How does bail work — and who's really paying? Zachary Crockett follows the money.

So many vehicles on the road today are white, black, or gray — but automotive designers find that consumer preferences... more

Americans love to buy new stuff and hate to get rid of old stuff, which is why storing it all... more

The background noises you hear in film and TV — from footsteps to zombie guts — are produced in specialized... more

Those letters at the end of web addresses can mean big bucks — and, for some small countries, a substantial... more

The verdant lawns promise everlasting rest — but what does it mean to sign a lease for all eternity? Zachary... more

Relocating halfway across the world is hard enough for humans. For pets it can require a specialist. Zachary Crockett waits... more

More and more Americans rely on prostheses. They’re custom-fitted, highly personal, and extremely expensive. Zachary Crockett investigates.

Interest in houseplants has exploded in recent years. But what causes floral trends, and prices, to grow? Zachary Crockett sows... more

Once America’s favorite recreational activity, bowling has been in the gutter for decades. But some surviving alleys are resetting the... more

Why does the mailman bring us so many catalogs, credit card offers, and pizza coupons? Because his job depends on... more

If you can make it through three years of law school, you too might end up on a billboard. ... more

Why do you have to pay $4 to get $40 cash at a bar? And who does it go to?... more

Why is it separate from medical insurance? And is it really insurance at all? Zachary Crockett goes in for a... more

Those low-priced staples on grocery-store shelves — where do they come from? Zachary Crockett finds out at a national convention... more

Behind these steamy sequences, there are body doubles, pubic wigs, legal documents, and dedicated choreographers who make sure everyone is... more

American golfers lose 300 million balls a year — and all those bad swings are someone else’s business opportunity. Zachary... more

The market for gustatory pain is surprisingly competitive. Zachary Crockett feels the burn.

Casinos think they can stop skilled gamblers from eking out a tiny edge at blackjack. Is that a losing bet?... more

Only the finest restaurants have a chance to bask in their glow. Sometimes, it’s a bit too bright. Zachary Crockett... more

The tradition of sending cards to loved ones was in decline — until it was rescued by a new generation.... more

How does the blood of a 450-million-year-old arthropod help prevent lethal infections in humans? And could we exhaust the supply?... more

How did love stories about vampires, cowboys, and wealthy dukes become the highest-grossing fiction genre in the world? Zachary Crockett... more

Can a hit single from four decades ago still pay the bills? Zachary Crockett f-f-f-finds out.

Is graffiti public art, or public nuisance? It depends who you ask. Zachary Crockett tags in where it all started.

Executives shell out millions of dollars for the privilege of flying private — but that convenience comes at a steep... more

How did a little green nut become a billion-dollar product, lauded by celebrities in Super Bowl ads? Zachary Crockett cracks... more

In the final part of our series, Zachary Crockett talks to a man with a storied — and controversial —... more

In the first of two episodes, Zachary Crockett digs into the strange and discomfiting history of cadavers, and the industry... more

Why are these sudsy roadside stops one of the fastest growing industries in America? Zachary Crockett takes a look under... more

More people than ever before are getting tattoos — but social media has flipped the trade’s business model on its... more

There’s more than meets the eye to the box that stores the pie. Zachary Crockett cracks the lid.

Hotel guests adore those cute little soaps, but is it just a one-night stand? Zachary Crockett discovers what happens when... more

They’ve long been associated with crime and blight. Now, the investors are moving in. Zachary Crockett follows the trail.

It takes fungi-sniffing dogs, back-room deals, and a guy named “The Kingpin” for the world’s most coveted morsel to end... more

Who makes the stacks of fake cash used in movies — and how do they stay clear of counterfeit law?... more

How do you turn an empty house into a buyer’s dream home? Zachary Crockett pulls back the curtain.

How does America's cutest sales force get billions of Thin Mints, Samoas, and Tagalongs into our hands every year? Zachary... more

The most popular song of the 20th century — and a key part of a ubiquitous American ritual — was... more

Does anyone ever win the giant teddy bear? Zachary Crockett steps right up.