Overview of The Idiot
This is a summary of the trailer for The Idiot, a new five-episode podcast from Serial Productions and The New York Times, hosted by M. Gessen. The trailer—introduced by Sarah Koenig—frames the show as a personal, darkly comic true-crime family story: Gessen investigates their cousin Alan, who appears to be involved in a shocking crime. The full series launches March 26th and will be available wherever you get podcasts.
Key points / Main takeaways
- Host: M. Gessen (known for writing about totalitarianism, terrorism, and human rights) takes a personal turn to investigate a family member.
- Premise: A close relative (cousin Alan) is implicated in a serious crime; the story blends shock, investigation, and humor.
- Tone: The trailer mixes dark humor with disbelief and moral outrage—both intimate and investigative.
- Structure: The series is five episodes; all episodes released on March 26th.
- Production: From Serial Productions and The New York Times.
Notable lines and excerpts from the trailer
- “Anyone's first cousin could be plotting murder.”
- “Upstanding citizens are always turning out to be secret criminals.”
- “This is a recording with Alan Gessen.”
- “The price is eminently reasonable.”
- “What the hell was Alan thinking?”
- Sarah Koenig’s endorsement: “It is a shocking family story about a terrible crime that is also very funny.”
Topics and themes raised
- Family betrayal and intimate wrongdoing
- True crime investigation grounded in family memory and confession
- The collision of private life and criminal behavior
- Dark humor as a lens on trauma and absurdity
- The credibility and role of the narrator investigating a relative
Who should listen
- Fans of Serial Productions and Sarah Koenig
- Listeners of investigative and narrative true crime
- Readers familiar with M. Gessen’s work who are interested in a more personal story
- Anyone who appreciates darkly comic, character-driven investigations
Release and listening info
- Release date: March 26 (all five episodes)
- Available: Wherever you get podcasts (Serial Productions & The New York Times)