The Dropout (podcast)
{{short description|2019 American true crime podcast}}
{{About|the true crime podcast|the television miniseries inspired by the podcast|The Dropout||Dropout (disambiguation){{!}}Dropout}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox podcast
| title = The Dropout
| image = The Dropout Season 2 Podcast Art 1500.jpg
| caption = Season 2 cover art — The Dropout: Elizabeth Holmes on Trial
| host = Rebecca Jarvis
| country =United States
| theme_music_composer =Evan Viola
| writer = {{Unbulleted list
|Taylor Dunn
|Rebecca Jarvis
|Victoria Thompson
}}
| language = English
| adaptations = The Dropout (TV miniseries)
| website = {{URL|https://abcaudio.com/podcasts/the-dropout/}}
| production = {{Unbulleted list
|Taylor Dunn
|Rebecca Jarvis
|Victoria Thompson
}}
| audio format = Podcast (via streaming or downloadable MP3)
| began = {{Start date|2019|01|15}}
| ended = {{End date|2022|11|18}}
| num_seasons = 2
| num_episodes = 30
| length = variable (39-81 minutes)
| genre = {{Unbulleted list
|Investigative journalism
|true crime
}}
| provider = ABC News
}}
The Dropout is an American true crime podcast hosted by Rebecca Jarvis that follows the story of Elizabeth Holmes, her defunct medical company Theranos, and the related federal criminal fraud trial, United States v. Elizabeth A. Holmes, et al. It was produced by ABC News, Taylor Dunn, Victoria Thompson, and Rebecca Jarvis. After the initial six episodes of the podcast aired in 2019, a two-hour 20/20 episode premiered in March 2019, following the popularity of the podcast. A second season of the podcast, titled, The Dropout: Elizabeth Holmes on Trial, debuted in 2022 and followed along with the criminal fraud federal trial of Holmes.
The podcast series received favorable reviews, and won a Front Page Award, an iHeartRadio Podcast Award, an Edward R. Murrow Award, and two Webby Awards for Best Podcast. The 20/20 episode based on the podcast was nominated for a news Emmy Award in the Outstanding Feature Story in a Newsmagazine category.
The Dropout was adapted into a limited series of the same name — starring Oscar-nominee Amanda Seyfried as Holmes. Jarvis, Dunn, and Thompson served as executive producers along with showrunner Elizabeth Meriwether. The TV series based on the podcast received a positive reception and garnered multiple honors including a Critics' Choice Television Award and Producers Guild of America Award for Best Limited Series. Seyfried won a Golden Globe Award and Primetime Emmy Award for her portrayal of Holmes based on the podcast.
Background
Holmes dropped out of Stanford University and founded Theranos, a medical technology company, in 2003 and became the world's youngest female self-made billionaire.{{cite news |title='Nightline' documentary, podcast: 'The Dropout,' the story of Elizabeth Holmes, Theranos |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Business/nightline-documentary-podcast-dropout-story-elizabeth-holmes-theranos/story?id=60365362 |access-date=20 April 2020 |publisher=ABC News |date=March 14, 2019}} The company was valued at approximately $9 billion.{{cite news |last1=Dunn |first1=Taylor |title=Judge delays criminal trial of Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes |url=https://www.yahoo.com/gma/judge-delays-criminal-trial-theranos-founder-elizabeth-holmes-190548280--abc-news-topstories.html |access-date=20 April 2020 |publisher=Yahoo! News |date=April 15, 2020}} The company claimed that it could complete a full range of blood tests with a single drop of blood, testing for hundreds of diseases. Theranos sold its blood-testing technology to Walgreens. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission later charged Holmes with defrauding investors.{{cite news |last1=Liptak |first1=Andrew |title=ABC's podcast series The Dropout explores the downfall of Theranos and Elizabeth Holmes |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/10/18216012/dropout-podcast-abc-series-theranos-elizabeth-holmes |access-date=20 April 2020 |publisher=The Verge |date=February 10, 2019}} In June 2018, Holmes was indicted on 11 counts of felony fraud in the U.S. federal criminal fraud trial, United States v. Elizabeth A. Holmes, et al.{{cite news |title=The 20 best podcasts of 2019 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/dec/20/top-20-podcasts-2019 |access-date=20 April 2020 |newspaper=The Guardian |date=December 20, 2019}} The podcast interviews former employees, investors, and patients and includes portions of deposition tapes.{{cite news |last1=Lord |first1=Annie |title=The 15 best podcasts to listen to while you're self-isolating |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/podcast-best-listen-to-spotify-self-isolation-this-american-life-reply-all-a9421341.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/podcast-best-listen-to-spotify-self-isolation-this-american-life-reply-all-a9421341.html |archive-date=2022-06-18 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=20 April 2020 |newspaper=The Independent |date=March 29, 2020}}
Production
=Research and original reporting=
The series was produced by ABC News.{{cite news |last1=Weinbender |first1=Nathan |title=A selection of podcasts that you can binge while you're stuck inside |url=https://www.inlander.com/spokane/a-selection-of-podcasts-that-you-can-binge-while-youre-stuck-inside/Content?oid=19455689 |access-date=20 April 2020 |publisher=Pacific Northwest Insider |date=April 16, 2020}} The podcast was written and reported by Jarvis, along with ABC News senior producer Victoria Thompson and Taylor Dunn. Jarvis, Thompson, and Dunn served as producers of the podcast.{{cite news |last1=Amarante |first1=Joe |title=Tech-savvy folks make podcast picks, from 'Hall of Shame' to 'Dirty John' |url=https://www.ctpost.com/entertainment/article/Tech-savvy-folks-make-podcast-picks-from-Hall-15154457.php |access-date=20 April 2020 |publisher=Connecticut Post |date=March 27, 2020}} The book Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup by journalist and author John Carreyrou formed the basis of research for the podcast. Jarvis and her team conducted detailed original reporting on the Theranos fraud. Jarvis spent three years investigating Elizabeth Holmes and carrying out investigative journalism about the defunct medical company.{{citation|via=NewsBank|title=Review: HBO film on Elizabeth Holmes, Theranos a chilling cautionary tale|work=The Mercury News|date=March 11, 2019|first=Chuck|last=Barney}}{{citation|via=NewsBank|title=Aidy Bryant of 'SNL' shines in 'Shrill'|date=March 13, 2019|work=New Hampshire Union Leader|page=D7}}{{citation|via=Gale OneFile|title=100 Podcasts to Love - In a mere five years, podcasts have become a very big thing, Here's our guide to the best listering available out there|work=Sunday Times |location=London, England|date=August 25, 2019|page=4|publisher=NI Syndication Limited}} For the second season, Jarvis herself attended the federal trial of Holmes, United States v. Elizabeth A. Holmes, et al., in California.{{citation|via=Gale OneFile|title=PBS NewsHour for September 8, 2021.|work=PBS Newshour|first=Judy|last=Woodruff|authorlink=Judy Woodruff|date=September 8, 2021|publisher=CQ-Roll Call, Inc.}}{{citation|via=Gale OneFile|first=Judy|last=Woodruff|authorlink=Judy Woodruff|title=PBS NewsHour for November 30, 2021.|date=November 30, 2021|work=PBS Newshour|publisher=CQ-Roll Call, Inc.}}
=Deposition tapes=
Jarvis gained access to legal deposition tapes of Elizabeth Holmes, and multiple key individuals involved in the Theranos fraud case. The depositions of Holmes had not previously been publicized before the podcast release. Those featured in depositions excerpted in the podcast included Balwani, along with Theranos board members: former Wells Fargo CEO Richard Kovacevich, former US Chief of Naval Operations Gary Roughead, and former US Senator and medical doctor, Bill Frist.
=Interviews=
Jarvis hosted and narrated the podcast.{{citation|via=Gale OneFile|title=Podcast Post: Get smarter this Eid weekend|work= Gulf News|location=United Arab Emirates|date=May 29, 2019|publisher=SyndiGate Media Inc.}} She conducted interviews with medical patients that had been tested using the Theranos device.{{citation|via=NewsBank|title=Rise and Fall of Elizabeth Holmes - Alleged Victims of Theranos Scandal Speak Out|date=March 15, 2019|work=Good Morning America}} Jarvis landed an exclusive interview with the lawyer for Theranos former President and COO Sunny Balwani, Jeff Coopersmith.{{citation|via=NewsBank|title=TV tonight: Elizabeth Holmes, Theranos scandal on '20/20'|date=March 15, 2019|work=The Mercury News|first=Chuck|last=Barney}} Jarvis interviewed former Theranos board member Avie Tevanian, who was also a former high-ranking business executive at Apple. Jarvis interviewed Theranos employees, including those that had worked within the company's laboratories. She discussed the experience of working at the company with Theranos whistleblower, Tyler Shultz, grandson of Theranos board member and former US Secretary of State, George Shultz.
Release
File:Elizabeth Holmes at a Nuclear nonproliferation discussion in 2013 - 130417-D-NI589-107 (cropped 2).jpg case against Elizabeth Holmes: United States v. Elizabeth A. Holmes, et al.]]
The podcast series launched in January 2019 with six episodes.{{citation|title=ABC News' 'Nightline'-Produced Documentary 'The Dropout' Examines the Rise and Fall of Elizabeth Holmes, Founder and CEO of Theranos|date=January 16, 2019|work=Targeted News Service|via=NewsBank|author=ABC Television}}{{citation|via=NewsBank|title=Can't get enough of Elizabeth Holmes? Here's what to watch after 'The Inventor'|date=March 21, 2019|work=Mashable.com|first=Alison|last=Foreman}}{{citation|via=Gale OneFile|title=Lies, damned lies and Silicon Valley hubris Elizabeth Holmes exposed|work= London Evening Standard |date=February 8, 2019|page=43|first=Phoebe |last=Luckhurst}} It was made available on the ABC News app, along with other apps including Stitcher, Spotify, TuneIn, Google Podcasts, and Apple Podcasts.{{citation|via=Gale OneFile|title=Pick of the podcasts|work=The Sunday Post |location=Aberdeen, Scotland|date=June 2, 2019|page=29|publisher=NLA Access Media Limited}} Jarvis simultaneously reported on content from her podcast research for ABC World News Tonight and Nightline.{{citation|title=Theranos Billionaire's Deposition - Holmes Faces Criminal Charges in Blood Test Debacle|first=David|last=Muir|authorlink=David Muir|work=ABC World News Tonight|date=January 23, 2019|via=NewsBank}}{{citation|title=The Dropout - Holmes Faces Criminal Charge in Blood Test Debacle|date=January 23, 2019|work=Nightline|publisher=ABC|via=NewsBank}} It was the number one ranked most popular podcast launched by ABC News.{{citation|via=NewsBank|title=ABC News' No. 1 Podcast 'The Dropout' Returns With New Episodes As Elizabeth Holmes Goes to Trial for Alleged Fraud|date=August 6, 2021|work=Targeted News Service|author=ABC}} It was also among the top ranked podcasts on iTunes in March 2019.{{citation|via=NewsBank|title='The Dropout' - The Rise and Fall of Elizabeth Holmes|work=Good Morning America|date=March 14, 2019|first=George|last=Stephanopoulos|authorlink=George Stephanopoulos|quote=Back now with the rise and fall of Elizabeth Holmes. She was a college dropout, who became a billionaire on paper before the biotech company she founded went belly up amid accusations of fraud. Her story the subject of the top rank iTunes podcast, "The Dropout," by our Rebecca Jarvis and on "20/20" tomorrow night.}} After the initial 2019 six-episode edition, a two-hour 20/20 episode premiered in March 2019, following the popularity of the podcast.{{citation|via=NewsBank|title=ABC News' '20/20' Presents Two-Hour Documentary, 'The Dropout,' on Silicon Valley Star Elizabeth Holmes and Her Billion Dollar Blood Testing Company, Theranos, Airing Friday, March 15|date=March 11, 2019|work=Targeted News Service|author=ABC Television}} It was nominated for a news Emmy Award in the Outstanding Feature Story in a Newsmagazine category.{{Cite web|url=https://theemmys.tv/news/41st-nominations/|title=News 2020 Nominees – The Emmys|website=theemmys.tv|date=6 August 2020 |accessdate=May 17, 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Barney |first1=Charles |title=TV tonight: '20/20′ re-airs report on Elizabeth Holmes, Theranos |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/04/10/tv-tonight-20-20-re-airs-report-on-elizabeth-holmes-theranos/ |access-date=20 April 2020 |publisher=The Mercury News |date=April 10, 2020}}
The second season of The Dropout debuted on August 30, 2021 with two new episodes, and was timed to follow the federal criminal fraud case against Elizabeth Holmes: United States v. Elizabeth A. Holmes, et al.{{citation|via=NewsBank|title=Elizabeth Holmes On Trial - Bombshell New Allegations as Jury Selection Begins|work=Good Morning America|date=August 31, 2021|first=Rebecca|last=Jarvis|authorlink=Rebecca Jarvis}} During season two, Jarvis simultaneously reported on the trial for ABC News, Good Morning America, and Nightline.{{citation|via=NewsBank|title=Elizabeth Holmes - Trial for Former Founder/CEO of Theranos Gets Underway|date=September 9, 2021|work=Nightline|first=Rebecca|last=Jarvis|authorlink=Rebecca Jarvis}}{{citation|via=NewsBank|title=Elizabeth Holmes Fraud Trial - Opening Statement Hours Away in Trial|date=September 8, 2021|work=Good Morning America|first=Michael|last=Strahan|authorlink=Michael Strahan}} The series released one episode per week in the second season. Jarvis used the podcast to follow along with Holmes' federal trial.{{citation|via=NewsBank|title=What You Need to Know - News Headlines|work=Good Morning America|date=August 31, 2021|first=Kyra|last=Phillips|authorlink=Kyra Phillips|quote=ABC's Chief Business Correspondent, Rebecca Jarvis, is tracking it all here and on season two of her podcast, the 'The Dropout.'}} She enlisted the help of law scholars, Theranos medical patients, and Holmes' prior business associates, for commentary upon the trial.{{citation|via=Gale OneFile|title=Podcasts: The Dropout|date=September 6, 2021|work=i Newspaper|publisher=NLA Access Media Limited|first=Gwendolyn |last=Smith}} The second season was titled: The Dropout: Elizabeth Holmes on Trial.{{citation|via=Gale OneFile|title=Elizabeth Holmes found guilty: The best films, podcasts, and reads about the Theranos fraudster.|work= TheNextWeb.com|date=January 4, 2022}}{{citation|via=NewsBank|title=Theranos Founder Back On the Stand - Elizabeth Holmes Claims Physical & Emotional Abuse|date=November 30, 2021|work=Good Morning America|first=Rebecca|last=Jarvis|authorlink=Rebecca Jarvis}} It was released on the ABC News app, Audacy, TuneIn, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.{{citation|via=NewsBank|title=As Elizabeth Holmes goes on trial, Hollywood dives into her story|date=September 2, 2021|work=East Bay Times|first=Chuck|last=Barney}} An episode of the podcast was released January 4, 2022, one day after Holmes was found guilty of fraud and conspiracy in the federal case.{{citation|via=NewsBank|title=Guilty|date=January 3, 2022|first=Juju|last=Chang|authorlink=Juju Chang|work=Nightline|quote=Holmes was found guilty of fraud and conspiracy. ABC's chief business correspondent Rebecca Jarvis, who's also host and creator of the podcast, 'The Dropout,' has been following the trial. }} By 2022 the series had released 21 episodes.{{citation|url=https://archeroracle.org/77930/arts-entertainment/review-dropping-out-of-fame-the-dropout-tells-story-of-theranos-scam/|access-date=May 16, 2024|work=The Oracle|date=May 20, 2022|first=Thea|last=Leimone|title=Review: Dropping out of fame, 'The Dropout' tells story of Theranos scam}} The second season of the podcast concluded in January 2022.{{citation|via=NewsBank|title=ABC News' Hit Podcast 'The Dropout: Elizabeth Holmes on Trial' Releases Bonus Episode|date=August 13, 2022|work=Targeted News Service|author=ABC News}}
On March 4, 2022, ABC News released a special two-hour-long 20/20 episode with reporting by Jarvis, covering the federal fraud trial of Holmes.{{citation|via=NewsBank|title=ABC News Presents Two-Hour '20/20' on Incredible Cons and Conviction of Elizabeth Holmes|date=March 3, 2022|work=Targeted News Service|author=ABC}}{{citation|via=NewsBank|title=The Drop Out: The Rise and Con of Elizabeth Holmes|date=March 4, 2022|first=Rebecca|last=Jarvis|authorlink=Rebecca Jarvis|publisher=ABC News|work=20/20}} The 20/20 investigative journalism piece by Jarvis was titled: The Drop Out - The Rise and Con of Elizabeth Holmes.{{citation|via=NewsBank|title=New Twist in Elizabeth Holmes Saga - Theranos Founder's Ex-Boyfriend Faces Trial|date=March 4, 2022|work=Good Morning America|first=Rebecca|last=Jarvis|authorlink=Rebecca Jarvis}} It focused both on personal developments in Holmes' life including her new partner an heir to a hotel business, and her accusations of abuse against her former partner Sunny Balwani, that he denied.{{citation|via=Gale OneFile|title='The Dropout': ABC News to Air '20/20' on Elizabeth Holmes Scandal |date=February 28, 2022|first=Meredith|last=Jacobs|work=UWire Text|agency=TV Insider|publisher=ULOOP Inc.|page=1}}
ABC News released a bonus episode of the podcast The Dropout: Elizabeth Holmes on Trial, on August 11, 2022 titled: "Amanda and The Other Liz". It featured an interview by Jarvis with Amanda Seyfried, the actress portraying Elizabeth Holmes in the television miniseries, along with showrunner Elizabeth Meriwether.{{citation|via=Gale OneFile|title=Tales of transition, queer joy and more to mark Transgender Awareness Week; Figures from Charlie Craggs to Mika Onyx celebrate the full spectrum of the trans experience in a new Anthem Talks series. Plus: five of the best podcasts about recent history* Don't get Hear Here delivered to your inbox? Sign up here.|work=The Guardian|publisher=Guardian News & Media|date=November 9, 2023|first1=Alexi |last1=Duggins|first2=Hollie |last2=Richardson|first3=Hannah |last3=Verdier |first4= Ammar |last4=Kalia}} A second bonus episode of the podcast was released in November 2022, following the sentencing of Holmes in her criminal fraud trial.{{citation|via=NewsBank|title=ABC Audio's Hit Podcasts 'The Dropout', 'Start Here' to Release Bonus Episode on Elizabeth Holmes Following Her Sentencing|date=November 19, 2022|work=Targeted News Service|author=ABC News}}
Episodes
=Season 1=
The first season debuted with a trailer on January 15, 2019 followed by the first full episode one week later.{{citation|title=The Dropout Podcast|year=2022|work=ABC Audio|url=https://abcaudio.com/podcasts/the-dropout/|access-date=May 22, 2024|archivedate=April 25, 2024|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425093451/https://abcaudio.com/podcasts/the-dropout/}}{{citation|url=https://www.iheart.com/podcast/187-the-dropout-30426523/|access-date=May 22, 2024|title=The Dropout|work=iHeartRadio|year=2022|archivedate=May 20, 2024|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520032010/https://www.iheart.com/podcast/187-the-dropout-30426523/}}{{citation|url=https://tunein.com/podcasts/True-Crime/The-Dropout-p1185139/?topicId=398374310|access-date=May 22, 2024|year=2022|work=TuneIn|title=The Dropout|archivedate=May 22, 2024|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522011725/https://tunein.com/podcasts/True-Crime/The-Dropout-p1185139/?topicId=398374310}} It concluded with the sixth episode on February 26, 2019.
{{Episode table |overall= |title= |aux1= |aux1T=Length (minutes:seconds) |airdate=
|episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=0
|Title=Trailer: The Rise and Fall of Elizabeth Holmes' Theranos
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2019|01|15}}
|Aux1={{Duration|m=02|s=00}}
|ShortSummary=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=1
|Title=Myth Making
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2019|01|22}}
|Aux1={{Duration|m=47|s=31}}
|ShortSummary=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=2
|Title=The Enforcer
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2019|01|29}}
|Aux1={{Duration|m=40|s=23}}
|ShortSummary=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=3
|Title=A Star Is Born
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2019|02|05}}
|Aux1={{Duration|m=43|s=42}}
|ShortSummary=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=4
|Title=The Whistleblower
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2019|02|12}}
|Aux1={{Duration|m=44|s=46}}
|ShortSummary=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=5
|Title=The Downfall
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2019|02|19}}
|Aux1={{Duration|m=42|s=47}}
|ShortSummary=}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=6
|Title=What Now?
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2019|02|26}}
|Aux1={{Duration|m=39|s=12}}
|ShortSummary=
}}
}}
=Season 2=
The second season began with a trailer released on August 5, 2021, followed by the first full episode of the second season on August 31 of the same year. The second season concluded on November 18, 2022.
{{Episode table |overall= |title= |aux1= |aux1T=Length (minutes:seconds) |airdate= |episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=0
|Title=Introducing 'The Dropout: Elizabeth Holmes on Trial'
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2021|08|05}}
|Aux1={{Duration|m=03|s=00}}
|ShortSummary=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=1
|Title=Where Have You Been, Elizabeth Holmes?
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2021|08|31}}
|Aux1={{Duration|m=41|s=00}}
|ShortSummary=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=2
|Title=Bombshell
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2021|08|31}}
|Aux1={{Duration|m=47|s=00}}
|ShortSummary=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=3
|Title=The Jury
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2021|09|07}}
|Aux1={{Duration|m=29|s=00}}
|ShortSummary=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=4
|Title=Setting the Stage
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2021|09|14}}
|Aux1={{Duration|m=43|s=00}}
|ShortSummary=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=5
|Title=Mystery Men
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2021|09|21}}
|Aux1={{Duration|m=37|s=00}}
|ShortSummary=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=6
|Title=The General and the Patient
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2021|09|28}}
|Aux1={{Duration|m=37|s=00}}
|ShortSummary=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=7
|Title=Sounding the Alarm
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2021|10|05}}
|Aux1={{Duration|m=38|s=00}}
|ShortSummary=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=8
|Title=Crime and Punishment
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2021|10|12}}
|Aux1={{Duration|m=32|s=00}}
|ShortSummary=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=9
|Title=The Clients
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2021|10|19}}
|Aux1={{Duration|m=43|s=00}}
|ShortSummary=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=10
|Title=The Therabros
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2021|10|26}}
|Aux1={{Duration|m=39|s=00}}
|ShortSummary=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=11
|Title=The Investors
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2021|11|05}}
|Aux1={{Duration|m=45|s=00}}
|ShortSummary=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=12
|Title=Patterns
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2021|11|09}}
|Aux1={{Duration|m=41|s=00}}
|ShortSummary=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=13
|Title=The Beginning of the End
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2021|11|16}}
|Aux1={{Duration|m=46|s=00}}
|ShortSummary=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=14
|Title=The Prosecution Rests & Elizabeth Speaks
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2021|11|23}}
|Aux1={{Duration|m=64|s=00}}
|ShortSummary=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=15
|Title=Reframing the Narrative
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2021|11|30}}
|Aux1={{Duration|m=53|s=00}}
|ShortSummary=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=16
|Title=Accusations and Evasions
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2021|12|07}}
|Aux1={{Duration|m=74|s=00}}
|ShortSummary=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=17
|Title=The Defense Rests
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2021|12|14}}
|Aux1={{Duration|m=57|s=00}}
|ShortSummary=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=18
|Title=Bombshell
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2021|08|31}}
|Aux1={{Duration|m=47|s=00}}
|ShortSummary=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=19
|Title=Closing Arguments
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2021|12|21}}
|Aux1={{Duration|m=76|s=00}}
|ShortSummary=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=20
|Title=The Verdict
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2022|01|05}}
|Aux1={{Duration|m=48|s=00}}
|ShortSummary=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=21
|Title='20/20': The Rise and Con of Elizabeth Holmes
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2022|03|06}}
|Aux1={{Duration|m=81|s=00}}
|ShortSummary=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=22
|Title=The Sunny Balwani Verdict
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2022|07|08}}
|Aux1={{Duration|m=06|s=00}}
|ShortSummary=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=23
|Title=Bonus: Amanda and The Other Liz
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2022|08|11}}
|Aux1={{Duration|m=48|s=00}}
|ShortSummary=
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=24
|Title=Bonus: Sentenced
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2022|11|18}}
|Aux1={{Duration|m=08|s=00}}
|ShortSummary=
}}
}}
Miniseries adaptation
{{further|The Dropout}}
The success of the podcast led to it being developed into a television miniseries.{{citation|via=Gale OneFile|title=The Dropout: What is fact and what is fiction in Netflix's new hit series? Fact-based drama is adapted from a hit true crime podcast of the same name; Fact-based drama is adapted from a hit true crime podcast of the same name.|work=The Independent|publisher= Independent Digital News and Media Limited|date=March 4, 2022|first=Louis|last=Chilton}}{{citation|via=Gale OneFile|title=Elizabeth Holmes's sordid saga goes from trial to TV series; Hulu is presenting a limited TV series about fallen tech star Elizabeth Holmes just two months after she her conviction for duping investors in her blood-testing startup Theranos.|work=The Independent|date=March 2, 2022|publisher=Independent Digital News and Media Limited|agency=Associated Press|first=Michael |last=Liedtke}}{{citation|title=Your best streams|work=Daily Record|location=Glasgow, Scotland|date=February 26, 2022|page=14|via=Gale OneFile|publisher=MGN Ltd.}} The Dropout was adapted to a miniseries of the same name — starring Oscar-nominee Amanda Seyfried as Holmes.{{citation|via=NewsBank|title='The Dropout': ABC News to Air '20/20' on Elizabeth Holmes Scandal |date=February 28, 2022|work=The Albany Herald|first=Meredith|last=Jacobs}}{{citation|via=NewsBank|title=Stay in school: Miniseries brings Rebecca Jarvis podcast to life|date=February 27, 2022|work=Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette|first=Raye|last=Smith IV}}{{citation|via=NewsBank|title=Inventing a fraud - 'The Dropout' chronicles rise and fall of Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes|work=Boston Herald|date=February 27, 2022|first=George|last=Dickie}} Jarvis, Dunn, and Thompson served as executive producers along with showrunner Elizabeth Meriwether.{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/amanda-seyfried-elizabeth-holmes-hulu-the-dropout-kate-mckinnon-1234940063/|title=Amanda Seyfried to Play Elizabeth Holmes in Hulu Series 'The Dropout,' Taking over from Kate McKinnon|date=29 March 2021}}{{cite web |last1=Andreeva |first1=Nellie |title=Hulu Orders 'The Dropout' Limited Series Starring Kate McKinnon As Elizabeth Holmes From Fox Searchlight TV |url=https://deadline.com/2019/04/the-dropout-hulu-limited-series-kate-mckinnon-star-elizabeth-holmes-fox-searchlight-television-abc-news-1202593032 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410214724/https://deadline.com/2019/04/the-dropout-hulu-limited-series-kate-mckinnon-star-elizabeth-holmes-fox-searchlight-television-abc-news-1202593032/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 10, 2019 |website=Deadline |access-date=April 13, 2019 |language=en |date=April 10, 2019}}{{cite web |last1=Bradley |first1=Laura |title=Kate McKinnon Will Transform into Elizabeth Holmes in The Dropout |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/04/elizabeth-holmes-kate-mckinnon-hulu-the-dropout |website=Vanity Fair |access-date=April 13, 2019 |language=en |date=April 10, 2019}}{{cite web |last1=Liptak |first1=Andrew |title=Kate McKinnon will play Elizabeth Holmes in a Theranos miniseries for Hulu |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/4/10/18305303/kate-mckinnon-will-play-elizabeth-holmes-in-theranos-miniseries-dropout-podcast |website=The Verge |access-date=April 13, 2019 |date=April 10, 2019}} The television miniseries drew upon material from the first season of the podcast.{{citation|via=NewsBank|title=Granger on Film: Amanda Seyfried expertly propels 'The Dropout' as Elizabeth Holmes|date=October 11, 2022|first=Susan|last=Granger|work=Fairfield Citizen News}}{{citation|title=Elizabeth Holmes trial: Everything you need to know about the Theranos founder; Fraud trial puts career and life under spotlight as new mother Holmes faces court over Theranos scandal.|via=Gale OneFile|date=August 26, 2021|work=The Independent|publisher= Independent Digital News and Media Limited|first=Oliver|last=O'Connell}}
Meriwether expanded upon the podcast in order to elaborate upon a character study of Elizabeth Holmes.{{citation|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/obsessed/the-dropout-creator-breaks-down-the-humanity-and-inhumanity-of-elizabeth-holmes|title='The Dropout' Creator Breaks Down the Humanity (and Inhumanity) of Elizabeth Holmes|work=The Daily Beast|first=Laura|last=Bradley|date=March 7, 2022|access-date=May 18, 2024}} Meriweather listened to the Jarvis podcast and attempted to conceive how the character of Holmes behaved when she was out of the public eye.{{citation|via=NewsBank|title='The Dropout': Amanda Seyfried Breaks Down Her Awkward Dancing as Elizabeth Holmes (Exclusive) |date=March 24, 2022|first=Stacy|last=Lambe|work=ABC - 11 WHAS|location=Louisville, KY}} She explained to The New York Times her attempt to understand and delve into the character of Holmes: "I felt like people's understanding of who she was had been limited to the deep voice and the turtleneck. I was interested in going deeper, and I felt like Rebecca's podcast was made with that spirit of wanting to figure out what motivated her."{{citation|via=Gale OneFile|title=Deciphering a Deception.|work=The New York Times|date=March 6, 2022|first=Alexis |last=Soloski|page=L18}} Television director Michael Showalter listened to the podcast to gain context on the material presented in the miniseries.{{citation|via=Gale OneFile|title=It was a device that was supposed to revolutionize the diagnosis and treatment|work=Daily Herald|location=Arlington Heights, Illinois|date=February 25, 2022|publisher= Paddock Publications|first=George Dickie|last=Gracenote}}
Actress Amanda Seyfried had been a listener following the podcast, prior to being cast in the miniseries of the same name. Seyfried assessed the podcast: "There's something very calming about Rebecca. There's something very fair about Rebecca and her journalism, the way she speaks about things, the way she articulates them, the questions she asks. The whole team of them did an amazing job."{{citation|url=https://abc7ny.com/the-dropout-rebecca-jarvis-elizabeth-holmes-theranos/11620368/|access-date=May 16, 2024|title=New Hulu series 'The Dropout' based on popular Rebecca Jarvis podcast|date=March 4, 2022|work=ABC7 New York}}
The miniseries debuted on Hulu in March 2022.{{citation|title=The Dropout|url=https://academic.oup.com/jah/article-abstract/109/3/724/6895683|access-date=May 24, 2024|first=Judith E|last= Smith|journal=Journal of American History|volume= 109|issue= 3|date=December 2022|pages= 724–727|doi=10.1093/jahist/jaac452}}{{citation|work=The New York Times|title=The Women of 'The Dropout' Want to Humanize Elizabeth Holmes|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/02/arts/television/the-dropout-elizabeth-holmes.html|access-date=May 24, 2024|date=March 2, 2022|first=Alexis|last=Soloski}}{{citation|url=https://www.npr.org/2022/03/03/1083900712/the-dropout-amanda-seyfried-elizabeth-holmes-theranos|access-date=May 24, 2024|work=National Public Radio|title=Review - 'The Dropout' dares to ask: How did Theranos get away with all this?|first=Linda|last=Holmes|date=March 3, 2022}} The series received a positive reception from critic reviews. It garnered an 89% positive score on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, and a 75% rating on Metacritic.{{Cite Rotten Tomatoes|id=the_dropout|title=The Dropout|type=tv|season=1|access-date=May 17, 2022}}{{cbignore}}{{Cite Metacritic|id=the-dropout|title=The Dropout|type=tv|season=1|access-date=March 5, 2022}}{{cbignore}} The TV miniseries was recognized with multiple awards, including a Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Limited Series, and a Producers Guild of America Award for Best Limited Series.{{citation|url=https://www.upi.com/News_Photos/view/upi/e638d4270aef0af7dce61f53ccc2036a/The-Dropout-Wins-Award-at-Critics-Choice-Awards-in-Los-Angeles/|access-date=May 24, 2024|work=United Press International|title=The Dropout Wins Award at Critics' Choice Awards in Los Angeles|date=January 15, 2023}}{{citation |last1=Chuba |first1=Kirsten |last2=Lewis |first2=Hilary |title=PGA Awards: Everything Everywhere All at Once Wins Top Prize |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/2023-producers-guild-awards-winners-list-1235333942/ |access-date=February 27, 2024 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=February 25, 2023}} Seyfried won multiple awards for her portrayal of Holmes based on the podcast — including a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Limited or Anthology Series or Television Film, and a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie.{{Citation |title=Winners & Nominees 2023 |url=https://www.goldenglobes.com/winners-nominees |access-date=2022-12-13 |website=www.goldenglobes.com |language=en |archive-date=August 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190802210349/https://www.goldenglobes.com/winners-nominees |url-status=live }}{{citation |url=https://www.emmys.com/shows/dropout |title=The Dropout |website=Emmys.com |publisher=Academy of Television Arts & Sciences |access-date=July 12, 2022 |archive-date=October 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221012222423/https://www.emmys.com/shows/dropout |url-status=live }}
Reception
=Critical response=
In a review of the podcast for The Verge, journalist Andrew Liptak commented, "the series has provided a good overview, aided by interviews and audio from the people who worked there."{{citation|first=Andrew|last=Liptak|work=The Verge|url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/10/18216012/dropout-podcast-abc-series-theranos-elizabeth-holmes|access-date=May 16, 2024|title=ABC's podcast series The Dropout explores the downfall of Theranos and Elizabeth Holmes|date=February 10, 2019}} Time reporter Hannah Lynn wrote, "While many podcasts have had singular episodes about Elizabeth Holmes, The Dropout is the definitive audio documentary that tracks the rise and fall of Theranos."{{citation|first=Hannah|last=Lynn|magazine=Time|access-date=May 16, 2024|url=https://time.com/6154443/elizabeth-holmes-the-dropout-podcast-books-movies/|title=What to Read, Watch, and Listen to About Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos After The Dropout|date=March 3, 2022}} Common Sense Media gave the podcast a favorable review: "Every inch of the Theranos downfall is covered in this podcast, making it intriguing, informational, and shocking all at once."{{citation|work=Common Sense Media|url=https://www.commonsensemedia.org/podcast-reviews/the-dropout|access-date=May 16, 2024|date=September 23, 2022|title=The Dropout Podcast Review|first=Claire|last=Crossman}} Jake Greenberg of Podcast Review called it "a Bulletproof Retelling of the Theranos Scandal".{{citation|title=The Dropout Is a Bulletproof Retelling of the Theranos Scandal|first=Jake|last=Greenberg|work=Podcast Review|url=https://podcastreview.org/review/the-dropout/|date=March 1, 2019|access-date=May 16, 2024}} Greenberg wrote, "The Dropout is investigative through and through". Author Susie Orman Schnall called the production, "Rebecca Jarvis' fascinating podcast".{{citation|first=Susie Orman|last=Schnall|title=Anna Bright Is Hiding Something: A Novel|chapter=Acknowledgements|year=2024|publisher=SparkPress|isbn=978-1684632527}} Robert M. McManus, Stanley J. Ward, and Alexandra K. Perry noted the work was a good journalistic resource on the topic of Theranos, in their book on Ethical Leadership.{{citation|first1=Robert M.|last1= McManus|first2=Stanley J. |last2=Ward|first3=Alexandra K.|last3= Perry|title=Ethical Leadership: A Primer: Second Edition|page=372|year=2023|publisher=Edward Elgar Publishing; 2nd edition|isbn=978-1802208658}} Gerard Cockburn wrote for The Adelaide Advertiser, "Documenting the collapse of Theranos, a prominent medical tech start-up which made CEO Elizabeth Holmes America's youngest female self-made billionaire, The Dropout is a gripping tale of the boom and bust nature of America's tech industry."{{citation|via=Gale OneFile|title=Diary - Podcast The Dropout|work=The Adelaide Advertiser|location=Adelaide, South Australia|date=August 17, 2019|page=30|first=Gerard|last=Cockburn}} He called the podcast a "gripping account", and an "enthralling tale of a modern day boomtown antics." Cockburn concluded, "This podcast is well worth the listen, engrossing you in a tale of lies and deception and rorts in the American tech industry."
Phoebe Luckhurst reviewed the podcast for the Evening Standard, and wrote that Jarvis had, "done an exhaustive job in charting Holmes's incredible rise and consequent disgrace, including interviews with those who observed her at close range, and never before aired testimony from Holmes." Luckhurst characterized the production: "It's an astonishing expose lies, damned lies and Silicon Valley hubris." Fiona Sturges of the Financial Times wrote of her need to complete the series quickly: "All of which is to say that, in listening to The Dropout, I am late to the party. But over the past week I have inhaled the entire series, bathing in its addictive narrative of greed, ambition and duplicity."{{citation|page=14|via=Gale OneFile|first=Fiona|last=Sturges|work=Financial Times|title=How Theranos went from boom to doomed|date=March 25, 2019}} Of the research that went into the podcast series, Sturges wrote that Jarvis: "is fastidious in her approach, exhaustively chasing down Theranos's employees, board members and investors, illustrating how they got drawn in to such a dishonest and doomed enterprise." Patricia Nicol reviewed the podcast for The Sunday Times, and highlighted it among, "17 Podcasts for Packed Commutes". Nicol called it: "an assured, well-connected guide to the spectacular fall from grace of 'the world's youngest self-made female billionaire', once hailed as a Silicon Valley visionary."{{citation|via=Gale OneFile|title=17 Podcasts for Packed Commutes: Dreading your return to the office? These shows will sweeten the journey|work=The Sunday Times|location=London, England|date=September 19, 2021|page=20|first=Patricia|last=Nicol}} She said the podcast was addictive due to schaudenfreude.
Erin Bury wrote for Quill, "Based on the book Bad Blood, which is well worth reading before or after you listen, The Dropout podcast weaves Holmes’s story into a compelling narrative through interviews with key players, past media interviews, and depositions."{{citation|first=Erin|last=Bury|work=Quill|access-date=May 16, 2024|url=https://www.quillpodcasting.com/podcast-review/the-dropout|title=The Dropout: Podcast Review|date=November 29, 2019}} Bury concluded: "By the end of it you can’t decide if Holmes is a mad genius or the world’s biggest con artist - but either way, it’s one hell of a story." Alison Foreman of Mashable wrote, "The Dropout is the most comprehensive Theranos-centered podcast on the market." She observed, "this six-part series tackles Holmes' downfall from multiple angles and with meticulous detail." Foreman concluded, "If you're looking for the most complete Theranos narrative with the most informational value, The Dropout is your best bet." Writing for The Courier-Mail, Sarah Matthews commented, "The Dropout is the result of a three-year investigation by US journalist Rebecca Jarvis, and is a fascinating insight into the pressures of Silicon Valley and how one charismatic visionary managed to fool so many people for so long."{{citation|via=Gale OneFile|title=Staying In|work=The Courier-Mail|location=Brisbane, Queensland, Australia|date=October 26, 2019|page=20|first=Sarah|last=Matthews}}
Writing for The Herald-Sun, journalist Glenn McDonald commented, "In a podcast environment where opinion reigns — and louder is mistaken for better — The Dropout is a rock-solid example of straight, no-nonsense investigative journalism."{{citation|via=NewsBank|title=The 5 podcasts you should listen to now|date=May 24, 2019|work=The Herald-Sun|first=Glenn|last=McDonald}} McDonald observed, "The Dropout is one of the most definitive accounts of the Theranos scandal". Danielle Stephens reviewed the podcast for The Guardian, and wrote that the series, "leaves you wondering; how on earth did this scam go on for so long? And when does ambition become dangerous?"{{citation|via=Gale OneFile|title=Invisibilia returns with more painful, brilliant stories -- podcasts of the week; Hanna Rosin and Alix Spiegel's series explores more unseen details of everyday life, including the tale of a dancer who tries to heal an injury by ignoring it|work=The Guardian|date=March 15, 2019|first=Danielle|last=Stephens}} Writing about the quality of the production, Stephens said: "The story is expertly told and left me feeling personally aggrieved by a woman I have never met. Not just for her scheme, but for the damage it has done to the idea that a woman could be the next Steve Jobs in an industry dominated by men." A review of the second season in The Guardian wrote, "episodes expertly dissect the live-time trial happenings with thrilling exclusive interviews."{{citation|via=Gale OneFile|work=The Guardian|title=Podcast newbies, rejoice: 6 great podcasts for first-time listeners; Finding a podcast you love can be overwhelming, especially for people who haven't listened to one before. Here, we ease you into the noisy space with selections hand-picked based on your interests.|date=October 14, 2021|publisher=Guardian News & Media}} The Guardian noted that Rebecca Jarvis, "takes the listener through a gripping, multi-year investigation". A subsequent article in the newspaper called the podcast a "riveting series".
=Accolades=
See also
References
{{reflist}}
Further reading
- {{citation|first=Andrew|last=Liptak|work=The Verge|url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/10/18216012/dropout-podcast-abc-series-theranos-elizabeth-holmes|access-date=May 16, 2024|title=ABC's podcast series The Dropout explores the downfall of Theranos and Elizabeth Holmes|date=February 10, 2019}}
- {{citation|first=Hannah|last=Lynn|magazine=Time|access-date=May 16, 2024|url=https://time.com/6154443/elizabeth-holmes-the-dropout-podcast-books-movies/|title=What to Read, Watch, and Listen to About Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos After The Dropout|date=March 3, 2022}}
External links
{{Podcast platform links}}
- {{Official website|https://abcaudio.com/podcasts/the-dropout/}}
- {{IMDb title|14979944}}
{{Theranos}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dropout (podcast), The}}
Category:Investigative journalism