DragonKing Dark: The 1972 Olympics

My 100 darkest moments in pop culture history series on DragonKing Dark continues as I examine the terrorist assault and murder of eleven Israeli athletes during the 1972 Olympic games in Munich, Germany. 

Germany, wanting to put the stain of the past behind them, had strongly pushed the “smiling Olympics” and despite warnings, failed to take precautions against a terrorist attack. Then, to make matters worse, they totally botched the response resulting in multiple deaths.

I delve into all of it on this week’s DragonKing Dark.

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DragonKing Dark: The Lindbergh baby kidnapping & murder

On March 1, 1932, one of most sensational crimes ever to grip America occurred: the Lindbergh baby kidnapping and murder. 

The son of famous aviator Charles Lindbergh, aged 20 months, disappeared from his crib and was, apparently, held for ransom, which was paid. However, just over two months later, the child’s body was discovered in the woods near the home. 

What happened? Why? Who did it? It was America’s first truly big true crime story and I examine it all on this week’s DragonKing Dark.

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DragonKing Dark: The Fatty Arbuckle scandal

Who was Fatty Arbuckle?

Besides having a hilarious name, he was the center of the first big Hollywood scandal. Yes, the sad tale of Arbuckle is a cautionary tale for the movie industry still to this very day. 

He was a silent movie era star until his career was destroyed by an allegation that he raped and killed a Hollywood actress. It took three trials with wildly varying verdicts to finally proclaim him not guilty with a written apology from the jury as well. 

On this week’s look at the top 100 darkest moments in pop culture history, we look at the tragic story of Fatty Arbuckle.

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DragonKing Dark: The Jackie Coogan Law

You know your life has taken a bad turn if the government has to name a law after you.

That’s exactly what it was for child actor Jackie Coogan, who, after gaining huge success in various Charlie Chaplin films, went on to even greater notoriety as Uncle Fester from The Addams Family. 

So, what is so dark about Coogan? It is a cautionary tale for all child actors, Hollywood, and human nature.

We continuing our 100 darkest moments in pop culture history with a look at the life of Jackie Coogan.

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DragonKing Dark: The Little Rascals/Our Gang curse

I continue our series of the 100 darkest moments in pop culture history by taking a look at the supposed curse of The Little Rascals/Our Gang group of actors. 

Did many of them meet an untimely demise? We will discuss. One thing is certain, however: Carl “Alfalfa” Switzer’s story does not end well. 

On this week’s DragonKing Dark, I take a look at the facts surrounding the supposed curse of the Rascals and sad end for Switzer.

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DragonKing Dark: The death of INXS’ Michael Hutchence

My ongoing look at the 100 darkest moments in pop culture continues.

Michael Hutchence of INXS was found dead in his hotel room in 1997 and you may think you know the reason why. But did you know that most of what you think you know about his death is probably wrong and taken out of context? 

On this week’s show, we’ll discuss how one interview, taken out of context, provided the narrative of Hutchence’s death — one that the coroner’s inquest revealed had no basis in fact or evidence.

Let’s explore on this week’s DragonKing Dark:

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DragonKing Dark: The death of George Michael

We continue our series of 100 of the darkest moments in pop culture history by taking a look at the death of one of the greatest vocalist of the 1980s-2000s, George Michael. 

Starting his career with the duo Wham!, Michael rose to even greater success as a solo pop star during the late 1980s into the 1990s with a string of mega-popular albums and MTV video hits. Sadly, he passed away at the age of 53. 

On this week’s Dragon King Dark, I tell his story.

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DragonKing Dark: The death of Prince

I continue the DragonKingDark look at 100 of the darkest moments in pop culture history with the death of pop music legend, Prince. 

He died just over six years ago of a fentanyl overdose. Since then, fentanyl has been a scourge in American society, responsible for numerous overdose deaths. He was one of the most talented musicians of all-time and his death at the age of 57 was one of pop cultures darkest moments.

Join me as I look at this moment in pop culture history.

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DragonKing Dark: The death of Naomi Judd

We continue our series of 100 of the darkest moments in pop culture history by looking at the recent death of country music star Naomi Judd. 

Judd was 76 years old and all of The Judds’ hit songs were behind them, so in terms of affecting pop culture, one might argue that this one doesn’t effect the future much. 

I argue differently as her death has brought the very relevant topic of mental illness front and center, right where it needs to be.

Let’s continue this series on DragonKing Dark with a look at the death of Naomi Judd.

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DragonKing Dark: The death of John Denver

In my continuing series on the 100 darkest moments in pop culture history, I look back at the 1997 death of folk and country music star John Denver who was killed in an experimental aircraft crash at the age of 53.

While Denver’s career as a hit maker was probably over, he was still a successful touring musician, actor, and activist. 

His death was also completely avoidable for multiple reasons including his suspended pilot’s license and a terrible aircraft design.

Let’s look back at this story on this week’s DragonKing Dark.

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DragonKing Dark: Warner Bros. destroys DC Comics

I continue my series of 100 of the darkest moments in pop culture history and this week, I look at the destruction wrought by Warner Bros. against the iconic characters of DC Comics.

Characters who have been around since the 1930s have been rendered generationally irrelevant by a terrible connected universe of movies, bad castings, awful scripts, and, oh yeah, Ezra Miller.

Hear all about it on this week’s DragonKing Dark.

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DragonKing Dark: Honey Boo Boo

We continue our series of 100 of the darkest moments in pop culture history and this week, I am your father who is very disappointed in you.

No, this week nobody died. No tragedy has befallen a cast member (aside from a few arrests) but I discuss the general state of a show which was very popular — predicated on laughing at the lowest common denominator. 

Here Comes Honey Boo Boo is truly one of the darkest moments in pop culture history. How did we come to this?

Let’s dive in on this week’s DragonKing Dark.

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DragonKing Dark: The OJ Simpson case & trial

Where were you when JFK was assassinated or when Elvis died or when a man landed on the moon?

How about when the OJ Simpson verdict came down?

The NFL football star and actor was accused of murdering two people, including his ex-wife. This case has been discussed a million times (or more), but here as part of our 100 darkest moments in pop culture history, we look at how the OJ Simpson case impacted pop culture.

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DragonKing Dark: The coverage of the JonBenet Ramsey murder

Continuing our look at 100 of the darkest moments in pop culture history, I continue to examine the rise in popularity of true crime documentary/TV channels/podcasts.

On this DragonKing Dark, I look back at the murder of six-year-old JonBenet Ramsey. We aren’t going to dive into the details of the crime beyond the basics because this is a topic that has been covered thousands of times…and that’s our point. 

The influence this case has had in the rise of the true crime content genre can’t be understated.

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DragonKing Dark: Adam Walsh & the birth of true crime content, pt. 1

Continuing our 100 darkest moments in pop culture history, we are begin a three episode run of tragic events that gave rise to the true crime genre of documentaries, podcasts, and TV channels. 

The murder of Adam Walsh was a tragedy beyond comprehension. Yet, born out of that horrible event many incredibly good things came including the Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Adam’s Law, and America’s Most Wanted. 

In this episode, we examine how this terrible story also influenced an entire sub-category of pop culture information.

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