Dark Side of the 90's

E1 · 45m

Trash TV: Dirty and Deadly Talk

As 90's Talk TV evolved from the cerebral (Donahue) to the trashy (Jerry Springer), the new format fused combustive relationships, shock and violence to entertain the masses.

E2 · 45m

The Viper Room: Hollywood's Sanctuary

The Viper Room was a refuge for Young Hollywood to hide from the prying eyes of the press, until one fateful night when the death of a rising star instantly made it headline news.

E3 · 45m

TV for Teens

The story of how the upstart Fox Network forever changed television.

E4 · 45m

Beanie Babies Go Bust

90's parents and kids bonded over collecting playful plush toys known as Beanie Babies until the toy's creator, Ty Warner, used the internet's power to create a frenzied market.

E5 · 45m

Grunge and the Seattle Sound

SubPop's classic 90's indie ethos was tested when they chased mainstream money. The story of grunge told through the eyes of the little label that started it all.

E6 · 45m

Baywatch: Sex Sells

The world’s first influencer was a TV show. Baywatch’s Southern California sun, action, and laser focus on beauty made it appeal to more than a billion people worldwide.

E7 · 45m

A Tale of Two Cults

Doomsday cults emerged in the '90s, seizing on Y2K fears. While we watched the tragic Waco massacre on TV, Heaven's Gate leader Marshall Applewhite made his own plan.

E8 · 45m

Hip Hop: The East vs West Media War

90's hip hop had an uphill fight for airplay and recognition. When the media finally caught on, they told a story that twisted the narrative with sometimes dangerous consequences.

E9 · 45m

Secrets of the Runway

90's supermodels were part rock stars, part royalty, and all dusted in cocaine. But off the runway, many were abused by men using their power to conceal an ugly secret.

E10 · 45m

Internet 1.0: Don't Believe the Hype

In the 90’s, the surge of internet-exclusive companies captured the dreams and greed of American investors. In its wake, one beloved mascot was killed — the Pets.com puppet.