Missing Richard Simmons Explained

Missing Richard Simmons
Language:English
Audio Format:Podcast (via streaming or downloadable MP3)
Began:February 15, 2017
Ended:March 20, 2017
Num Seasons:1
Num Episodes:6 (+2 "Bonus" episodes)
Length:27–33 minutes
Followed By:Surviving Y2K

Missing Richard Simmons is an investigative journalism podcast hosted by journalist Dan Taberski and created by Stitcher, First Look Media and Pineapple Street Media. The six-episode series ran from February 15, 2017, through March 20, 2017, with episodes releasing every week.

Synopsis

Missing Richard Simmons focuses on the sudden retirement from public life of the fitness instructor and actor Richard Simmons. After having an illustrious media career spanning over 30 years, and known for interacting with fans on a personal level, Simmons disappeared from the public eye in February 2014. Not only did Simmons no longer appear in the media, he also stopped teaching his regular exercise classes at his gym – Slimmons – and stopped corresponding with his friends and fans. Former producer on The Daily Show,[1] Dan Taberski sets out to find out why.

Persons involved

Episodes

TitleLength (minutes:seconds)Original release date

Reception

Missing Richard Simmons was met with mixed reviews from critics. Amanda Hess of the New York Times described the podcast as "morally suspect", while also stating it was an invasion of Simmons' privacy.[2] Similar sentiments were raised by Rolling Stone,[3] The Week[4] and Vox[5] amongst others. Despite this however, these critics would also mention the "instantly engaging" nature of the podcast,[2] with Vulture.com calling it "the strongest narrative podcast out there."[6]

Missing Richard Simmons proved popular with audiences, topping the iTunes podcast charts in Australia, Canada, United Kingdom and United States.[7] In the United States, the podcast spent almost three weeks in the number one spot.[8]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Dan Taberski – IMDb . . December 10, 2017 . English.
  2. News: 'Missing Richard Simmons,' the Morally Suspect Podcast. The New York Times. 14 March 2017. December 11, 2017 . English. Hess. Amanda.
  3. 'Missing Richard Simmons' Podcast: Everything You Need to Know . . 6 March 2017 . December 11, 2017 . English.
  4. Web site: No one has a problem with the Missing Richard Simmons podcast, and that's a problem . . 14 March 2017 . December 11, 2017 . English.
  5. Web site: Missing Richard Simmons: how a podcast became an experiment in privacy invasion. 21 March 2017 . December 11, 2017 . English.
  6. Web site: Missing Richard Simmons Is a Brilliant Podcast – So Far. 2 March 2017. December 11, 2017 . English.
  7. Web site: iTunesCharts.net: Missing Richard Simmons. December 11, 2017 . English.
  8. Web site: iTunesCharts.net: Missing Richard Simmons: American Chart Performance. December 11, 2017 . English.