hollywoodland
The Dating Game Killer: Persuasion, Charm, and a Depraved Murderer at Large
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In this episode
Rodney Alcala, a/k/a The Dating Game Killer, was a depraved murderer who eluded authorities for years. He hid his true identity behind charm and persuasion. He worked as a summer camp counselor while on the lam for the savage assault of an eight-year-old girl. He convinced his parole officer to let him take a vacation to the other side of the country, where he proceeded to commit another of his many murders. While New Yorkers were watching their backs for the Son of Sam in the summer of ’77, he killed again. And at the height of his killing spree, he managed to star in one of the creepiest moments in Hollywood history as a contestant on a popular television game show.
Sources
Flashback: Serial Killer Appears on ‘The Dating Game’ Mid-Spree (Rolling Stone)
Rodney Alcala, ‘The Dating Game Killer,’ Dead at 77 (Rolling Stone)
The ‘Dating Game’ reportedly killed up to 130 people. He died while awaiting execution. (Washington Post)
The Horrifying Story of Rodney Alcala, The Serial Killer Who Won ‘The Dating Game’ During His Murder Spree (All That’s Interesting)
Rodney Alcala, the ‘Dating Game’ Serial Killer, Dies (NY Times)
The Dating Game, September 13, 1978 (YouTube)
Cheryl Bradshaw: Rodney Alcala “Creepy” on Dating Game (Heavy)
Meet Cheryl Bradshaw, the ‘Dating Game’ Contestant Who Chose Serial Killer Rodney Alcala (All That’s Interesting)
A close call: How serial killer Rodney Alcala appeared on the ‘Dating Game’ and won (ABC)
Woman Survived Attack by ‘Dating Game’ Killer at Age 8 (People)
40 Years on, Detective Sheds New Light on a Killing (NY Times)
After Decades, Charges in 2 Manhattan Murders (NY Times)
Homicide Rate Rises 30% in First Part of 1971 Here (NY Times)
Mom shouts at man accused of killing girl (Orange County Register)
A Mother’s Torment Resumes (LA Times)
People vs. Alcala (Supreme Court of California)
Seinfeld Actor Jed Mills met “creepy” alleged Dating Game serial killer Rodney Alcala in ABC’s green room (LA Weekly)
‘My dream date with a serial killer’ (Daily Telegraph)
Victim speaks out at Alcala sentencing (ABC)
Condemned Inmate Rodney Alcala Dies of Natural Causes (California Dept of Corrections & Rehabilitation)
The Eye of a Killer (People)
Credits
Hosted by Jake Brennan.
Written by Zeth Lundy.
Copy edited by Pat Healy.
Scored and mixed by Colin Fleming.
Additional music and score elements by Ryan Spraker.
*illustrations by Avi Spivak @avispivak