and bobs that, you know, help give you a richer, ridiculous history experience. And oh. Oh, my goodness. Last episode, we totally neglected to do credits, so we're gonna do credits for two episodes because last episode is very important. Very important. Cause last episode, the one about election rigging and drunken debauchery at the polls.

[Ben]

Yeah. It came to us courtesy of our researcher, Eve's Jeffcoat.

[Noel]

Eve's Jeffcoat. It was her first submission helping us along on that one, and we. We were remiss in not thanking her during the actual episode, so we're trying to make up for that now.

[Ben]

I'd also like to point out that Eaves is a co host on two other fantastic house stuff, work shows, stuff mom never told you'd and Afropunk Solutions sessions, which Casey and I actually worked on in the very early days. Oh, and you too were there.

[Noel]

I did, yeah. That was a fun one. So check both of those out on Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcasts. And be sure to drop us a nice review if you don't mind. Just to you know, it makes us feel good in our hearts and it also supposedly helps the itunes algorithm shove our show into people's ears.

[Ben]

And thanks to super producer Casey Pegram. Thanks to Alex Williams for composing the track. Thanks to our research assistant Christopher Haciotes, who tipped us through this strange story of the Cold War and Walt Disney.

[Noel]

And please, please join us next time when we go into the interesting and potentially sordid past of the song Louie Louie by the Kingsman. It's gonna be a rollicking good time, full of music, and might just have a special guest.

[Ben]

We'll do our best to have intelligible lyrics.

[Noel]

Uh huh. It's true. See you then. For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.

[Maria Tremarki]

Welcome to the Criminalia Podcast. I'm Maria Tremarke.

[Holly Fry]

And I'm Holly Fry. Together we invite you into the dark and winding corridors of historical true crime.

[Maria Tremarki]

Each season we explore a new theme, from poisoners to art thieves.

[Holly Fry]

We uncover the secrets of history's most interesting figures, from legal injustices to body snatching.

[Maria Tremarki]

And tune in at the end of each episode as we indulge in cocktails and mocktails inspired by each story.

[Holly Fry]

Listen to criminalia on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Arturo Castro]

Hi, I'm Arturo Castro and I've been lucky enough to do stuff like Broad City and Narcos and Roadhouse. And now I'm starting a podcast because honestly guys, I don't feel the space is crowded enough. Get ready for Greatest Escapes, a new comedy podcast about the wildest true escape stories in history. Each week I'll be sitting down with some of the most hilarious actors and writers and comedians. People like Ed Helms, Diane Guerrero, and Joseph Gordon Levitt.

[Ben]

I love storytelling and I love you, so I can't wait.

[Arturo Castro]

Listen and subscribe to Greatest escapes on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Jon Stewart]

Jon Stewart is back at the Daily show and he's bringing his signature wit and insight straight to your ears with the Daily Show Ears Edition Podcast dive into John's unique take on the biggest topics in politics, entertainment, sports and more. Joined by the sharp voices of the show's correspondence and contributors, and with extended interviews and exclusive weekly headline roundups, this podcast gives you content you won't find anywhere else. Ready to laugh and stay informed? Listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Noel]

Hey, man, what are you into? I have the hookup.

[Unknown]

The hookup? The hookup for what? I'm solving a mystery through sex and haven't made a private dick joke until now. Poppers. Why are there so many poppers? All roads lead to the hookup.

[Noel]

You think it's causing people to turn aggro?

[Ben]

I'm going to rip your arms off and use them to.

[Unknown]

Yeah, that's. That's a word for it. Listen to the hookup on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.