The Unbelievable Truth
- Radio panel show
- BBC Radio 4
- 2006 - 2024
- 177 episodes (29 series)
David Mitchell hosts this Radio 4 panel game built on truth and lies. Contestants must try and smuggle truths into lie-filled speeches.
- Due to return for Series 30
- Series 25, Episode 5 repeated Thursday at 9am on Radio 4 Extra
Episode menu
Series 1, Episode 1
The Truths
Tony Hawks - Cats
- According to folklore, a cat sleeping with all four paws underneath them is a sign that cold weather is on the way. Found by Neil.
- Many people in history have detested cats. Found by Neil. Accidentally included by Tony.
- In 19th century Belgium, cats were used to deliver post until it was discovered cats lack the discipline for work. Successfully smuggled.
- According to Hebrew folklore, cats came about because Noah was afraid that rats might eat all the food on the ark. He prayed to God and God made a lion sneeze a cat. Successfully smuggled.
- When subjected to an electric current of at least 50 volts, a cat's tail always points towards the north. Successfully smuggled.
- The composer Brahms hated cats so much that he would sit at his window in Vienna and shoot at them with a homemade harpoon made out of a bow and arrow. Successfully smuggled.
Frankie Boyle - Michael Jackson
- Michael Jackson was born on the same day as Lenny Henry - 29th August, 1958. Found by Tony.
- Michael Jackson was a former Jehovah's Witness. Found by Neil.
- The original name for "Billie Jean" was "Not My Lover", since Quincy Jones feared that people would mix-up "Billie Jean" with the tennis player "Billie Jean King". Found by Tony.
- When Michael Jackson first did the moonwalk he was phoned at home by his neighbour Fred Astaire, who said it was the best performance he had ever seen. Successfully smuggled.
- Michael Jackson is extremely ticklish, especially around the feet. Successfully smuggled.
Neil Mullarkey - Beards
- Russian Tsar Peter the Great imposed a tax on beards, because he wanted Russia to be more like Western Europe. Found by Tony.
- A man's beard grows fastest when he anticipates sex. Found by Tony.
- The fear of beards is "pogonophobia". Found by Marcus.
- The only member of ZZ Top who does not have a beard is called Frank Beard. Found by Marcus.
- In Ancient Egypt, both Queens and Kings wore false beards, held in place by a ribbon tied over the head, which was attached to a gold chin strap. Successfully smuggled.
Marcus Brigstocke - Coffee
- Coffee is considered a Christian drink, and the drink was baptised by Pope Clement VIII. Found by Tony.
- The most expensive coffee in the world consists of beans that have been through the digestive tract of the Asian Palm Civet cat. Found by Frankie.
- Cindy Crawford rubs ground coffee beans and olive oil into her thighs to keep them smooth. Found by Frankie.
- In 1656, the Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire banned coffee and closed coffee houses of Turkey. The penalty for drinking it was to be sown into a leather satchel and thrown into the Bosphorus. Found by Neil.
- The cappuccino gets its name from the foam topping which resembles the hooded robes of the Catholic Capuchin friars. Successfully smuggled.
Scores
- Tony Hawks: 7 points
- Neil Mullarkey: 4 points
- Marcus Brigstocke and Frankie Boyle: 0 points
Broadcast details
- Date
- Monday 23rd April 2007
- Time
- 6:30pm
- Channel
- BBC Radio 4
- Length
- 30 minutes
Cast & crew
David Mitchell | Host / Presenter |
Neil Mullarkey | Guest |
Frankie Boyle | Guest |
Tony Hawks | Guest |
Marcus Brigstocke | Guest |
Iain Pattinson | Writer |
Jon Naismith | Producer |
Press
Stretched concept made good by Mitchell's quick thinking
It is the unscripted moments that happen in spite of the concept that make this show worthwhile
.