Weird History

In 1920, John B. Watson, a renowned psychologist, and Rosalie Rayner, his assistant and eventual wife, decided to combine love, science, and a fair bit of cluelessness in an experiment that would go down in history as “The Little Albert Experiment.” The idea was bold, the execution debatable, and the results as ethically murky as a midsummer mud puddle. Thus, in a story one might mistake for the beginning of a Dickensian epic, Little Albert’s fate was sealed.

While no two births are quite the same, everyone enters the world the same basic way - someone cries, someone else yells, and a third person tries to remember where the towels are. Amid this flurry of chaos, there exists an age-old profession - midwifery. You’d think helping parents bring their children into this world would be considered a noble pursuit. But being a midwife has never been simple. They were lauded as heroes in one century, persecuted as witches in the next, and are still given the occasional side-eye today.

The ocean. From Ishmael of “Moby Dick” to the captains of “Deadliest Catch,” something about calls to the adventurer in all of us. But while life on the sea may seem romantic, you can never forget that at any given moment, Poseidon is waiting to destroy you in an infinite number of ways.

Despite the fact that she was quite tiny, Queen Victoria looms large over most of the 19th century. She was every bit a woman of her time, engaging in the overblown sentimentality and culture of death so pervasive during the age that bears her name. When she died at 81, the queen left secret, detailed instructions on how to handle her body and what items to place in her coffin. There are, indeed, a number of strange Queen Victoria death facts worth exploring.

It’s hard to imagine a world where illnesses were treated with things like rushing currents or leeches, but not so long ago, that was the case. The world of medicine and our understanding of the human body is always in flux. New discoveries are made every day, and before too long, you learn that the cigarette you were smoking to cure your upset stomach was actually loading you up with cancer.

Known as the son and successor of Queen Victoria, a monarch famed for her devotion to Prince Albert and a reputation for Victorian rigidity, King Edward VII might seem an unlikely troublemaker. But "Bertie" proved otherwise! From scandalous affairs—one of which may have contributed to his father’s death—to a duel with Winston Churchill's father, Edward VII lived a life full of intrigue and controversy. This video dives into the debauchery, drama, and larger-than-life escapades of the man who would become king.

For most people, their understanding of the Mafia comes straight from Hollywood classics like The Godfather, Goodfellas, and The Sopranos. These films and shows have created a romanticized image of the Mafia—made men who rose from nothing to rule over powerful crime families. It’s all about money, power, loyalty, and a paradoxical code of honor. But how much of this is fact, and how much is fiction? In this video, we dive into the myths created by Hollywood and compare them to the real-world history of organized crime.

New York. It’s where dreams thrive, fortunes are made, and legends are forged. But not far off its coast is one of the strangest pieces of land in the world. And we’re not talking about New Jersey.

The Brady Bunch cast won the hearts of America with their poignant family relationships, groovy 1970s style, and timeless life lessons. Has a show ever been as wholesome, precious, and widely loved? As it turns out, the real-life Bradys weren't so wholesome after all. Behind the scenes, the TV family was embroiled in addiction and anguish that was frequently at odds with their carefully crafted image.

Welcome to Timeline TV! The show where we discuss that amazing decade of some groundbreaking television shows that all came out in the 1990s! From ER, to X Files, all the way to the creation of Southpark by the end of the decade. Stroll with us down memory lane as we go deep into all that was on TV in the 90s! Let us know in the comments your favorite shows and TV memories from the era!

The highly controversial Lafayette Morehouse community formed in Lafayette, California in 1968. The members engage in experimental sexual research and believe in a life of hedonistic pleasure. Their members also teach classes on sex practices and techniques, and the group even used to offer college degrees in those areas, in case you were having trouble deciding what to major in!

Today on Weird History TV, we’re taking a deep dive into one of the most iconic TV shows of all time—Friends! From the unforgettable Ross & Rachel romance to Joey’s legendary "How you doin’?", this sitcom defined a generation and became a cultural phenomenon. But have you ever wondered who created Friends and how it became a staple of ‘90s pop culture?

Americans love stories about gangsters, often with nicknames like “The Nose” or “Joey Bag o’ Donuts.” But there are just as many larger-than-life stories about the Japanese Mafia – also known as the Yakuza – which are less famous here in the States, and haven’t been mythologized by American films.

Today on Weird History we are taking a deep dive into all there was to watch on TV in the year 1991! The Jerry Springer Show made an inauspicious debut, Adam Sandler got his start on Saturday Night Live, and several iconic sitcoms came to an end. What were you doing in 1991?

Controversy. The double-edged sword that can make or break a TV show, cementing it forever as an icon of the medium, or dooming it to bar trivia night obscurity. When a popular TV show does something provocatively against the mold, networks can expect to see some angry letters, protests, or even outright boycotts. Some of these episodes deserve the criticism they get, but should we give some of these other shows a break?

On September 30th, 1960, The Flintstones became the first animated series broadcast in primetime. Despite the show’s breakout success, another animated sitcom didn’t really come around until December 17th, 1989, when The Simpsons -- originally from a short segment on FOX’s Tracey Ullman Show -- starred in a Christmas special that would quickly earn the animated family their own ongoing series.

Extreme stage magic has more in common with daredevil stuntwork than carefully crafted illusions. Its practitioners walk a metaphorical, and sometimes literal, tightrope to create a thrilling spectacle for the audience. But tempting fate can have disastrous results, and not even magicians are immune to deadly mishaps.

Today on Weird History we are taking a deep dive into all there was to watch on TV in the year 1992! Murphy Brown mixed it up with Vice President Dan Quayle, comedian Dennis Miller launched his (first) talk show, and The Cosby Show to an end. Join us as we delve into these and SO many more things that were on TV in 1992! What were you watching in 1992? What were YOUR favorite shows on TV? Let us know in the comments!

While the idea of a murderous mastermind like Hannibal Lecter is pure fiction, many serial killers have functioned well enough to pass as everyday people and avoid suspicion for years. In fact, some of them have managed to be charming enough to get on TV with nobody the wiser, and it’s happened more times than you think.

Today on Weird History we are taking a deep look into 'The Fresh Prince of Bel Air'! The classic 90s sitcom that really launched Will SMith's Hollywood career! Join us as we look at its cultural impact and lasting legacy! What was your favorite moment in the show? Let us know in the comments!

In the long line of historical decadence and self-indulgence, after Rome’s downfall and The Great Gatsby’s green light, there existed a place called Studio 54. For 33 incandescent months, this New York City nightclub became a glittering vortex of excess, hedonism, and people who didn’t need to be told twice about the merits of a good party. If Studio 54 was a church, then its founders, Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager, were its high priests, officiating a nightly mass of disco, decadence, and dubious decision-making.

Today We go into the year 1883, and all that was on TV! 1993 was gonna give its predecessor 1992 a run for its money. it would not only see the dawn of shows like 'Doctor Quinn-Medicine Woman', 'Monday Night RAW', 'Living Single', 'Lois and Clark', and 'Seaquest'; it would gift us with a whole new 'Saved By The Bell' series…

When the United States needed a remote and isolated area for a military base, Whittier, Alaska was found to be more than qualified. The surrounding area was desolate and difficult to access, which made it perfect for a bomb-proof complex that could survive an air attack. Decades later, people still live in Whittier... but the thing is, the whole town is located entirely within a single building.

In the criminal justice system, the people are represented by two separate yet equally important groups: the police who investigate crime, and the district attorneys who prosecute the offenders. And if you already knew that, there’s a good chance it’s because you’ve watched N-B-C’s long running police-procedural-slash-legal-drama, Law and Order, or one of its roughly six hundred spin-offs. Famous for its split perspective between two sets of protagonists, Law and Order not only became one of the biggest shows of the 90s, but also one of the biggest franchises in the history of television.

The news that reality TV is frequently faked shouldn't come as a surprise. But given that Bear Grylls is an outdoor expert who survived a massive fall while in the British Special Forces, climbed Mt. Everest before he was 25, and traversed the North Atlantic in an inflatable raft, he gets the benefit of the doubt. But evidence suggests Grylls may not be as rugged a survivalist as he seems. In fact, some of his wilderness tips have even been called into question by other experts. So what gives?

Nearly halfway through the 90s, 1994 was jam packed with things to watch on TV! Everything from hat crazy episode of SNL that Martin Lawrence hosted, to The 100th episode of The Simpsons, and the ending of 'Star Trek: The Next Generation'. And for you True Crime fans out there, likely the biggest wildest live police chase ever - featuring none other than O.J. Simpson! Do you remember watching that chase unfold? What were your best TV memories from 1994? Let us know in the comments!

TV shows based on history are never 100% accurate. But it’s way worse for the real-life people whose lives become the plot of a movie or a TV show. Many people don't like how they're portrayed, with some calling the show about them a complete lie. Others have gotten so angry they sued. And many of them have just refused to watch - the worst fate for a TV show of all.

James Sligo Jameson was heir to the Jameson Whiskey family's fortune, but would have probably preferred everyone call him an adventurer - even if his track record is, uh, controversial. He joined one of the final European exploration trips into central Africa and, while there, allegedly instigated and bore witness to a gruesome, cannibalistic ritual.

The year was 1995 - smack dab in the middle of the 90s! This year there was all sorts of stuff to watch on the tube - Drew Barrymore was flashing David Letterman on late night TV, MadTV went live, and new networks like the WB and UPN popped up. TV brought us Xena: Warrior Princess, The Parent Hood, and Mr. Show to name a few. It was a year of extremes, where X-Games debuted on TV, and most extreme of all, the OJ Simpson trial of the century! What were you watching in 1995? Let us know in the comments!

When it comes to the historical record, queens often get the short end of the sceptre. While kings busied themselves waving swords about, claiming new lands, and occasionally losing their heads - metaphorically or literally - queens were often quietly doing the work of running kingdoms, securing dynastic successions, and surviving their wacky husbands. Except when they didn’t. Ruling a country can really take the life out of you.

Today on Timeline TV: Deep Dive, we go way deep into The Sopranos! Back in 1999, there was the movie “Analyze This” and the television show “The Sopranos.” Released within a couple of months of each other, both projects were about an anxiety-stricken gangster seeking help from a therapist.

Famous for shunning nearly all forms of modern technology and convenience - including electricity - the Amish community is often viewed as a quaint, peaceful enclave untouched by modern woes. But life isn’t exactly easy, especially not for Amish women, who have some of the strictest - and strangest - guidelines of all.

Here we are at the year 1996 - a fine year for television, it was... 1996 saw the launch of the TV show 'Third Rock From The Sun', The last episode of 'Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and that Friends episode... you know, the one with the prom video!Yes, 1996 was a great year in television, in fact Dish Network began broadcasting for the first time, spreading entertainment even out into rural America! There was something for everyone, even a feisty new judge named Judy. Tell us what you were watching in 1996!

The Puritans were a society of English Protestants who had their heyday in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. They practically invented the idea of being uptight. But you'd be surprised at how into sex they actually were!

Created and voiced by animator Mike Judge, Beavis and Butthead is an adult animated cartoon about two lazy, dim-witted teenagers who don’t care about much in this world beyond heavy metal and music videos. Their original series would run for more than two hundred episodes over six seasons, while spawning a theatrically released movie, a spin-off, several books and video games, two television revivals, and this video.

The Great Depression was far more depressing than it was “great,” and like any national crisis worth its salt, it took its toll on everyone’s sexual relationships. Millions were suffering under catastrophic economic conditions, so dating wasn’t really on anyone’s mind. In fact, as a result of all the turmoil and strife, sexual attitudes of the era changed dramatically in some surprising ways, and not always for the better.

The 90s were edging closer to the new millennium... the year was 1997.. and oh what a year THIS was for television!! The beloved South Park aired its first episode. Music news was all about the death of Biggie Smalls, and Mike Judge went from sunsetting 'Beavis and Butt-Head' to launching 'King of the Hill'. Vampire fans got their first taste of 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'!

In 1957, police arrested 51-year-old Edward Theodore Gein for the murder of Bernice Worden. After searching his remote Wisconsin farmhouse, a veritable horror show of crimes were uncovered, including shallow graves, disembodied remains, and clothing and furniture made from skin. Not the animal kind.

For as long as there have been celebrities, there has been celebrity gossip. When you sign on to be a celebrity in Hollywood, you also sign an unspoken contract putting you on public display. Magazines like the National Enquirer and shows like TMZ have turned celebrity life into a profitable industry, but that doesn’t mean the paparazzi is a recent trend. As it turns out, Americans have been obsessing over celebrity drama for over 100 years.

1998 may have been the most '90s' year of the 90s! With defining moments like the breaking of the Monica Lewinsky scandal and President Bill Clinton’s subsequent impeachment; Titanic became the first film to hit a billion dollars at the box office and nearly swept the Oscars; and the erectile dysfunction medication Viagra was released, providing low-hanging joke fodder for years to come. TV was bringing the 90s energy too, with a slew of new shows about teenage angst, hot-button issues, and counting down the best music videos.