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
Jan 2, 2018 • 40min
Secret Order of the Double Sunrise (Entry 1122.EC0105)
In which QANTAS begins a top-secret 33-hour nonstop flight between Australia and Ceylon at the height of World War II, right under the noses of the Empire of Japan. Certificate #12248.
Dec 28, 2017 • 42min
Newton's Cradle (Entry 835.1C1311)
In which thousands of soulless corporate executives put little steel toys on their desks but still feel dead inside, and Ken finally learns how those little drinking birds work. Certificate #31932.
Dec 26, 2017 • 51min
Gadsby (Entry 511.PS6928)
In which our two hosts study a book that runs fifty thousand words without a solitary display of our writing plan's fifth symbol. Certificate #6442.
Dec 21, 2017 • 59min
Water Wars (Entry 1414.PS6301)
In which Los Angeles stands revealed in all its unquenchable thirst, and is pronounced by John and Ken several times the fun, old-timey way, with a hard 'g'. Certificate #33935.
Dec 19, 2017 • 48min
The Tesseract (Entry 1291.EP0318)
In which Ken and John struggle to imagine four-dimensional space with the same ease that the inventor of the pitching machine once could. Certificate #28910.
Dec 14, 2017 • 56min
The Rachel (Entry 1024.GN2917)
In which John opines that Jennifer Aniston's ubiquitous 1990s-era cut was America's "last hairstyle." Certificate #24193.
Dec 12, 2017 • 59min
Smell-O-Vision (Entry 1177.AM0521)
In which the aromas of tobacco, coffee, and lavender, meant to revolutionize the motion picture industry, end up nauseating audiences instead, and Ken spoils a 57-year-old surprise cameo. Certificate #18585.
Dec 8, 2017 • 53min
The Pig War (Entry 939.MK0511)
In which the United States and Britain take up arms over one potato-hungry pig. Certificate #43259.
Dec 7, 2017 • 57min
The Olympic Marathon of 1904 (Entry 865.1C0924)
In which the world's most prestigious sporting event goes disastrously wrong, and a Cuban mailman takes a nap. Certificate #28924.
Dec 7, 2017 • 36min
Defenestration (Entry 326.2K0933)
In which throwing people out of windows is strongly endorsed by many hot-headed Czechs, but opposed in no uncertain terms by Ken's great-great-great-great-grandfather. Certificate #32146.
