The Unbelievable Truth
- Radio panel show
- BBC Radio 4
- 2006 - 2024
- 183 episodes (30 series)
David Mitchell hosts this Radio 4 panel game built on truth and lies. Contestants must try and smuggle truths into lie-filled speeches.
Episode menu
Series 30, Episode 5
The Truths
Angela Barnes - Websites
- Gmail was originally the name of the Garfield comic messaging service. Found by Shaparak.
- The entire internet weighs as much as a fat strawberry, which is about 50g. Successfully smuggled.
- Google was originally called Backrub. The founders chose that name because their programme analysed the web's back-links to ascertain how important a website was, and what other sites it related to. Successfully smuggled.
- You can meet your zombie "no soulmate" on dating website Zombie Passions. Successfully smuggled.
- Among the names least likely to be clicked by women on internet dating websites is Kevin. Also unpopular are Dennis, Justin and Marvin. Successfully smuggled.
Glenn Moore - Cartoons
- When Popeye debuted there was a 33% increase in people eating spinach. Found by Angela.
- God and Jesus are the only characters in The Simpsons to have five fingers on each hand and five toes on each foot. Found by Angela.
- Early in his career, Walt Disney drew cartoons in exchange for free haircuts. Found by Angela.
- Walt Disney used to pack his testicles in ice to improve his sperm count. Found by Shaparak.
- In 2018, the Beano sent a cease-and-desist letter to Jacob Rees-Mogg, ordering him to stop impersonating Walter the Softy. They said it was: "a clear breach of our copyright", and that Rees-Mogg had stolen several of Walter's characteristics including: "his snootiness, his choice of spotted ties and vintage apparel, his bullish behaviour with peers and stopping others from having fun." Successfully smuggled.
Shaparak Khorsandi - Prince Harry
- Prince Harry claimed that Charles III and Queen Camilla wanted Princess Catherine to change the spelling of her name so it would begin with a "K", as both of their names began with "C" and to have a third on royal crests would lead to confusion. Found by Neil.
- Elizabeth II had to grant permission for Harry to keep his beard during his wedding ceremony. Found by Angela.
- Harry claims that Charles has an incredible sense of smell. Found by Glenn.
- Camilla turned Harry's bedroom in Clarence House into her dressing room. Successfully smuggled.
- Princess Margaret once gave Harry a cheap biro as a Christmas present. Successfully smuggled.
Neil Delamere - Teeth
- Chimpanzees practice dentistry, cleaning their own and each other's teeth, and even performing extractions. Found by Angela.
- The Sami people of Norway perform castrations on reindeer using their teeth. Found by Angela.
- Everyone is born with a sweet tooth, with children being able to tolerate much higher sweetness levels than adults. Found by Angela.
- There are enough chemicals in a medium-sized tube of toothpaste to kill 13 dogs. Successfully smuggled.
- Sex researcher Alfred Kinsey could insert a toothbrush into his penis and had a collection of 5 million wasps. Successfully smuggled.
Scores
- Angela Barnes: 7 points
- Shaparak Khorsandi: 4 points
- Neil Delamere: -2 points
- Glenn Moore: -5 points
Broadcast details
- Date
- Monday 2nd September 2024
- Time
- 6:30pm
- Channel
- BBC Radio 4
- Length
- 30 minutes
Catch-up
Cast & crew
David Mitchell | Host / Presenter |
Neil Delamere | Guest |
Angela Barnes | Guest |
Glenn Moore | Guest |
Shaparak Khorsandi | Guest |
Dan Gaster | Writer |
Colin Swash | Writer |
Jon Naismith | Producer |
Graeme Garden | Creator |
Jon Naismith | Creator |