*By Max Godnick* Why did Dave Chappelle walk away from a $50 million contract and move to Africa? Why do music superstars keep dying at age 27? And did anyone ever get to the bottom of the [Balloon Boy](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQ8i8coWGyc) hoax? Documentarian Andrew Jenks's podcast, "What Really Happened?" is returning for a second season to answer those questions and more of pop culture's most confounding mysteries. The show's first season focused on other bizarre events like Chris Christie's [Bridgegate](https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/christie-bridge-scandal/bridgegate-scandal-ex-christie-allies-bill-baroni-bridget-kelly-get-n739941) scandal, Michael Jordan's early retirement, and Britney Spears's very-public breakdown and head-shaving incident in 2007. "I'm trying to tell the best campfire story that I can," Jenks said Wednesday in an interview on Cheddar. The filmmaker gained fame as host of MTV's "World of Jenks" and as the director of a handful of ESPN documentaries, including "The Zen of Bobby V" and the 30 for 30 short "Posterized." He said the idea for his podcast came while he developed a documentary about Muhammad Ali reportedly talking a man out of suicide in 1981. That film never came to fruition, but the strong idea caught the attention of Dwayne "the Rock" Johnson and his production company Seven Bucks. "The Rock likes things big," Jenks said, noting that it was Johnson who suggested the idea might work best in a podcast format. "You don't say no to what The Rock thinks." The idea proved to be a hit, and eventually the show landed at #1 on the Apple Podcast charts. In the second season premiere, Jenks explores the rationale behind Venus Williams [forfeiting](https://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/18/sports/tennis-serena-williams-wins-as-the-boos-pour-down.html) a 2001 match against her sister Serena just four minutes before it was scheduled to take place. The incident caused some to speculate that the pair's father Richard orchestrated the whole thing to manipulate the results of the tournament. "It's B.S.," Jenks said of the conspiracy theory. "She was injured." Another episode unpacks the sudden [hearing issues](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/01/science/sonic-attack-cuba-microwave.html) that American diplomats stationed in Cuba began experiencing in 2016. Commonly described as "sonic attacks," the phenomenon led to the medical examination of 21 U.S. officials and prompted Jenks to interview neurologists, members of the CIA, the Cuban Ambassador, and acoustic weapons experts. "A 'sonic attack' is a fabricated, made-up term that scientists have historically always dismissed," he said. Jenks would not reveal what (or who) he believes to be the true culprit ー but he did offer a clue. "When it smells and kind of acts and looks like Vladimir Putin, a lot of the time, it is Vladimir Putin." For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/andrew-jenks-solves-worlds-greatest-pop-culture-mysteries).

Share:
More In Culture
Having a Feral Girl Summer With Spotify 2022 Summer Song Playlist
Spotify has announced its official Songs of the Summer predictions. Lea Palmieri, a Spotify trend expert and podcast host, joined Cheddar News to break down the acts who made the cut and how. “It's a mix of streaming data charts and also our global curation team," she said. "They're keeping an eye on all of the hottest music." While Harry Styles has recently topped the Spotify charts, Palmieri also addressed the "Feral Girl Summer" trend, which she described as going "moderately wild, having fun, enjoying yourself."
Recapping the 75th Annual Tony Awards
The Tony Awards made its sensational return to Radio City Music Hal for the first time since 2019. 'A Strange Loop' stole the show, winning Best Musical while Adrianna Debose hosted in the most spectacular way possible. Cheddar News was joined by Broadway Reporter Leigh Scheps to break down the 75th Annual Tony Awards.
U.S. Stocks Close at Session Lows
U.S. stocks closed Thursday at their lowest levels of the trading day, as investors continue to eye inflation ahead of the May CPI report out Friday. Art Hogan, Chief Market Strategist for National Holdings, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
U.S. Stocks Close at Session Lows Following High May Inflation Data
U.S. stocks closed Friday at session lows after May CPI data showed inflation in the U.S. has not peaked and is still rising rapidly. For the week, the S&P fell 5.06%, the Dow lost 4.58%, and the Nasdaq dropped 5.60%, marking the worst week since January for all three major indexes. Mike Zigmont, Head of Trading and Research at Harvest Volatility Management, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
Christie’s to Offer Rare 'Legacy of the GOAT' Michael Jordan Memorabilia
Auction house Christie's will be presenting "Legacy of the GOAT," which will include a rare Michael Jordan signed rookie card and sneakers. Caitlin Donovan, the vice president of Christie's handbags and accessories department. joined Cheddar News to discuss the special memorabilia selection for the NBA great. "He's been a global phenomenon, so he's really shaped '90s culture and streetwear culture," she said. "And we see bidders from every pocket in the world."
The Second Annual 'Catch a Clean Wave' Initiative
Kona Brewing Co., pro surfer Anna Gudauskus, and surf photographer Sarah Lee are embarking on an 1,500+ mile beach cleanup down the East Coast. Gudauskus and Lee join Cheddar News to discuss the initiative.
MLK Jr. Grandaughter Yolanda Renee King on the March For Our Lives Return to DC
March For Our Lives will be returning this weekend to Washington, DC, in the wake of the recent mass shooting seen throughout the country. Marchers include Yolanda Renee King, the only granddaughter of Martin Luther King Jr. She joined Cheddar News to discuss the importance of the march and activism in general. "I just think that it's so important to have these rallies because we need to demand to our leaders and politicians that they pass legislation and that and we actually need to see action," she said.
Load More