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.
- Series 27, Episode 2 repeated tomorrow at 2pm on Radio 4 Extra
Episode menu
Series 4, Episode 3
The Truths
Tony Hawks - Teeth
- Mao Zedong never brushed his teeth claimed that tigers never did so. Found by Graeme.
- Radium was once used in the making of false teeth. Found by Phill.
- Cheryl Crow has false teeth. She claims her teeth were knocked out by a waitress with a beer mug. Found by Phill.
- James Dean used to scare his fans away by taking out his false teeth. Found by Arthur.
- In Louisiana biting someone with natural teeth is considered is simple assault, but biting someone with your false teeth is aggravated assault. Found by Arthur.
Arthur Smith - Underpants
- In 19th century England women referred to underpants as "inexpressible" or "a pair of dittos". Found by Phill.
- 85% of men do not open their flies when urinating. They just pull their trousers down. Found by Tony.
- Married men change their pants twice as often as single men. Found by Phill.
- In Minnesota it is illegal for men's and women's underwear to be hung on the same washing line. Found by Tony.
Phill Jupitus - The Vikings
- There have been many great civilizations in history. Found by Graeme. Accidentally included by Phill.
- Eric the Red gave "Greenland" its name so as to attract people to the place which was in fact very cold and icy. Found by Tony.
- Vikings used ravens for navigation. Ravens cannot land on water so make their way to dry land. Found by Graeme.
- The Vikings can claim to have begun the custom of getting drunk and taking your shirt off before having a fight, because Vikings fought stripped to the waist and drunk ale before a fight. Successfully smuggled.
- Ullr was the Viking god of snow-based footwear. Successfully smuggled.
- Without the Vikings there would be no Elvis, because the name "Elvis" comes from the Old Norse meaning "All wise". Successfully smuggled.
Graeme Garden - Birmingham
- There is a crater on the Moon called "Birmingham". It is not named after the city, but after the Irish astronomer John Birmingham. Found by Arthur.
- Erasmus Darwin founded the Lunar Society in Birmingham. Found by Tony.
- In Birmingham you can be fined £25 if you have sex on church steps after sundown. Found by Phill.
- J.R.R. Tolkien took the name for one of his Lord of the Rings hobbits from Birmingham surgeon and inventor of cotton wool Dr. Samson Gamgee. Successfully smuggled.
- One enterprising Birmingham grocer called his tea "Typhoo Tea". Successfully smuggled.
Scores
- Phill Jupitus and Graeme Garden: 4 points
- Tony Hawks: 0 points
- Arthur Smith: -1 point
Broadcast details
- Date
- Monday 19th October 2009
- Time
- 6:30pm
- Channel
- BBC Radio 4
- Length
- 30 minutes
Cast & crew
David Mitchell | Host / Presenter |
Graeme Garden | Guest |
Tony Hawks | Guest |
Phill Jupitus | Guest |
Arthur Smith | Guest |
Dan Gaster | Writer |
Jon Naismith | Producer |