The Absurd

Welcome to our Canada Day episode in which all the stories are Canadian in origin. To start, Mel will tell us a truly shocking and awful story about a maternity home that operated in Halifax from the 1920’s to the 1940’s. This is not a happy story, folks. Next, while remaining in Halifax, Rod will tell us about the largest man-made explosion prior to the atomic bomb, when in 1917, two ships exploded in the harbour and destroyed much of the city. To cheer things up, we’ll next learn about an Alberta woman who miraculously found a ring she had lost years before. Where she found it is truly absurd. And lastly, we’ll learn about a 1974 movie that tanked everywhere … except Winnipeg, where it received phenomenal success.

To start off, Rod will take us back to 1976 when three men abducted a school bus full of children, and buried them alive inside a bunker along with water and food in hopes of securing ransom money. Yikes! Next, Mel will tell us about the practice of punishing people for playing bad music by means of the “shame flute”. Not gonna lie. Could still be used today. Then we’ll meet Gunther VI, a German Shepherd, with an estimated net worth of over $400 million. His wealth is attributed to an inheritance from the late Countess Karlotta Leibenstein. However, there's more going on here. Lastly, Mel will regale us with yet another method of torture from ye olden times. Is anyone else worried about Mel?

Mel will take us back to olden times where we’ll meet Xerxes the Great, a Persian ruler. While trying to get his invasion force across the Bosporus strait (between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, things went very wrong. So, he decided to take out his anger on the sea. Yup. Then Rod will tell us a very strange yet somewhat hilarious story about a man whose female boss told him he must stop wearing his pants to work because his bulge was too much of a distraction. Next, we’ll learn how people who drank too much alcohol were treated and shamed. Lastly, we’ll learn about the sport of free diving. Both of us think it sounds ridiculously scary, and absurdly absurd.

We start off this episode with a new segment known as Darwinianisms. Following that, Rod will tell us about a deadly book. One that has literally caused the death of several people since it’s release in the late 19th century. Mel will then take us Down Under for a bizarre murder case involving some not to tasty mushrooms. We will then learn of a judge’s ruling in Quebec which states our constitutional right to give someone the finger. Then we’ll learn about a man in Alaska who became trapped under a 700 lb boulder on his back and his face in a creek. Tell me that wouldn’t suck.

Mel is going to start us off with a little history trip to look at the largest, most drunken parties in British history. People these days have nothing on the past. Then Rod will take us to 1960’s Zagreb to look at a bizarre case involving a missing woman. They looked everywhere except the most obvious place. Then we’ll take a flight where a male flight attendant was found dancing naked in a business class bathroom. We’ve all heard some baby names that made us shake our heads in dismay. But did you know there are laws preventing parents from choosing certain names? Some of these are genuinely … absurd.

We’re off to Turkey where a young mother visiting from England with her family died. Definitely sad, but what’s really infuriating and ridiculous is the seeming incompetence and negligence of the medical staff, police, and local government. Next, Mel will tell us about the origins of the words hysteria/hysterical and the utterly absurd and disturbing treatments that were utilized to counter this so-called malady. Rod will then take us to Japan to learn about the “johatsu”; the evaporated. People who pay to disappear to escape being a social outcast. Lastly, we’ll head on down to Georgia where a prisoner went missing for over 12 hours, despite deputies looking “everywhere”. Where he was found would suggest they didn’t.

We answer listener-submitted questions about the show, about us, and about food.

Mel will start us off by introducing us to Dr Martin Couney, also known as 'the Incubator Doctor', who was best known in medical circles and public view for his amusement park sideshow, "The Infantorium", in which visitors paid 25 cents to view prematurely born babies displayed in incubators. Yup! Next, Rod will tell us about a very long and strange extramarital affair that led to a murder case. Not an unheard of thing to be sure, but there’s so much more to this that makes it utterly bizarre. Then we’ll learn about a woman who stabbed her husband after discovering pics of him having sex with a woman. Again, hardly unheard of. Only thing that makes this … absurd is who the woman was. Lastly, we’re going to take a look at a case in which a man in Wales was given a life sentence for body modifications. That’s all we’re saying for now.

This is a first. An episode with Rod flying solo. The reasons why Mel is not here are revealed in the episode. Where could she be? Rod will make good on an earlier promise when he explains the history and purpose of the Rhinoceros Party. Next, he will introduce us to a new segment of The Absurd, and in doing so, he will take us to Iraq, where a man thought it would be a good idea to buy a lion for him to raise and tame. His plans went awry. Lastly, we’ll learn about a beautiful story involving writer Franz Kafka and a little girl’s missing doll.

Mel will introduce us to Charles and Juniper. A couple very much in love and who spend almost all of their time together since they first met in high school. They would like to be married but the government won’t permit it. Why? Because Juniper doesn’t exist. Rod will then take us to Montreal where two men are facing charges after their roommate died and they left her decomposing body on the couch … for six months. Watch for an update on this one following their court date coming up on Friday. Mel will then take us on a deep dive into syphilis, also known as “the pox” and “the great imitator.” Lastly, we will learn about a truly freak airline accident back in 1988 in which … well you’ll just have to listen. Perhaps most amazing is only one person sadly lost their life in the incident.