A History of Gossip
Friday, February 19th, 2010
Hour 2
Confidential was the proto TMZ.com. From 1952 to 1958, the sensational magazine was the go-to gossip source of its day. It’s publisher was a staunch fact-checking advocate, but held no virtue in getting most of his material through blackmail and a payroll that included waiters, bartenders and jilted lovers. Confidential outed homosexuals, mixed race couples and extra-marital affairs. Our guest, HENRY SCOTT, has revealed this history of gossip in his new book, Confidential: Shocking True Story: The Rise and Fall of Confidential, 'America’s Most Scandalous Magazine.'
Listen:
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Radio Times Podcast