Leon Neyfakh is a journalist and podcaster best known as the co-creator and host of Slow Burn, Fiasco, and Backfired. He has been a reporter for Slate, The Boston Globe, and The New York Observer and is the author of the book The Next Next Level. Listen to his newest podcasts here.
Season 2: Final Thoughts: Jerry Springer
Jerry Springer wasn’t supposed to become the host of The Jerry Springer Show. Before the chairs started flying and the fights became a daytime TV staple, the man then known as Gerald Springer was an idealistic rising star in Democratic politics, with ambitions to one day be elected governor of Ohio.
From Leon Neyfakh and Prologue Projects — the team behind Slow Burn, Fiasco, Backfired, and Think Twice: Michael Jackson — comes Final Thoughts: Jerry Springer.
You may think you know Springer, the notorious ringmaster of what TV Guide once called “the worst show in television history.” But long before Springer’s name became synonymous with outrageous guests, taboo confessions, and vicious on-stage brawls, he was the mayor of Cincinnati — a serious and popular politician who many believed was the future of the Democratic Party. So, what happened?
This series traces Springer’s unlikely transformation — from the son of Jewish refugees who fled Nazi Germany, to a respected public servant, to the face of a show many called a symptom of cultural decline. Through intimate interviews with the people who knew him best — family, political insiders, and the producers who helped shape his show — Final Thoughts will bring you closer than ever to the man behind the spectacle, and maybe even cause you to rethink some of your own life choices.
Final Thoughts isn’t just a story about one man’s improbable career path. It’s about how far someone can go for success and what they’re willing to trade to stay on top. Was Springer pulled into the gutter, or did he just understand it better than anyone else?
Season 1: Think Twice: Michael Jackson
More than a decade since Michael Jackson’s death, his legacy remains complicated and unresolved. Think Twice: Michael Jackson is an exploration of the King of Pop’s life and impact — and an investigation into why his global influence continues to endure, despite the disturbing allegations against him. In this ten-part series, journalists Leon Neyfakh and Jay Smooth bring you a new perspective on the Michael Jackson story, based on dozens of original interviews with people who watched it unfold from up close.
The more you study the life of Michael Jackson, the more you realize how he was living in conditions that did not allow him to live a childhood. Whether at Gary Indiana which was plagued in Crime and violent gang fights to Hollywood's opportunistic climate, he never lived a peaceful childhood free from parasites and dangerous individuals. If he was good at detecting the parasites in showbiz so that he would not befriend them, he was unfortunately not very good at detecting the ordinary people and families who only befriended him for his cash and work opportunities. His family has always been welcoming toward everyone. That is why so many fans got to visit Neverland and get to have easy dialogues with the Jackson family. That family is among the most accessible toward the public. So Michael's welcoming nature was something that he did as well. But as a bigger celebrity than the rest of his family, he became at the mercy of more parasitic individuals than other celebs. Such as the Chandlers, the Arvizos, the Robsons, and the Safechucks.
What is infuriating is how the latter two families were constantly praising him and defending him when he was alive and when he was dead for many years. But the minute they got money issues or career problems (ex: Robson's Cirque du Soleil failed opportunity), then they decided to claim the opposite of what they stood by under oath for many decades.
As someone who consulted the testimonials of hundreds and hundreds of people who either befriended or interacted closely around MJ, I noticed how they were all supportive and very defensive of him as one of the best human being that they ever met. Whereas those who interacted around his accusers, including people who never met Michael, all had very strong and negative words about these accusers' history and about their behaviors either in public, in private, or at work.
Furthermore, I find it baffling and hypocritical that some medias make a big fuss about MJ being friends with families and with kids, but when other adult celebrities also develop a friendship with kids or with child actors/actresses, they don't experience such media attacks.
Personally, the reason MSM have decided to demonize MJ since the 1980s has something to do with his vitiligo and lupus, and most of all his success with Thriller and his purchase of that music catalogue containing the Beatles songs. Had he not experienced these situations, then he would not have gone through such witch hunts since the 1980s.
Anyone who wants to know more information about Michael can consult the podcasts called "Michael Jackson Case for Innocence", "Red Jackson Dance", "The Mjcast", and the documentaries "Square One MJ", "The Lies of Leaving Neverland”, “Michael Jackson Private Home Movies”, “Michael Jackson Take Two The Footage You Were Never Meant to See”, “Michael Jackson The Humanitarian” and “Loving Neverland”. These sources of information are precious and rich in information that the media refuses to adequately represent.
2024-01-07
Excellent!
One of the best I’ve listened to! Well organized and researched and provides comprehensive coverage of MJ’s history.
2023-10-03
Wonderfully Told Story
This podcast is a well done, complete story told about MJ. Anyone of the younger generation that discovers him and wants the full story, good and bad, should listen to this podcast.
5🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
2023-09-21
Multifaceted
This podcast gave me a fuller picture of both Michael Jackson’s faults and failures, and his contributions and accomplishments. Listening through the whole series my opinion on MJ went up and down with every episode it seemed—the hosts resist giving a definitive thumbs up or thumbs down, but grapple with the complexity of the mark Michael made on the world. More accurately, they highlight Michael Jackson shaped hole he left behind. I recommend it.
2023-09-09
Great listen
Very good listen as it give’s history on MJ.
2023-08-19
Massive Oversight in Research
I have researched Michael’s guilt thoroughly and I cannot believe a podcast who claims to be impartial on the sexual abuse allegations mentions Leaving Neverland documentary but FAILS to bring up the rebuttal documentary Square One that indicates clearly why these allegations are false. People will do anything for money, end of story. Shame on these podcasters for their poor research. What a simple oversight. And interviewing Diane Diamond. Ha! And that other tabloid “journalist”. Bogus.
And it’s very clear what these podcasters’ opinions are on Michael.
2023-07-27
A Clever Hit Piece
👏👏 well we’ll done. You guys made this speculative hit piece sound very professional. Aiming to sway public opinion with biased information as to appear objective. Well done
2023-07-26
Disappointed
Didn’t realize after listening to first two episodes you have to have subscription. Disappointed
2023-07-21
Gripping dissection of sound memories
As an 80s child raised in Canada of Middle Eastern background, I’m genuinely conflicted on my MJ memories. However, without a doubt I will always believe a person who comes forward with their story of sexual abuse. ALWAYS. Thank you for sharing this story in a way that allows me to continue to process my feelings about MJ.