What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedBag Man
Rachel Maddow, MS NOW · Podcast · 2023
If you loved Bag Man, start with Prequel (Rachel Maddow) — a book on the same thread. Below: 1 book, 4 films and 4 series, each matched to Bag Man across media.
What hooked you in Bag Man was the way deep-seated institutional corruption unravels through the relentless pursuit of hidden truths.
Books on the same thread
Prequel
Rachel Maddow · Book
Explores: Democratic fragility, Authoritarianism, Political subversion.
Like Bag Man, this investigation exposes the fragility of American democracy by unearthing historical political subversion that once threatened the nation from within its own power structures.
Films on the same thread
All the President's Men
Alan J. Pakula · Film · 1976
Explores: Political Corruption, Abuse of Power, Truth vs. Deception.
This classic investigative film mirrors the structural tension of Bag Man, documenting how persistent reporters dismantle a massive political scandal to hold the highest office accountable.
The Post
Film · 2017
Shares a thread with Bag Man: Accountability.
Much like Bag Man, this story highlights the high-stakes confrontation between the press and a government intent on protecting its own systemic corruption through a calculated cover-up.
Oppenheimer
Film · 2023
Explores: Moral ambiguity, Scientific ethics, Cold War paranoia.
You will appreciate how this film examines the moral ambiguity of power, echoing the same complex political atmosphere and historical weight found throughout the narrative of Bag Man.
Spotlight
Tom McCarthy · Film · 2015
Shares a thread with Bag Man: Investigative Journalism.
This film captures the same grit as Bag Man, focusing on the painstaking work of journalists who expose deep-rooted institutional cover-ups that have long escaped public scrutiny.
Series on the same thread
House of Cards
Beau Willimon · Series · 2013
Shares a thread with Bag Man: Corruption.
If the political maneuvering in Bag Man fascinated you, this drama offers a sharper, fictionalized look at the ruthless ambition and manipulation inherent in Washington, D.C. power circles.
The Night Agent
Shawn Ryan · Series · 2023
Explores: Political Intrigue, Government Conspiracy, Undercover Agent.
This series builds on the suspense of Bag Man by thrusting an unlikely hero into a complex web of government conspiracies that reach the highest levels of influence.
State of Play
Paul Abbott · Series · 2003
Explores: Government Corruption, Corporate Intrigue, Journalistic Integrity.
Just as in Bag Man, this investigation reveals the dangerous intersections between government and big business, highlighting the vital role of journalistic integrity in exposing systemic corruption.
Narcos: Mexico
Doug Miro · Series · 2018
Shares a thread with Bag Man: Corruption.
The exploration of systemic corruption in Bag Man finds a parallel here, as this series tracks the dangerous reality of navigating political crime and institutional failure in Mexico.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Bag Man based on a true story?
Yes, Bag Man is a true story that explores a brazen political bribery scandal involving an American Vice President. Rachel Maddow investigates how this criminal enterprise occurred inside the White House 45 years ago and examines why the historical event was largely overshadowed at the time.
Who created the Bag Man podcast?
Bag Man is the first original podcast produced by Rachel Maddow for MS NOW. She presents the narrative by digging into historical records to uncover the details of a major political scandal that took place during a period when the public was not paying attention.
What is the primary focus of the Bag Man podcast?
The primary focus of Bag Man is the investigation into how an American Vice President managed to conduct a criminal enterprise from within the White House. The podcast details how this significant political bribery scandal remained hidden in plain sight for decades after the events occurred.
How long ago did the events in Bag Man take place?
The events detailed in Bag Man occurred 45 years prior to the podcast release. Rachel Maddow revisits this period to piece together the story of a political bribery scandal that played out in the White House but failed to capture the attention of the country at the time.