Underunderstood

By Select WorksSociety & Culture

Underunderstood episodes

March 08, 2023Why Is It Called a Triscuit?
Writer Sage Boggs thought he discovered why Triscuit is called Triscuit. But the cracker brand has a confusing and mysterious relationship with its own name.
A rough version of this story originally ran on our bonus podcast, Overunderstood. This updated version contains some new information and reporting.

Want to support the show? Become a patron at https://patreon.com/underunderstood.
Have a mystery? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at 212-994-4882‬.

Show notes:
Sage’s viral tweet (Twitter)

John’s original tweet to Triscuit (Twitter)

Some old Triscuit advertisements (Twitter)

Triscuit’s response to Sage (Twitter)

Triscuit tweets about three ingredients (Twitter)

“Filamentous cracker” patent (PDF)

“Continuous heating and baking machine” patent

Snopes article on this matter (Snopes)

Charles Louis Richter questions the answer (Twitter)
40 min
March 01, 2023More Than Just A Friend
Billy helps a listener track down a forgotten collaboration between Mario and Biz Markie.

Want to support the show? Become a patron at https://patreon.com/underunderstood.
Have a mystery? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at 212-994-4882‬.

Show notes:
Mandela Effect (Wikipedia)

Mario – Just A Friend (YouTube)

Biz Markie – Just A Friend (YouTube)

Biz Markie performing at The Apollo (YouTube)

Freddie Scott – (You) Got What I Need (YouTube)

Miley Cyrus – The Climb (YouTube)

Grand Upright v. Warner Bros. (Wikipedia)

Copyright Criminals (PBS)

Sampling Wars (LA Times)

De La Soul finally streams (Washington Post)

How Copyright Law Hurts Music (The Atlantic)

Albums you can’t find on streaming (CBC)

Biz Markie on 30 years of ‘Just a Friend’ (EW)

Beat Mann Sessions: With Biz Markie (Bandcamp)

Mario at Glass City Expo 2002 (YouTube)

Mario on The Early Show (YouTube)

Mario on 93.5 KDAY (YouTube)

Napster on CNN (YouTube)

Usher Blames Album Delays On Napster Leaks (MTV News)

Usher – Just A Friend (YouTube)

Mario on Hot 104.1 (YouTube)

Mario AOL Sessions interview (YouTube)

Just A Friend 2002 (Old School Version) (YouTube)

Just A Friend 2002 (feat. Biz Markie) (Spotify)

Just A Friend 2002 (Radio Edit (Old School Version)) (Soundcloud)

The Japanese CD version of Mario’s self-titled album also has the remix (Discogs)

Biz Markie final interview (YouTube)
35 min
February 22, 2023Raisin Suspicion
A Redditor starts receiving boxes full of 1980s memorabilia from the long-defunct California Raisins Fan Club. Who is sending this raisin mail?
A different version of this story previously appeared in our bonus feed, Overunderstood. If you've already heard that episode, there's a lot of new material in this one.

Want to support the show? Become a patron at https://patreon.com/underunderstood.
Have a mystery? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at 212-994-4882‬.

Show notes:
The first California Raisins TV commercial (YouTube)

I received two packages/letters from a seemingly defunct california raisins fanclub at my home address with very rare 1980s collectors items (Reddit)

thecaliforniaraisins.com

https://dizzodesigns.com

Were the California Raisins Created Because of Systemic Racism?(Mandatory)

Mail #1 and #2

Mail #3

UPDATE: I received another package & letter from a seemingly defunct california raisins fanclub (Reddit)

Archive of the sweatshirt eBay listing

Mail #4

UPDATE 2: The Seemingly Defunct california raisins fanclub Has Once Again Sent Me A Bunch Of Assorted 80s Merch (Reddit)

USPS Letters from Santa

Mail #5

Bart Baggett’s website

Bart’s handwriting comparisons (PDF)
1 hr 9 min
February 15, 2023Tough Calls
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 patron at https://patreon.com/underunderstood.
Have a mystery? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at 212-994-4882‬.

Show notes:
How Can I Verify If a Debt Collector Is Legitimate? (CFPB)

"EMERGENCY CALL POLICE" on MTA Bus Destination (Reddit)

Bus with signs reading “Emergency! Call police” and “Help! Call 911”? (Reddit)

Bus Messaging (Reddit)

Opie and Anthony clip (YouTube)

Man attacks MTA bus with driver, passengers inside (Fox 5 New York)

Aaron Gordon's current newsletter, Urbababble

When a Bus Driver Told a Rider to Wear a Mask, ‘He Knocked Me Out Cold’ (NYT)
39 min
February 08, 2023How Far Is Tattoo Far: Real or Fake?
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/underunderstood.
Have a mystery? Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at 212-994-4882‬.

Show notes:
A Deep Dive into ‘Just Tattoo of Us’, the Greatest Show on British Television – Vice

‘Just Tattoo of Us’ Is the Best Worst Show on TV – The Wrap

Just Tattoo of Us: like getting waterboarded by a Ministry of Sound compilation – The Guardian

Top 3 Harshest Tattoos – JTOU U.K. on YouTube

Snooki And Nico Tortorella Talk New Show ‘How Far Is Tattoo Far?’ – Today on YouTube

Snooki & Nico Tortorella’s Tattoo Reality Show Is TV’s Biggest Emotional Roller Coaster – Refinery29

Girl forced to get ‘S**T’ emblazoned on her bum – The Mirror

This ‘Ballsy’ Tattoo Is Petty As Hell – MTV on YouTube

Ephemeral

On “How far is tattoo far” by Snooki, are the tattoo’s real or fake ? – Reddit

Contestants on MTV’s ‘How Far Is Tattoo Far?’ Get More Than a Free Tattoo – Distractify

dollarztatu’s post on Instagram

Angelina on HFITF’ – MTV on YouTube
Angelina’s tattoo visible on Instagram: May 25, 2021, March 28, 2022, May 25, 2022

Does Angelina have a tattoo of… her engagement ring? – Reddit

@darcywindebank22’s video on TikTok

Screenshot of Darcy’s tattoo

Darcy on HFITF – MTV on YouTube

BDave on HFITF – MTV

BDave’s tattoo visible on YouTube: June 2019, October 2020, January 2023

Connor and Trevor showing their tattoos, March 2019 – YouTube

Darcy talking about her HFITF experience – YouTube
MTV has not yet responded to our request for comment.
57 min
April 26, 2022Sleuth Songs
Who sang the Cole Porter songs in the 1972 film "Sleuth"?
This is an episode of our bonus patron-only show, Overunderstood. To support the show and hear Overunderstood every week, join our Patreon!
Show notes:
Sleuth (Wikipedia)

Sleuth (IMDb)

The Sleuth Saga Carries On (Reddit)

The scene in question (YouTube)

Cole Porter sings "Anything Goes" (YouTube)

Thread on the Soundtrack Collector forum

Massive thread on the IMDb 2.1 forum

"One More Kiss, Dear" (YouTube)

A page of the Sleuth cue sheet
49 min
April 12, 2022I Want My MTV Dial Position Sticker
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!
Show notes:
04:00 – Mark Goodman and the dial position sticker (YouTube)

07:12 – MTV Your Favorite Music Promo (YouTube)

07:56 – Worthpoint

14:12 – Our theme song and other music is available to stream

22:45 – Sunday! Sunday! Sunday! commercial voiced by Jan Gabriel (YouTube)

26:54 – A detailed discussion about this setup and MTV specifically (Radio Discussions)
41 min
March 29, 2022One More Thing… Deodorant
Billy investigates a theory that Apple products are packaged with a signature fragrance.
Want to join us for "the world's largest trivia contest"? Visit https://underunderstood.com/trivia to sign up.
Support Underunderstood and get our bonus podcast by joining our Patreon!
Show notes:
02:00 – Kevin Purdy

02:10 – iFixit

02:22 – Carbon Switch

02:26 – ImportYeti

02:39 – #importyeti on TikTok

04:14 – Apple on ImportYeti

04:34 – GrandPerspective

09:50 – H.S. Code: 330720 Personal Deodorants - ImportYeti

11:50 – Does Apple intentionally make its products' packaging smell compelling? - Quora

15:23 – 90FM Trivia

15:40 – A video we worked on about the trivia contest

16:17 – Join our trivia team by signing up here!

18:20 – Joanna Stern

20:46 – Joanna tweeting about the new MacBook smell in in 2012 and 2014

21:28 – New Mac Candle - Twelve South (archive.org)

22:10 – New Mac Candle Hands-on - 9to5Mac

25:25 – Dave Applegate - LinkedIn

26:54 – Copy of Apple CSV file

27:36 – Google results for ASA Apple Inc.

29:32 – Similar data on Zauba

30:17 – How Do We Get This Data? - ImportYeti (YouTube)

31:48 – Apple Has Increased Use of Cargo Ships - MacRumors

33:00 – Items under code 330720 with "personal effects" in the description - Zauba

35:52 – Why do Apple stores all smell the way they do? - Quora

36:35 – What is a fact that you know about Apple products that most people don't know? - Quora

38:48 – Packaging PD team job listing - Apple

45:46 – Monkeys Spinning Monkeys by Kevin MacLeod
47 min
March 15, 2022 Mystery Sounds + Some Personal News
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 sounds. We’re sharing that episode now. Plus, some personal news!
Twenty Thousand Hertz tells the stories behind the world's most recognizable and interesting sounds. Listen in your favorite podcast app.
Support Underunderstood and listen to over 60 episodes of our bonus podcast by joining our Patreon!
For updates on how to join us for the world’s largest trivia contest, keep an eye on our Twitter and Instagram.
43 min
December 21, 20212-for-1: Pursuit and Pizza
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?
Show notes:
Trivial Pusuit
02:53 – The Ultimate List of Every Trivial Pursuit Version Ever Created (Trivia Bliss)

04:28 – My life as a Trivial Pursuit question writer (Darryn King)

12:45 – Fred Worth's appeal after losing a copyright case against Trivial Pursuit (Justia)

16:43 – Not-so-trivial errors (BoardGameGeek)
Pizza Hut Classic
24:40 – Used to Be a Pizza Hut

25:29 – Warren Pizza Hut reopens as Pizza Hut Classic (WFMJ)

26:48 – Pizza Hut Classic - Warren, Ohio (Valley Spotlight on YouTube)

28:13 – Warren Pizza Hut Classic (@rolandopujol on Instagram)

30:11 – Eureka Springs, AR location (Ramblin' Backroads on YouTube)

32:46 – Craig Robinson Pizza Hut Commercial (Instagram)

33:56 – The Retrologist
The current list of known Pizza Hut Classic locations:
Warren, OH

Kilmarnock, VA

Bryson City, NC

Tunkhannock, PA

Sayre, PA

Spring Lake Park, MN

Wadena, MN

Park Rapids, MN

Eureka Springs, AR

Dahlonega, GA

Clayton, GA

Lavonia, GA

Carrizo Springs, TX

Fairfield, TX
Unconfirmed:
Bloomfield, IA

Weatherford, TX
48 min