Last Podcast On The Left
Last Podcast On The Left
"The whole point is that she doesn't want love. She wants money." — Ed Larson (referring to the motivations behind a reality dating show contestant)
"It was funny until it wasn't funny at all." — Producer quoted by Marcus Parks (describing the escalating jealousy of a reality show contestant)
"I just have a feeling." — Jordan Graham (explaining her insistence on returning to the location where her husband's body was found)
This episode of "Last Podcast on the Left" dissects two grim tales under the "Newly Wed to Newly Dead" theme, focusing on the disturbing intersection of marriage and murder. The first case details the murder of Jasmine Fiori, a model who married Ryan Jenkins, a contestant on the VH1 dating show "Megan Wants to be a Millionaire." The narrative highlights how Jenkins's background, which included a history of assault, was overlooked during the reality show's vetting process. His volatile nature, exacerbated by jealousy and a sense of entitlement fueled by the show's environment, ultimately led to Fiori's brutal murder. The episode also touches upon the broader implications for the reality television industry, suggesting that such incidents contributed to a decline in celebrity dating shows.
The second half of the episode shifts to the case of Jordan Graham, who murdered her husband, Cody Johnson, just eight days after their wedding. The narrative portrays their relationship as strained from the outset, with Graham expressing immediate doubts and unhappiness. The story culminates in a heated argument at Glacier National Park, where Graham pushed Johnson off a cliff to his death. The episode meticulously details Graham's attempts to conceal the crime through conflicting stories and a fabricated email, ultimately leading to her discovery and subsequent conviction. It explores the defense's argument of a "tragic accident" versus the prosecution's case for premeditated murder, and the eventual plea to second-degree murder.
Both narratives underscore themes of manipulation, escalating violence, and the often-unforeseen consequences of flawed personal relationships and media exposure. The hosts use their characteristic dark humor and detailed recounting of events to explore the psychological underpinnings and the societal impact of these extreme crimes, while also highlighting the failures in systems meant to prevent such tragedies.