HOLLYWOODLAND
Exactly Right and iHeartPodcasts
SummaryHollywoodland is where the glitz of the silver screen meets the grim reality of the police blotter. This podcast peels back the curtain on movie history to reveal that the most compelling stories aren't always found in the script, but in the dark, true-crime tragedies that unfolded behind the scenes. From the studio-mandated addictions that ravaged icons like Judy Garland to the eerie, real-life mysteries surrounding the deaths of legends like James Dean and Bob Crane, the show explores how the machinery of Hollywood has long thrived on—and occasionally destroyed—its most beloved stars. Hosted by Jake Brennan and Zeth Lundy, the podcast offers a cinematic approach to audio storytelling. Each week, the show delivers a trifecta of content: deep-dive narrative episodes that examine the intersection of fame and scandal, interactive wrap-party discussions that invite listeners into the conversation, and screening room episodes that dissect classic and contemporary films. Whether analyzing the gritty underworld that inspired modern classics, investigating high-stakes heists like the theft of the ruby slippers, or celebrating the unlikely redemption arcs of actors who escaped the criminal life, Hollywoodland treats every episode like a blockbuster. It is an essential listen for film buffs and true-crime devotees alike, blending historical investigation with a deep appreciation for the art of cinema. Step inside and discover the stories that make Hollywood more than just a destination—it is a landscape of obsession, vanity, and mystery.
Updated Jul 8, 2026
Episodes
Bonus Episode: The Gang Member Who Taught James Dean How to Be a Rebel
Frank Mazola was the real-life gang leader who taught James Dean how to walk, talk, and act like a cinematic rebel.
James Dean: A Death Foretold, a Gruesome Publicity Stunt, and a Haunted Car
Following a death foretold and a tragic crash, a studio spun a ghoulish web of rumors to keep their star alive.
Bonus Episode: The Screening Room – Sex, Lies and Videotape
Dive into Steven Soderbergh’s breakthrough debut and the messy, intimate dynamics of the indie classic Sex, Lies, and Videotape.
Bonus Episode: It’s the Defrauding of Netflix 1-2-3
Filmmaker Carl Rinch faces prison time after being convicted of defrauding Netflix out of 11 million dollars.
Bob Crane of Hogan’s Heroes: Sex, Lies, Videotape, and Murder
Behind the squeaky-clean facade of a Hogan’s Heroes star, Bob Crane hid a dark addiction that ended in brutal murder.
Bonus Episode: The Screening Room – A Star Is Born
The 2018 A Star Is Born remake stands out as a rare, masterfully executed example of successful Hollywood nostalgia.
Bonus Episode: The Case of the Missing Red Slippers
Uncover the truth behind the 2005 theft of Judy Garland’s iconic ruby slippers and their long-awaited recovery.
Judy Garland: Seconals, Benzedrine, and Dexedrine…Oh My
MGM groomed teen star Judy Garland with a toxic cycle of uppers and downers that fueled a lifelong struggle.
Bonus Episode: The Screening Room – Once Upon a Time in Mexico
Explore the wild action and underrated Johnny Depp performance of Robert Rodriguezs 2003 cult classic.
Bonus Episode: Redemption Songs (In the Movies)
Explore the redemptive arcs of Hollywood icons and criminals who traded life in prison for the silver screen.
Danny Trejo: A Prison Riot, the Gas Chamber, and Becoming Fear
From hardcore prison life and a death row riot to becoming Hollywoods most prolific cinematic bad guy, Danny Trejo.
Bonus Episode: The Screening Room – Blue Collar
Three disgruntled auto workers attempt to rob their own corrupt union in Paul Schrader’s gritty 1978 crime drama.
Bonus Episode: Blaze on, ‘Blazing Saddles’
Mel Brooks' 1974 satire Blazing Saddles remains a relevant, biting masterpiece of comedy over fifty years later.
Richard Pryor: Stabbing, Shooting, F***ing, Burning, and Freebasing
Explore the turbulent life of Richard Pryor, from his upbringing in a brothel to his battle with fatal addictions.
Bonus Episode: The Screening Room – Licorice Pizza
Paul Thomas Anderson captures the messy, vibrant energy of 1970s San Fernando Valley in this quintessential hang movie.
Bonus Episode: The Blacklist and Other Unprecedented Moments in Hollywood
Examine the chilling parallels between the Hollywood Blacklist and modern cancel culture alongside recent indie hits.
Lucille Ball: Gun Wounds, Refugees, and the Redhead Who Survived the Red Scare
Lucille Ball survived a career-ending Red Scare investigation after being wrongly blacklisted as a Communist threat.
Bonus Episode: The Screening Room – The Unbelievable Truth
Explore the low-budget, eccentric world of Hal Hartley’s 1989 indie debut The Unbelievable Truth.
Bonus Episode: Will Cliff Booth Make Movie History?
Quentin Tarantino and David Fincher join forces for a historic, high-stakes Cliff Booth project.
Adrienne Shelly: Celluloid Dreams, Suicide Coverups, and a Recipe for Murder
When actor Adrienne Shelly was found dead, police called it suicide until a stray footprint exposed a grim murder.
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