“Super Size Me,” Twenty Years Later
The Sporkful21 Okt 2024

“Super Size Me,” Twenty Years Later

Twenty years ago, Morgan Spurlock released his low-budget documentary Super Size Me, and achieved success that most documentary filmmakers can only dream about. The film made millions at the box office, it was nominated for an Academy Award, and it turned Morgan into a star. To this day, the film is still shown in middle school and high school health classes across the country. But in 2017, Morgan made a shocking confession that derailed his career and called into question Super Size Me’s original claims. Earlier this year, Morgan died of cancer. In this week’s show, Sporkful senior producer Andres O’Hara talks with some of the people closest to Morgan to figure out: Who really was Morgan Spurlock? How did Super Size Me become such a huge hit? And after all these years, should we still be showing it to kids?

The Sporkful production team includes Dan Pashman, Emma Morgenstern, Nora Ritchie, Jared O'Connell, and Giulia Leo. Editing by Kameel Stanley. Publishing by Shantel Holder and transcription by Emily Nguyen.

Transcript available at www.sporkful.com.

Right now, Sporkful listeners can get three months free of the SiriusXM app by going to siriusxm.com/sporkful. Get all your favorite podcasts, more than 200 ad-free music channels curated by genre and era, and live sports coverage with the SiriusXM app.


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Episoder(282)

Zarna Garg Had To Tell Jokes For Her Supper

Zarna Garg Had To Tell Jokes For Her Supper

The stand-up comedian Zarna Garg spent 16 years as a stay-at-home mom. Now she sells out shows across the country and has her own special on Prime Video. In her stand-up and her social media videos, f...

19 Jun 202331min

Inside The World Of Food Smuggling

Inside The World Of Food Smuggling

Remember that time you bought an apple in Canada or a piece of cheese in France and “forgot” to declare it when you crossed the border into the U.S.? That makes you a food smuggler. It can feel pretty...

12 Jun 202334min

After A Lifetime Of Eating, Gail Simmons Is Still Hungry

After A Lifetime Of Eating, Gail Simmons Is Still Hungry

Top Chef judge Gail Simmons never thought she’d have a career in food. Sure, her mom ran a cooking school in their home growing up. Yes, she worked in the kitchen on a kibbutz in Israel. And it’s true...

5 Jun 202331min

The Secret To Grace Church’s Lobster Rolls

The Secret To Grace Church’s Lobster Rolls

In the 1980s, six women on an island off the coast of Massachusetts began selling lobster rolls as a church fundraiser. Today people travel by car, boat, and plane just to taste these hallowed summer ...

29 Mai 202331min

Comic Jamie Loftus’s Hot Dog Summer

Comic Jamie Loftus’s Hot Dog Summer

Comedian and podcaster Jamie Loftus set out on a cross-country road trip to try to figure out: Why do hot dogs have such a hold on American culture? And why does she continue to find them so damn deli...

22 Mai 202334min

Is Protecting Abalone Also Destroying A Native Tradition?

Is Protecting Abalone Also Destroying A Native Tradition?

When the California government stepped in to try and prevent abalone from going extinct, it also criminalized the food traditions of indigenous people in the region. In this episode from our friends a...

15 Mai 202335min

The Musical History Of Jelly

The Musical History Of Jelly

This week we're exploring the musical history of jelly, from the Harlem Renaissance to Beyoncé and beyond. Along the way, we hear the story of a famous moment in internet history, explore depictions o...

8 Mai 202335min

Can ChatGPT Write An Episode Of The Sporkful?

Can ChatGPT Write An Episode Of The Sporkful?

ChatGPT can use artificial intelligence to generate high school essays, emails, cover letters, and a lot more. But can it write an episode of The Sporkful? Eater senior reporter Bettina Makalintal joi...

1 Mai 202332min

Populært innen Fritid

rss-spartsklubben
lydartikler-fra-aftenposten
mil-etter-mil-en-podcast-om-bil
nerdelandslaget
rss-gatebilpodden
interiorradet
livet-pa-veien-med-jan-erik-larssen
jakt-og-fiskepodden
jegerpodden
0-100-med-broom-mats-og-remi
rss-avskiltet
rss-jegerpodden
hagespiren-podcast
rss-jeg-fikser-vin
klokkepodden
villmarksliv
level-backup
fjellsportpodden
grontpodden
rss-var-forste-kaffe