My current national speaking tour, “Serial Killers with Dr. Scott Bonn,” affords me the opportunity to interact directly with passionate fans of the true crime genre. Having now performed my show in more than forty different cities over the last eight months, I have gained insights into the question of why true crime is so popular. My experience suggests the appeal is multifaceted and somewhat complex, but I have come to believe that a key aspect of the public’s fascination with true crime can be attributed to the fact that it is a catharsis for fear.

My discussions with true crime fans around the country, particularly with women, have taught me that true crime TV shows and podcasts allow them to experience and exercise their fear of becoming a victim of crime in a safe, non threatening, and even entertaining environment. Scary true crime entertainment allows viewers to experience fear, although they are never actually in danger during the process. Scary content allows the public to exercise its fears by getting close to the fire, so to speak, without getting burned.

The format or template of most true crime shows, like the iconic prime time network series Dateline, 48 Hours, and 20/20, facilitate catharsis because they are like little morality plays. The common sixty-minute true crime programming template consists of someone being abducted/murdered, followed by a twisting and turning criminal investigation involving numerous false........

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