THE BIG FLOP
senior producer/editor
Cats The Movie: Even Taylor Swift Couldn't Save It with Jackie Zebrowski & Sarah Cooper
The 2019 movie adaptation of Cats had all the makings of a huge hit: a beloved Broadway musical, an award-winning director, and a star-studded cast including: Taylor Swift, Idris Elba, and Dame Judi Dench! Instead, it crapped the (litter) box office. Find out how a race to the Oscars pushed the visual effects team to their limits, creating a total CAT-tastrophe complete with accidental animated feline buttholes. On this episode of The Big Flop, comedians Jackie Zebrowski (Page 7) and Sarah Cooper (Foolish: Tales of Assimilation, Determination, and Humiliation) join Misha to dissect one of biggest movie flops in recent memory. It’s a purrfect tale of what NOT to do!
Quibi Bites the Dust with Connor Ratliff & Matt Bellassai
Remember Quibi? The app with short videos you could only watch on your phone? No?! That's because it only lasted SIX months before shutting down. On the first episode of The Big Flop, host Misha Brown is joined by Connor Ratliff (Dead Eyes) and Matt Bellassai (Diss & Tell) to spin the tale of the little video platform that couldn't. Come for the rapid rise, stay for the even more rapid fall.
Four Loko: Hold My Energy Beer with DJ EFN & Kenice Mobley
Ageism in tech has been an open secret in Silicon Valley for years. We spoke with Ariana Tobin, engagement editor at ProPublica, and co-author of the investigative piece "Cutting 'Old Heads' at IBM," about what ageism in tech really looks like, and allegations of ageism against the tech giant.
What Spider-Man Hits All the Wrong Notes with Guy Branum & Jess McKenna
Marvel’s attempt at bringing Spider-Man to Broadway didn’t go as planned. With high-flying action and music by U2, Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, was one of the most-hyped Broadway musicals of all-time... but by the time the final curtain closed, bones would be broken, lawsuits would be filed, friendships unraveled, careers destroyed, and millions of onlookers would be left wondering: “what the hell did I just watch?” On this theatrical episode of The Big Flop, comedians Guy Branum (Talk Show, the Game Show) and Jessica McKenna (Off Book) join Misha to hear the tangled tale of the Spider-Man musical, and the careers it took down in its web.
Kid Nation: ‘Surviror"‘ for Children! with Kurt Braunohler, Megan Gailey, & Chris Garcia
What happens when 40 children are sent out into the New Mexico desert and left to fend for themselves, all in the name of reality TV? Injuries, emotional trauma... and lawsuits. Lots and lots of lawsuits. Misha is joined by Chris Garcia, Kurt Braunohler & Megan Gailey (I Love My Kid, But…) to examine CBS's absolutely bonkers 2007 reality show, Kid Nation.
Garth Brooks vs. Chris Gaines with Sarah Tiana & Dusty Slay
At the height of his career, country music megastar Garth Brooks took a big swing by transforming himself into an alt-rock singer named Chris Gaines, complete with eye liner, tight pants, and a soul patch. Gaines was supposed to be Brooks' ticket to Hollywood, with a greatest hits album and major motion picture to follow... the only problem was, everyone hated him. On this episode of The Big Flop, comedians Sarah Tiana (44) and Dusty Slay (We're Having a Good Time) join Misha to unfurl the saga of Chris Gaines, Garth Brooks' emo alter ego. It's not a phase, Mom!