A lot of enduring television classics first aired 40 years ago, in the 1978-79 TV season. Here are some weird stories about them. Fantasy Island It’s a 1970s trivia overload! The plane that brought guests to the show’s Fantasy Island—the one that made Tattoo (Hervé Villechaize) shout “de plane!”—was previously owned by Jonathan Livingston Seagull […]
We all know they’re wrong, and over-generalizations, but there are certain clichés about different nationalities that persist…particularly the ones that seem the weirdest or most inexplicable. For example, there’s the idea that Germans adore Baywatch star David Hasselhoff, or that Canadians love hockey and Tim Hortons donuts. Arguably the most famous of these stereotypes — […]
Some athletes retire at the top of their game — Joe DiMaggio walked away from baseball in 1951 just after winning his ninth World Series, and David Robinson walked off the NBA court for good in 2003, immediately after winning his second league title. Some other athletes just couldn’t stay away from the game they […]
No bones about it — the human skeleton is a fascinating thing. Longest bone Longest bone in the body: The femur, or thigh bone. It’s also the strongest, able to withstand more pressure than concrete. It’s so tough that it’s one of the most seldom broken bones in the body. Smallest bone Smallest bone in […]
The rule of thumb for a successful TV series is that it gets to stay on the air for years. Not so for these shows. Twin Peaks (1990-1991) In 1990, millions of American wanted to know “Who killed Laura Palmer?” That was the central mystery of Twin Peaks, an ABC mystery series co-created by cult […]
Canada is a lot like the U.S., but it’s not nearly identical. Its culture and cuisine enjoy strong influences from England, Scotland, France, East Asia, and indigenous peoples…which makes for a number of unique food choices you’d scarcely find outside of the Great White North. Montreal bagels Montreal is a densely populated, cosmopolitan city on […]
Usually when professional sports teams change names it’s because they moved cities. Sometimes they do it for marketing reasons. Or they decide at the last minute to not change it, or do change it and overlook some other options. NEW JERSEY SWAMP DRAGONS By the early ‘90s, the NBA’s Nets had existed for more than […]
Baseball season is about ready to start, and some people are about to get very rich: the people who play it. Here’s a look back on some important money milestones in the national pastime. First to earn $10,000 While some records say the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Honus Wagner earned a whopping five figures as early as […]
Here’s your rundown on all the mind-bogglingly cool, amazing — and strange — stuff the scientists have been up to lately. AARON THE RIPPER Jack the Ripper is one of history’s most notorious murderers, perhaps in part because his shocking crimes on the streets of London in the 1800s remained unsolved. But in March 2019, […]
It’s springtime, when there’s only one thing on everyone’s minds: allergies, and how they make you miserable with the sneezing, sore throat, and eyes glued shut. It’s all because of tiny little particles of pollen flying around the air. Here’s everything you need to know about spring’s tiniest menace. First use of the word The […]
Here is a look back through history to some past candidates for the highest office in the land who honestly had very little chance of winning. WILLIAM WIRT By the 1830s, a conspiracy theory developed that said the Freemasons, a fraternal service organization, was actually a secret society with plans for national domination. In response, […]
Around the year and throughout the world, big clothing designers unveil their latest looks through elaborate presentations. They’re not just models walking down a runway anymore. How weird are these shows? So weird that we’re writing about them here, where we rarely cover anything as fancy as fashion. WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE Jana Nedzvetskaya’s spring 2015 […]
Human are odd creatures. Here are some of history’s greatest mass hysterias. Biting nuns! According to reports in 18th century German medical texts, a nun at a convent in the area spontaneously started to chase and bite all the other nuns around her. As news of the very specific attacks spread, nuns at other German convents were observed […]
St. Patrick’s Day has evolved into a celebration of Ireland, the people of Ireland, and the influence of the Emerald Isle on world culture. To that end, here are some indelible contributions to technology and science by those of Irish descent. Chocolate milk It’s strange to think that somebody had to invent the addition of […]
We’re not sure if “weird golf” is a thing, let alone if it “rules,” but here are some strange and odd stipulations golfers must follow when they’re out there on the links. Cactus dangers The golf rule book seems to have every contingency covered, including what to do if a hit ball lands by a cactus. […]
People on opposite teams may fight, but once in a while the spirit of competition gets so intense that people on the same team come to blows. KERR VS. JORDAN Today, Steve Kerr is one of the most successful coaches in the NBA, guiding the Golden State Warriors to three league titles in the last […]
There are so many pig-and-pork based products out there, and so many of them have colorful, fun-to-say names…that aren’t the most descriptive. Here’s a little primer. PORK RINDS They’re crispy like potato chips, but contain no starch at all — they’re fried pig skin. It’s made by simmering separated pork skin in boiling water, cut […]
Dolly Parton recently signed a deal with Netflix to turn a number of her biggest hits into movies. Her songs are often stories, so it’s a natural progression. The same should have happened for these songs turned movies…which all tuned out a little odd. Monster Mash (1995) The monster-centric novelty song “Monster Mash” was a […]
