Happy Monday!
Last week was packed with can't-miss content—if you’ve been busy, now’s the time to catch up. I sat down with Real Housewives of Miami’s unforgettable Guerdy, spoke with the creators behind Hulu’s Trophy Wife, and dove into the wild true story that inspired the Queen of the Con podcast. Plus, I reviewed the latest from Real Housewives of Orange County and explored two powerful new documentaries that take a hard look at the world of religion. You can find the episodes here.
This week I’ve got a stacked lineup you won’t want to miss. Gretchen Rossi from Real Housewives of Orange County stops by to talk about her relationship that was featured in her early days of the show and behind the scenes this season. I’m also talking to a producer behind a gripping new true crime docuseries about a serial killer, plus an interview with someone who lived through—and is now the subject of—a chilling true crime story. And if you’ve ever been fascinated (or baffled) by Gwyneth Paltrow’s world, you’ll love my conversation with the author of a revealing new book that unpacks her rise, her brand, and her controversies.
Make sure you're subscribed to the podcast—and don’t forget the bonus episodes! This week’s bonus episode includes updates on several cases I’ve previously covered, plus a few new, fascinating ones you’ll want to keep an eye on.
Here is this week’s list:
Documentaries:
The Yogurt Shop Murders is an HBO Original four-part documentary series about a case I have thought about often over the last two decades. It may be familiar if you are someone who watches a lot of true crime shows.
In 1991, four teenage girls were brutally murdered at a frozen yogurt shop in Austin, Texas. What happened that night forever shook the Austin community and continues to mystify the police and haunt the families left in the wake of unthinkable loss. Including interviews with the investigative teams, the victims’ parents and siblings, and the two men who served time for the crime, the series explores law enforcement practices and raises complex questions about press coverage and the power of suggestion on memory. The series offers a unique window into the lasting effects of grief and the enduring impact of unrelenting crime coverage in mainstream media through poignant interviews with those closest to the crime and investigation. (August 3)
Conversations with a Killer: The Son of Sam Tapes (Netflix) takes viewers inside the NYPD’s desperate race to catch the infamous .44-caliber killer—and into the disturbing mind of David Berkowitz himself. Newly unearthed recordings offer rare insight into his twisted psyche, revealing what was going through his mind as he unleashed a reign of terror in the late 1970s. (July 30)
Mr. & Mrs. Murder (Hulu) tells the story of two close-knit couples in Tallahassee, Florida—Kathy and Brian Winchester, and their childhood friends Mike and Denise Williams. Devout Baptists who shared a love for the outdoors, the couples did everything together, even planning their children’s births months apart. But on Dec. 16, 2000, their world turned upside down when Mike vanished during a duck hunting trip on Lake Seminole. With no body found, many believed he had drowned or was eaten by alligators. Years later, suspicions grew after Brian and Kathy divorced, and Brian married Denise. What first appeared to be a tragic accident soon pointed to something far more sinister. (July 30)
Naming the Dead (National Geographic/Disney+/Hulu) follows the groundbreaking work of the DNA Doe Project, a trailblazing nonprofit that uses genetic genealogy to help law enforcement crack the country’s most confounding cold cases. (August 2)
Trainwreck: Storm Area 51 (Netflix) - When 20-year old Matty Roberts creates a Facebook event inviting people to storm the classified Air Force facility Area 51 in the Nevada desert, the post quickly goes viral, with hundreds and then thousands saying they’ll join the event that stated “They can’t stop all of us”. This prompts the US Air Force, FBI officials and the Federal Aviation Administration to strongly advise against anyone illegally trying to access the base, and the Military warns that they stand ready to protect America and its assets with deadly force. (July 29)
Reality Shows:
Project Runway (Freeform) returns with Heidi Klum, and judges Nina Garcia and Law Roach, and Christian Siriano mentoring a new group of designers. (July 31)
This new season of Challenge: Vets & New Threats (MTV) was filmed in Santiago, Chile and features alumni across major reality franchises. (July 30)
Perfect Match (Netflix) returns with singles from the Netflix reality universe, and they are joined by icons from Bachelor Nation, Love Island, and other fan-favorite shows. My friend Tony directs this series, and does such an excellent job. (August 1)
The Valley (Bravo) reunion begins this week. In part one Kristen and Nia (both eight months pregnant by then) explore their fertility stories, Jesse and Michelle clash over the breakdown of their marriage, and Jax Taylor is under fire for the collapse of his marriage with Brittany. (July 29)
Enjoy!
