Edge of Fame

We want to share a first listen of a new podcast we're working on at WBUR. Violation tells the story of two families bound together by an unthinkable crime. It explores America's opaque parole system and asks: How much time in prison is enough? Who gets to decide? And, when someone commits a terrible crime, what does redemption look like?  Listen to the trailer and if you like what you hear, head over to the Violation feed wherever you get your podcasts and hit subscribe so you'll get new episodes when they drop, beginning March 22.

We thought Edge of Fame Listeners would love this sample of what the fine folks at WBUR's Endless Thread are up to this season. They're rolling out a whole season of deep dives on the little known backstories of the internet's most classic memes -- including the infamous Rick Roll. Remember that ol' bait and switch from Web 2.0? We hope you'll listen to hear about the meme's origin, enduring legacy and its impact on the gentle ginger behind "Never Gonna Give You Up," Rick Astley himself.

A special live episode. Is it really only about drugs, sex and rock n roll? The #MeToo movement has brought about a reckoning across fields—movies, television, media, tech, academia, finance, even the restaurant industry. Why is the music industry so behind?

Special Report: Tim and JonJelyn Savage say their now-22-year-old daughter, Joycelyn, is being held captive by music superstar R. Kelly. Geoff Edgers spent five months investigating how such a talented, successful artist could go so wrong, dogged by such horrific accusations. In this episode we spend time with the Savages, one Atlanta family at the center of the latest wave of allegations.

Season Finale. David Letterman reflects on the "late night wars" with Jay Leno, the new beard, and his comedy heroes. But Letterman's favorite thing? Being a dad to his son, Harry.

“Fame is dead,” says the creator and star of HBO’s “Insecure.” A look at her rise from internet star to Hollywood icon. She takes nothing for granted and still feels like the same “awkward black girl” as always. Featuring Ava DuVernay. In this episode of “Edge of Fame,” Geoff Edgers follows Rae to the BET Awards as she grapples with her newfound celebrity and what it means to be black in Hollywood. For starters, she’ll never name another character after herself again.

Famous kids who survived the fame. Hanson not just survived, but prospered. How did they do it? Geoff Edgers goes to Tulsa, Oklahoma to talks to Zac, Isaac and Taylor Hanson about everything from the music business to religion and family.

Billy Joe Shaver is the greatest country music songwriter alive. But you don’t know his name. His songs have been covered by Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Emmylou Harris, Bob Dylan and, most famously, Waylon Jennings. Geoff Edgers talks to Shaver about his quest to get into the Country Music Hall of Fame, the loss of his family, and the time he shot a man in the face.

By the time she was fifteen years old, Patricia Williams had two kids with a married man. A few years later, she was selling crack. She was shot twice and spent a year in jail for dealing. And then, when she had nothing left, she found comedy.

Jimmy Kimmel, late night funnyman, lets Geoff Edgers shadow his creative process for one day, taking the listener into the writer's room and deep into conversation about getting political, making pancakes, and Barney the dinosaur's new career.

It’s easy to dismiss Weird Al as a novelty act. But the reality is that he has remained relevant – and immensely popular – for decades. How did he do it?

Ava DuVernay on "A Wrinkle In Time", Hollywood, #MeToo and Oprah.

Preview episode: Geoff Edgers follows comedian and former SNL star Norm Macdonald on his road to reinvention. Join them as they hang out backstage, talk about the original “fake news,” and lose a few grand on the Portland Trailblazers.

Geoff Edgers paints intimate, surprising audio portraits of actors, musicians and comedians, from beloved performers you think you already know to up-and-comers bursting onto the scene. Other podcasts might cover artists; this podcast uncovers them.