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s-town podcast summary

by Kelsi Kulas Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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S-Town is a podcast from Serial and This American Life, hosted by Brian Reed, about a man named John who despises his Alabama town and decides to do something about it. He asks Brian to investigate the son of a wealthy family who's allegedly been bragging that he got away with murder.

What was the point of S-Town podcast?

On March 28, 2017, the podcast “S-Town” was released and quickly attracted millions of listeners. The podcast was sparked after Woodstock, Alabama, resident John B. McLemore contacted radio journalist Brian Reed to investigate an alleged small-town murder, which he said was being covered up by a wealthy family.

Is S-Town podcast a true story?

“S-Town” is a podcast about the life of McLemore, a horologist who lived in Woodstock, Alabama who committed suicide in 2015. The show was originally conceived when McLemore contacted “This American Life” reporter Brian Reed about a story.

Why was S-Town sued?

Craig Cargile, the executor of McLemore's estate, claimed in the lawsuit filed in 2018 that the show revealed personal aspects of McLemore's life without his permission and violated Alabama's Right of Publicity Act. Lawyers representing “S-Town” contended that the work was journalism and was not covered by the act.

Is S-Town a good podcast?

S-Town is a very, very good podcast. John is eminently fascinating and compelling, but also eminently troubled; S-Town tries to honor him by giving him a voice again and again, even shortly before he dies." "Once you start listening you may be tempted to cruise through the entire thing.

Did Tyler from S-Town find gold?

Tyler found the gold, and will use it to take care of his new wife and young daughters. I think Reed is too kind to Tyler to let him get himself in trouble on tape. But he's also loyal to us, his listeners. So he leaves us a witness mark.

Will S-Town be a movie?

“The S-Town movie is coming in the next year, and I would love for our work to influence and inspire and above all help someone. I hope no one ever has to go through the loss of a loved one to suicide,” Cheryl added.

Where is John B McLemore maze?

Woodstock, AlabamaJohn B. McLemore, the main character in S-Town, the new podcast from Serial and This American Life, dedicates his life to many things — restoring antique clocks, climate change, fostering dogs — but it's the labyrinthine hedge maze he built on his property in Woodstock, Alabama, that has the internet up in arms.

What do you listen to after S-Town?

10 Podcasts like S TownStay Away from Matthew MaGill. ... Constellation Prize. ... Jungle Prince. ... To Live and Die in LA. ... Finding Natasha. ... Unread. ... Trail Weight. ... 8. California Love.More items...•

Who is John in S-Town?

McLemore was an eccentric 40-something clock repairman living in Woodstock, Alabama. In the summer of 2012, McLemore killed himself after drinking cyanide; a revelation that comes at the end of Chapter II of S-Town. At the day of his dead he weas 72, and with his death all of his gold was left in his chests.

Is S-Town fiction?

Serial was modeled directly on serialized TV shows. With S-Town, we were really thinking of novels. While S-Town is completely non-fiction, the story itself had a very novelistic feeling, just in the details of it and the richness of the place.

How many episodes of S-Town podcast are there?

seven episodesThe resulting series comprised seven episodes' worth of intimate details about McLemore's past, his friendships, his sexuality, and his struggles with mental illness.

Will there be a season 2 of S-Town?

Brian has said that he "wouldn't rule out" a second season of S-Town, but added that he "doesn't have plans to follow it up". "I really like the ending so it feels weird to me that I would make another ending," he told EW. "S-Town really is about John B McLemore and his frame of mind."

What does "s town" mean in the first chapter?

In the first chapter, Brian defines proleptic, a word that John uses to describe the town. Proleptic, meaning the representation or assumption of a future act as if presently existing , ...

How long is S Town?

S-Town is a seven-part series, ranging from 48-63 minutes per episode, released all at once, for a total of six and a half hours. It’s binge’able, right now.

What is the theme of Proleptic?

Proleptic, meaning the representation or assumption of a future act as if presently existing, is a theme throughout the series, with person after person declaring or claiming something to be true, when it hasn’t happened, or at least not yet. Another prominent theme is horology, the study of time and making clocks.

What is the main premise of the show "This American Life"?

The main premise is about John B. McLemore, a clockmaker, in Alabama who contacts Brian Reed at This American Life about a murder that he believes was covered up by the police. However, the show is more about understanding the people of Woodstock, Alabama, what John calls Shit-town, their misunderstandings, their feuds, and their humanity.

What happened at the end of S Town?

At the end of S-Town ’s second episode, Reed has already determined that the murder mystery John summons him to investigate never happened. But he seems in no hurry to stop talking to John. Then a friend of John phones to let him know: John is dead from a suicide.

Is S Town a good podcast?

S-Town is a very, very good podcast. John is eminently fascinating and compelling, but also eminently troubled; S-Town tries to honor him by giving him a voice again and again, even shortly before he dies. But even as it’s allowing John to tell his own story, I question whether that story should have been told at all.

Creators

BRIAN REED - HOST AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Brian Reed is the senior producer of the public radio show and podcast This American Life.

Trivia

Brian Reed reveals in Chapter I that "S-Town" is a censored euphamism for "Shittown," the nickname John B. McLemore has for his home town.

Contact

For press inquiries, email [email protected]. For any other inquiries, email [email protected].

Firstly, it's incredibly popular

Serial did 5 million downloads in its first month (fastest a podcast had ever). S-Town did 16 million downloads in its first week.

It came out around the same time as 13 Reasons Why and lots of people are in their feelings because of ALL THE EMOTIONS

Big Little Lies, S-town, 13 Reasons Why. Someone come hit the eject button on this emotional roller coaster before I'm trapped forever.

The accents will take some getting used to (especially if you're not used to hearing an American Southern accent at length)

Genuine question: Is John on S-Town an actor is that an actual person's accent?

And, yes, I'm going to need to give you some trigger warnings

Sigh! S-Town is intriguing, addictive, and impossible to put away. But it tackles some emotional issues like depression, suicide, and self-harm. It will make you feel sad and parts of it will make your heart sink. But in the same way art is supposed to move you, S-Town tells an amazing story and leaves little out.

What is S-Town about?

A man named John B McLemore writes an email urging This American Life producer Brian Reed to investigate a murder in his hometown. When Brian shows up to "shit town" (Woodstock) Alabama, he unravels the curious, emotional, and troubling life of John B McLemore.

What do people say about S-Town once they've finished it?

Finished S-Town podcast. It's both wonderful and troubling. Sad and uplifting. Anyone else heard it?

How many chapters are there in "Shit Town"?

During the seven chapters, the story shifts from true crime to McLemore’s life—including the lives of his family members and his close friend, Goodson.

Where did the two men hang out?

The two men spent time hanging out at Goodson’s tattoo shop, Black Sheep Ink, and at McLemore’s home. Goodson helped McLemore build an impressive maze in McLemore’s backyard, and he moved into the trailer park across from McLemore's sprawling property for easier visits.

Did Goodson find the gold in S Town?

The buried treasure is a prominent red herring in the series, and S-Town 's conclusion never definitely says whether Goodson unearthed the gold.

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