The Unbelievable Truth. David Mitchell. Copyright: BBC / Random Entertainment
The Unbelievable Truth

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

Episode menu

Series 7, Episode 1

Alan Davies, Jack Dee, Marcus Brigstocke and Lucy Porter play the panel game built on truth and lies hosted by David Mitchell. Subjects covered tonight include Enid Blyton, curry, flies and breasts.

The Truths

Marcus Brigstocke - Flies

- Aristotle believed that flies only had four legs. He was so trusted that this was believed by most people for over 1,000 years. Found by Alan.

- Fruit flies behave erratically when drunk and fly in odd swerves. Such flies are known as "cheap date flies". Found by Alan.

- Some geckos have see-through bellies so you can see the flies they have eaten. Found by Lucy.

- Most flies prefer to mate in the middle of a room rather than in a corner. Found by Alan.

- Flies have sperm that is 20 times longer than their bodies. Their testicles make up 11% of their body mass. Found by Jack.

Lucy Porter - Breasts

- The technical name for the gap between a woman's breasts is the "intermammary sulcus". It was not given the name until the year 1997. Found by Jack.

- Pierced nipples can be dated back to Victorian times. They were done by a jeweller. Found by Marcus.

- The mermaid logo used by Starbucks originally had exposed breasts, but they were later covered up to make the chain more High Street friendly. Found by Alan.

- The first exposed breasts on television where those of Jayne Mansfield at the 1957 Oscars. There is some debate about how "accidental" it was. Successfully smuggled.

- Dolly Parton's breasts are insured for £375,000 between them. Successfully smuggled.

Alan Davies - Enid Blyton

- Blyton enjoyed playing tennis in the nude. Successfully smuggled.

- Blyton and her second husband owned their own personal golf course. Successfully smuggled.

- You can get a novelty Noddy smoke alarm. Successfully smuggled.

- Noddy is called "Oui-Oui" in France. Successfully smuggled.

- One of Blyton's most successful books was entitled Dame Slap and Her School. Successfully smuggled.

Jack Dee - Curry

- In 1912, Wilbur Scoville invented the Scoville scale used to measure the heat intensity of chilli peppers. It is controversial as it involves the use of human taste which is subjective. Found by Marcus.

- In Japan you can buy a lemon and curry flavoured drink. The bottle is sealed with a marble. Found by Alan.

- In 2003, Sharwood's released a range of products called "bundh", but later discovered that this word in Punjabi for "arse". Successfully smuggled.

- Britain exports chicken tikka masala to India, as it was invented in Britain. Successfully smuggled.

- In the Swiss version of Cludeo Colonel Mustard is known as Madame Curry. Successfully smuggled.

Scores

- Alan Davies: 4 points
- Jack Dee: 0 points
- Lucy Porter: -2 points
- Marcus Brigstocke: -4 points

Broadcast details

Date
Monday 4th April 2011
Time
6:30pm
Channel
BBC Radio 4
Length
30 minutes

Repeats

Show past repeats

Date Time Channel
Sunday 10th April 2011 12:00pm Radio 4
Monday 11th April 2011 12:30pm Radio 4 Extra
Monday 11th April 2011 10:00pm Radio 4 Extra

Cast & crew

Cast
David Mitchell Host / Presenter
Guest cast
Marcus Brigstocke Guest
Alan Davies Guest
Lucy Porter Guest
Jack Dee Guest
Writing team
Colin Swash Writer
John Finnemore Writer
Production team
Jon Naismith Producer

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