

Omnibus
Omnibus
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
Mentioned books

Jun 26, 2025 • 1h 19min
Hostile Architecture (Entry 601.PR2907)
In which today's cities face tough choices on how to guide urban behavior with incredibly uncomfortable-looking design features, and Ken would pee on a fly but not a bee. Certificate #19421.

10 snips
Jun 19, 2025 • 1h 27min
The War Between the States (Entry 1409.IS1902)
In which it takes decades for America to decide whether its civil war was an insurrection or an invasion, nomenclature-wise, and John walks very erratically on his orange shag carpet. Certificate #26478.

Jun 12, 2025 • 1h 33min
The Dreadnought Hoax (Entry 380.PS6831)
In which six bored, Cambridge-connected bohemians con their way onto the British Empire's naval flagship by dressing as African royalty, and Ken thinks John is either Batman or a Karen. Certificate #19722.

Jun 5, 2025 • 1h 32min
The Comics Code Authority (Entry 248.2CH2115)
In which a crusading social psychiatrist drums up the moral panic that gets two mega-popular comic book genres banned from America's newsstands, and John agrees that punching Hitler is unmissable. Certificate #44894.

May 29, 2025 • 1h 12min
Gorillas, Discovery of (Entry 540.PS10420)
In which it takes Europe over two thousand years to figure out that the greatest of the great apes is not just Carthaginian folklore, and Ken would like to be considered merciful. Certificate #46468.

May 22, 2025 • 1h 18min
Victorian Hairwork (Entry 1394.LK2118)
In which the popularity of "mourning bequeathments" and the death of the Prince Consort lead to an explosion of morbid family handicrafts, and John gives away the same piano twice. Certificate #50902.

13 snips
May 15, 2025 • 1h 16min
Hawaiian Guitar (Entry 572.PS14409)
In which a Honolulu teenager discovers a rusty bolt by the side of the road and changes the face of 20th-century music across multiple genres, and Ken is surprised to learn what Aerosmith, Paul Shaffer, and Harvard have in common. Certificate #35281.

May 8, 2025 • 1h 23min
Vows of Silence (Entry 1403.PS10730)
In which a famed monastic tradition is revealed to be a modern misunderstanding of the chattiness of religious life, and Ken does not want to know what a Robot Guitar really is. Certificate #38497.

May 1, 2025 • 1h 17min
Rock Paper Scissors (Entry 1079.1CH2613)
Explore how rock, paper, scissors, a seemingly trivial game, has deep cultural roots and impacts decision-making across generations. Discover the humorous side of chance in politics and learn about the fascinating evolution of this age-old game. Delve into strategies and psychological patterns at play, and enjoy anecdotes that blend family history with a playful approach to choices. From robot combat to art auctions, the game’s significance unfolds in unexpected ways, showcasing its role in both childhood and adult decision-making.

12 snips
Apr 24, 2025 • 1h 9min
Lemmings (Entry 711.MK1503)
In which the documentary films of the Arctic are revealed to be full of lies, leading to one misunderstood rodent, and John thinks about a vole in a bowl. Certificate #25575.