10 episodes

In 1978, Rodney Alcala won a date on the popular TV show, The Dating Game. What no one knew was that he was a prolific serial killer in the middle of a cross-country murder spree. In this six-part series, co-hosts Tracy Pattin (Hollywood & Crime) and Stephen Lang (Avatar, Don’t Breathe) take listeners on an unbelievable journey into Alcala’s twisting secret life. He hid behind normal jobs as a typesetter at a prominent newspaper and a summer camp counselor. How did this predatory monster fool employers, prison psychiatrists, and parole boards — all while committing heinous crimes from coast to coast? And how did a one-time appearance as a game show contestant help lead to his capture? From the makers of Dirty John, Dr. Death, and Young Charlie, learn the story of the most famous serial killer you’ve never heard of - The Dating Game Killer.
Available exclusively on Wondery+ or on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or Amazon Music Unlimited subscription.

The Dating Game Killer Wondery

    • True Crime
    • 4.4 • 4.9K Ratings

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

In 1978, Rodney Alcala won a date on the popular TV show, The Dating Game. What no one knew was that he was a prolific serial killer in the middle of a cross-country murder spree. In this six-part series, co-hosts Tracy Pattin (Hollywood & Crime) and Stephen Lang (Avatar, Don’t Breathe) take listeners on an unbelievable journey into Alcala’s twisting secret life. He hid behind normal jobs as a typesetter at a prominent newspaper and a summer camp counselor. How did this predatory monster fool employers, prison psychiatrists, and parole boards — all while committing heinous crimes from coast to coast? And how did a one-time appearance as a game show contestant help lead to his capture? From the makers of Dirty John, Dr. Death, and Young Charlie, learn the story of the most famous serial killer you’ve never heard of - The Dating Game Killer.
Available exclusively on Wondery+ or on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or Amazon Music Unlimited subscription.

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

    Tali

    Tali

    Eight-year-old Tali Shapiro is abducted on her way to school. At the crime scene, LAPD officer Chris Camacho finds her attacker’s student ID. His name: Rodney Alcala.




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    • 50 min
    Rehabilitated

    Rehabilitated

    After being convicted of child molestation, Rodney Alcala becomes a model prisoner and works hard to convince the parole board he is no longer a threat. But when he is released less than two months later, he strikes again.

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    Bachelor Number One

    Bachelor Number One

    Rodney Alcala appears as a hopeful contestant on the popular TV show The Dating Game, attempting to win the heart of an eligible bachelorette. Soon after, he kills again, with disastrous consequences.

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    Mile Marker 11

    Mile Marker 11

    Another body is found, and one of the detectives on the case recognizes Rodney Alcala on a rerun episode of The Dating Game. As police close in, they begin to suspect they have a serial killer on their hands.

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    The Witness

    The Witness

    Hoping for a not guilty decision, Rodney Alcala’s defense attorney plans to discredit the state’s main witness and keep Alcala’s prior criminal record out of court. But the mother of one of his victims has a plan of her own.

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    The Alice’s Restaurant Defense

    The Alice’s Restaurant Defense

    Rodney Alcala’s initial conviction and sentence are only the beginning of his time in court. What follows is a 30-year odyssey through the American judicial system. Will the families and friends of his victims ever receive justice?

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Customer Reviews

4.4 out of 5
4.9K Ratings

4.9K Ratings

Deej0616 ,

Loved it but disappointed

You failed to say the biggest issue. He got away with this in the American criminal justice system because he was white. Other people aren’t given those many chances (over and over). I feel like it was a missed opportunity to talk about because all of his chances were brought up so many times through all the episodes.

Lovethiscusbapp ,

Unlistenable

The storytelling is impossible to follow. Why all the narrators and perspective changes. This is not a book and the dramatization makes this so hard to listen to.

McGuffog ,

The writing is irresponsible, negligent, and frankly creepy.

The writer’s reimagining of each killing mirrors a portal in the very issue of its content. The dramatization and verbiage of this very sensitive subject is not only unintelligent, it’s creepy. Complete lack of empathy and reasonable reporting. So often talking about how handsome the killer is and how much the women want his attention. Mind you the victims are often children and teens. Calling them tinyboppers. Talking so much about what they wear. How easily they are victimized. The writer takes the liberty to explain how the deceased women actually feel and respond during their murder. What is that? Honing in on the creepiest made up details for the sake of entertainment. As an avid true crime podcast listener, this production was as distasteful as it comes.A D-list romanticized fluff of real events. Embarrassing at best. Gross in execution. Stick to the facts. The objectifying of women by these writers is frightful. Do better or do something else.

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