The Blue Plate Special

From ghost-sensing dogs to gossiping cats, Andy Andrews digs into the superstitions that have followed our furry friends around the world—and the hilarious truths they reveal about us. In this Blue Plate Special, you’ll learn why cats might be eavesdropping on your conversations, what a dog’s midnight howl could mean, and how black pets got tangled in centuries of strange beliefs. Come hungry for laughs, stories, and a little bite of human nature served up with fur and attitude.

Why should middle schoolers memorize poetry? In this Blue Plate Special, Andy lays out ten surprising benefits that go far beyond the classroom. From sharpening memory and boosting confidence to building cultural literacy and even creating “mental anchors” that last a lifetime, you’ll see how committing a poem to heart shapes both mind and character. Along the way, Andy highlights some of the most memorized poems of the past fifty years—ones that continue to inspire and encourage generation after generation.

From pickled war cries to nonsense words that now mean everything, college football has never been short on passion—or peculiar traditions. In this Blue Plate Special, we’re diving into the surprising (and sometimes absurd) origins behind the game’s most iconic cheers. What does “Boomer Sooner” actually mean? Why is Auburn yelling about an eagle when their mascot’s a tiger? And who decided a fighting pickle was a good idea? Let’s find out where these chants came from—and why they stuck.

Pull up a chair for this victory-laced Blue Plate Special as Andy dives into the incredible story of the Orange Beach Lady Softball Makos, who just snagged their fifth straight state championship! With game highlights, jaw-dropping stats, and a look at how this powerhouse team stacks up against national numbers, it’s a celebration of excellence, grit, and Gulf Coast glory. Whether you love softball or just a good underdog-turned-dynasty tale, you’ll eat this one up!

Take a trip down culinary memory lane as we crack open the dusty recipe box and rediscover foods that time—and taste buds—forgot. From pear salad with mayo (why?) to tuna casserole and that mysterious school cafeteria tetrazzini, we’re asking the big questions: What happened to onion loaf? Did anyone really like tomato aspic? Join us for a buffet of bizarre, beloved, and baffling bites from the 1970s. Warning: nostalgia may cause indigestion.

Ever wonder why we have warning labels stating the obvious? Before diving into the Five Laws of Stupidity, we took a hilarious look at some of the most absurd labels and how they came to be. Then, we explored economist Carlo Cipolla’s take on why stupidity is the greatest existential threat to humanity—and why we all underestimate just how many idiots are among us. Ready to laugh, learn, and maybe rethink a few things? Watch now!

You think your name is unique? Wait until you hear what some parents have tried to get away with! While the U.S. lets parents run wild with baby names (hello, Moxie Crimefighter and Blue Ivy), other countries take a hard pass on names that might embarrass a child—or an entire nation. From Nutella and Robocop to Fish & Chips (yes, for twins), some names just don’t make the cut. Find out which names got the legal ax and why in this wild ride through the world’s most banned baby names!