Chucklepedia

Listener note: we were trying a new audio recording technique, and the episode has some audio issues that we were not able to remove while mixing. We'll get better! For this episode: while politics in 2020 are mired in scandals that go nowhere, the saga of Budd Dwyer culminated in one of the most horrifyingly public ways possible, and has become immortalized on the internet. Drew and Jim discuss the crimes that led to Dwyer's notoriety and conviction, the choices made by local news organizations as it became public, and the legacy of dirty politics and public displays in the wake of the incident. 

In the early 80's and into the Nineties, newspaper funny pages were blessed to have some true visionary cartoonists creating daily strips, and none were stranger, bizarre or hilarious than Gary Larson's "The Far Side." Hear about Larson's early forays into creating the strip, how it became syndicated by more than 1900 papers, and his decision to retire at the age of 44 before he thought the strip might become boring, and how his latest content online has appeared out of nowhere and what may come next. 

Hattie McDaniel was a singer, comedian, and the first African American woman to win an Oscar for her role in "Gone With The Wind," but her life was filled with controversy and difficulty. Hear about her rise to one of Hollywood's go-to actresses for a specific kind of role, the criticism she faced for accepting those roles, and how even as she achieved the greatest heights Hollywood had to offer, there were still painful reminders of America's racist legacy waiting for her. 

We've seen what happens when people hear that there may be a shortage on toilet paper in 2020, but what about when legitimate food supply lines are cut off in Paris in 1870? Drew and Jim discuss how folks in Paris got hungry, and began to look towards the zoo for a chance to expand their culinary horizons. Rats, dogs, cats, horses, elephants, antelope...it was all on the table. Even more interesting - hear what they still wouldn't eat, and how soon certain types of rodents became high-class fare. 

Sealand has its own currency, administration, laws, constitution, and even issues passports. They also have less living space than many 1-bedroom apartments. Jim and Drew take you to the picturesque manmade island of Sealand, founded in the mid-20th century and already the site of multiple invasions and battles, and now a proud novelty souvenir hot spot. Hear about the history, the sea battles, and how pirate radio played a role in the founding of one of the world's strangest - and smallest - countries. 

In the world of 1980's standup comedy, no comedians were more brash, aggressive, or offensive than Andrew Dice Clay and Sam Kinison. They started as friends but became bitter rivals. In this episode, Jim and Drew dig into how both men became the Kings of the Comedy Store in Los Angeles, what sparked the feud, and what shaped both men's careers as they came to the end of the decade they both reigned supreme in. 

For as long as mankind has been aware they're going to get wrinkled and grey and pass away, we've been looking for a magical solution to keep us young and vibrant. Join Jim and Drew as they examine the legend of the Fountain of Youth, and a few of the most famous attempts to locate it over the centuries. Spoiler alert: the only definite way to avoid aging is to be J-Lo. 

Humanity has always been on the hunt for a guilt-free way to eat complete and total garbage. In the late 90s, Olestra was unleashed upon the world, claiming fat-free, guilt-free potato chips, with one minor caveat: "loose stools." In this episode, Jim and Drew dig into the creation of Olestra back in the 1960s for a completely different purpose, and how it made its way onto grocery store shelves, before becoming notorious and causing multimillion dollar lawsuits. 

We all imagine international super spies as being super suave, hyper-organized and regularly having crazy orgies all over the world. Turns out, some of that is true! On this episode of Chucklepedia, James and Drew dive into the tale of Karl Koecher, the Czech spy who started as an awkward kid who eventually found his way into the highfalutin' world of the 80's NYC party scene even while he was double-and-triple-crossing everybody. 

James Joyce is a writer known for his beautiful prose, but he also penned some outstanding filth to his lover and wife Nora, some of which helped to inspire the sexual innuendo that fills the inboxes of everybody on Tinder, Bumble and other dating/sex apps in 2020. Hear about their love affair, Joyce's sexual awakening at the hands (literally) of Nora, and get a personal reading of some of the most remarkably crude sexts ever created by a literary genius. 

In 1980, New York City was transfixed by the story of a beautiful young violinist who was savagely murdered at the Metropolitan Opera House during a show. Hear the details of this forgotten tragedy and the murderer who was sent to jail and is still attempting to be paroled. 

President James Garfield was born in a log cabin, fought in the Civil War, was a fringe Republican when it meant something very different than it does in 2020, and only served six months as President before being assassinated. James and Drew discuss his fascinating life and political career, and eventual slow and painful passing. 

Like your weird uncle, Chucklepedia is showing up after being away for a year and expects you to be pretty excited about it. Like every December, Drew and Jim talk about the magical holiday goat-demon Krampus, and just maybe catch up on what's been happening in their lives since they put a pin in the podcast a year ago. Pour yourself an eggnog and gather round the old podcast machine with the whole family! 

After 5+ years and 75 episodes, Jim, Drew and Leila bid farewell to Chucklepedia - but not until they do the final Krampusode ever. Thanks to everybody who ever downloaded and listened, we appreciate it! 

How did Halloween get its spooky, terrifying beginning? As a ritual celebration of the harvest and portents of the grim, cold season about to begin, of course! Hear all about how the holiday started as a Gaellic tradition and morphed into the fun-size extravaganza of sexy nurses we know today. Also on the show: a big update about Chucklepedia's future AND a sneak preview of music from A Horse Named Pancho's new record. 

It was a trial that captured the imagination of America in the late 19th Century with a "did she or didn't she?" mystery that many of us think we know all the details about...but do you really? Hear all about the story of Lizzie Borden and the death of her father and stepmother. Did she murder them with an ax?

Jack Johnson stands as one of the greatest boxers of all time, hailing from an era when boxers fought frequently and hard. Johnson also faced extreme racial prejudice from as high up as the President of the United States and came through to prevail.

Jim, Leila and Drew are joined by friend of the show and former guest Scott Armstrong to discuss actress and activist Margot Kidder.

There are comedians and there are magicians, but few can actually succeed as a comedy-magician like Harry Anderson. From his origins learning traditional back-alley hustles and card tricks to being the main player on an NBC sitcom, hear the story of the man also known as "Harry the Hat" on "Cheers." Also discussed: new 4/20 holiday traditions, maaaaaaaaan.

A true ground-breaker in the world of comedy and performers, Moms Mabley started life in rough circumstances and went on to be a notable comic for six decades. Hear about how she overcame every possible obstacle in her historic career. Also discussed: Leila had quite the St. Patrick's Day, and your social media accounts are betraying you.