Weird World Variety with Matt and Jesse

Get ready to crack a smile and scratch your head in equal measure—this week on Weird World Variety, Matt and Jesse whisk you away on an adventure through some of the most delightfully odd stories our planet has to offer. Imagine the stir when the Marietta Police Department's mugshot lineup got a LEGO makeover, sparking debates on privacy with a side of humor, or the competitive spirit of Paris with its Olympic Games for waiter...

Ever wondered how a tennis match and a beehive could possibly be connected? Well, strap in as we recount the harrowing yet humorous incident at Indian Wells where bees brought a professional game to a standstill. Carlos Alcarez and Alexander Zverev might have been prepped for a tough match, but they weren't ready to volley against a swarm of bees! Join us to relive the buzz and find out how a single vacuum-wielding hero saved ...

Prepare to have your mind stretched to its most whimsical limits, as we share the incredible tale of "Deux's Face," a calf with an extraordinary twist on life. Your curiosity will be piqued by our discussion of polycephaly, and you might find yourselves reflecting on the unexpected delights that nature gifts us, echoing those virtual anomalies in Fallout 76. Then, delve into the world of wildlife mysteries with Adam ...

Strap in for a rollercoaster ride of oddities and laughs with yours truly, Matt, as the Weird World Variety show throws another curveball your way. Imagine a world where the humble hot dog becomes a projectile, leading to the downfall of a Philadelphia Phillies tradition, or a French newspaper that plays hide-and-seek with its readers, showing up just once every leap year. From Philly's frankfurter fiasco to satirical snapshot...

Ever wonder what lurks beneath the ocean's surface or how our ancestors might have engineered the seas? This episode of Weird World of Variety is a treasure trove of speculation and science, where Jesse and I, your ever-curious hosts, share some hearty laughs over the audacity of pickle-flavored jelly beans and then plunge into the depths of a Stone Age megastructure discovery. Could this be Atlantis, or just a fragment of Ear...

Ever sprint down Main Street with a frying pan in hand? Welcome to my solo venture this week on Weird World Variety, where I whisk you away to Olney, England, to uncover the quirky charm of pancake racing. It’s a tale of tradition, aprons, and some seriously skilled pancake flipping, all set against the backdrop of Lenten preparations. While Jesse's off, I'm stirring up nostalgia with a dash of my own family’s cinnamon ro...

Ever wondered what goes through the mind of a toddler daring enough to scale the insides of a claw machine? That's exactly what we're chuckling over as we recount the tale of an adventurous tot in an Australian mall and the Queensland police's plush toy rescue mission. Childhood dreams clash with reality in this humorous look at the great claw machine escape. And if you've ever had to stop little hands from swip...

Ever wondered who would win in a penalty kick showdown decided by rock paper scissors? We've got the scoop on US striker Haji Wright and his Coventry City teammate's unconventional method to settle who'd take a crucial shot. It's not just about the soccer pitch, though; we reminisce over our own childhood games and how those simple pleasures translate into the competitive world of sports. Whether you're som...

Embark with us on an Italian escapade that promises to unlock the hidden splendors of Caltanissetta, a Sicilian gem rich in tradition and culinary innovation. Get ready to wander through picturesque landscapes and time-honored streets, as we reveal the best-kept secrets of this captivating town. From the debate about the pronunciation of 'grievous' that will tickle your funny bone to the insider tips that'll transfor...

Ever wondered what it's like to have an owl as a nocturnal companion, or how assistive tech is changing lives? Buckle up for a boys' night in on Weird World, where we break away from the script and dive headfirst into the charm and challenges of unique pet ownership and the pulse of today's technological innovations. You're invited to join our candid conversation, toss in your two cents via social media, or even...

Ever been moved by a story where passion meets purpose? That's exactly what you'll get with the tale of a young Indian inventor whose love for his grandmother spurred the creation of the Alpha Monitor, aimed to reshape Alzheimer's care. We share his inspiring journey, from the inception of this wearable device that alerts caregivers of wandering or fallen dementia patients, to the recognition and support from none ot...

Ever wondered what would happen if the worlds of political commentary and rap music collided? Well, buckle up, because we’re peeling back the curtain on the enigmatic pairing of Tom McDonald and Ben Shapiro, who’ve climbed to the top of the charts with a collaboration that's as unconventional as it is captivating. Discover the secrets behind their phantom-like production, where technology conjures up presence in absence, and g...

Have you ever received a postcard from outer space? Well, Lexington, Kentucky is sending one hell of an intergalactic invitation, and we're here to unravel the cosmic ambitions behind this quirky tourism campaign. From the assumption that extraterrestrials comprehend English to the 80-year wait for a potential RSVP, our conversation orbits the delightful audacity of beckoning beings from beyond the stars. Don't miss our l...

Ever wondered if a pun on a highway sign could actually make your drive safer? Buckle up as we navigate the debate sparked by a new federal manual that puts the brakes on highway hilarity, putting forth a 1100-page argument against those memorable electronic messages that tickle our funny bones. We're not just talking safety signs—we're engaging in a full-on discussion about the charm of road trip chuckles versus the gove...

Venture with us to the windswept Californian coast where the spectral remnants of the Invernus shipwreck whisper tales of a bygone era. As we recount the ship's transformation from a thriving fishing vessel to its current status as a photographer's dream and a tourist hotspot, we unravel the enigmatic charm of decrepit maritime relics. But it's not all about eerie aesthetics; we also wade into the waters of boat owne...

Ever wondered how it would feel to pet a woolly mammoth or roam the not-so-law-abiding paths of the Wild West's most infamous outlaws? Buckle up your seatbelts, fellow adventurers, as we embark on a laughter-filled trek through Nevada's lesser-known wonders and Las Vegas' neon wonderland. We kick things off with a hilarious mix-up that lands us in Wyoming's Hole-in-the-Wall, then travel back in time to debate th...

Imagine botching your mic settings and producing a silent symphony of podcasting gold. That's me this week, but fear not, we still have a show packed with the warm, weird embrace you've come to expect. From caffeine-fueled post-conference tales that almost had me believe in the reality of travel hallucinations, to the kind of automotive adventures that restore your faith in humanity, we're sharing it all. Plus, I&apo...

Are you ready to unravel a Miami mall mystery involving a rumored alien encounter and a police spectacle? Let's get weird with it this New Year as we dissect the mayhem and ponder the scarcity of inside footage and electronic malfunctions that left us scratching our heads. But that's just the tip of the iceberg. We dive into the oddities surrounding venomous spiders named Hercules and the unexpected perils of lion encount...