Ridiculous History

Discover the fascinating world of non-Gregorian calendars and how different cultures keep time. From the intricacies of the Hebrew and Islamic systems to the whimsical nature of the Hindu and Chinese calendars, these unique methods offer a rich tapestry of history and modern relevance. The podcast humorously contrasts these diverse calendars with the Gregorian standard, reflecting on their influence on religious practices and cultural celebrations. Plus, enjoy insights on how lunar phases shape our understanding of time!

Join the hosts as they hilariously unravel the absurd history of our modern calendar. From ancient Egyptian timekeeping to the Gregorian system, every twist reveals how society's quirks have shaped our perception of time. Discover the odd origins of the seven-day week and the cultural ties behind the days that govern our lives today. With entertaining anecdotes and a laugh-out-loud approach, they highlight the ridiculousness of measuring time and the powerful figures who influenced these systems.

Wayne Federman, a comedy legend and educator, joins to explore how George Carlin's 'seven dirty words' sparked a Supreme Court case that changed the landscape of free speech. He delves into Carlin's innovative impact on stand-up and the nuances of censorship. The conversation touches on the legacies of icons like Lenny Bruce, the evolution of language in comedy, and the ongoing debate surrounding artistic expression versus societal norms. Tune in for insightful anecdotes and reflections on comedy's role in shaping public discourse.

Discover the quirky evolution of fantasy sports as it moves from humble beginnings to a massive industry. Learn how early innovators crafted a platform that turned casual fans into enthusiastic players. Hear amusing tales of fantasy commissioners akin to dungeon masters, and the camaraderie of Silicon Valley startups. Delve into the cultural significance of fantasy sports and its surge as a mainstream phenomenon, while exploring the psychological highs of gameplay. From community bonding to the allure of instant gratification, it's a wild ride through sports and gaming!

To outsiders, fantasy sports and fantasy leagues may sound like a bizarre proposition: you get together with a bunch of friends and leverage statistics to predict outcomes in your favorite sports, but it's not... gambling? In the first part of this two-part series, Ben, Noel and Max explore the origins of fantasy leagues, and how they grew into a billion-dollar industry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lenny Bruce is a legend in the history of stand-up comedy, and while his use of explicit language thrilled audience members, it didn't win him any friends in law enforcement. In fact, Bruce was arrested multiple times for his use of 'obscenities', sparking a larger, continuing debate about the nature of free speech. Join the guys as they learn more about the early days of stand-up and the Lenny Bruce controversy with this week's special guest: Comedian, actor, writer and historian Wayne Federman.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Imagine one of your family members attains the highest political position in American history -- your uncle or sibling becomes the President of the United States! And, as Ben, Noel and Max learn in today's episode: many people were called to play the role of First Lady. Turns out: several people genuinely didn't want the job.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ben here. I know, I know: it's confusing that we split our First Ladies sequel episode into two separate episodes. The title is literally ridiculous. However, as you'll hear, we delved deep into a bit of Presidential history that touches on so many things -- so many, in fact, that we had to dedicate an entire show to Buchanan and his fascinating First Lady/niece, Harriet Lane.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A necropolis in what is now Northern Italy holds a strange and, at first glance, terrifying corpse. A Lombard man, aged somewhere between 40 and 50 years old, lost his right arm in a brutal accident. Normally this sort of wound would be a death sentence, but in this case the guy didn't just survive -- he created a prosthetic limb from a sword and officially became Knife Hand (a title we gave him because we think it sounds cool). Listen in to learn more about the life and times of Knife Hand, including why his story, when you get down to the details, is more an inspiring testament to human compassion than a frightening tale of a killer with a blade for an arm.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Dark Knight. The Caped Crusader. The terror of all criminals and ne'er-do-wells in Gotham... that's right, folks: today's episode is all about Batman. As Ben and Noel discover in today's episode, this superhero's origin story is a surprising tale of beef, ego, conflict and controversy: for decades, two men claimed to have created Batman... and one of them may have been (mostly) lying.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.