561: No Such Thing As Hot Golf Balls

33 snips

Dec 12, 2024

Join a lively discussion about Elizabeth Taylor's early fame and a charming horse bond. Discover the quirky rituals of mini-golf, including the amusing practice of refrigerating golf balls for better play. Dive into the dark allure of the Jack the Ripper mystery, exploring overlooked victims and sensationalist portrayals. Enjoy fun facts about M&M's marketing, including the creation of the green character and amusing candy lore. Plus, tips for boosting holiday savings make for a whimsical wrap-up!

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Books

Transcript

Episode notes

ANECDOTE

Elizabeth Taylor's Early Demands

Elizabeth Taylor's rise to stardom was marked by peculiar demands, including a delayed filming for height and pulled baby teeth.
Studio executives even tried to dye her hair and change her name, highlighting the struggle to find a child actress who fit the bill.

ANECDOTE

Elizabeth Taylor's Marriages and Extravagance

Beyond her film career, Taylor was known for her tumultuous personal life, marked by eight marriages (two to Richard Burton) and extravagant spending.
The couple's antics, like having meals flown from LA to Rome and leasing a yacht for their dogs, showcased their Hollywood royalty status.

ANECDOTE

Sergeant Thick's Flawed Investigation

Sergeant Thick, a Jack the Ripper investigator, made a questionable arrest of an innocent man named John Pizer.
Thick later admitted to his uncertainty about Pizer's guilt, raising doubts about his investigative approach.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

A Load of Old Balls

The QI History of Sport

Anna Ptaszynski

James Harkin

A Load of Old Balls is a fascinating exploration of the world of sports, presented by James Harkin and Anna Ptaszynski, the brainy researchers for BBC's QI and co-hosts of No Such Thing As A Fish. The book delves into the weird rules, unlikely heroes, and astonishing facts of sports history. It covers a wide range of topics, from ancient Egyptian athletes having their spleens removed to David Attenborough's role in yellow tennis balls. The book is a grand tour of sports, highlighting its most surprising and intriguing aspects.

The Killer That Never Was

Peter John Turnbull

In 'The Killer That Never Was,' Peter Turnbull challenges the conventional wisdom about the Jack the Ripper murders by arguing that they were not committed by a single individual. Instead, he proposes that the murders were copycat crimes perpetrated by different men. This book offers a unique perspective on one of the most infamous series of murders in history, questioning the traditional narrative and presenting an alternative theory.

Impossible Things

Dan Schreiber

In 'Impossible Things', Dan Schreiber takes young readers on an eye-opening tour of bizarre and fascinating facts. The book is filled with unbelievable-but-true information and accompanied by humorous comic strips, making it perfect for curious children. It extends the theme of his popular podcast 'No Such Thing As A Fish', delving into the weird, wacky, and intriguing aspects of various subjects.

A Beginner's Guide to Breaking and Entering

Andrew Hunter Murray

The book follows Al, a charming and skilled 'interloper' who lives in wealthy people's second homes while they are away. He adheres to strict rules to avoid detection, but his life takes a dramatic turn when he and his friends break into the wrong place, leading to a murder. The story is a fast-paced, witty, and entertaining crime caper that also touches on the serious issue of housing crises and homelessness among young people.

The Five

The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper

Louise Brealey

Hallie Rubenhold

In this book, Hallie Rubenhold delves into the lives of the 'canonical five' women believed to have been killed by Jack the Ripper in the Whitechapel murders of 1888. Rubenhold challenges the traditional view of these women, often portrayed as sex workers, and instead presents a detailed and compassionate account of their lives, highlighting their diverse backgrounds and experiences. The book is a critical examination of the true-crime genre and its treatment of victims, advocating for a more humane and respectful approach to historical narratives.