Not just anybody can play the Man of Steel. In fact, only a handful of actors have done it. But lots more came close, like these folks. Bruce Jenner The biggest new star of 1976 wasn’t an actor, but an athlete. Before identifying as Caitlyn Jenner, Bruce Jenner won the decathlon at the 1976 Summer […]
Over the weekend, Chuck Berry died at the age of 90. Here are some facts you may not have known about one of the architects of rock n’ roll. Berry came up in an era in which record labels, music publishers, and concert promoters mercilessly cheated musicians—especially African-American musicians. Result: Berry always demanded to be […]
Even for creative types, it can be hard to come up with a good title. (Trust us – we make books for a living.) Here are some of the original names proposed for some of the most popular video games of all time…which might not have been so popular had those names been used. Sonic […]
Saving the princess, running from ghosts, and playing a plastic guitar can be hard work, so sometimes video gamers need something beyond a standard joystick. Super Scope The original Nintendo Entertainment System in the ’80s came packaged with a small handheld “light gun.” Used in a bunch of games, it allowed gamers to shoot at […]
Today is a huge day in the world of video games. Nintendo releases its latest system the Switch, along with a new game in the Legend of Zelda series, Breath of the Wild, an incredibly ambitious game that took developers years to make. Here are some more fun facts about the world of Zelda. Game […]
Here’s the latest edition of the BRI’s cheesy tabloid section—a bunch of gossip about famous people. George Clooney When Clooney was in middle school, he developed a medical condition called Bell’s palsy, which partially paralyzed his face for nearly a year. Clooney’s left eye stayed closed and he had trouble eating and drinking. This condition […]
Masaya Nakamura recently passed away at the age of 91. You may not be familiar with that name, but his impact on the world was huge: Known as “the father of Pac-Man,” he helped usher in the video game age. The Japanese industrialist graduated from the Yokohama Institute of Technology in 1948. He studied shipbuilding, […]
America has a number of iconic places where some amazing history has happened. What does all that add up to? Ghosts. Here are some spooky stories you may have never heard about American landmarks. The Ghost Ship of the Golden Gate Bridge It gets pretty foggy in San Francisco, particularly around Golden Gate Strait. In […]
There are millions of small business owners in this country, forming the backbone of our economy. And some of them are movie stars and rock stars! Samuel’s Sweet Shop In 1994, a textile worker from New York state’s Hudson Valley named Ira Gutner quit his job in the family business to fulfill a lifelong dream: […]
Here’s the story of a lovely lady…beloved by millions for her career-making role on The Brady Bunch. RIP Florence Henderson. She Was a Stage Star While Still a Teenager In 1952, 18-year-old Florence Henderson landed one line in a Broadway play called Wish You Were Here. The theatrical giants of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein […]
November 18, 1928, is the birth date of the most famous cartoon ever: Mickey Mouse. Read on for the story of how he got his name, as well as the surprising origins of other famous characters. This article was first published in Uncle John’s Great Big Bathroom Reader. Mickey Mouse The most famous cartoon character […]
He’s one of the greatest action stars of all time. And what’s most amazing is that he does his own stunts. So how does he do all that fighting and perform all those daredevil feats without getting injured? He doesn’t—he’s been injured dozens of times. Here’s a sample of what you (almost) never see. Body […]
The EGOT is the “grand slam” of American entertainment awards. It’s an acronym and unofficial designation to describe someone who has won a competitive (meaning non-honorary) Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award. Only 12 people have completed the EGOT: composers Richard Rodgers, Marvin Hamlisch, Jonathan Tunick, and Robert Lopez; actresses Helen Hayes, Rita Moreno, […]
Nothing says “May the force be with you” quite like a waffle maker. Here are some real tie-ins to a galaxy far, far away. This article was first published in Uncle John’s Uncanny Bathroom Reader. Crocs The plastic sandals are available in a The Force Awakens edition: the bad guys (Kylo Ren, stormtroopers) printed on […]
There are a handful of phone numbers made famous by songs, movies, and TV shows. Ever wonder what happens if you actually call them? This article was originally published in our 29th annual edition, Uncle John’s Uncanny Bathroom Reader. 867–5309 According to rock legend, Tommy Tutone lead guitarist Jim Keller wrote “867-5309/Jenny” about a real […]
They may be gone, but they’re not forgotten. Come to think of it, are they really even gone? Ghost lovers claim that many of the famous dead are still among us…in spirit. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN (1706–90) Franklin helped establish the American Philosophical Society in Philadelphia in the 1740s. His papers are housed there along with, according […]
The new Pokémon video game reboot Pokémon Go has become a pop culture sensation. Utilizing the camera and GPS on an electronic device, players must go out into the real world and seek out cute little monsters that the game says are hidden in stores, streets, behind trees, etc. (They show up superimposed in the […]
Uncle John would like to remind you, once and for all, he is not playing with his “dolls.” They are action figures. Goodbye, Dolly In 1964 designers at Hasbro Toys came up with a line of military dolls. Executives loved it, but the marketing department felt that boys would never buy anything called a “doll,” […]
