In the season two premiere of 'The Wicked Stage Pod,' hosts Jen, Ashley, and Olivia dive into the convoluted early life and career of infamous actor-turned-assassin, John Wilkes Booth. From his tumultuous family dynamics to his rise as a popular but controversial stage actor, Booth’s journey is explored in detail. The episode also examines his relationships, clandestine activities, and the events leading up to his fateful decision to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln. The hosts blend a mix of historical context and modern analysis, integrating references from Stephen Sondheim's musical 'Assassins' to provide a comprehensive and engaging narrative. This episode is the first of a two-part exploration into the life of one of history's most notorious figures.
00:00 Listener Discretion Advised
00:15 Meet the Hosts
00:42 Season Two Begins
01:01 Celebrity Candles and Banter
03:06 Introducing John Wilkes Booth
03:47 The Infamous Assassination
05:27 Booth's Early Life and Family
31:57 Booth's Controversial Beliefs
38:52 Booth's Acting Career
46:35 John Wilkes Booth: The Theatrical Innovator
49:31 Booth's Romantic Entanglements
50:54 The Scandalous Correspondences
01:00:17 Booth's Rise to Fame
01:07:11 Booth's Confederate Ties
01:11:49 The Kidnapping Plot
01:27:59 The Decision to Assassinate Lincoln
01:31:04 Intermission and Cliffhanger