Tonya Harding Part 2

07/26/19 • 75 min

7 Listeners

“The story that did the most damage to the people in it was the one that made the most money.” Sarah tells Mike about the low-rent conspiracy that sparked a ratings bonanza. Digressions include "Out of Sight," Robert De Niro and the ancient sexting technology known as landlines. Mike continues to laugh confusedly at references he does not know.

Continue reading →
Support us:
Subscribe on Patreon
Donate on Paypal
Buy cute merch

Where to find us:
Sarah's other show, Why Are Dads
Mike's other show, Maintenance Phase

Support the show

Continue reading →
Support us:
Subscribe on Patreon
Donate on Paypal
Buy cute merch

Where to find us:
Sarah's other show, Why Are Dads
Mike's other show, Maintenance Phase

Support the show

Previous Episode

Tonya Harding Part 1

3 Recommendations

Sarah tells Mike the story of a world-class figure skater who worked at a mall potato restaurant. Digressions include “Sleepless in Seattle,” mall walkers, synchronized diving and the difficulty of skating a perfect pentagram. This episode unfortunately contains descriptions of physical, emotional and sexual abuse. Tonya deserved better.

Continue reading →
Support us:
Subscribe on Patreon
Donate on Paypal
Buy cute merch

Where to find us:
Sarah's other show, Why Are Dads
Mike's other show, Maintenance Phase

Support the show

Next Episode

Sex Offenders

1 Recommendations

“Things are not going to get better if we make the people who scare us seem more powerful.” Mike tells Sarah about the myths of sex crimes, the reality of child abuse and the importance of unsympathetic protagonists. Digressions include frozen pizza, millennials (obvs) and vaccination rates. Mike can only name one state that borders Nevada.

Continue reading →
Support us:
Subscribe on Patreon
Donate on Paypal
Buy cute merch

Where to find us:
Sarah's other show, Why Are Dads
Mike's other show, Maintenance Phase

Support the show

You're Wrong About - Tonya Harding Part 2

Transcript Summary

In "Tonya Harding Part 2," the episode delves into the haunting role of money in the scandal and the media's portrayal of Tonya Harding. The transcript highlights how Tonya's ex-husband sold a sex tape of her without her consent, and emphasizes that Tonya and Nancy Kerrigan did not interact during the Olympics. The episode explores the negative media coverage driven by profit incentives and the control of the narrative by editors and gatekeepers. While Tonya Harding was never convicted of prior knowledge of the attack, media bias and novelty favoring new and sensational stories resulted in a damaging portrayal. The episode also details the planning and execution of the attack on Nancy Kerrigan, the aftermath, and the media's changing perception of Tonya over time. The discussion encompasses the complex life choices, the movie "I, Tonya," and the support and reparations Tonya Harding has received. This episode offers a deep dive into the Tonya Harding scandal, shedding light on the role of money and media bias while showcasing the complexity of her story.

Transcript

Sarah: There's also a weird thing happening where a lot of the people who are covering the news and sort of printing like the historical record of record are just like random people with Gmail accounts who can't afford dental care.

Mike: Welcome to Your Wrong About the podcast where we trace the figures of history as they should have been drawn in the first place. Boom.

Sarah

Tonya Harding Part 2 Top Questions Answered

How did the media coverage of Tonya Harding contribute to a negative portrayal of her?

The media coverage of Tonya Harding during the scandal was driven by profit and incentives to portray her negatively.

What role did editors and gatekeepers play in shaping public opinion during the Tonya Harding scandal?

Editors and gatekeepers influenced public opinion by deciding what information was published and controlling the narrative.

Did Tonya Harding serve jail time for her involvement in the Nancy Kerrigan attack?

No, Tonya Harding never served time in jail, but she accepted a lifetime ban from figure skating.

What was the motive behind the attack on Nancy Kerrigan, and was Tonya Harding involved?

Many people believe Tonya Harding was involved in a plot to harm her rival, Nancy Kerrigan, motivated by competition in figure skating.

How did media bias towards novelty affect discussions about overlooked or ongoing issues during the Tonya Harding scandal?

Media bias towards novelty made it challenging to address issues that were overshadowed or ongoing, diverting attention away from important topics.

Were there any efforts made to understand Tonya Harding's perspective on the media coverage?

The podcast hosts express a desire to know Tonya Harding's thoughts on the coverage and offer a willingness to meet with her.

What was Tonya Harding's reaction to being accused of cheating in a skating competition?

Tonya Harding felt cheated in a skating competition in December 1993 and expressed her dissatisfaction.

Who was involved in planning the attack on Nancy Kerrigan?

Tonya's friend Jeff complained to his friend Shawn about Tonya being cheated, leading Shawn to suggest a threat against Nancy Kerrigan.

How did the attack on Nancy Kerrigan unfold during the practice session?

The attacker targeted Nancy Kerrigan during a practice session at the National Figure Skating Championship in January 1994, striking her lower thigh with a collapsible police baton.

What impact did the attack on Nancy Kerrigan have on her ability to compete?

Nancy Kerrigan was unable to compete on the night of the attack due to her injury but received a bye to compete at the Olympics because of her previous World Championship medal.

Show more Questions