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 16, 2020 • 1h 1min
Pulsars, Discovery of (Entry 1008.IS4713)
In which the discoverer of neutron stars is largely ignored for her achievement, and John wonders about the precise verbiage to summon "Beetlejuice." Certificate #52246.
Jun 11, 2020 • 1h 8min
TV Detection Vans (Entry 1351.MT1828)
In which the BBC employs a high-tech surveillance fleet to find out if Britons are seeing Doctor Who illegally, and Ken watches Monday Night Football on Tuesday nights. Certificate #48968.
Jun 9, 2020 • 1h 23min
Roald Amundsen's Airship (Entry 1077.JE0113)
In which fifteen men in a dirigible, to say nothing of the dog, conquer the North Pole while arguing all the way, and John wonders if there are Italians on the Moon. Certificate #23607.
Jun 4, 2020 • 50min
Jesse Owens, Gold Medals of (Entry 887.LV2525)
In which we examine the secondary market for Olympic medals, Nobel Prizes, game show trophies, and other awards, and Ken and John struggle to remember if Watson or Crick is the bad one. Certificate #2504.
Jun 2, 2020 • 55min
The Hero of Camperdown (Entry 583.IS3323)
In which one press-ganged sailor's quick thinking and bravery ends an invasion of Ireland and changes the course of history, while John and Ken disagree over the meaning of Elton John lyrics. Certificate #50975.
May 28, 2020 • 1h 5min
Soapy Smith (Entry 1178.2T0313)
In which Alaska chooses to make a cheerfully lawless gold rush villain into a beloved folk hero, and Ken wonders if he's married to a dice-rolling confidence artist. Certificate #35570.
May 26, 2020 • 1h 18min
Chick Tracts (Entry 214.RO0116)
In which history's most widely read theologian is revealed to be an eccentric Los Angeles cartoonist and conspiracy theorist who looks like Slim Pickens, and John notices that religious pamphlets mostly appear in places where bad things happen. Certificate #31387.
May 21, 2020 • 1h 13min
The Joy of Cooking (Entry 676.EZ2410)
In which a Listerine label-printing company publishes what goes on to become the most popular cookbook in American history, and Ken imagines Wall Street Journal portraits of seafood. Certificate #38738.
May 19, 2020 • 1h 4min
Love (Entry 737.GA0514)
In which one of the great Pop Art geniuses of his century accidentally becomes a one-hit wonder with an iconic bit of typography, and John regrets never entering into an arranged marriage. Certificate #37350.
May 14, 2020 • 1h 5min
The International Cable Protection Committee (Entry 654.IS4316)
In which we are reminded that the modern global communication network still relies on unwiedly physical cables running along the sea-floor, tempting Russian spies and itchy whales, and Ken enjoys the word "gutta-percha." Certificate #34332.
