Launched in 2011, The Last Podcast on the Left deals with the darkest, dirtiest, scariest stories in human history. Serial killers, evil regimes, the occult, nothing is off limits for hosts Marcus Parks and Henry Zebrowski.
Here's a list of the 25 best (or should that be worst?) episodes of the Last Podcast on the Left for your grisly delectation:
1) Dahmer (Episodes 122 - 124)
Jeffrey Dahmer was an American serial killer and sex offender who gained notoriety in the 1990s. He was known as the "Milwaukee Cannibal" or "Milwaukee Monster" for his gruesome crimes, which involved the murder and dismemberment of 17 men and boys. The three part series covers his lonely childhood, adolescence and move to Milwaukee.
2) Jonestown (Episodes 300 - 304)
Jonestown refers to the infamous mass murder-suicide that occurred in 1978 when the leader of the People's Temple, Jim Jones, ordered over 900 of his followers to consume cyanide-laced drinks in a remote settlement in Guyana.
3) Jack the Ripper (Episodes 254 - 258)
Jack the Ripper is the nickname given to an unidentified serial killer who operated in London's Whitechapel district in 1888. The killer was known for brutally murdering and mutilating several women, and their true identity remains a mystery.
4) Charles Manson (Episodes 147 - 149)
Charles Manson was the leader of a cult known as the Manson Family. In 1969, he ordered his followers to commit a series of brutal murders, including the famous Tate-LaBianca murders. Manson and his followers believed in apocalyptic and violent ideologies.
5) H.H. Holmes (Episodes 200 - 202)
H.H. Holmes, whose real name was Herman Webster Mudgett, was an American serial killer who operated in the late 19th century. He was known for constructing a "Murder Castle" in Chicago, designed with hidden passages and traps for killing and disposing of his victims.
6) Ed Gein (Episodes 172 - 174)
Ed Gein was an American murderer and body snatcher who inspired various fictional characters in horror movies. He was known for exhuming corpses and creating items, including clothing and furniture, from human body parts.
7) Oklahoma City Bombing (Episodes 274 - 277)
The Oklahoma City bombing occurred in 1995 when a truck bomb exploded outside the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The attack, carried out by Timothy McVeigh, resulted in the deaths of 168 people and remains one of the deadliest acts of domestic terrorism in U.S. history.
8) Roswell (216 & 217)
Roswell refers to a controversial event in 1947 when an unidentified object crashed near Roswell, New Mexico. The U.S. military initially stated it was a "flying disc," sparking conspiracy theories and claims of a government cover-up related to UFOs and extraterrestrial life.
9) Ed Kemper (165 & 166)
Edmund Kemper, also known as the "Co-ed Killer," is an American serial killer who murdered ten people, including his grandparents, mother, and several young women in the 1970s. He is known for his large stature and intelligence.
10) Black Serial Killers (Episodes 91 & 92)
The vast majority of famous serial killers are white men, but there are multiple cases in US history of African American serial killers. In this episode the guys cover such cases as The Cleveland Strangler, the Grim Sleeper, the Beltway Snipers and more.
11) Heaven's Gate (Episodes 397 - 399)
The boys revisit Heaven's Gate (episode 34), their first time going back to a topic to deep dive into this grisly tale of a religious cult led by Marshall Applewhite and Bonnie Nettles. In 1997, the group believed that a comet was their ticket to salvation and committed mass suicide, with 39 members taking their own lives in the hopes of being transported to a better life.
12) Billy the Kid (Episodes 462 - 465)
Billy the Kid, whose real name was Henry McCarty, was a famous American outlaw during the Old West era. He was involved in the Lincoln County War and was a well-known figure in the Wild West. The show covers Billy's life as an outlaw, including his encounters with eventual killer Pat Garrett.
13) Columbine (Episodes 178 & 179)
The Columbine High School massacre took place in 1999 when two students, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, opened fire at Columbine High School in Colorado, killing 12 students and a teacher before taking their own lives. The tragedy sparked discussions about school shootings and gun control.
14) Aum Shinrikyo Death Cult (Episodes 218 - 221)
Aum Shinrikyo was a Japanese cult led by Shoko Asahara. In 1995, cult members released sarin gas in the Tokyo subway system, killing 13 people and injuring thousands. The group was responsible for other acts of violence and was eventually disbanded.
15) The Manhattan Project (Episodes 533 - 538)
The Manhattan Project was a top-secret U.S. research and development project during World War II. Its goal was to develop the first atomic bombs, which were later used in the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, leading to the end of the war.
16) L. Ron Hubbard(Episodes 261 - 264)
L. Ron Hubbard was the founder of Scientology, a controversial religious and self-help movement. He was a science fiction writer and developed the Church of Scientology in the mid-20th century.
17) Mark Twitchell (Episodes 346 & 347)
Mark Twitchell is a Canadian filmmaker and convicted killer. He gained notoriety for using a fictional online persona to lure and murder a man in a case that has been compared to the plot of the TV series "Dexter."
18) The Boston Strangler (Episodes 159 & 160)
The Boston Strangler is the nickname given to a serial killer or killers who terrorized the Boston area in the early 1960s. The true identity of the perpetrator remains uncertain, but Albert DeSalvo confessed to some of the murders.
19) The Yorkshire Ripper (Episodes 407 & 408)
The Yorkshire Ripper aka Peter Sutcliffe was a British serial killer who murdered 13 women and attempted to murder several others in Yorkshire, England, during the 1970s. A truck driver, Sutcliffe is one of the most notable serial killers in English history, causing media hysteria in the 1970s and shining a light on the sexism in the Yorkshire police force.
20) Creepypasta X (Episode 181)
If you don't know (and maybe it's better that you don't...) Creepypasta refers to a genre of internet-based horror stories, images and other content, a combination of Creepy and copypasta (i.e. copy and paste, referring to the practice of copy and pasting content to share it on other websites). In the tenth edition of their creepypasta specials, they hosts talk skin burning, eyeball popping and THUMBERS!
21) Katherine Knight (Episodes 329 & 330)
Katherine Knight is an Australian woman who, in 2000, brutally murdered her partner and then skinned him. Her crime is one of the most extreme examples of violence and sadistic nature.
22) David Miscavige (Episodes 522 - 524)
David Miscavige is the current leader of the Church of Scientology, succeeding L. Ron Hubbard. He has been a controversial figure, with allegations of abusive behavior and mistreatment of church members.
23) Salem Witch Trials (Episodes 500 - 503)
The Salem Witch Trials occurred in colonial Massachusetts in the late 17th century. A series of trials and executions took place during a mass hysteria in which numerous people, mostly women, were accused of witchcraft and subjected to trials, leading to the execution of several individuals. It is a dark chapter in American history associated with fear and superstition.
24) John Wayne Gacy (Episodes 105 & 106)
John Wayne Gacy was an American serial killer and sex offender who, in the 1970s, murdered at least 33 young men and boys. He often lured his victims to his home and then strangled or tortured them.
25) Fred and Rose West (Episodes 506 & 507)
Fred and Rose West were British serial killers and a married couple who were responsible for the murder and sexual abuse of multiple individuals, including their own children, in the 1960s and 1970s. They are among the most infamous serial killer couples in history.
When Did the Last Podcast on the Left Start?
The 'Last Podcast on the Left' podcast started on March 29th 2011. Its very first episode was titled The First! and dealt with the origins of their love for horror and the dark side of human nature. with You can find a recording of it here.
What is the Last Podcast on the Left?
"The Last Podcast on the Left" is a popular comedy podcast that covers a wide range of topics, primarily focusing on true crime, horror, and the paranormal. It is hosted by Marcus Parks, Henry Zebrowski and formerly Ben Kissel. The hosts discuss and provide humorous commentary on various dark and bizarre subjects, including serial killers, cults, supernatural phenomena, and conspiracy theories.
The podcast is known for its detailed research and storytelling, mixed with a healthy dose of humor and irreverence. The hosts explore various macabre and mysterious topics, delving into the dark side of humanity while injecting their own comedic spin on the material. They often feature multi-part series on specific subjects, diving deep into the details of infamous cases and events.
How Many Listeners Does Last Podcast on the Left Have?
It is reported by the LA Times that the show had had 2.5 million downloads per week in 2019, prior to when it joined Spotify exclusively.
Where Does the Term 'Pickle Girlfriend' Come from?
It's believed that 'Pickle Girlfriend' on The Last Podcast on the Left refers to Marcus Parks' girlfriend (now wife) Carolina Hidalgo whom he married in late 2019.
Best Episodes of The Last Podcast on the Left
- Dahmer
- Jonestown
- Jack the Ripper
- Charles Manson
- H.H. Holmes
- Ed Gein
- Oklahoma City Bombing
- Roswell
- Ed Kemper
- Black Serial Killers
- Heaven's Gate
- Billy the Kid
- Columbine
- Aum Shinrikyo Death Cult
- The Manhattan Project
- L. Ron Hubbard
- Mark Twitchell
- The Boston Strangler
- The Yorkshire Ripper
- Creepypasta X
- Katherine Knight
- David Miscavige
- Salem Witch Trials
- John Wayne Gacy
- Fred and Rose West
