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Omnibus

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Every week, Ken Jennings and John Roderick add a new entry to the OMNIBUS, an encyclopedic reference work of strange-but-true stories that they are compiling as a time capsule for future generations.

Episodes

The Moon Illusion (Entry 806.JB3126)

In which we learn why the moon looks so much larger at the horizon, whether your fingernails can out-race Portugal, and whether Ken or John has the better Axl Rose impression. Certificate #18042.

May 15, 201850 min

Tylenol Murders (Entry 1354.IS2915)

In which John runs down the disturbing history of product tampering, from Bromo-Seltzer to baby food, and listeners are strongly discouraged from committing murder. Certificate #27765.

May 10, 20181 hr

William Rufus King (Entry 688.LK1734)

In which a U.S. vice-president spends his entire six-week term dying in Cuba, and Ken reads some fun, flirty letters from future president James Buchanan. Certificate #39087.

May 08, 201854 min

Backyard Blast Furnaces (Entry 091.EZ2220)

In which John explains why it's a bad idea to smelt iron on your deck or patio, a seemingly obvious life tip that seems to have escaped Chairman Mao. Certificate #30148.

May 03, 201854 min

Bir Tawil (Entry 126.EZ2010)

In which Ken confesses that he might have caused a land grab in the middle of the Nubian Desert. Certificate #50204.

Apr 24, 201848 min

Hypercolor (Entry 611.GE3703)

In which we revisit 1991's briefest, brightest fashion fad, and John ponders what to do with our nation's biggest problem: awkward middle-schoolers. Certificate #26275.

Apr 19, 201851 min

The Angels of Mons (Entry 047.PS9111)

In which an unsuccessful horror writer accidentally rewrites the history of the Western Front, and Ken is clearly annoyed at having to learn the history of the Western Front. Certificate #21873.

Apr 17, 201852 min

Canadian Floating Feet (Entry 178.RV2013)

In which sneakers keep washing onto the beaches of British Columbia with the feet of mystery people still inside, may God rest their soles. Certificate #27174.

Apr 12, 201832 min

Vending Machines (Entry 1387.DE0228)

In which Ken runs down the list of everything that could ever be bought by putting coins in slots, from religious awe to banned books to pancake mix. Certificate #16697.

Apr 10, 201848 min

Call Signs (Entry 176.1S1007)

In which we learn why US radio stations start with a K or a W, and how to get hold of Ken's dad in case of a national emergency. Certificate #28337.

Apr 05, 201838 min

Hachiko (Entry 559.PR2006)

In which a Scottish policeman, a Tokyo professor, and Mary Queen of Scots have very loyal dogs, but a young John Roderick does not. Certificate #24139.

Apr 03, 201846 min

Milli Vanilli (Entry 789.JB2704)

In which a German record producer hires two male models to lip-sync his hits, leading to--girl, you know it's true!--one Grammy, one class-action lawsuit, and one tragic death. Certificate #35145.

Mar 22, 201857 min

Mary Anning (Entry 050.PS3420)

In which a working-class woman becomes one of the greatest scientists of her age, discovers dinosaur poop, and sells seashells by the seashore. Certificate #36073.

Mar 20, 201841 min

S.S. United States (Entry 1213.JB0926)

In which an aluminum-heavy cruise liner falls on hard times, and John and Ken can't decide if "Blue Riband" is actually French or not. Certificate #39390.

Mar 15, 201847 min

Rubber Barons (Entry 1087.EZ1613)

In which Ken describes the nouveau riche of the Amazon rainforest, and John has a conspiracy theory about scarecrows. Certificate #25284.

Mar 13, 201843 min

Father Coughlin (Entry 284.MT2309)

In which a fiery Canadian gets 30 million Depression-era listeners for his little fascist radio show, and Ken and John pledge fealty to Martian invaders. Certificate #29423

Mar 08, 201848 min

The Noid (Entry 840.PR0415)

In which a claymation terrorist with inexplicable bunny ears disrupts pizza, takes hostages, and wins America's heart. Certificate #29250

Mar 06, 201849 min

The Zuider Zee (Entry 1458.NA0104)

In which the Dutch battle their oldest enemy: the Waterwolf. Almost certainly the Omnibus's last entry (alphabetically). Certificate #31078.

Mar 01, 201846 min

London Bridge Is Down (Entry 733.2K0934)

In which we make plans for the longest-awaited death in human history, and wonder how many Welsh corgis it takes to pull a gun carriage. Certificate #34884.

Feb 27, 201851 min

Back Masking (Entry 091.EP0427)

In which John investigates whether or not segassem terces naitnoc sgnos kcor, and Ken wonders why Satan would own a toolshed. Certificate #30148.

Feb 22, 201844 min

Megafauna (Entry 772.JB4015)

In which we learn which Ice Age animal is named after the human nipple, and which modern animal fills John's soul with bloodlust. Certificate #47448.

Feb 20, 201843 min

Oneida (Entry 866.MT2230)

In which a socialist preacher invents a tricky birth control technique he calls "male continence," leading directly to the lazy Susan and the assassination of an American president. Certificate #34322.

Feb 15, 201842 min

The Bellamy Salute (Entry 112.HE0616)

In which Ken blames a crucial bit of fascist iconography on the most successful magazine premium in American history, and John knows the lyrics to "Alaska's Flag" but refuses to sing it. Certificate #37863.

Feb 13, 201839 min

Hat Etiquette (Entry 571.1C1104)

In which John strongly admonishes future listeners not to get sloppy with their headwear, if they have heads. Certificate #25200.

Feb 08, 201837 min

Death Discs (Entry 319.MK1610)

In which the gruesome deaths in early 1960s teen ballads are variously blamed on capitalism, Marlon Brando, chastity, and giant clams. Certificate #34312.

Feb 06, 201850 min