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The Dating Game Killer

Wondery

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.

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Our Editor's Take

How does someone get away with murder? The Dating Game Killer podcast breaks down the terrifying true story of one man that got away with countless murders across state lines.

Using the alias “John Burger,” the Dating Game Killer, aka Rodney Alcala, was responsible for the vicious murders of many. Alcala was known for vile attacks on women, girls, and boys and became notorious for how he frequently evaded capture across the country. Alcala was the main suspect in numerous attacks and murders starting in the 1970s. However, he was only apprehended in 2010 and died of natural causes in 2021.

This six-part series looks at how Alcala lured women to their deaths by posing as a professional photographer and asking them to model for him. Chillingly, photos of hundreds of others—that could have seen the same fate—remain.

The Dating Game Killer examines the crimes themselves. Host Candice DeLong critically assesses the motives behind Alcala’s actions. This podcast scrutinizes how his mind worked and what drove him to do what he did. How did he evade capture? Why, despite overwhelming evidence, did he refuse to admit to the crimes he was accused of? Listen to The Dating Game Killer on Amazon Music to find out.

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True CrimeTrue Crime
Play Trailer
Introducing The Dating Game Killer
Feb 22 2020
Introducing The Dating Game Killer
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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episodes

Introducing The Dating Game Killer
Feb 22 2020
Introducing The Dating Game Killer
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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Tali | 1
Feb 24 2020
Tali | 1
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.Listen ad free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App. https://wondery.app.link/datinggamekillerSupport us by supporting our sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Rehabilitated | 2
Mar 5 2020
Rehabilitated | 2
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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Bachelor Number One | 3
Mar 11 2020
Bachelor Number One | 3
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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Mile Marker 11 | 4
Mar 18 2020
Mile Marker 11 | 4
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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Witness | 5
Mar 25 2020
The Witness | 5
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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Alice’s Restaurant Defense | 6
Apr 1 2020
The Alice’s Restaurant Defense | 6
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?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
LA Serial Killers: A Conversation | 7
Apr 8 2020
LA Serial Killers: A Conversation | 7
Host Tracy Pattin talks with retired LAPD detectives Tom Lange and Bob Souza and true crime social historian Joan Renner about Rodney Alcala and other serial killers who operated in and around Los Angeles from the 1970s to the 1990s.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Where to find Episodes 2-7 of The Dating Game Killer
Jul 3 2023
Where to find Episodes 2-7 of The Dating Game Killer
The Dating Game Killer has moved. You can listen to all seven episodes ad-free by subscribing to Wondery+ in Apple Podcasts or the Wondery app, or you can listen on Amazon Music with your Prime Membership: Wondery.fm/TDGK_WTLTNSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.