Best Gene Siskel Podcasts (2024)

1
Movie Critic Gene Siskel Helped Make A Popcorn Company A Chicago Icon 3:09

5d ago3:09

3:09

Today in 1986, a newspaper column by film critic Gene Siskel helped to turn a local snack favorite in Chicago into a signature of the city. Plus: if you like holiday displays, there’s a pretty unusual one in Hatfield, Pennsylvania, a family of plywood moose. Chicago’s love affair with popcorn goes back 150 years, from Cracker Jack to Garrett Mix (C…

1
Chas Newby, Beatle Bassist For Two Weeks 3:16

1h ago3:16

3:16

Today in 1960, Chas Newby of Liverpool got a temp job that would give him a story he could dine out on for the rest of his life: for two weeks, he played bass for the Beatles. Plus: today in 1985, a radio DJ in Iowa tried to ward off the holiday blues in an extremely repetitive way. When Chas Newby Was With the Beatles for Two Weeks (Ultimate Class…

1
May Kaarlus Was A Trick Shot Billiard Prodigy Who Walked Away From It All 3:51

22h ago3:51

3:51

Today in 1901, a newspaper article proclaimed 16 year old May Kaarlus as perhaps the greatest trick shot billiard player in the whole world. And she really could play that well, though the career of this pool table prodigy went on to take a surprise turn. Plus: around this time in 2020, a baker sent a friend some hot chocolate bombs as gifts, thoug…

1
Kraven the Hunter, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, September 5, Carry-On, Nickel Boys, The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie, Maria, The Last Showgirl, Dirty Angels 1:41:45

3d ago1:41:45

1:41:45

Send us a text 7:33 Kraven the Hunter 21:58 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim 32:05 September 5 40:10 Carry-On 47:47 Nickel Boys 01:01:27 The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie 01:09:20 Maria 01:18:59 The Last Showgirl 01:29:37 Dirty AngelsBy Brett Arnold

1
The Advent Calendar Turns The Month Of December Into A Christmas Countdown 3:23

4d ago3:23

3:23

If you’re doing an Advent calendar this month, you’re just over halfway finished opening up those little windows to see what’s inside. So let’s open up a few windows into where they came from. Plus: engineering students at ETH Zurich are trying to build robots that can drop little presents down scale model chimneys. Advent calendars, explained: Whe…

1
Apollo 17 Proved People Can Be Allergic To Moon Dust 3:17

6d ago3:17

3:17

Today in 1972, Apollo 17 landed on the moon. So far, it’s the last mission that put human beings on the lunar surface. And it was the only Apollo mission where the dust all over that surface gave an astronaut a strong allergic reaction. Plus: around this time in 2011, a cat in Italy named Tommasso kind of inherited a multi-million dollar estate. Th…

1
For Over A Century, Kids Have Been Writing Amazing And Sometimes Bewildering Letters To Santa 3:38

7d ago3:38

3:38

Kids have been writing letters to Santa for well over a century. Those letters are a fascinating, hilarious and sometimes jaw-dropping window into our own history. Plus: iIf you’re looking for an attraction worthy of the holiday season, you might head to Williams Bay, Wisconsin, to see the World’s Tallest Glass Tree. A Brief History of Sending a Le…

1
Charlie Brown Is A Blockhead, But He Did Star In A Great Christmas Special 3:18

8d ago3:18

3:18

Today in 1965, CBS broadcast “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” It's one of the iconic TV holiday specials today, but pretty much everyone who put the TV special together thought it was going to be a failure. Plus: today in 2004, a basketball comeback for the books, courtesy of Houston Rockets star Tracy McGrady. Life After Snoopy (Stanford Magazine via …

1
Nightbitch, Y2K, The Order, Hard Truths, Get Away, The End, Oh Canada, The Girl with the Needle, Lake George, Werewolves, The Invisible Raptor, You Are Not Me 1:33:32

11d ago1:33:32

1:33:32

Send us a text 4:42 Nightbitch 13:45 Y2K 22:35 The Order 29:11 Hard Truths 37:04 Get Away 41:03 Oh Canada 50:53 The Girl with the Needle 57:12 The End 01:04:02 Lake George 01:08:50 Werewolves 01:16:18 The Invisible Raptor 01:22:29 You Are Not MeBy Brett Arnold

1
Troublemakers Beware, It’s Time For Austria’s Krampus Parades 3:09

11d ago3:09

3:09

Nothing says the holidays like a creepy devil creature hitting you with sticks! In some European countries, there are parades focused on Father Christmas's evil counterpart, Krampus. Plus: starting tomorrow in Oklahoma, it’s the Minco Honey Festival. Austria's Krampus Parades, Where Santa's 'Evil Twin' Will Beat You With a Broom (Travel + Leisure) …

1
Ernest Bazin Invented A Ship With Rolling "Wheels" And Named It After Himself 3:00

12d ago3:00

3:00

This month in 1893, the formal start of an effort to build a new kind of seagoing vessel: a ship with rolling wheels. Plus: now underway in Louisiana, it’s the Natchitoches Christmas Festival. Across the Ocean in One Hundred Hours (The Illustrated American via Google Books) 98th Annual Natchitoches Christmas Festival Roll on over to our Patreon pag…

1
Joe Hickel Made Massive Gingerbread Villages At An Alaska Hotel For Decades 3:18

13d ago3:18

3:18

Today in 2023, a news report on the end of an era: a pastry chef in Anchorage, Alaska was, for the last time, building his massive and renowned holiday village out of gingerbread. Also on this day in 2023: a diner in China posted a photo of their food on social media, and ended up with a lot more entrees than anybody could eat. ‘I had a good run’: …

1
Pink Floyd’s Inflatable Pig Once Got Loose Over London 3:19

14d ago3:19

3:19

Today in 1976, Pink Floyd was trying to take a photo of an inflatable pig flying over a power plant for one of its iconic album covers… only the situation literally got out of hand. Plus: today in 1971, the release of the debut album by the Electric Light Orchestra, which accidentally got released with the wrong album title because of a phone call …

1
When Gas Was In Short Supply, Some Europeans Drove Firewood-Powered Cars 3:13

15d ago3:13

3:13

During National Car Donation Month, some drivers may trade out gas-powered cars and trucks for electric ones. But EVs aren't the only alternative: for decades, people have built and driven cars powered by firewood. Plus: this Saturday in Milwaukee, it’s the Santa Cycle Rampage. Wood Gas Vehicles: Cars That Run on Firewood (Amusing Planet) Santa Cyc…

1
Moana 2, Queer, Nutcrackers, Sweethearts, Our Little Secret, Beatles '64 1:10:15

17d ago1:10:15

1:10:15

Send us a text 4:07 Moana 2 22:56 Queer 32:37 Nutcrackers 39:32 Sweethearts 47:47 Our Little Secret 54:37 Beatles '64By Brett Arnold

1
Thanksgiving Week: When “WKRP” Thought Turkeys Could Fly For Thanksgiving 4:00

18d ago4:00

4:00

This week we’re replaying some of our past episodes about the holiday and its traditions. In this episode from November 2022, we look at how the sitcom "WKRP In Cincinnati" put together its absolutely legendary Thanksgiving episode. Turkeys Away: An Oral History (Classic TV History) We give thanks today (and every day) for our Patreon backers, and …

1
Thanksgiving Week: Wanda And Jamal, The Best Accidental Thanksgiving Friends Ever 3:22

19d ago3:22

3:22

This week we’re replaying some of our past episodes about the holiday and its traditions. In this episode from November 2021, the story of the woman who accidentally invited a stranger to Thanksgiving, and then she and her new dinner guest became friends. Plus: in 1957, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade went ahead despite the rain, which led to an…

1
Thanksgiving Week: How Thanksgiving Leftovers Led To TV Dinners 3:27

20d ago3:27

3:27

This week we’re replaying some of our past episodes about the holiday and its traditions. In this episode from November 2019, we look at how Thanksgiving leftovers once changed the entire way we eat. Plus: a big moment for (literally) underground music, the Holiday Cave Sing at Mammoth Cave in Kentucky. The Rise and Fall of the TV Dinner (Cheddar o…

1
Thanksgiving Week: We’re Grateful For Off The Wall Thanksgiving Sides 3:32

21d ago3:32

3:32

This week we’re replaying some of our past episodes about the holiday and its traditions. In this episode from November 2019, we celebrate that for which we are all most grateful: the bewildering foods that inexplicably become part of our annual Thanksgiving dinners. Plus: at this time of year, enthusiasts who turn their houses into massive holiday…

1
Thanksgiving Week: When The Macy’s Parade Rickrolled Thanksgiving 3:02

22d ago3:02

3:02

This week we’re replaying some of our past episodes about the holiday and its traditions. In this episode from November 2020, we remember the 2008 Macy’s parade, the only parade that’s ever been Rickrolled in real time, by Rick Astley himself. Plus: a dad in Thailand has started playing piano concerts for a group of wild macaques living in an aband…

1
The “Butt Fumble” Made The New York Jets The Butt Of Endless Football Jokes 3:32

25d ago3:32

3:32

Today in 2012, football fans got to see one of the most spectacularly wrong plays in NFL history, one known today simply as “the butt fumble.” Plus: today in 2017, a report on what could have been the greatest crossover event in movie history, with an icon of slasher movies facing off against two icons of stoner movies. A Decade of Butt Jokes and M…

1
Wicked, Gladiator II, Blitz, The Piano Lesson, Armor, Flow, Rita 1:16:30

25d ago1:16:30

1:16:30

Send us a text 8:38 Wicked 27:07 Gladiator II 38:28 Blitz 45:34 The Piano Lesson 52:14 Armor 59:03 Flow 01:05:50 Rita On this week's 'Roger (Ebert) & Me' podcast, hosts Brett Arnold & Mark Dujsik of markreviewsmovies.com review 7 new release movies out on Friday November 21st 2024. Roger (Ebert) & Me is a tribute to 'Siskel & Ebert' and has no affi…

1
People Named A North Carolina Town ‘Whynot’ Because Why Not 3:03

26d ago3:03

3:03

Today in 1789, North Carolina became the twelfth state to ratify the US Constitution. In the central part of the state there's an unincorporated community that locals named Whynot for a pretty unusual reason. Plus: starting Saturday in Milwaukee, it’s Trainfest, which bills itself as the largest operating model railroad show in the US. Whynot, Nort…

1
Clyde Stubblefield, Music’s Original Funky Drummer 3:29

27d ago3:29

3:29

Today in 1969, at a session for soul and funk icon James Brown, drummer Clyde Stubblefield laid down what's probably the most sampled beat of all time. Plus: today in 2021, the premiere of "Sooyii," the first movie filmed entirely in the Blackfoot language. Funky Drummer — pop history was made when James Brown hollered ‘Hit it!’ (Financial Times) F…

1
What Is The Deal With This Bathroom On The Cal Poly Campus 3:17

28d ago3:17

3:17

For World Toilet Day, we turn our attention to a bathroom at California Polytechnic State University that's unusual even for that campus. Plus: it's National Play Monopoly Day. Do you know the full names of the game's mustachioed mascot and the police officer who sends people to Jail without passing Go? Cal Poly’s unconventional bathroom: A campus …

1
Touch Tone Phones Freed Callers From All That Rotary Dialing 3:29

29d ago3:29

3:29

Today in 1963, AT&T launched the first commercial telephone service where customers could use touch-tone devices instead of rotary dial. It started with just two communities in western Pennsylvania, but of course it spread, way way beyond that. Plus: a couple in southern Australia comes home to find a koala sitting on their floor. 50 years ago, tou…

1
Red One, All We Imagine As Light, Christmas Eve at Miller's Point, Elevation 45:10

1M ago45:10

45:10

Send us a text 6:40 Red One 15:38 All We Imagine As Light 22:57 Christmas Eve at Miller's Point 31:03 Elevation On this week's unusually short 'Roger (Ebert) & Me' podcast, hosts Brett Arnold & Mark Dujsik of markreviewsmovies.com review 2 new release movies out on Friday November 15th 2024, and double back and cover 2 from last week as well. Mark …

1
Australia’s Navy Helped Save A Six Year Old’s Life By Enlisting Her 3:14

1M ago3:14

3:14

Today in 1920, the Royal Australian Navy added a woman to its ranks for the very first time. Her name was Nancy Bentley, she was six years old, and the Navy “enlisted” her in an effort to save her life. Plus: starting tomorrow in New Orleans, it’s Beignet Fest. Before her time – the tale of Navy’s first female sailor (NavyHistory.au) BEIGNET FEST W…

1
Movie Star Veronica Lake Gave Up Her Trademark Hairstyle For The War Effort 3:30

1M ago3:30

3:30

Today in 1919 (or, by some accounts, 1922), the birthday of Veronica Lake, a movie star whose iconic hairstyle won over millions of fans, even when she gave up that trademark look to help the US win World War II. Plus: a design studio in Barcelona, Bel & Bel, is giving new life to the front panels of old Vespa scooters by turning them into stylish …

1
The Really (Expletive) Complicated History Of Swearing On TV 3:29

1M ago3:29

3:29

Today in 1965, a landmark moment in the history of televised profanity: an f-bomb live on the BBC! We'll look back at some choice moments where people used choice words on the air. Plus: today in 1957, an article in the Guardian newspaper where a guy suggests bringing the world back toward faith by sending a bishop into space. Bleep This: A Brief H…

1
The Leonid Meteor Storm Of 1833 Was “The Night The Stars Fell” 3:43

1M ago3:43

3:43

Tonight in 1833, the beginning of a bright show in the evening sky, one that was so bright and so busy, some people started to freak out about it. Plus: today in 2015, an NFL game featuring a special set of jerseys turns into a washout for colorblind football fans. November 12-13, 1833: The Night the Stars Fell (Newspapers.com) When Red (Bills) Met…

1
Doug Hegdahl’s Razor-Sharp Memory Helped Hundreds Of American POWs In Vietnam 3:52

1M ago3:52

3:52

For Veterans Day, the story of Vietnam-era servicemember Douglas Hegdahl. He tricked his captors into thinking he was "the incredibly stupid one," but by using his incredibly sharp memory, he was able to memorize (and later share) information about hundreds of American POWs, in the hopes of keeping them safer and healthier until they could come hom…

1
Heretic, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Small Things Like These, Bird, Meanwhile on Earth, Black Cab, 100 Yards 1:04:44

1M ago1:04:44

1:04:44

Send us a text 6:01 Heretic 18:20 The Best Christmas Pageant Ever 26:51 Small Things Like These 34:35 Bird 42:47 Meanwhile on Earth 49:42 Black Cab 54:49 100 Yards On this week's 'Roger (Ebert) & Me' podcast, hosts Brett Arnold & Mark Dujsik of markreviewsmovies.com review 7 new release movies out on Friday November 8th 2024. Mark reviews 13 over a…

1
The Black Dog That Helped Inspire Led Zeppelin’s “Black Dog” 3:01

1M ago3:01

3:01

Today in 1971, the release of the fourth Led Zeppelin album. The opening track, "Black Dog," still gets played and shared today, and it got its name from a very unusual visitor to the studio. Plus: in 2023, a researcher came across the original version of the photo on the Zeppelin album's cover, the one with the older man carrying a big bundle of s…

1
When Theodore Roosevelt Got A Full Term As President, He Also Got Two Ostriches 3:04

1M ago3:04

3:04

On Election Day 1904, President Theodore Roosevelt won 56 percent of the popular vote, a huge majority in the Electoral College, and two ostriches. No, really. Plus: starting tomorrow near Haines, Alaska, it’s the Alaska Bald Eagle Festival. In 1904, Theodore Roosevelt Won a Presidential Election…And a Pair of Ostriches (Smithsonian) Alaska Bald Ea…

1
New York City Cabs Used To Have Celebrities Remind Passengers To Buckle Up 3:08

1M ago3:08

3:08

Today is apparently National Taxi Day, which means we get to talk about a program in New York City where they got some very famous voices to give safety tips for taxi riders. Plus: this Saturday in Las Vegas, Major League Eating presents its Hotcake Eating Championships. ⁠A Celebrity in Every Taxi⁠ (Ironic Sans) ⁠NORMS Las Vegas: Hotcake Eating Cha…

1
Hartford Election Cake Is An Old-School Way To Eat Your Way Through A Campaign 3:13

1M ago3:13

3:13

Whatever you're feeling on this Election Day, you might enjoy a slice of an old-school election cake many Americans used to serve when it was time to vote. Plus: this week in Pelion, South Carolina, it's the Pelion Peanut Party. When Elections in Hartford Were a Piece of Cake (Connecticut History) Pelion Peanut Party Vote for Cool Weird Awesome as …

1
The Easy-Bake Oven Has Put Kids At The Forefront Of Lightbulb-Based Cooking For Decades 3:25

1M ago3:25

3:25

Happy National Easy Bake Oven Day! It was today in 1963 that kids could start baking by lightbulb thanks to these colorful little toy appliances. We'll explain how it all came together. Plus: today is National Candy Day, so probably a good time to visit the online Candy Wrapper Museum. The Untold History of the Easy Bake Oven (Gizmodo) Take a Peek …

1
Juror #2, Here, Anora, A Real Pain, Emilia Perez, Absolution, The Gutter, Chasing Chasing Amy, Martha, Time Cut, Cellar Door 1:54:56

2M ago1:54:56

1:54:56

Send us a text 5:19 Juror #2 (Clint Eastwood) 19:19 Here (Robert Zemeckis, starring Tom Hanks and Robin Wright) 33:58 Anora (Sean Baker) 45:43 A Real Pain (Jesse Eisenberg, starring Kiearn Culkin) 56:37 Emilia Perez (starring Selena Gomez) 01:07:00 Absolution 01:13:36 The Gutter 01:22:28 Chasing Chasing Amy 01:31:14 Martha 01:37:30 Time Cut 01:43:2…

1
Pan de Muerto Is The Day of the Dead’s Signature Bread 3:00

2M ago3:00

3:00

For el Dia de los Muertos, the living honor loved ones who have passed on with music, dancing, elaborate decorations and food, including what's known as pan de muerto, the bread of the dead. Plus: tomorrow at the Nashville Farmers Market, it’s the annual Turnip Green Festival. San Antonio bakers explain pan de muerto's importance during Day of the …

1
Charlie Brown’s TV Neighbors Gave Him Rocks For Halloween, But Real People Sent Him Candy 3:33

2M ago3:33

3:33

Halloween didn't turn out so great for the title character of “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.” But that led viewers to do something nice for him afterward. Plus: if you happen to be in Caracas, Venezuela, on this Halloween, keep an eye out for a spot known as the "Balcony of the Dolls." Charlie Brown’s Halloween Miracle (Now I Know) Creepy …

1
John Adams And Ben Franklin Shared A Room Once And Spent The Night Arguing About The Window 3:23

2M ago3:23

3:23

Today in 1735, the birthday of John Adams, the only president who ever spent a night bickering in bed with Benjamin Franklin. Plus: starting tomorrow in Kansas City, it's the World Series of Barbecue. That Time Ben Franklin Slept in the Same Bed With John Adams (Entrepreneur) World Series of Barbecue Help this podcast stay independent as a backer o…

1
Karolina Olsson, “The Sleeper of Oknö,” Woke Up After 32 Years In Bed 3:30

2M ago3:30

3:30

Today in 1861, the birthday of a woman with a very strange story. For reasons that aren’t at all clear, Karolina Olsson went to bed as a 14 year old and apparently didn’t wake up until she was in her forties. Plus: someone marked Halloween by playing keyboards in a New York subway station dressed up as Michael Myers. To this day, the questions rema…

1
The “Logan Bar” Was Not-So-Sweet Chocolate And That’s Just How The US Military Wanted It 3:22

2M ago3:22

3:22

For National Chocolate Day, the story of a World War II-era chocolate bar that wasn't too sweet, and that’s exactly how it was supposed to be. Plus: there was a couple who had a zombie-themed wedding at a bar in Little Rock, Arkansas back in the 2000s. How Hershey’s Chocolate Helped Power Allied Troops During WWII (History.com) Wild days at White W…

1
Venom: The Last Dance, Conclave, Don't Move, Your Monster, Magpie, Let's Start a Cult, The Remarkable Life of Ibelin 1:21:13

2M ago1:21:13

1:21:13

Send us a text 5:39 Venom: The Last Dance 21:07 Conclave 33:59 Don't Move 41:06 Your Monster 50:36 Magpie 56:48 Let's Start a Cult 01:02:59 The Remarkable Life of IbelinBy Brett Arnold

1
A Town In Colorado Holds Coffin Races 3:10

2M ago3:10

3:10

Starting tomorrow in Manitou Springs, Colorado, it’s an event known as the Emma Crawford Coffin Races and Festival. And oh man, does the story of Emma Crawford and her coffin take some explaining. Plus: today in 1964, Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jim Marshall recovered a fumble and took off toward the end zone... just not his team's end zone. Em…

1
Norwood, Ontario Had A Water Tower That Looked Like A Crushed Can 3:13

2M ago3:13

3:13

Today in 1957, the water tower in Norwood, Ontario, which looked like a big can of soda or beer, suddenly looked like a big crushed can of soda or beer. We'll explain why. Plus: starting Saturday at Coarsegold Historic Village, near Yosemite National Park, it’s the Coarsegold Tarantula Awareness Festival. Norwood: Norwood once had a crushed beer ca…

1
William Lyttle, The “Mole Man” Who Dug Tunnels Around His London Home 3:24

2M ago3:24

3:24

My chemistry teacher called today Mole Day, and while this story doesn't have much chemistry in it, it does have a mole: a Londoner called William Lyttle who dug huge tunnels around his place. Plus: ever wanted your clothes to act like a Theremin? A pair of researchers from the Intelligent Instruments develops sound-rich smart fabrics known as "e-t…

1
Scientists Once Trained Rats To Drive Little Cars 3:01

2M ago3:01

3:01

Today in 2019, New Scientist published a study that trained rats to maneuver little cars around to find Froot Loops. Plus: now underway at the Dietrich Theater in Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania, it's Spooky Fest. ⁠Scientists have trained rats to drive tiny cars to collect food⁠ (New Scientist) ⁠Spooky Fest⁠ (Dietrich Theater) ⁠Drive on over to our Patre…

1
William A. Mitchell, The King Of Space Age Snacks 3:12

2M ago3:12

3:12

Today in 1911, the birthday of William A. Mitchell, a food inventor whose name might not ring a bell but whose creations - including Pop Rocks, Cool Whip and Tang - are unforgettable. Plus: today in 1905, a story in the Clinton Mirror newspaper with an odd headline: “Man Was Mailed.” The Scientist Behind Some of Our Favorite Junk Foods (Smithsonian…

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