Overview of Rewind with Karen & Georgia - 85: Live at the Boulder Theater
This episode is a “rewind” of Exactly Right’s live show recorded at the Boulder Theater (originally released Sept 7, 2017). Hosts Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark bring their usual mix of true-crime curiosity, self-deprecating comedy, audience interaction and hometown-murder storytelling. The episode blends opening stage banter (altitude, oxygen tanks, micro-micro-mics and the hosts’ quirks) with three main story segments: Georgia’s cold-case retelling about a 1982 Boulder-area murder investigation and suspect John Argue; Karen’s vintage “Spider‑Man of Denver” attic-murder story about a man found living in a homeowner’s attic; and a hometown audience submission about the 1974 Ogden “Hi‑Fi murders,” followed by corrections and context.
Main segments / stories summarized
1) Opening banter & live-show color
- Karen & Georgia riff about tour life: altitude sickness in Boulder, backstage oxygen tanks, farting comfort, gift/merch anecdotes (Bigfoot necklace, Buffalo Exchange encounter), travel bits (Jamba, JonBenét Ramsey house drive-by) and their pre-show “prayer” ritual (humorous picks like “Dear Buddha” or “Dear Groupon”).
- They reflect on early podcasting days (2016–2017): figuring out boundaries and ethics around visiting crime scenes and how their approach to true crime evolved.
2) Georgia’s story — Suspect John Argue and Boulder/Estes Park (1982)
- In summer 1982 two women’s bodies were found in Boulder Canyon / near Estes Park: Susie Becker (20) and Orma Smith (94). Both murders occurred within weeks of each other.
- John Argue (presented as a convicted killer from earlier crimes who later moved to Colorado) became a suspect after an attempted knife threat/abduction of a University of Colorado student and later ties to the victims (neighbor and acquaintance).
- Argue was connected to one victim by DNA from cigarettes; however he died of an accidental medication overdose before being brought to justice for the Colorado murders. Authorities later reviewed his ties to other murders in Colorado and Illinois.
- Hosts ask listeners for hometown info and updates (none available through their inbox at the time of the episode).
3) Karen’s story — “Spider‑Man of Denver” (1941–42 attic case)
- A 1941–42 Denver-era case: an elderly homeowner (Phil Peters) was found brutally murdered in his home; subsequent local reports said neighbors and police suspected the house was haunted because of noises and sightings.
- A stakeout revealed a trapdoor; police found a very small attic space and removed an emaciated man (described as filthy and frail), who had lived in the attic for months. He confessed that he’d been living there, stealing food and ultimately killed the homeowner after being discovered.
- The man (named in the performance as Theodore; referred to by the press as the “Spider‑Man of Montcrieff/Moncrief Place”) was convicted and imprisoned; he later died in prison. Karen framed the story with theatrical humor and a retro film treatment.
4) Hometown segment — The 1974 Ogden “Hi‑Fi murders”
- An audience member told the Hi‑Fi murders story (Ogden, Utah, April 1974): an armed robbery at a hi‑fi shop resulted in gruesome torture (chemical and physical), multiple deaths and at least one survivor who lived with lifelong injury.
- Hosts provided corrections and factual clarifications after the live retelling: victims’ names, who survived and who testified, and the fate of one alleged accomplice (Keith Leon Roberts—convicted of related charges, later died by suicide in 1992). The two main perpetrators (Dale Selby Pierre and William Andrews) were convicted and executed.
Highlights & memorable moments
- The “Dear Groupon” / “Dear Buddha” pre-show prayer bit: emblematic of the show’s offbeat tone.
- Karen’s film-fantasy riff on the Spider‑Man attic story — lots of vivid, comedic dramatization (imagined casting, soundtrack choices).
- The hosts’ candid reflection on ethics — visiting true‑crime locations (e.g., JonBenét Ramsey house) and how their thinking changed as the podcast grew.
- Audience interaction: live hometown story submission and hosts’ on-the-spot fact-checking and corrections.
Corrections & factual notes included in the episode
- The live hometown retelling of the Hi‑Fi murders had inaccuracies; the hosts publicly corrected names, survival outcomes and the legal fates of perpetrators (they emphasize that live shows are not formal investigations and welcome listener submissions to improve accuracy).
- Georgia’s recap of the John Argue case requests additional hometown leads — the case remained open/without new public updates at the time of this rebroadcast.
Key takeaways / actions for listeners
- If you have credible information or hometown ties to cases discussed (especially the John Argue / 1982 Boulder/Estes Park murders), the hosts asked listeners to email them — audience tips have led to more coverage in the past.
- The episode underscores the ethical tension in true-crime fandom: curiosity vs. sensitivity to victims and ongoing investigations. The hosts recommend being mindful (and admit they learned along the way).
- Live shows are conversational and sometimes inaccurate on details — fact-checks often follow. Treat live-podcast storytelling as a mix of performance + invitation to contribute corrections.
Notable quotes & lines
- “We are good people talking about bad things.” — a phrase the hosts use to set intent.
- “Dear Groupon.” — a misheard/intentional joke from their pre-show prayer that became a memorable live-show slip.
- “Anything is possible” — tossed off during stage banter as a cheeky motto.
Episode context & logistics
- Original live recording: Boulder Theater; episode originally released Sept 7, 2017.
- This rebroadcast episode is part of the Rewind series (hosts add new commentary, updates and reflections).
- Sponsors and promos are included in the episode (Squarespace ad and other iHeart/Exactly Right show plugs).
If you want a one-line summary: a nostalgic, comedic live show that mixes stage banter, ethical reflections on true‑crime fandom, and three punchy murder-case stories (a 1982 Boulder cold case, a 1940s Denver attic murder, and the Ogden Hi‑Fi murders) — plus audience interaction and on-the-spot fact corrections.