Bunga Bunga

Wondery

Silvio Berlusconi was a charismatic multi-millionaire real-estate mogul who upended the Italian political order and hypnotized an entire nation. He was one of the longest-serving prime ministers of one of the world’s wealthiest countries, until he was brought down by three powerful women - and two words: “Bunga Bunga.” From Wondery, the makers of Dirty John and The Shrink Next Door, and hosted by comedian Whitney Cummings, “Bunga Bunga” is an eight part series on the incredible true story of the rise and fall of Silvio Berlusconi, told with Whitney’s signature wit and style.

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

The podcast Bunga Bunga traces the rise and fall of Italian real estate giant, media tycoon, and former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi. This true story shocked the world as it unfolded. Host Whitney Cummings brings her signature comedic flair to the spicy and salacious material of this Wondery Original podcast.

Berlusconi, who served three separate terms as Italian prime minister (1994-95, 2001-06, and 2008-11), was caught up in multiple scandals: tax fraud, links to offshore accounts listed in the Panama Papers, and sexual misconduct, to name a few. His ex-wife, Veronica Lario, accused him of frequently appointing young, attractive women to esteemed political positions for which they had no experience.

This ten-episode podcast delves into Berlusconi’s transition from charismatic business mogul to political leader (a story that will definitely resonate with Americans). He regularly falls in and out of favor with the Italian people and becomes synonymous with egoistic governing, sex scandals, and political corruption.

The scandal that gave this podcast its name, known publicly as "Rubygate", led to Berlusconi’s demise. Accusations of sex with underage prostitutes and of office malfeasance spawned a landmark trial against the prime minister. In the end, Berlusconi was banned from holding office in Italy and sentenced to seven years in prison.

What’s captivating, and possibly most appalling, is the strangest twist of all—Berlusconi’s phoenix-like rise back to the center of Italian politics. Listen to Bunga Bunga, a Wondery podcast, now on Amazon music.

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Society & CultureSociety & Culture

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Introducing: Bunga Bunga

Introducing: Bunga Bunga

Silvio Berlusconi was a charismatic multi-millionaire real-estate mogul who upended the Italian political order and hypnotized an entire nation. He was one of the longest-serving prime ministers of one of the world’s wealthiest countries, until he was brought down by three powerful women - and two words: “Bunga Bunga.” From Wondery, hosted by comedian Whitney Cummings, “Bunga Bunga” is an eight part series on the incredible true story of the rise and fall of Silvio Berlusconi, told with Whitney’s signature wit and style.Bunga Bunga is available exclusively on Wondery+ or on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or Amazon Music Unlimited subscription. Start your free trial of Wondery+ at wonderyplus.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episodes

Introducing: Bunga Bunga

Introducing: Bunga Bunga

Silvio Berlusconi was a charismatic multi-millionaire real-estate mogul who upended the Italian political order and hypnotized an entire nation. He was one of the longest-serving prime ministers of one of the world’s wealthiest countries, until he was brought down by three powerful women - and two words: “Bunga Bunga.” From Wondery, hosted by comedian Whitney Cummings, “Bunga Bunga” is an eight part series on the incredible true story of the rise and fall of Silvio Berlusconi, told with Whitney’s signature wit and style.Bunga Bunga is available exclusively on Wondery+ or on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or Amazon Music Unlimited subscription. Start your free trial of Wondery+ at wonderyplus.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I Know How To Make People Love Me | 1

I Know How To Make People Love Me | 1

You can binge all episodes of Bunga Bunga exclusively and ad-free on Wondery+. Find Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts.Silvio Berlusconi began his career as a nightclub and cruise ship singer. But he would eventually find an even better way to gain the adoration of the crowds: become an incomparably powerful real estate and media mogul. But just as he’s at the top of his game, Silvio’s business interests are threatened when a politician is caught flushing cash down a toilet.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I Know How To Make People Love Me | 1

I Know How To Make People Love Me | 1

You can binge all episodes of Bunga Bunga exclusively and ad-free on Wondery+. Find Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts.Silvio Berlusconi began his career as a nightclub and cruise ship singer. But he would eventually find an even better way to gain the adoration of the crowds: become an incomparably powerful real estate and media mogul. But just as he’s at the top of his game, Silvio’s business interests are threatened when a politician is caught flushing cash down a toilet.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bigger Than Jesus | 2

Bigger Than Jesus | 2

With the Italian political system in chaos, public trust in their leaders is at rock bottom. That’s when Silvio steps in to run for Prime Minister, offering a New Italian Miracle. Good thing he owns a massive business operation to help him get elected.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dirty Hands | 3

Dirty Hands | 3

In his first term in office as Prime Minister, Silvio is promising Italy a fresh start. But the voters aren’t so sure. Silvio finds that governing isn’t easy. In fact, it puts a target on his back, and a dogged new prosecutor named Ilda “the Red” is taking aim.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

All Silvio, All The Time | 4

All Silvio, All The Time | 4

It’s been five years since Silvio’s first term in office ended, and he’s ready for a comeback. While Silvio creates his own glossy brochure to tell voters of his idyllic life, a late-night talk show host is pulling back the curtain. He wants to answer a question that has been dogging Silvio his entire career: “Silvio, where did you get all this money?!” The answer causes a sensation. (Hint: it involves the Mafia.) But is this revelation enough to stop Silvio from winning a second time?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Look In the Mirror | 5

Look In the Mirror | 5

As Silvio rules Italy, he is leaving nothing to chance. The country becomes a 24/7 Berlusconi owned-and-operated spectacle. But there’s at least one important person who is not happy with how it’s all going: his wife Veronica Lario. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Dinner Party | 6

The Dinner Party | 6

What is “Bunga Bunga”? Two beauty pageant contestants are about to find out in the most awful way, after they receive an invitation to dinner at Silvio’s villa.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Everybody Hates Silvio | 7

Everybody Hates Silvio | 7

As the world learns the true meaning of the words “Bunga Bunga,” the Great Recession is sweeping the world and prosecutors are closing in on Silvio, He is about to receive several rude awakenings, including one that will literally smash him in the teeth. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Kiss of Death | 8

The Kiss of Death | 8

World leaders offer a bailout package to a struggling Italy, and the country’s long, complicated love affair with Silvio is turning cold. And Ilda the Red is taking one more shot at putting Silvio behind bars. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why Berlusconi Is Still an Icon | 9

Why Berlusconi Is Still an Icon | 9

Nearly a decade after his fall from grace, Silvio is back on the political scene and back on the dating scene, too. In this special episode, Barbie Nadeau speaks with the hosts of Wondery’s show “Even the Rich” about Silvio’s complicated legacy, his fight against COVID-19, and why there’s good reason to believe he wears a corset.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Wondery Presents: Stolen Hearts

Wondery Presents: Stolen Hearts

Sergeant Jill Evans is a small town cop in Wales with an impressive record in her job, and a less than impressive record in her love life. After three engagements, two divorces and one affair, she’s beginning to worry that love is only true in fairy tales. That is until she meets: Dean. He’s a wealthy beauty entrepreneur with his own range of toiletries.Girl meets boy. Boy meets girl. They kiss and fall in love. Roll credits.But that would be boring, wouldn’t it? Instead, this is a love story like no other. It’s all going so well for Jill and Dean, until Halloween night, when Dean disappears. And Sgt. Jill is left to pick up the pieces.From Wondery and Novel, comes a new series. Hosted by Kerry Godliman.Follow Stolen Hearts on Amazon Music of wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free by subscribing to Wondery+ in Apple Podcasts or the Wondery App. Listen to Stolen Hearts: Wondery.fm/SH_BungaSee 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 2-8 of Bunga Bunga

Where to find Episodes 2-8 of Bunga Bunga

Bunga Bunga has moved. You can binge all eight episodes ad-free right now by subscribing to Wondery+ in Apple Podcasts or the Wondery app: https://wondery.com/links/bunga-bunga/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Listen Now: The Big Flop

Listen Now: The Big Flop

The Wing was supposed to be a model for feminist social clubs, built on activism, inclusion, and self-care. But instead, The Wing became a glaring example of toxic girlboss culture and workplace discrimination. On each episode of Wondery’s podcast The Big Flop, comedians join host Misha Brown to chronicle one of the biggest pop-culture fails of all time and try to answer the age-old question: who thought THIS was a good idea?This is just a preview of The Big Flop. Listen to the full episode wherever you get your podcasts, or at wondery.fm/the-big-flop.For more deep dive and daily business content listen to Wondery – the destination for business podcasts. With shows like How I Built This, Business Wars, The Best One Yet, Business Movers and many more, Wondery Means Business.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Listen Now: The Price of Paradise

Listen Now: The Price of Paradise

When ex-Bunny girl Jayne Gaskin spots the desert island of her dreams for sale online, she decides to risk it all. Trading in their English village home, Jayne and her family relocate to their own private paradise, just off the coast of Nicaragua. And a reality TV crew follows them to film a new show, No Going Back. But soon they all discover that paradise has its secrets. The locals claim the island belongs to them, and it’s been sold illegally. Jayne’s not leaving without a fight. A fight that will soon turn deadly.Hosted by Alice Levine.Listen to The Price of Paradise on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge all episodes early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts. Start your free trial by visiting https://wondery.com/links/the-price-of-paradise/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.