Scandal Sheets, Supermarkets, and Catch & Kill: The Evolution of Tabloid Journalism

In this episode of pplpod, we peel back the headlines to explore the history of tabloid journalism, a sensationalist style that evolved from the "yellow journalism" and "scandal sheets" of the past. We trace the genre’s roots from 18th-century London to 1920s mining towns, where early precursors like The Morning Post and Rip-saw specialized in malicious gossip, extortion, and political blackmail.

We discuss the rise of the "supermarket tabloid"—dominated by the National Enquirer and American Media, Inc.—and how aggressive tactics and "catch and kill" deals have been used to bury stories embarrassing to figures like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Donald Trump, and Harvey Weinstein. We also cover the British "red tops" known for celebrity sensationalism, the landmark libel lawsuit won by Carol Burnett that changed the industry, and the modern shift toward digital platforms and fake news.