Omnibus

An encyclopedic reference of strange-but-true stories compiled as a time capsule for future generations.

About the show

Every week, Ken Jennings and John Roderick add a new entry to the OMNIBUS, an encyclopedic reference work of strange-but-true stories that they are compiling as a time capsule for future generations.

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Episodes

  • Episode 494: Hobby Tunneling (Entry 591.JB2416)

    September 1st, 2022  |  1 hr 13 mins

    In which a series of largely male and largely odd people over the centuries start digging something and just don't stop, and Ken explains how Canadian lakes are named. Certificate #39623.

  • Episode 493: Gillian Hills (Entry 588.PS12101)

    August 30th, 2022  |  1 hr 23 mins

    In which the daughter of a famous adventurer and hostage does landmark work in 20th-century music, film, and art, and John wonders whom he has talked to for the most hours. Certificate #39582.

  • Episode 492: O'Shaughnessy Dam (Entry 877.EX1508)

    August 25th, 2022  |  1 hr 20 mins

    In which a great American city got its water rights by illegally flooding John Muir's favorite valley, and Ken has opinions on where egrets should poop. Certificate #53464.

  • Episode 491: The Placebo Effect (Entry 946.IS3821)

    August 23rd, 2022  |  1 hr 31 mins

    In which people find they can feel better about almost any ailment while taking nothing at all, and many of John's friends are Batman villains. Certificate #42734.

  • Episode 490: The Dingo Fence (Entry 351.EZ1415)

    August 18th, 2022  |  1 hr 17 mins

    In which 3,500 miles of wire mesh are intended to keep the southeast corner of Australia dingo-free, and Ken thinks his dogs are choosing not to do jazz hands. Certificate #51283.

  • Episode 489: The Battle of Bamber Bridge (Entry 104.HE1302)

    August 16th, 2022  |  1 hr 16 mins

    In which wartime Britain reacts skeptically to American racial segregation, leading to a firefight in the village streets of Lancashire, and John ponders the post-apocalyptic looting of opticians. Certificate #53093.

  • Episode 488: Be Here Now (Entry 111.JM0414)

    August 11th, 2022  |  1 hr 19 mins

    In which an LSD-loving psychologist is fired from Harvard and reborn in India, and Ken would like to be in a control group. Certificate #30296.

  • Episode 487: The Swamp Dragons (Entry 1261.MK0118)

    August 9th, 2022  |  1 hr 26 mins

    In which one of the most hapless teams in NBA history has a rebranding brainstorm, and John is mistaken about Jesus riding a dinosaur. Certificate #27789.

  • Episode 486: Jobbers Canyon (Entry 673.LK1218)

    August 4th, 2022  |  1 hr 7 mins

    In which one of America's most historic warehouse districts is threatened by urban renewal, and Ken wants only the best rutabagas in his body. Certificate #48481.

  • Episode 485: Twee (Entry 1352.1TH0207)

    August 2nd, 2022  |  1 hr 18 mins

    In which an achingly innocent, gentle, and earnest new aesthetic spawns a decade of music, art, bangs, and Etsy stores, and John has forgotten every band except Kajagoogoo. Certificate #16065.

  • Episode 484: The Mother Sauces (Entry 810.PS7825)

    July 28th, 2022  |  1 hr 17 mins

    In which a taxonomy of five simple French recipes are used to define haute cuisine for generations, and Ken wants noodles named for Drake. Certificate #48504.

  • Episode 483: Roller Derby (Entry 1080.NA0302)

    July 26th, 2022  |  1 hr 21 mins

    In which a Broadway legend retools a Depression-era endurance contest into a thrilling contact sport, and John wants Portland to succeed. Certificate #26834.