Sofa King Podcast

Latest Episodes:

A Sofa King Classic: Jimmy Savile May 16, 2022

Show notes

Daves not here man..... On this episode of The Sofa King Podcast, we look at a guy who may be the worst Brit to ever live, Jimmy Savile. Jimmy Savile was a media personality and radio host (think Ryan Seacrest or Dick Clark in the States). He had a hit-maker radio and tv show that every musician wanted to be on. He also had a BBC television series that made the dream of ill children come true. He was knighted by the Queen of England and the Pope. That all sounds pretty awesome, right? Well, he was also a serial rapist, pedophile, and necropheliac. A year after he died in 2011, over 500 victims came forward to discuss their trauma. They ranged from 5 to 75 years old at the time of the crime. Most of them were physically or mentally ill at the time of the abuse. There were dozens of rapes. Oh, and most people think none of this ever came to light because of a cover up that may have gone as high up as the Prime Minister or the Royal family, both of whom he was close to. So how did a crappy meta-celebrity become such a monster and mega rapist? It was his “charity work.” He would hold fund raisers and give money—millions of pounds—to hospitals, children’s schools, and mental hospitals. This would ingratiate Jimmy Savile with the board of directors and give him access to the hospital at all hours as a major donor. Then, he would rape, fondle, and abuse patients, relatives of patients, and everyone he could get his hands on. He’d feel up people hours after major surgery and rape people who were too mentally ill to know any better. He’d also sneak into the morgue and give oral sex to dead bodies (something called gamaroosh…see, you learn something new every day) and pose them in sexual acts to take photos with them. And steal their glass eyes. And then, he’d brag about it to the hospital staff. How this sicko got away with such a range of heinous crimes for 50 years is hard to imagine, unless, of course, it was being covered up for him. So, was Jimmy Savile part of an international sex trafficking scheme as many people allege? Was he a lone shooter? Was he just the luckiest rapist in the UK, or did he go out of his way to hide the truth? Why did the BBC bury the story of Jimmy Savile’s sexual assault after he died? How many times were the police tipped off over the years? Who was Clair McAlpine, and how did her suicide almost bring him down in the 1970s? Listen, laugh, learn as we talk about someone who couldn’t have died soon enough. Sex Timeline: https://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/jun/26/jimmy-savile-sexual-abuse-timeline

Episode 659: Russel Simmons: Mogul or Monster? May 13, 2022

Show notes

On this episode of the world famous Sofa King Podcast, we look at the achievements, impacts, and allegations against the original Hip-Hop mogul, Russell Simmons. A young Simmons fell in love the new art form of rap and immediately took charge of the genre’s future. He signed Kurtis Blow from his dorm room on to a label that didn’t exist, and he hustled every DJ in New York until he got him a record deal. From there, he created Def Jam records and was architect to the success of acts such as Run-DMC, The Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, and LL Cool J. He produced movies, reinvented stand up, created a fashion line, and put poetry slams on the map. In 2018, he stepped down from all of his corporate ties due to multiple sexual assault claims. Even under that dark shadow, Simmons stands out as a cultural titan that every rap mogul since has imitated. Visit Our Sources: https://www.biography.com/musician/russell-simmons https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/russell-simmons-40 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell_Simmons https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/russell-simmons-sexual-assault-allegations-a-timeline-202515/ https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/13/arts/music/russell-simmons-rape.html https://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-celebrities/richest-rappers/russell-simmons-net-worth/

Episode 658: Phobias: On Fear, Anxiety, and Madness May 10, 2022

Show notes

On this episode of the Sofa King Podcast, we talk about phobias. Everyone is afraid of something, but that doesn’t make it a phobia. A phobia is technically a form of anxiety disorder that lasts more than 6 months. These can be common and reasonable things like snakes or spiders, or truly bizarre things like a fear of belly buttons or a fear of long words. What causes Phobias to exist? How many people suffer from Phobias? Is there a genetic component? How do we cure them? What are the most ridiculous Phobias we came across? Listen, laugh, learn. Visit Our Sources: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/phobias https://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/specific-phobias https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phobia https://www.verywellmind.com/list-of-phobias-2795453 https://www.realbuzz.com/articles-interests/health/article/top-10-most-bizarre-phobias/ https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/mental-health/phobias/related/weird-phobias/ https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-01/ten-of-the-most-common-phobias/6439210

Episode 657: Pee-Wee Herman: Meka Hiney Ho! May 06, 2022

Show notes

On this episode of the Sofa King Podcast, we talk about the best looking man in a bow tie, Pee-Wee Herman. Pee-Wee is played by the comedic actor Paul Reubens, and though he seems like an inevitable and overnight success, he worked on his comedy and this character for well over a decade before he blew up in Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure. He went to Cal Arts to study acting (alongside The Hasselhoff, I might add), and ended up working with the improve troupe The Groundlings. There, he slowly developed Pee-Wee with help from Phil Hartman. His stage show exploded in popularity after it was picked up by HBO, and then it was on to a film and a hit Saturday morning kid’s show. So, why did Paul Reubens quit the show? What happened when he was caught in a porno theater? How did he help start the career of Lawrence Fishburn and Tim Burton? What’s he up to now, and can we expect more Pee-Wee? Listen, laugh, learn. Visit Our Sources: https://hollywoodmask.com/actors/paul-reubens-wife-gay-personal-life.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pee-wee_Herman https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Reubens https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Paul_Reubens https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/pee-wee-hermans-dark-reboot-paul-reubens-is-ready-stage-a-comeback-1273962/ https://nypost.com/2021/11/16/pee-wee-hermans-comeback-paul-reubens-viral-ask-lands-gig/ https://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-celebrities/richest-comedians/paul-reubens-net-worth/

Episode 656: Beast of Exmoor: The Ultimate UK Cryptid! May 03, 2022

Show notes

On this episode of the world famous Sofa King Podcast, we hit you with some cryptozoology and talk about the Beast of Exmoor. This creature has been spotted thousands of times since the 1970s. It gained popularity in 1983 when a farmer lost almost 100 sheep in the course of three months. It got so bad that the British Royal Marines were deployed in “Operation Beastie” to try and kill or find forensic evidence. The descriptions are remarkably similar and seem to be some sort of a great cat that looks to be roughly seven feet long. It is lean and powerful and can easily jump over six foot fences. So what is this creature? An unknown great cat? It could be a freed pet, but it’s been there too long for such a creature’s lifespan. So what do the experts say? What are the sightings like? How are prey killed? Listen, laugh, learn. Visit Our Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beast_of_Exmoor https://new-cryptozoology.fandom.com/wiki/Beast_of_Exmoor https://www.thebestofexmoor.co.uk/blog/beast-of-exmoor/ https://www.countryliving.com/uk/wildlife/countryside/a38691826/beast-of-exmoor-big-cat-spotted/ https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/five-times-beast-exmoor-spotted-1854988 https://occult-world.com/beast-of-exmoor/ Monsterquest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMfFdEl65mA

Episode 655: Bob Lazar: The Godfather of Gray Aliens Apr 29, 2022

Show notes

On this episode of The Sofa King Podcast, we look at the man single handedly responsible for the popularity of Area 51 and gray aliens, Bob Lazar. In 1989, he gave a sensational interview to reporter George Knapp. In it, he talked about his time in an facility called S4 and his work figuring out how alien space craft worked. There were 9 flying saucers there, and they used Element 115 to distort space-time and fly using gravity. It became a worldwide phenomenon that impacted everything from X-Files to Independence Day and even the classic video game X-Com. In 2018, film maker Jeremy Corbell tracked down Bob Lazar to interview him all over again for his hit documentary. If you’re into grays and UFOs or still just believe The Truth is Out There, you don’t want to miss this one. Visit Our Sources: https://www.vice.com/en/article/j5zvj7/ufo-technician-bob-lazar-speaks https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Lazar https://www.nevadacurrent.com/2021/06/01/ufos-the-pentagon-and-the-enigma-of-bob-lazar/ https://science.howstuffworks.com/space/aliens-ufos/bob-lazar.htm https://intechbearing.com/blogs/news/getting-closer-to-element-115 https://www.vice.com/en/article/evjwkw/bob-lazar-says-the-fbi-raided-him-to-seize-area-51s-alien-fuel-the-truth-is-weirder https://tubitv.com/movies/610453/bob-lazar-area-51-flying-saucers

Episode 654: Guinness Book of World Records: World’s Greatest Podcast Apr 26, 2022

Show notes

On this episode of the world famous Sofa King Podcast, we try our hand at the Guinness Book of World Records. This childhood favorite started back in 1955 when there was no such thing as the internet, and encyclopedias only covered serious topics. It was launched by Sir Hugh Beaver who worked at Guinness, and he hired the McWhorter brothers to write it. One of them was assassinated by the IRA, but the show must go on. The Guinness Book of World Records became a sensation (and became a world record holder itself for most books sold). Their museums opened worldwide, the book was translated into languages all around the world, and television shows spawned everywhere. How did they change their business model to stay in business? What does it take to become a Guinness record holder? Who holds the most records? Listen, laugh, learn. Visit Our Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guinness_World_Records https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-guinness-book-of-records-debuts https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/records/showcase https://www.business-standard.com/about/what-is-guinness-book-of-records https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/records/how-to-set-or-break-a-world-record https://www.gobankingrates.com/money/side-gigs/guinness-world-record/ https://www.scoopwhoop.com/news/weirdest-guinness-world-records-that-actually-exist/ https://www.quora.com/Is-there-a-world-record-for-number-of-concussions https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ross_McWhirter#Assassination https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashrita_Furman https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/Images/GWR-Evidence-Guide-2018_tcm25-486431.pdf https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/records/hall-of-fame/

Episode 653: Bhopal: Poison Clouds and Contemptable Corporations Apr 22, 2022

Show notes

On this episode of the Sofa King Podcast, we look at one of the worst environmental catastrophes of the modern era, the Bhopal Disaster. The Indian city of Bhopal was home to a Union Carbide Corporation chemical company. They made pesticides using a very lethal substance called MIC gas. On December 2nd, 1984, 40 tons of this deadly concoction burst into the air over the city of a million people. It killed between 3,000 and 15,000 people and has led to massive long-term health issues for the victims and their children. Of course the corporation ducks its head and tries to blame someone else, as does the Indian Government. If you want to hear about a heartbreaking tale of corporate laziness leading to what one court considered mass homicide, this is the one for you! Visit Our Sources: https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/dec/08/bhopals-tragedy-has-not-stopped-the-urban-disaster-still-claiming-lives-35-years-on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhopal_disaster https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2014/12/bhopal-the-worlds-worst-industrial-disaster-30-years-later/100864/ https://ehjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1476-069X-4-6 https://www.bhopal.org/continuing-disaster/the-bhopal-gas-disaster/union-carbides-disaster/

Episode 652: War of the Worlds: Panic at the Radio! Apr 19, 2022

Show notes

On this episode of the world famous Sofa King Podcast, we bring you the best radio broadcast ever—The War of the Worlds. On October 30th, 1938, the legendary Orson Welles created a radio show for CBS based on the novel, The War of the Worlds. The show was unique, using cutting-edge sound design and special audio effects more than any other broadcast. Coupled with good acting, and a lack of commercial interruptions (like a real news broadcast), it freaked out the nation. Some accounts say that people panicked, stormed government buildings, and loaded up their shotguns ready for a Martian invasion. Others state that it wasn’t that bad, but the newspaper industry blew it out of proportion. So, what happened that night? Why did Welles and his cast get locked in a room in the studio for hours after? Why did cops storm the studio? What did Welles say about it the next day, and what was Hitler’s reaction? Listen, laugh, learn. Visit Our Sources: https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/welles-scares-nation https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_War_of_the_Worlds_(1938_radio_drama) https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/infamous-war-worlds-radio-broadcast-was-magnificent-fluke-180955180/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mercury_Theatre_on_the_Air https://www.space.com/war-of-the-worlds-radio-broadcast-deepfake-podcast https://home.csulb.edu/~plowentr/warworlds.htm https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crPGFZiFjfs https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2013/10/30/241797346/75-years-ago-war-of-the-worlds-started-a-panic-or-did-it

Episode 651: Rampart: Worst Cops Ever Apr 15, 2022

Show notes

On this episode of the Sofa King Podcast, we look into the largest police scandal in LAPD history. It was called the Rampart Scandal, named after a police station in a bad part of LA. In the mid-90s, when gang violence was at its worst, the police developed CRASH units, designed to arrest gang members by any means necessary. This lead to the Rampart CRASH team becoming the epitome of corruption. They shot people and lied about it, robbed a bank, planted evidence, stole cocaine from the evidence locker, and sold drugs. They were tied directly to the criminal enterprise that was Death Row records when it was run by Suge Knight. Oh, and they very well might have killed Biggie Smalls. This is a wild tale of corruption, greed, and cops who were no different than the gangsters they were charged to capture. Visit Our Sources: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/lapd/scandal/cron.html https://scholarship.law.duke.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2161&context=faculty_scholarship https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2020-01-21/ghost-rampart-lapd-gang-scandal https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2001/05/21/bad-cops https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/lapd/later/streets.html https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/lapd/later/reports.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rafael_P%C3%A9rez_(police_officer) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_Resources_Against_Street_Hoodlums https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rampart_scandal https://vimeo.com/428307871 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVBZ3YF800c https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LAPD_Rampart_Division

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected