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, 2018 • 52min
The Koryo Saram (Entry 692.JE2907)
In which tens of thousands of Koreans are forcibly relocated to the deserts of Central Asia and ordered to grow rice, and John refuses to relocate to Kotzebue or Yakutat even though he has a free plane ticket. Certificate #16823.
Jun 21, 2018 • 50min
Billy the Pygmy Hippo (Entry 122.JB4024)
A quirky tale about a pygmy hippo sent to a U.S. president and how that gift helped modernize zoos. Playful imagining of the animal as a children’s character. Deep dives into presidential pets, early 20th century millionaire ventures in Liberia, and evolving zoo husbandry and breeding successes.
Jun 19, 2018 • 59min
The Boysenberry (Entry 148.LV2519)
In which a California backyard botanist creates a mysterious new fruit, resulting in one of the century's biggest food fads and reinventing the American vacation. Certificate #36525.
Jun 14, 2018 • 57min
Prisencolinensinainciusol (Entry 988.1C1423)
A deep dive into a famously gibberish pop song and why nonsense can sound like English. Conversation about how lyrics and melody trade places in hit-making. A look at the Italian star behind the track and his wild TV performances. Discussion of how mimicry, cultural context, and catchy musical hooks fuel global rediscovery.
Jun 12, 2018 • 53min
The Conqueror (Entry 264.LK1255)
An absurd Hollywood casting choice and the story behind a notorious historical film. The billionaire producer's lavish decisions and on-set oddities get unpacked. Filming locations, imported sets, and production lore take center stage. Reports of a cancer cluster and debates over radioactive fallout are explored. Personal anecdotes and the broader legacy of nuclear testing round out the conversation.
Jun 7, 2018 • 1h 4min
The Bugatti Chiron (Entry 162.EC0911)
In which a Volkswagen marque invents the super-car, new acceleration and deceleration records are set, and Ken asks where John was conceived. Certificate #24968.
Jun 5, 2018 • 1h 4min
The St. Martin Fistula (Entry 1227.PR2027)
In which a French-Canadian "voyageur" suffers three indignities: being blasted with buckshot at point-blank range, becoming a full-time medical guinea pig, and having John call him the world's first "human fondue set." Certificate #42453.
May 31, 2018 • 1h 1min
The Preppy Handbook (Entry 981.DE2211)
In which John traces "preppy" fashion from Buckingham Palace to Hyannis Port to Kinko's, and Ken wonders if everyone on post-collapse Earth owns a navy blazer. Certificate #31310.
May 29, 2018 • 56min
Duchenne Smiles (Entry 385.PR1513)
In which we examine how flight attendants smile, baby chimps play, botox treats mental illness, and Oscar the Grouch was a harsh wake-up call for Gen X kids. Certificate #42013.
May 24, 2018 • 1h 1min
The Port Chicago Disaster (Entry 967.AC1940)
In which a Victory ship full of ammunition ignites a three-mile fireball, which in turn ignites the biggest mutiny trial in American history. Certificate #32844.
