Underunderstood
Activity Overview
Episode publication activity over the past year
Episodes
Update + LIVE show!
26 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's been a while! We have a quick update about our schedule, plus details about our first-ever LIVE SHOW! Underunderstood LiveTuesday August 1, ...
Big Ideas Lost to Mini Rooms
18 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hollywood is stockpiling scripts for full seasons of unreleased television shows. Are they throwing them out or saving them for a rainy day? Want to s...
Even If It's Fake, It's Real
10 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes the truth is stranger than the hoax. Want to support the show? Become a patron at https://patreon.com/underunderstood...
The Other Masked Magician
03 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
John revisits a wild pitch about a mysterious television performer. Want to support the show? Become a patron at https://patreon.com/...
What's the Deal With Airport Food?
26 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
There’s a formula that dictates restaurant prices in New York City airports. Adrianne digs into what does — and doesn’t — add up. Want to sup...
Hunting for Manhunt
19 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
An obscure pro wrestling-adjacent reality show from 2001 was mired in scandal. Was it really rigged? Want to support the show? Become a patron at ...
MTV Cribs or MTV Fibs?
05 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Billy shares a new (old) segment, we examine how real MTV Cribs was, and an important update about the missing broccoli game! Want to support the sho...
Did Daft Punk Record ‘Pee is Stored in the Balls?’
29 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Billy helps a listener uncover the true origins of a popular unreleased song. Want to support the show? Become a patron at https://patreon.com/...
Mail Time!
22 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We take listener calls and emails about lost video games, plus a Triscuit update. Want to support the show? Become a patron at https://patreon.com...
What happened to Disney's Virtual Magic Kingdom?
15 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Billy helps a listener return to VMK, the online world where they remember “learning all the bad words.” Want to support the show? Become a patro...
Why Is It Called a Triscuit?
08 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Writer Sage Boggs thought he discovered why Triscuit is called Triscuit. But the cracker brand has a confusing and mysterious relationship with its ow...
Raisin Suspicion
22 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A Redditor starts receiving boxes full of 1980s memorabilia from the long-defunct California Raisins Fan Club. Who is sending this raisin mail? A diff...
Tough Calls
15 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We hear a message from a listener about a scam call. Then, Adrianne runs after a curious message on a city bus. Want to support the show? Become a pa...
How Far Is Tattoo Far: Real or Fake?
08 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A listener question sends Billy on a deep dive into an MTV reality show. Want to support the show? Become a patron at https://patreon.com/underunders...
I Want My MTV Dial Position Sticker
12 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
John goes on a quest to find a sticker that may or may not have existed. Support Underunderstood and get our bonus podcast by joining our Patreon! Sho...
One More Thing… Deodorant
29 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Billy investigates a theory that Apple products are packaged with a signature fragrance. Want to join us for "the world's largest trivia contest"? Vis...
Mystery Sounds + Some Personal News
15 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We were honored to be guests on Twenty Thousand Hertz’s annual Mystery Sound competition, where the four of us competed to name a variety of obscure...
2-for-1: Pursuit and Pizza
21 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
An end of the year two-part episode! First, where do Trivial Pursuit questions come from? And then, why is it so hard to find a Pizza Hut Classic? Sho...
Lou Pearlman Tried to Send a Boy Band to Space
23 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
These pop singers thought they were going to be the first band in space. What happened? Support the show and listen to over 50 episodes of our bonus p...
California License Plate 2SAM564
09 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Why has the same California license plate been showing up in movies and TV shows for two decades? Support the show and listen to over 50 episodes of o...
Chief Laugh Officer
26 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Laffy Taffy created a dream joke writing job. But is it real? Support the show and listen to over 50 episodes of our bonus podcast by joining our Patr...
Who Is John, the Psychic Santa from The Circle?
03 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Circle is back for Season 2, and there's a mysterious catfish named John. Who is this "full time psychic, part time Santa"? This is an episode of ...
The Most Popular Snoopy Quote in Japan
06 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Adrianne tries to understand the associations around the cartoon beagle in Japan. If you like the show, support us on Patreon and get access to our bo...
Side Quests: Tampons, iCarly, and Fruit Snacks
23 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A few “side quests” from our inbox: tampons in the freezer, a missing iCarly cover, and some long lost fruit snacks. If you like the show, support...
A Conspiracy Theory About Area Codes
09 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Adrianne tries to deconstruct how a big city got a seemingly low-prestige area code. If you like the show, support us on Patreon and get access to our...
How Cool Ranch Doritos Got Cooler
02 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
John pieces together the definitive timeline of when Cool Ranch Doritos became Cooler Ranch Doritos. If you like the show, support us on Patreon...
Give a Hoot, Don’t Pollute
23 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The storied history of a United States Forest Service mascot, and why the government wanted him incinerated. This is an updated version of an episode ...
How Long Does Lipstick Last on a Dead Body?
16 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If you unearth a body after seven years, will the makeup still be there? If you like the show, support us on Patreon and get access to our bonus show,...
Why Is This Sheriff Arresting Fire TV Sellers?
09 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
An 88-year-old is being charged with a felony after selling "jailbroke firesticks" at a Florida flea market. If you like the show, support us on Patre...
Jeff Goldblum’s Secret Tattoo
02 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A listener emails Underunderstood: "Jeff Goldblum has a tattoo in Jurrassic Park - no one noticed, no one can identify. Help!" Show notes: 01:20 –...
Does Anyone Remember this Robot Vegetable Band?
15 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Why does no one remember a set of singing vegetables from an Oklahoma grocery store in the 80s? We have a Patreon now! Sign up to support the show and...
The Case of the Blah Blah Blahs
08 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A famous datset of Reuters articles from the 1980s includes “Blah blah blah.” in place of some stories. Why? We have a Patreon now! Sign up to sup...
Closing the Loop on China's Mystery Seeds
24 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What ever happened with those mysterious seeds that were showing up in U.S. mailboxes? 00:33 - Michigan Department of Agriculture tweet 03:10 - USD...
The One About the Masked Singer
17 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Billy digs into how The Masked Singer got a studio audience to show up during COVID. If you like the show and want access to our bonus feed, Overunder...
Justice for Jocko
10 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
An unsolved mystery from our members-only podcast, Overunderstood. You can sign up and get access at patreon.com/underunderstood. 1:50 - Unfriendly ...
Tom and Gerry
03 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Regina searches for the true story behind a sexist remark. Show notes: 00:40 - This is Geraldine Ferraro's Wikipedia page. 0:52 - And this is Walte...
The Guacfather
27 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The origin story of a wobbly toy with a peculiar name. We have a Patreon now! Members get access to Overunderstood, our bonus podcast. Check it out at...
May Contain Up To 60% Peanuts
20 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The FDA gets salty. 0:01 - Underunderstood is on Patreon. THANK YOU SO MUCH to everyone who subscribed so far! 4:50 - TITLE 21--FOOD AND DRUGS CHAP...
Amazon's Next Top Model
13 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Once a photo gets on the internet, it could end up anywhere. 0:01 - We have a Patreon now! 2:13 - Product on Amazon 4:10 - Billy's tweet 4:22 -...
The One About The Circle
10 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Adrianne tries to figure out if there is a right way to play Netflix’s awkward social media game. 10:08 - Social Learning and Coordination in High...
The Pittsburgh Potty
28 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Why do so many Pennsylvania homes have freestanding toilets in their unfinished basements? 01:21 - Pittsburgh toilet - Wikipedia 02:44 - The dual t...
A Tale of Two Billies
21 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Is H&M using Billie Eilish to greenwash? 01:19 - H&M Now Sells Billie Eilish Merch — & It's Sustainable - Refinery29 03:05 - Sustaina...
Toilet Seat Blues
14 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Add “Smurf butt” to the list of things to expect when you’re expecting. 00:43 - Maile's original email included this article. 01:45 - When je...
Grab Bag
07 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We’ve done 12 stories so far, and since we first published them there have been some updates, and new details have emerged. Today we’re rounding t...
The Incredible Shrinking Cap’n
17 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
00:22 - Cap'n Crunch was created by Pamela Low in 1963. 01:50 - Urban Dictionary defines Cap'n Crunch Mouth as "When the roof of your mouth gets al...
43 Years in Biscuitville
10 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A small town fights for internet justice by boycotting biscuits. 2:23 - LulaRoe Defective Fail on Facebook 3:29 - Biscuitville page on Wikipedia ...
Brave Dot Com
03 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
How a misfit polka band scored a premium spot on the World Wide Web in 1995. 0:35 - "The Verge is an ambitious multimedia effort founded in 2011 to ...
What Happened To the McFlurry?
26 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
McFlurries aren't what they used to be. Why did McDonald's stop stirring them? Show notes: 2:29 - McFlurry demo (YouTube) 6:40 - Adrianne's McFlurr...
Endless Thread: The Deadly Double
22 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
While we’re working on new episodes of Underunderstood, we we'd share an episode of another podcast we love: Endless Thread. It’s a show that brin...
What To Do With Fake Money
27 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Adrianne buys some money online in order to track down a rumor about Chinese bank tellers. 2:06 - Photos of the $100 bills: Front / Back 3:35 - Hel...
Where's My Chile?
20 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
John finds out if it is safe to eat a suitcase full of chili peppers that have been missing for three days. 5:45 - Where’s My Suitcase 8:16 - #wh...
Little Theatre Goes Dark
13 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The surprising history behind a charming marquee in downtown Newark, New Jersey. Show notes: 00:06 - Billy shot and edited Underunderstood's trailer...
Recorded for Awesomeness
06 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Adrianne tries to order from a local sushi restaurant, but an unfamiliar voice answers, promising "awesomeness." Awesomeness for whom? Show notes: 2...
The 9/11 Hoax That Wasn’t
30 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Billy’s sister thinks a photo that repeatedly goes viral on Reddit is suspicious. Show notes: 0:40 – All of the photos discussed in this episode...
What Happened To New Vietnam?
23 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A Wikipedia stub about the worst Florida theme park idea ever sends John on a search for the reason it never opened. Show notes: 0:45 - New Vietnam ...
Underunderwear
16 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
A tweetstorm about men’s role in pregnancy leads Regina to find a man who spent over a decade suppressing his sperm count with a piece of yarn. Show...
Gas and Gains
09 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
After watching an episode of “Catfish: The TV Show,” Billy goes on a deep dive to find the meaning of a curious ankle tattoo, the eccentricities o...
Welcome to Underunderstood
28 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
There are questions the internet just hasn't answered yet. We investigate those questions and get the answers.