There are television shows that do more than entertain. They inform. They inspire. They gently elevate the human spirit and remind us of our shared dignity. The Gong Show was not one of those shows. It was loud, strange, shameless, chaotic, frequently tasteless, occasionally brilliant, and usually looked as if someone had taken a perfectly…
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Andy Griffith, known for his roles as Sheriff Andy Taylor and Attorney Ben Matlock, was involved in a legal battle when a man changed his name to Andy Griffith, seeking election as sheriff. Griffith sued for trademark and privacy violations but lost the case. Despite his legal victory, the imitator performed poorly in the election.
The most frightening words in the English language for parents on Christmas Eve are, “Some assembly required.” Putting together the toy that is to be opened in just a few hours has been the cause of more than one nervous breakdown. Next time you bemoan how difficult it is to assembly that Christmas gift, consider…
President Gerald R. Ford was well aware of the unique circumstances that propelled him to the most powerful office in the world. Appointed as Vice President upon the resignation of Spiro T. Agnew, he served in that capacity for little more than eight months before Richard Nixon’s resignation made Ford into the 38th President of…
“Our nation’s capital is really getting into the holiday spirit. Yesterday I saw Tip O’Neil with a beard and red suit, shimmying down the Washington Monument.” — Bob Hope Tip O’Neil, a Democratic Congressman from Massachusetts, was Speaker of the U. S. House of Representatives from 1977 to 1987.
On May 16, 2010 the moon, Venus, and Jupiter aligned to create a smiley face. Thanks to monthlyrandom for this fun fact.
Ronald Reagan had been successful in motion pictures and television, but he still struggled with name recognition when he was campaigning for President in 1976. His campaign managers had him going door-to-door in Texas, seeking votes. At one house a gentleman answered the door, and Reagan told him he was running for President and would appreciate…
The dialogue between Hui Tzu and Chuang Tzu illustrates the concept of “the usefulness of useless information.” Chuang Tzu argues that appreciating what seems useless is essential to understanding utility. Without acknowledging the broader context, one risks losing the very ground they rely on, highlighting the importance of seemingly insignificant elements in life.
President Abraham Lincoln liked to joke about the well-to-do background of his wife’s family. “The Todds spell their name with two d’s, which is pretty impressive, considering one d is good enough for God.”
Did Abraham Lincoln defend his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, against accusations of treason? Discover the remarkable moment when Abraham Lincoln testified to save his wife from treason.
While visions of sugar plums may dance in the heads of children in most of the world on Christmas Eve, in Japan the dreams are more likely to be filled with images of crispy and original recipe chicken. In 1974 Kentucky Fried Chicken launched an advertising campaign called “Kurisumasu ni wa kentakkii!!” — “Kentucky for…
William McGonagall’s reputation is in doubt — and he would be pleased about it, if he were still alive, that is. McGonagall has long held the distinction of being the worst poet in the English language because of his tome, “The Tay Bridge Disaster.” Containing such notable gems as, “And the cry rang out all…
Parents should be held responsible for the decisions they make when naming their children. An authority on this subject would be none other than Dr. Whet Faartz. Anyone happen to know what his area of expertise is? Aside from being bullied as a child, of course….
Joseph Bennett II apparently did not consult a fashion advisor before choosing his wardrobe for his engagement photo. The message “If I throw a stick, will you leave?” is probably not the one you want to send when proclaiming your love for your bride. Source
The city of Goiânia, Brazil once had a chief of police named Hitler Mussolini. See this video of the unfortunately-named law enforcement officer. It seems that Goiânia just can’t get a break. Read how the movie Herbie Goes Bananas led to one of the worst radioactive disasters in history.
For many years, James Joyce’s novel Ulysses held the record for the longest sentence in the English language. The 4,391-word monstrosity contained in Molly Bloom’s soliloquy seemed destined to hold the record for the foreseeable future. In 2001, that record was shattered. The Rotters’ Club by Jonathan Coe now holds the dubious honor of containing…
