The Dollop with Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds

Comedians delve into the life of explorer Henry Hudson, tracing his humble beginnings and rise from cabin boy to captain. They discuss his confusing routes and the fears of mutiny among his crew, showcasing his struggles with leadership. The tale includes Hudson's obsession with finding new passages and his deceptive tactics to keep morale high. Sailors' ridiculous mermaid sightings and Hudson mapping the future river that bears his name add humor to their narrative. Their exploration also touches on the dark sides of trade and indigenous encounters.

Stand-up comedian and podcaster Marc Maron joins the fun for a wild ride through quirky history. They dive into a hilarious 1930 courtroom saga involving a drunken driving mischief-maker, and a smallpox placard scam that leads to unexpected twists. The trio explores outrageous tree-sitting competitions and the absurdity of adult pole-sitting challenges with their sanitation woes. A ludicrous duel in Mexico City reveals just how far chaos can go. It's a charming mix of humor and oddball history that keeps everyone in stitches.

Dive into the quirky world of early baseball mascots! Discover how the term 'mascotte' emerged from a French opera and led to the rise of animal and boy mascots. Enjoy tales of unique creatures and kids who served as lucky charms, and the seriousness with which teams treated these figures. Hear about Ulysses Harrison, a mascot caught in racial dynamics, and the superstitions surrounding players like Ty Cobb. With discussions on exploitation and the evolution of mascots, this journey reveals the bizarre and often heartfelt side of baseball's history.

Dan Friesen and Jordan Holmes, co-hosts of the Knowledge Fight podcast, join the fun with hosts Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds. They dive into bizarre historical newspaper stories, from a man attempting to float by inflating his body to a ghost sighting that captures community intrigue. The group tackles an absurd devil-summoning manual and debates a strange pigeon murder, all while weaving in humor about 1896 life. Their comedic commentary reflects on the oddities of both past and present, making for an entertaining retrospective.

Comedians explore the quirky life of Johnny Appleseed, who was not just a planter of trees but a fervent advocate of Swedenborgian beliefs. They delve into his unique planting style and his role in supplying cider for frontier festivities. From his barefoot lifestyle and eccentric attire to his compassion for animals, Johnny's character shines through. His relationships with settlers and Native Americans, along with tales of his midnight heroics during the War of 1812, paint a complex picture of this legendary figure.

Jenny Tian, a comedian and touring performer, discusses her experiences performing at the iconic Sydney Opera House versus a tent in Adelaide. The trio dives into amusing stories from an 1891 newspaper, including a humorous editorial about pigs disturbing a newsroom and a bizarre foot race for a bride. They also explore cheese culture in Wisconsin, compare food norms in the U.S. and Australia, and touch on unusual historical fads like thumb ring fashion among men. Get ready for laughs and a trip down memory lane!

Discover the hilarious history of butter vs. margarine in Wisconsin! From Napoleon's search for butter substitutes to the absurd color laws that mandated pink margarine, this tale is ripe with political battles and moral panics. Explore how propaganda painted margarine as a villain, leading to bizarre court rulings and black market trading. Unravel the strange alliances, celebrity endorsements, and the lasting effects of the margarine wars on food politics and state identity. It's a culinary showdown you didn't know you needed!

Stand-up comedian Mike Bridenstine shares wild stories from his new book, Kansas City Comedy, revealing shocking anecdotes like a fake FBI sting and a performer feigning paralysis. He recounts a chaotic open-mic night involving a rotting possum and a vacuum. The hosts dig into quirky news from 1927, including an alderman's kiss with a robber. From a Colorado ruling on drinking at home to a bizarre Oklahoma biscuit bill, the conversation is filled with humor and absurdity. They also discuss the humor in modern theater and share heartwarming tales like a 93-year-old's second marriage.

Damien Power, an Australian comedian and podcaster, joins the discussion to dive into the life of Joh Bjelke-Petersen, who rose from humble beginnings to become Queensland's controversial premier. They humorously explore Bjelke-Petersen's peculiar moral crusades, his manipulation of police and politics, and notorious propaganda strategies like 'The Joe Show.' The conversation touches on scandalous allegations of corruption, authoritarian tactics, and the chaotic fallout of his regime, leaving listeners both entertained and enlightened about this complex figure.

Joining the conversation is Matt Cobos, a stand-up comedian and podcaster known for Kobo's Patrick Podcast. The trio dives into humorous historical newspaper articles from 1925, laughing over courtroom antics, bizarre legal disputes, and culinary fads like boiling salad dressing. They banter about a near-naked man found in a barn and a young boy's wild runaway adventure. The hosts also riff on the absurdity of moral panics over dancing and exaggerated obituary tales, keeping the humor lively throughout.