1 00:00:16,850 --> 00:00:20,353 What if the hottest show in town could cost you more 2 00:00:20,354 --> 00:00:22,855 than just the price of admission? 3 00:00:22,856 --> 00:00:24,899 The crowd is watching right on the edge. 4 00:00:24,900 --> 00:00:29,779 They have to flee in terror if the car goes out of control. 5 00:00:29,780 --> 00:00:31,030 Newspapers describe it 6 00:00:31,031 --> 00:00:34,492 as a cross between sport and manslaughter. 7 00:00:34,493 --> 00:00:36,410 Or that a science lecture 8 00:00:36,411 --> 00:00:39,872 once turned into a radioactive sideshow. 9 00:00:39,873 --> 00:00:44,293 This scientist is gobbling down uranium. 10 00:00:44,294 --> 00:00:47,256 Seeing someone eat it looks absolutely insane. 11 00:00:48,215 --> 00:00:50,091 How about a memorial service 12 00:00:50,092 --> 00:00:53,803 that everyone would much rather forget? 13 00:00:53,804 --> 00:00:58,516 Just as they squeeze his royal belly into the sarcophagus, 14 00:00:58,517 --> 00:01:00,810 the unthinkable happens. 15 00:01:01,979 --> 00:01:04,771 Gore and viscera flies everywhere. 16 00:01:06,191 --> 00:01:08,734 These are the stories of spectacles so incredible 17 00:01:08,735 --> 00:01:12,029 they can only be called unbelievable. 18 00:01:23,709 --> 00:01:26,294 From ancient arenas to modern stadiums, 19 00:01:26,295 --> 00:01:30,715 spectacles of man versus beast have always drawn a crowd. 20 00:01:30,716 --> 00:01:33,175 But by the 1950s, promoters desperate 21 00:01:33,176 --> 00:01:35,136 for the next big thrill, 22 00:01:35,137 --> 00:01:38,681 go looking in the one place no one expects. 23 00:01:38,682 --> 00:01:40,141 Underwater. 24 00:01:41,435 --> 00:01:43,853 In 1949, "Mechanix Illustrated" 25 00:01:43,854 --> 00:01:46,731 runs a sensational piece about hunters in Tahiti 26 00:01:46,732 --> 00:01:48,149 taking on giant octopuses 27 00:01:48,150 --> 00:01:51,652 with 25-foot tentacles using just spears and flukes. 28 00:01:51,653 --> 00:01:55,032 The headline, "Octopus Wrestling is My Hobby." 29 00:01:56,450 --> 00:01:57,867 Now, is the story real? 30 00:01:57,868 --> 00:02:00,661 Was it fabricated just to sell magazines? 31 00:02:00,662 --> 00:02:02,121 We don't really know for sure, 32 00:02:02,122 --> 00:02:05,791 but what we do know is that by the 1960s, 33 00:02:05,792 --> 00:02:09,294 spear fishermen are diving into the waters of Puget Sound 34 00:02:09,295 --> 00:02:11,714 to take on giant octopi. 35 00:02:11,715 --> 00:02:14,008 For those crazy enough to try it, 36 00:02:14,009 --> 00:02:16,969 octopus wrestling quickly turns into a chaotic test 37 00:02:16,970 --> 00:02:20,389 of strength, stamina, and sheer nerve. 38 00:02:20,390 --> 00:02:22,808 The human wins the wrestling match. 39 00:02:22,809 --> 00:02:25,311 If he can dive down and find an octopus swimming 40 00:02:25,312 --> 00:02:28,105 or hiding in a rock formation, wrestle him out of his hole, 41 00:02:28,106 --> 00:02:30,316 and then pull him up to the surface. 42 00:02:30,317 --> 00:02:32,860 Since octopuses can be so hard to find, 43 00:02:32,861 --> 00:02:35,363 most divers use scuba tanks, 44 00:02:35,364 --> 00:02:39,492 but the more hardcore, free dive, just holding their breath. 45 00:02:39,493 --> 00:02:41,952 Overpowering an octopus with your bare hands 46 00:02:41,953 --> 00:02:44,413 is of course easier said than done, 47 00:02:44,414 --> 00:02:46,708 especially when you only have two. 48 00:02:48,001 --> 00:02:50,044 These giant Pacific octopuses 49 00:02:50,045 --> 00:02:52,380 have really powerful tentacles 50 00:02:52,381 --> 00:02:55,591 that are anywhere from 14 to 20 feet long. 51 00:02:55,592 --> 00:02:59,221 They can move objects up to 700 pounds underwater. 52 00:03:00,639 --> 00:03:02,348 This is quite a surreal strong man competition 53 00:03:02,349 --> 00:03:05,351 because the octopi not only have eight arms, 54 00:03:05,352 --> 00:03:07,103 they have razor sharp beaks. 55 00:03:07,104 --> 00:03:09,814 And if they're not trying to actively kill, 56 00:03:09,815 --> 00:03:11,107 strangle the diver, 57 00:03:11,108 --> 00:03:13,526 they're holding onto rocks for dear life 58 00:03:13,527 --> 00:03:16,195 to avoid being pulled to the surface. 59 00:03:16,196 --> 00:03:17,863 Once word gets around 60 00:03:17,864 --> 00:03:20,616 that men are wrestling giant octopi, 61 00:03:20,617 --> 00:03:22,201 people are eager to see 62 00:03:22,202 --> 00:03:25,037 this strange spectacle for themselves. 63 00:03:25,038 --> 00:03:26,497 Soon these events are promoted, 64 00:03:26,498 --> 00:03:30,418 and by 1963, 5,000 spectators, along with TV cameras, 65 00:03:30,419 --> 00:03:32,336 swarmed Titlow Beach, Washington. 66 00:03:32,337 --> 00:03:33,879 111 divers show up to compete 67 00:03:33,880 --> 00:03:37,716 to be crowned world octopus wrestling champion. 68 00:03:37,717 --> 00:03:39,385 But to be crowned world champion, 69 00:03:39,386 --> 00:03:43,180 divers have to do more than just survive the encounter. 70 00:03:43,181 --> 00:03:45,391 They have to score points. 71 00:03:45,392 --> 00:03:48,018 Once the octopus is pulled to the surface, 72 00:03:48,019 --> 00:03:49,854 points are scored by weight. 73 00:03:49,855 --> 00:03:52,982 You get one point per pound if you're using scuba gear, 74 00:03:52,983 --> 00:03:54,985 three points if you're free diving. 75 00:03:55,986 --> 00:03:57,903 If you are free diving, 76 00:03:57,904 --> 00:04:01,615 not only do you run the risk of being torn to shreds 77 00:04:01,616 --> 00:04:03,033 by this massive sea creature, 78 00:04:03,034 --> 00:04:07,621 this is a lot of exertion where you can't take a breath. 79 00:04:07,622 --> 00:04:09,623 And even if you have scuba gear, 80 00:04:09,624 --> 00:04:13,252 the tentacles could grab your mask, your hose, 81 00:04:13,253 --> 00:04:15,045 the regulator, rip the tank off, 82 00:04:15,046 --> 00:04:17,673 so the potential for drowning is massive. 83 00:04:19,050 --> 00:04:20,926 If you're one of the spectators on the beach, 84 00:04:20,927 --> 00:04:24,138 you're watching the chaos of more than 100 divers 85 00:04:24,139 --> 00:04:26,432 furiously jumping out of the water 86 00:04:26,433 --> 00:04:28,559 to get their octopus weighed as quickly as possible, 87 00:04:28,560 --> 00:04:31,103 and then jumping right back in. 88 00:04:31,104 --> 00:04:33,981 And just like traditional professional 89 00:04:33,982 --> 00:04:35,399 wrestling, there's a bit of theater to it. 90 00:04:35,400 --> 00:04:37,902 So when the divers bring the octopus to the surface, 91 00:04:37,903 --> 00:04:41,822 they throw in a bit of extra dramatic thrashing for effect. 92 00:04:41,823 --> 00:04:43,115 They've been training for this. 93 00:04:43,116 --> 00:04:45,493 It's like their Super Bowl. 94 00:04:45,494 --> 00:04:46,869 And for one team in particular, 95 00:04:46,870 --> 00:04:49,830 all that preparation pays off. 96 00:04:49,831 --> 00:04:53,459 Gary Keffler and his local diving club, The Mud 97 00:04:53,460 --> 00:04:58,422 Sharks, dominate the 1963 Championship with a 57 pounder. 98 00:04:58,423 --> 00:05:01,801 And they go on to win the next three championships in a row. 99 00:05:01,802 --> 00:05:04,595 In any other sport, we would call this a dynasty. 100 00:05:04,596 --> 00:05:06,264 Gary and the Mud Sharks 101 00:05:06,431 --> 00:05:09,183 may be the undisputed world champions of octopus wrestling, 102 00:05:09,184 --> 00:05:13,604 but they will be among the last to hold that title. 103 00:05:13,605 --> 00:05:14,897 As the years go on, 104 00:05:14,898 --> 00:05:17,525 scientists discover much more about octopi, 105 00:05:17,526 --> 00:05:21,111 how intelligent they are, how empathetic they are. 106 00:05:21,112 --> 00:05:25,658 So suddenly concerns are raised about animal cruelty. 107 00:05:25,659 --> 00:05:26,951 And in the wake of that, 108 00:05:26,952 --> 00:05:30,247 the passion for octopus wrestling fades away. 109 00:05:31,331 --> 00:05:33,999 By 1976, capturing an octopus 110 00:05:34,000 --> 00:05:37,503 without expressly using it for food 111 00:05:37,504 --> 00:05:39,714 becomes illegal in Washington State. 112 00:05:41,466 --> 00:05:43,384 If wrestling an octopus sounds absurd, 113 00:05:43,385 --> 00:05:45,511 just wait until you see what happens 114 00:05:45,512 --> 00:05:47,847 when one struggling auto salesman 115 00:05:47,848 --> 00:05:51,350 has a novel idea to sell more cars. 116 00:05:53,728 --> 00:05:55,229 When the automobile was first introduced 117 00:05:55,230 --> 00:05:57,273 in America in the 1890s, 118 00:05:57,274 --> 00:05:59,066 initially people are skeptical 119 00:05:59,067 --> 00:06:01,735 of this new horseless carriage. 120 00:06:01,736 --> 00:06:03,863 They're loud, they seem dangerous, 121 00:06:03,864 --> 00:06:05,406 and because they're expensive, 122 00:06:05,407 --> 00:06:08,701 they're seen as unreliable toys for the rich. 123 00:06:08,702 --> 00:06:11,370 And beyond the cost, many people aren't ready 124 00:06:11,371 --> 00:06:12,997 to give up their horses and wagons. 125 00:06:12,998 --> 00:06:15,666 Horses have been a staple of human transportation 126 00:06:15,667 --> 00:06:18,335 for thousands of years up to this point. 127 00:06:18,336 --> 00:06:20,421 People love 'em like pets. 128 00:06:20,422 --> 00:06:23,716 Looking for a way to get horse-loving holdouts 129 00:06:23,717 --> 00:06:25,718 excited about a new kind of carriage, 130 00:06:25,719 --> 00:06:28,721 Kansas car dealer, Ralph "Pappy" Hankinson, 131 00:06:28,722 --> 00:06:32,391 comes up with a peculiar publicity stunt. 132 00:06:32,392 --> 00:06:34,101 Pappy sets up a polo match, 133 00:06:34,102 --> 00:06:36,312 but instead of using horses, 134 00:06:36,313 --> 00:06:40,774 he uses cars and he calls it auto polo. 135 00:06:40,775 --> 00:06:44,445 It's the exact same concept as equestrian polo, 136 00:06:44,446 --> 00:06:47,197 except each car has two men. 137 00:06:47,198 --> 00:06:50,492 There's a driver and the mallet man. 138 00:06:50,493 --> 00:06:52,578 He leans off the side of the car 139 00:06:52,579 --> 00:06:55,581 and attempts to hit the ball into the goal. 140 00:06:55,582 --> 00:06:57,458 It sounds insane today, 141 00:06:57,459 --> 00:07:01,587 but in 1912, it's even more of an unbelievable idea. 142 00:07:01,588 --> 00:07:03,756 Cars are leading edge technology. 143 00:07:03,757 --> 00:07:05,299 They've just come out. 144 00:07:05,300 --> 00:07:08,552 So watching dozens of them zooming around is thrilling. 145 00:07:08,553 --> 00:07:10,929 It's dangerous. It's terrifying. 146 00:07:10,930 --> 00:07:13,140 And as far as official rules go, 147 00:07:13,141 --> 00:07:15,517 there don't seem to be many. 148 00:07:15,518 --> 00:07:17,353 Collisions are rampant. 149 00:07:17,354 --> 00:07:19,605 These aren't just accidents. 150 00:07:19,606 --> 00:07:21,732 These are drivers intentionally trying 151 00:07:21,733 --> 00:07:24,110 to destroy their opponent's cars. 152 00:07:25,487 --> 00:07:27,988 Nobody is paying attention to the score. 153 00:07:27,989 --> 00:07:30,325 The audience is here for the carnage. 154 00:07:33,036 --> 00:07:37,331 Literally no one is safe at an auto polo match. 155 00:07:37,332 --> 00:07:40,542 The crowd is watching right on the edge of the polo ground. 156 00:07:40,543 --> 00:07:45,214 They have to flee in terror if the car goes out of control 157 00:07:45,215 --> 00:07:48,217 or an errant ball comes towards them. 158 00:07:48,218 --> 00:07:50,636 These cars have pretty much no safety features. 159 00:07:50,637 --> 00:07:52,888 They have a sort of makeshift roll cage, 160 00:07:52,889 --> 00:07:56,141 but there's no doors for protection, no helmets or pads, 161 00:07:56,142 --> 00:07:59,978 and certainly no seat belts or airbags. 162 00:07:59,979 --> 00:08:02,022 There are reports of referees 163 00:08:02,023 --> 00:08:04,983 getting crushed between the cars. 164 00:08:04,984 --> 00:08:08,987 Newspapers describe it as "a 50-minute flirt with death," 165 00:08:08,988 --> 00:08:10,864 "hell's pastime," 166 00:08:10,865 --> 00:08:14,284 and "a cross between sport and manslaughter." 167 00:08:14,285 --> 00:08:17,830 This becomes a genuine international phenomenon. 168 00:08:17,831 --> 00:08:22,251 Its popularity is maybe like monster trucks today. 169 00:08:22,252 --> 00:08:23,669 It's taking place in major venues 170 00:08:23,670 --> 00:08:24,878 like Madison Square Garden 171 00:08:24,879 --> 00:08:27,881 or the Polo Fields at Coney Island. 172 00:08:27,882 --> 00:08:30,217 But all good things must come to an end. 173 00:08:30,218 --> 00:08:32,885 And by the 1920s, it's not the danger 174 00:08:32,886 --> 00:08:35,471 that brings auto polo to a screeching halt. 175 00:08:35,472 --> 00:08:37,266 It's the price tag. 176 00:08:37,267 --> 00:08:39,308 There are only a finite amount 177 00:08:39,309 --> 00:08:41,186 of cars out there at this time, 178 00:08:41,187 --> 00:08:43,981 and they're burning through them at a crazy rate. 179 00:08:43,982 --> 00:08:48,527 An average team will go through six to eight cars per match. 180 00:08:48,528 --> 00:08:50,988 You have broken axles, smashed radiators, 181 00:08:50,989 --> 00:08:52,781 popped tires. 182 00:08:52,782 --> 00:08:54,158 The cost of new parts 183 00:08:54,159 --> 00:08:57,619 and mechanics to fix the cars is out of control. 184 00:08:57,620 --> 00:09:00,039 At a certain point, you can't sell enough tickets 185 00:09:00,040 --> 00:09:03,625 to cover the staggering cost of this insane sport. 186 00:09:04,878 --> 00:09:06,545 In fact, auto polo was dubbed 187 00:09:06,546 --> 00:09:07,213 the most expensive sport in the world at the time. 188 00:09:08,131 --> 00:09:08,840 the most expensive sport in the world at the time. 189 00:09:09,466 --> 00:09:11,550 It was one of the few events that could cost you 190 00:09:11,551 --> 00:09:14,679 an arm and a leg in more ways than one. 191 00:09:19,184 --> 00:09:20,517 In the world of daredevils, attention is everything. 192 00:09:20,518 --> 00:09:23,312 And in the late '70s, one stunt man is about to chase it 193 00:09:23,313 --> 00:09:24,772 with a plan so outrageous 194 00:09:24,773 --> 00:09:27,941 people can't decide whether to call it brilliant 195 00:09:27,942 --> 00:09:29,193 or suicidal. 196 00:09:32,155 --> 00:09:33,238 For centuries, people have been 197 00:09:33,239 --> 00:09:34,573 doing incredible. 198 00:09:34,574 --> 00:09:38,035 and insanely dangerous stunts to entertain crowds. 199 00:09:38,036 --> 00:09:41,205 High wire acts, sword swallowing, 200 00:09:41,206 --> 00:09:43,916 even orchestrating car wrecks. 201 00:09:43,917 --> 00:09:46,460 Putting yourself in mortal danger 202 00:09:46,461 --> 00:09:49,671 is a spectacular way to grab attention. 203 00:09:49,672 --> 00:09:52,132 And no matter how big or dangerous 204 00:09:52,133 --> 00:09:54,009 the stunt or the jump is, 205 00:09:54,010 --> 00:09:55,552 if you want people to pay attention, 206 00:09:55,553 --> 00:09:58,514 you have to keep pushing the limits 207 00:09:58,515 --> 00:10:00,599 and breaking new records. 208 00:10:00,600 --> 00:10:02,476 No one understands this better 209 00:10:02,477 --> 00:10:04,478 than Canadian stunt man Ken Carter, 210 00:10:04,479 --> 00:10:07,356 who in 1979 dreams up the ultimate stunt 211 00:10:07,357 --> 00:10:11,568 to become the most famous daredevil in the world. 212 00:10:11,569 --> 00:10:13,821 Ken's goal is to jump a car 213 00:10:13,822 --> 00:10:18,033 across the St. Lawrence River to Ogden, New York. 214 00:10:18,034 --> 00:10:19,910 That's over a mile. 215 00:10:19,911 --> 00:10:21,286 This is insane. 216 00:10:21,287 --> 00:10:23,664 This is three times the distance 217 00:10:23,665 --> 00:10:28,628 of Evil Knievel's Snake River Canyon jump back in 1974. 218 00:10:28,920 --> 00:10:31,088 And remember, Knievel's jump was a failure. 219 00:10:31,089 --> 00:10:33,465 He almost died during the attempt. 220 00:10:33,466 --> 00:10:36,135 Despite the risk, Ken moves forward, 221 00:10:36,136 --> 00:10:38,637 carefully engineering his ambitious jump 222 00:10:38,638 --> 00:10:41,473 down to the very last detail. 223 00:10:41,474 --> 00:10:44,101 On paper, Ken Carter's plan 224 00:10:44,102 --> 00:10:46,186 looks almost cartoonishly absurd. 225 00:10:46,187 --> 00:10:48,981 It starts with putting a rocket booster 226 00:10:48,982 --> 00:10:53,819 on a Lincoln Continental, giving it 12,000 pounds of thrust. 227 00:10:53,820 --> 00:10:56,071 Then the plan is to try and drive it off an eight 228 00:10:56,072 --> 00:11:00,033 and a half story high ramp at 280 miles per hour. 229 00:11:00,034 --> 00:11:02,537 This stunt takes years to plan. 230 00:11:03,454 --> 00:11:04,746 The car has to be built. 231 00:11:04,747 --> 00:11:06,832 The giant ramp needs to be constructed. 232 00:11:06,833 --> 00:11:09,877 So he secures hundreds of thousands of dollars 233 00:11:09,878 --> 00:11:14,506 with the promise that millions, if not billions of people, 234 00:11:14,507 --> 00:11:17,176 will be watching this event live. 235 00:11:17,177 --> 00:11:19,303 Aside from the inherent danger of jumping 236 00:11:19,304 --> 00:11:23,223 a highly explosive rocket car over a very wide river, 237 00:11:23,224 --> 00:11:25,977 other complications arise. 238 00:11:27,270 --> 00:11:29,730 There are several cancellations due to rain, 239 00:11:29,731 --> 00:11:33,358 which is nearly constant in Canada at this time of year. 240 00:11:33,359 --> 00:11:36,111 I mean, the whole point is to promote and televise this, 241 00:11:36,112 --> 00:11:39,323 which is impossible when the date keeps changing. 242 00:11:39,324 --> 00:11:41,742 It also seems that Carter is not satisfied 243 00:11:41,743 --> 00:11:44,119 with the amount of press and publicity, 244 00:11:44,120 --> 00:11:46,330 so he keeps delaying. 245 00:11:46,331 --> 00:11:49,499 Now the sponsors are obviously irate about this, 246 00:11:49,500 --> 00:11:50,667 having already poured hundreds 247 00:11:50,668 --> 00:11:52,794 of thousands of dollars into it. 248 00:11:52,795 --> 00:11:56,298 To them, this show needs to get on the road immediately. 249 00:11:56,299 --> 00:11:58,383 So to protect their investment, 250 00:11:58,384 --> 00:12:01,428 promoters and sponsors make a ruthless call. 251 00:12:01,429 --> 00:12:04,014 The sponsors convince his assistant, 252 00:12:04,015 --> 00:12:06,558 Kenny Powers, to do the job. 253 00:12:06,559 --> 00:12:09,895 So after years of bringing his dreams to life, 254 00:12:09,896 --> 00:12:12,064 Ken Carter is iced out. 255 00:12:12,065 --> 00:12:15,108 It's essentially a daredevil coup. 256 00:12:15,109 --> 00:12:18,028 This is reckless even by daredevil standards. 257 00:12:18,029 --> 00:12:20,322 An already near impossible stunt, 258 00:12:20,323 --> 00:12:22,866 and you switch the driver last minute. 259 00:12:22,867 --> 00:12:26,286 Kenny Powers has barely even been in this car at all, 260 00:12:26,287 --> 00:12:28,997 which still has Ken Carter's name on it, mind you. 261 00:12:28,998 --> 00:12:31,833 So he has no idea of the force that's going to hit him 262 00:12:31,834 --> 00:12:34,503 when that rocket engine fires up. 263 00:12:34,504 --> 00:12:37,506 But as the saying goes, the show must go on. 264 00:12:37,507 --> 00:12:41,551 And for Kenny Powers, there's no turning back now. 265 00:12:42,887 --> 00:12:44,513 The road is damp and bumpy, 266 00:12:44,514 --> 00:12:47,599 and Powers is getting tossed around inside the car. 267 00:12:47,600 --> 00:12:48,850 As he hits the runway, 268 00:12:48,851 --> 00:12:51,228 he's gripping the wheel with all his might, 269 00:12:51,229 --> 00:12:52,980 trying to keep it aimed at the ramp. 270 00:12:52,981 --> 00:12:55,190 But the vibrations are so intense, 271 00:12:55,191 --> 00:12:57,484 he can't keep the gas pedal down far enough 272 00:12:57,485 --> 00:12:59,653 to get up to speed. 273 00:12:59,654 --> 00:13:02,030 As you can see in the clip, 274 00:13:02,031 --> 00:13:05,742 Powers' world record attempt continues to unravel. 275 00:13:05,743 --> 00:13:08,704 The chute deploys almost immediately, 276 00:13:08,705 --> 00:13:11,331 and the car starts plummeting towards the river 277 00:13:11,332 --> 00:13:12,749 and crashes hard. 278 00:13:14,210 --> 00:13:16,503 He breaks eight vertebra, cracks three ribs, 279 00:13:16,504 --> 00:13:19,006 and shatters his wrist. 280 00:13:19,007 --> 00:13:21,967 He's lucky to be able to walk out of there. 281 00:13:21,968 --> 00:13:24,636 Once everyone knows that he's gonna be okay, 282 00:13:24,637 --> 00:13:27,556 that's when the disappointment sets in. 283 00:13:27,557 --> 00:13:31,935 The world has been promised a record-breaking one-mile jump. 284 00:13:31,936 --> 00:13:34,229 It's not even close. 285 00:13:36,524 --> 00:13:38,984 You should never rush a stunt man's performance 286 00:13:38,985 --> 00:13:41,611 or a royal funeral. 287 00:13:41,612 --> 00:13:43,238 Something that people learned the hard way 288 00:13:43,239 --> 00:13:45,490 back in 11th century England. 289 00:13:47,076 --> 00:13:49,578 On Christmas Day in 1066, 290 00:13:49,579 --> 00:13:51,371 William the Conqueror is crowned 291 00:13:51,372 --> 00:13:54,291 King of England in Westminster Abbey. 292 00:13:54,292 --> 00:13:57,627 As his nickname, the Conqueror, suggests, 293 00:13:57,628 --> 00:13:59,880 he didn't get there peacefully. 294 00:13:59,881 --> 00:14:03,300 William is born in France in 1027, 295 00:14:03,301 --> 00:14:05,719 the bastard son of the Duke of Normandy, 296 00:14:05,720 --> 00:14:07,804 Robert the Magnificent. 297 00:14:07,805 --> 00:14:11,725 Everyone throughout Normandy calls him Guillaume le Batard, 298 00:14:11,726 --> 00:14:14,227 William the Bastard. 299 00:14:14,228 --> 00:14:16,229 It's not a flattering nickname. 300 00:14:16,230 --> 00:14:19,107 And it means that for his entire life, 301 00:14:19,108 --> 00:14:23,779 William has to seize power by might and not right. 302 00:14:25,865 --> 00:14:28,742 In 1066, England's King Edward, 303 00:14:28,743 --> 00:14:31,244 who has no children, passes away, 304 00:14:31,245 --> 00:14:35,332 and he names his successor to be Harold Godwinson. 305 00:14:35,333 --> 00:14:39,461 Well, William decides that he wants England, he invades, 306 00:14:39,462 --> 00:14:43,006 and his army then trounces Godwinson 307 00:14:43,007 --> 00:14:44,508 at the Battle of Hastings. 308 00:14:44,509 --> 00:14:47,052 Not only does William become King of England, 309 00:14:47,053 --> 00:14:49,096 but he gets a much better nickname. 310 00:14:49,097 --> 00:14:52,349 William the Bastard becomes William the Conqueror 311 00:14:52,350 --> 00:14:56,478 and one of the most powerful English kings up to that point. 312 00:14:56,479 --> 00:15:00,357 We see statues and majestic castles built by him, 313 00:15:00,358 --> 00:15:02,901 including the famous Tower of London. 314 00:15:02,902 --> 00:15:05,112 William wants to be remembered. 315 00:15:05,113 --> 00:15:07,823 His legacy is hugely important to him. 316 00:15:07,824 --> 00:15:09,991 Unfortunately, William's final days 317 00:15:09,992 --> 00:15:12,537 aren't as heroic as his rise to power. 318 00:15:13,663 --> 00:15:16,873 Later in life, William puts on a lot of weight. 319 00:15:16,874 --> 00:15:19,668 So much so that King Philip of France compares him 320 00:15:19,669 --> 00:15:22,505 to a pregnant woman about to give birth. 321 00:15:23,923 --> 00:15:26,508 For someone who has fought for respect his whole life, 322 00:15:26,509 --> 00:15:28,885 who's a fierce warrior, who has conquered England, 323 00:15:28,886 --> 00:15:33,223 being mocked like this is just humiliating. 324 00:15:33,224 --> 00:15:36,059 Imagine going from William the Conqueror 325 00:15:36,060 --> 00:15:38,645 to William the Tubby. 326 00:15:38,646 --> 00:15:40,522 And it gets worse from there. 327 00:15:42,108 --> 00:15:45,360 In 1087, William's with his army putting down a rebellion 328 00:15:45,361 --> 00:15:47,487 outside of Mantes, France. 329 00:15:47,488 --> 00:15:50,115 In front of probably hundreds of his soldiers, 330 00:15:50,116 --> 00:15:52,784 his horse attempts to jump over a ravine. 331 00:15:52,785 --> 00:15:54,578 But his massive belly, 332 00:15:54,579 --> 00:15:56,788 which hangs over the front of the saddle, 333 00:15:56,789 --> 00:16:01,168 is thrust into the pummel, which ruptures his intestines. 334 00:16:01,169 --> 00:16:05,338 His bulbous belly swells even larger due to the injuries, 335 00:16:05,339 --> 00:16:08,341 and he's carried off in agony to Cannes. 336 00:16:08,342 --> 00:16:10,760 William dies of his injuries days later 337 00:16:10,761 --> 00:16:13,263 and is brought to the Church of Saint-Etienne 338 00:16:13,264 --> 00:16:16,016 for a funeral worthy of a king. 339 00:16:16,017 --> 00:16:18,768 The church is filled with nobility, 340 00:16:18,769 --> 00:16:21,229 all dressed in their finest clothing 341 00:16:21,230 --> 00:16:24,399 and all waiting there to mourn their king 342 00:16:24,400 --> 00:16:27,027 who had been on the throne for 20 years. 343 00:16:27,028 --> 00:16:31,615 It's a solemn and very sad event. 344 00:16:31,616 --> 00:16:34,075 As they're laying William's body 345 00:16:34,076 --> 00:16:36,036 to rest in the stone sarcophagus, 346 00:16:36,037 --> 00:16:38,163 they realize there's a problem. 347 00:16:38,164 --> 00:16:40,458 He's way too big to fit inside. 348 00:16:42,335 --> 00:16:46,296 His huge belly is even larger due to the swelling 349 00:16:46,297 --> 00:16:49,257 from his injuries and postmortem bloating. 350 00:16:49,258 --> 00:16:54,221 With all of this family, priests, dignitaries 351 00:16:54,222 --> 00:16:57,265 attending, they have to squeeze him in. 352 00:16:57,266 --> 00:16:59,142 The monks are in a panic. 353 00:16:59,143 --> 00:17:01,353 They want to end this horrifying spectacle 354 00:17:01,354 --> 00:17:03,271 as soon as possible. 355 00:17:03,272 --> 00:17:06,441 So they are pushing harder and harder. 356 00:17:06,442 --> 00:17:11,489 Just as they squeeze his royal belly into the sarcophagus, 357 00:17:12,156 --> 00:17:13,949 the unthinkable happens. 358 00:17:13,950 --> 00:17:15,325 The king 359 00:17:15,326 --> 00:17:16,785 explodes. 360 00:17:17,954 --> 00:17:20,413 Gore and viscera fly everywhere. 361 00:17:22,165 --> 00:17:24,876 The lords and ladies standing at the front of the church 362 00:17:24,877 --> 00:17:28,255 in their finest clothing are covered in the king's blood 363 00:17:28,256 --> 00:17:32,050 and every other bodily fluid you can imagine. 364 00:17:32,051 --> 00:17:34,344 And not only is it a horrific sight, 365 00:17:34,345 --> 00:17:38,974 but the smell is described as an intolerable stench. 366 00:17:38,975 --> 00:17:40,433 Despite all this gore, 367 00:17:40,434 --> 00:17:43,228 remember, this is the king's funeral. 368 00:17:43,229 --> 00:17:47,065 You do not walk out of the king's funeral. 369 00:17:47,066 --> 00:17:51,319 And so everyone has to keep a stiff upper lip 370 00:17:51,320 --> 00:17:53,863 and bear it. 371 00:17:53,864 --> 00:17:55,782 The monks are eventually able to get 372 00:17:55,783 --> 00:17:57,242 everything cleaned up 373 00:17:57,243 --> 00:18:00,704 and get most of the pieces of the king into the casket. 374 00:18:00,705 --> 00:18:02,706 But the damage has been done. 375 00:18:02,707 --> 00:18:06,419 This is everyone's last memory of William the Conqueror. 376 00:18:07,753 --> 00:18:10,797 William the Conqueror certainly went out with a bang. 377 00:18:10,798 --> 00:18:13,342 Just not the kind he had in mind. 378 00:18:17,847 --> 00:18:18,930 Paris is a city that knows how to put on a show. 379 00:18:18,931 --> 00:18:20,932 But in the mid 19th century, 380 00:18:20,933 --> 00:18:24,687 curiosity draws crowds somewhere no one would expect. 381 00:18:25,938 --> 00:18:29,774 It's the mid 19th century and Paris, France 382 00:18:29,775 --> 00:18:31,651 is right at the heart of everything. 383 00:18:31,652 --> 00:18:35,238 It's a center of culture, entertainment, fashion, 384 00:18:35,239 --> 00:18:36,865 and high society. 385 00:18:36,866 --> 00:18:38,450 People go to the opera. 386 00:18:38,451 --> 00:18:39,993 People go to the theater. 387 00:18:39,994 --> 00:18:43,747 They want to see and be seen. 388 00:18:43,748 --> 00:18:45,248 And on any given day, 389 00:18:45,249 --> 00:18:49,044 you will see thousands upon thousands of people 390 00:18:49,045 --> 00:18:53,131 heading to Paris's most sought after tourist attraction, 391 00:18:55,676 --> 00:18:56,510 the morgue. 392 00:18:57,553 --> 00:19:00,096 They would actually lay bodies out 393 00:19:00,097 --> 00:19:03,725 in front of massive glass windows for people 394 00:19:03,726 --> 00:19:06,603 to see in a creepy display. 395 00:19:06,604 --> 00:19:08,146 It seems really ghoulish, 396 00:19:08,147 --> 00:19:12,609 but this morgue gallery actually serves a practical purpose. 397 00:19:12,610 --> 00:19:16,655 This enables the general public to assist the authorities 398 00:19:16,656 --> 00:19:19,032 in identifying the recently deceased. 399 00:19:19,033 --> 00:19:21,493 This is a time without DNA testing. 400 00:19:21,494 --> 00:19:23,870 So if a friend or a family member goes missing, 401 00:19:23,871 --> 00:19:28,333 a trip to the morgue might actually be your first stop. 402 00:19:28,334 --> 00:19:30,293 But what starts as a public service 403 00:19:30,294 --> 00:19:33,421 quickly becomes a big spectacle. 404 00:19:33,422 --> 00:19:37,467 By the late 1880s, at the height of its popularity, 405 00:19:37,468 --> 00:19:42,138 it's estimated that around 40,000 people each day 406 00:19:42,139 --> 00:19:44,641 take a walk past these morgue windows 407 00:19:44,642 --> 00:19:48,269 to take a look at the recently departed. 408 00:19:48,270 --> 00:19:51,064 The exhibition grows so popular, 409 00:19:51,065 --> 00:19:55,068 vendors even pitch up, selling concessions. 410 00:19:55,069 --> 00:19:57,112 There are jugglers, mime artists, 411 00:19:57,113 --> 00:19:59,739 people selling candies. 412 00:19:59,740 --> 00:20:01,908 The unbelievable thing is that they're doing this 413 00:20:01,909 --> 00:20:04,620 right next to these cadavers. 414 00:20:05,579 --> 00:20:06,996 And like any good show, 415 00:20:06,997 --> 00:20:09,833 the morgue has its big stars. 416 00:20:09,834 --> 00:20:12,669 If there's a high profile murder that's in the 417 00:20:12,670 --> 00:20:15,964 papers, everybody flocks to see the dead body. 418 00:20:15,965 --> 00:20:19,342 Arguably, the most popular attraction at the morgue 419 00:20:19,343 --> 00:20:23,304 is a young woman, around 16 years old, 420 00:20:23,305 --> 00:20:26,641 believed to have been a suicide that's known as 421 00:20:26,642 --> 00:20:28,685 L'Inconnue de la Seine, 422 00:20:28,686 --> 00:20:31,521 The Unknown Woman of the Seine. 423 00:20:31,522 --> 00:20:34,691 Now, one of the reasons that she is so hypnotic 424 00:20:34,692 --> 00:20:38,403 is because of this faint smile on her face. 425 00:20:38,404 --> 00:20:41,573 One of the morgue attendants is so taken with her 426 00:20:41,574 --> 00:20:44,325 that he makes a death mask from her face. 427 00:20:44,326 --> 00:20:47,412 It goes on to become a very popular decoration 428 00:20:47,413 --> 00:20:49,831 in homes all over France. 429 00:20:49,832 --> 00:20:52,959 Even though her identity is never found, 430 00:20:52,960 --> 00:20:55,795 she becomes known as the Drowned Mona Lisa, 431 00:20:55,796 --> 00:21:00,633 and her image is still widely known around the world today. 432 00:21:00,634 --> 00:21:03,136 In fact, the image becomes the face 433 00:21:03,137 --> 00:21:06,514 of resuscitation dummies in France. 434 00:21:06,515 --> 00:21:10,394 And she is finally given a name, Resusci Anne. 435 00:21:12,021 --> 00:21:14,481 For decades, the morgue continues to draw throngs 436 00:21:14,482 --> 00:21:16,274 of curious onlookers. 437 00:21:16,275 --> 00:21:19,068 But by 1907, officials pull the curtain, 438 00:21:19,069 --> 00:21:22,864 bringing the unusual attraction to an end. 439 00:21:22,865 --> 00:21:25,074 Eventually, the authorities realize 440 00:21:25,075 --> 00:21:27,744 that having people come to gawk at 441 00:21:27,745 --> 00:21:31,080 and stare at these corpses is disrespectful 442 00:21:31,081 --> 00:21:34,584 to not only the dead, but the families that are left behind. 443 00:21:34,585 --> 00:21:38,087 And in 1907, the morgue is moved to a new location 444 00:21:38,088 --> 00:21:42,091 for reasons of what they called moral hygiene. 445 00:21:44,136 --> 00:21:47,222 The days of lining up outside a morgue may be over, 446 00:21:47,223 --> 00:21:50,433 but our morbid fascination lives on. 447 00:21:50,434 --> 00:21:52,060 And in the modern age, 448 00:21:52,061 --> 00:21:55,271 we don't even have to leave the couch to watch it unfold. 449 00:21:55,272 --> 00:21:59,067 It's a normal, boring day on October 15th, 450 00:21:59,068 --> 00:22:04,072 2009, when all of a sudden television programs across the 451 00:22:04,073 --> 00:22:07,909 country are interrupted by an emergency broadcast. 452 00:22:07,910 --> 00:22:09,494 It's three o'clock on the East Coast 453 00:22:09,495 --> 00:22:13,331 and you are looking live outside of Denver, Colorado. 454 00:22:13,332 --> 00:22:15,959 A balloon that looks like a spacecraft. 455 00:22:15,960 --> 00:22:17,377 The newscasters themselves 456 00:22:17,378 --> 00:22:19,796 can barely comprehend what they're reporting. 457 00:22:19,797 --> 00:22:23,675 First, that there's an experimental UFO-shaped balloon 458 00:22:23,676 --> 00:22:27,011 flying 7,000 feet above Colorado. 459 00:22:27,012 --> 00:22:28,513 And secondly, 460 00:22:28,514 --> 00:22:32,308 there's a six-year-old boy named Falcon Heene 461 00:22:32,309 --> 00:22:33,810 trapped inside it. 462 00:22:33,811 --> 00:22:36,104 To make matters worse, he appears to be headed 463 00:22:36,105 --> 00:22:38,481 towards Denver International Airport. 464 00:22:38,482 --> 00:22:41,109 The police and the National Guard are called in to 465 00:22:41,110 --> 00:22:42,694 help, but they're powerless. 466 00:22:42,695 --> 00:22:44,988 What are you going to do? Shoot it down? 467 00:22:44,989 --> 00:22:47,657 Millions of people are captivated, 468 00:22:47,658 --> 00:22:50,743 glued to their TVs and computers as authorities 469 00:22:50,744 --> 00:22:54,205 prepare to divert airline traffic and track this balloon, 470 00:22:54,206 --> 00:22:58,626 trying to figure out how to save this kid's life. 471 00:22:58,627 --> 00:23:00,587 The balloon eventually starts to collapse 472 00:23:00,588 --> 00:23:04,173 and lands over an hour later, 55 miles away. 473 00:23:04,174 --> 00:23:09,137 But somehow, this unimaginable incident gets even stranger. 474 00:23:09,138 --> 00:23:11,222 Everyone is watching as authorities 475 00:23:11,223 --> 00:23:12,724 go to recover the balloon, 476 00:23:12,725 --> 00:23:16,269 hoping that this little boy Falcon is in there and safe. 477 00:23:16,270 --> 00:23:19,898 But it's empty and there's this nationwide gasp. 478 00:23:19,899 --> 00:23:24,152 Authorities are scouring the entire 55-mile path, 479 00:23:24,153 --> 00:23:27,113 trying to see if he fell out along the way. 480 00:23:27,114 --> 00:23:29,490 While search and rescue teams 481 00:23:29,491 --> 00:23:31,075 brace themselves for tragedy, 482 00:23:31,076 --> 00:23:34,871 police back at the boy's home make a shocking discovery. 483 00:23:34,872 --> 00:23:38,416 It turns out Falcon was there the entire time 484 00:23:38,417 --> 00:23:40,043 hiding in the attic. 485 00:23:40,044 --> 00:23:41,878 Richard Heene is Falcon's father, 486 00:23:41,879 --> 00:23:44,547 the amateur scientist who built the weather balloon 487 00:23:44,548 --> 00:23:48,259 that he thought was carrying Falcon miles away. 488 00:23:48,260 --> 00:23:50,470 At first there's joy, Falcon's okay. 489 00:23:50,471 --> 00:23:53,181 But then that turns into suspicion. 490 00:23:53,182 --> 00:23:56,017 The father seems to be a bit of a showman. 491 00:23:56,018 --> 00:23:58,019 I'm really sorry I yelled at him. 492 00:23:58,938 --> 00:24:00,939 You scared the heck out of us. 493 00:24:00,940 --> 00:24:05,068 They start to ask, "Is this all a hoax?" 494 00:24:05,069 --> 00:24:08,071 The Heene family denies that this was faked, 495 00:24:08,072 --> 00:24:10,698 but when they appear on camera with Falcon, 496 00:24:10,699 --> 00:24:12,116 now known as Balloon Boy, 497 00:24:12,117 --> 00:24:14,411 he says something really interesting. 498 00:24:23,587 --> 00:24:24,921 And everyone takes this to mean 499 00:24:24,922 --> 00:24:26,547 that his parents put him up to it, 500 00:24:26,548 --> 00:24:28,591 and this entire thing was faked. 501 00:24:28,592 --> 00:24:31,094 They go from the whole country rooting for them 502 00:24:31,095 --> 00:24:34,347 to being the most hated family on the planet. 503 00:24:34,348 --> 00:24:36,432 People feel cheated. 504 00:24:36,433 --> 00:24:39,185 The search and rescue, shutting down air traffic, 505 00:24:39,186 --> 00:24:42,105 that costs tons of taxpayer dollars. 506 00:24:42,106 --> 00:24:44,357 Ultimately, Richard Heene is found guilty 507 00:24:44,358 --> 00:24:45,608 of a felony count, 508 00:24:45,609 --> 00:24:47,819 attempting to influence a public servant, 509 00:24:47,820 --> 00:24:50,530 while his wife is found guilty of false reporting. 510 00:24:50,531 --> 00:24:52,740 They get a combined 110 days in jail 511 00:24:52,741 --> 00:24:56,411 and are ordered to pay $36,000 in restitution. 512 00:24:56,412 --> 00:24:59,789 To this day, the family says they legitimately 513 00:24:59,790 --> 00:25:02,667 thought their boy was in that balloon and it was no hoax. 514 00:25:02,668 --> 00:25:05,545 The public, however, still skeptical. 515 00:25:05,546 --> 00:25:08,756 If they were trying to get famous, it sort of worked. 516 00:25:08,757 --> 00:25:11,467 But does anybody really want to be famous 517 00:25:11,468 --> 00:25:14,846 for staging one of the strangest hoaxes in history? 518 00:25:16,473 --> 00:25:18,766 They say any press is good press, 519 00:25:18,767 --> 00:25:22,312 but maybe not if it comes with a felony. 520 00:25:26,900 --> 00:25:28,067 We've all seen salespeople who really lay it on thick 521 00:25:28,068 --> 00:25:29,193 to introduce a new product. 522 00:25:29,194 --> 00:25:31,237 In the 1980s, crowds are shocked to see 523 00:25:31,238 --> 00:25:33,823 how far one man will go to sell them 524 00:25:33,824 --> 00:25:37,035 on America's most feared technology. 525 00:25:39,621 --> 00:25:41,914 From as far back as the late '50s, 526 00:25:41,915 --> 00:25:44,834 nuclear energy has been harnessed in an effort 527 00:25:44,835 --> 00:25:49,714 to generate more electricity to huge swaths of the country. 528 00:25:49,715 --> 00:25:52,550 However, the moment you say the word nuclear, 529 00:25:52,551 --> 00:25:55,053 people think of mushroom clouds, 530 00:25:55,054 --> 00:25:57,597 devastation, death, 531 00:25:57,598 --> 00:25:59,974 nuclear winter, and so on. 532 00:25:59,975 --> 00:26:03,478 It immediately creates a sense of fear and dread. 533 00:26:03,479 --> 00:26:08,066 And when the Three Mile Island incident happens in 1979, 534 00:26:08,067 --> 00:26:10,193 when the reactor melts down, 535 00:26:10,194 --> 00:26:14,739 it absolutely tarnishes nuclear power's image. 536 00:26:14,740 --> 00:26:16,532 But one man is determined 537 00:26:16,533 --> 00:26:20,787 to demonstrate a little radioactivity never hurt anyone. 538 00:26:20,788 --> 00:26:24,040 Let's talk a little bit about radiation. 539 00:26:24,041 --> 00:26:26,292 Oh goodness. 540 00:26:26,293 --> 00:26:27,293 Very radioactive. 541 00:26:27,294 --> 00:26:28,628 You pour it out in the hand, 542 00:26:28,629 --> 00:26:31,130 and that's radioactive contamination. 543 00:26:31,131 --> 00:26:33,424 In 1985, a nuclear chemist 544 00:26:33,425 --> 00:26:37,220 and a plant safety manager named Galen Winsor 545 00:26:37,221 --> 00:26:39,430 is touring the country. 546 00:26:41,016 --> 00:26:45,728 Eating uranium in front of large crowds 547 00:26:45,729 --> 00:26:50,734 to prove to the masses that there's nothing to worry about. 548 00:26:52,111 --> 00:26:53,945 Now on paper, Galen looks like the ultimate expert. 549 00:26:53,946 --> 00:26:57,782 He's been working in nuclear facilities since the 1950s, 550 00:26:57,783 --> 00:27:01,452 including the Hanford Nuclear Site in Washington State 551 00:27:01,453 --> 00:27:03,371 that actually produces the plutonium 552 00:27:03,372 --> 00:27:07,375 for these 60,000 missiles in America's nuclear arsenal. 553 00:27:08,836 --> 00:27:12,672 To all appearances, this is a smart guy, a 554 00:27:12,673 --> 00:27:16,801 scientist, and here he is gobbling down uranium. 555 00:27:16,802 --> 00:27:18,886 So is it dangerous? 556 00:27:18,887 --> 00:27:21,139 According to the government, very. 557 00:27:21,140 --> 00:27:25,518 And they don't take this nuclear spectacle lightly. 558 00:27:25,519 --> 00:27:27,728 Because I've been eating this on lecture tour 559 00:27:27,729 --> 00:27:30,356 for two years, the state of Washington felt it necessary 560 00:27:30,357 --> 00:27:34,443 to confiscate my uranium sample so that I would be safe. 561 00:27:34,444 --> 00:27:37,738 Granted, we know more about uranium exposure now 562 00:27:37,739 --> 00:27:39,532 than we did in the 1980s. 563 00:27:39,533 --> 00:27:42,577 Still, it's known to cause kidney damage, sterility, 564 00:27:42,578 --> 00:27:44,161 blood disease, among other things. 565 00:27:44,162 --> 00:27:47,248 And furthermore, everyone knows it's a main ingredient 566 00:27:47,249 --> 00:27:49,625 in making nuclear weapons. 567 00:27:49,626 --> 00:27:53,297 Seeing someone eat it looks absolutely insane. 568 00:27:54,631 --> 00:27:58,134 He even claims to have swam in the tanks of water 569 00:27:58,135 --> 00:28:00,344 used to cool spent nuclear fuel rods 570 00:28:00,345 --> 00:28:04,557 and to have even drank that same water. 571 00:28:04,558 --> 00:28:06,559 Who would suspect that the manager of safety 572 00:28:06,560 --> 00:28:09,604 and analytical service had a bottle of 573 00:28:09,605 --> 00:28:11,564 spent fuel pool water sitting on his desk 574 00:28:11,565 --> 00:28:14,067 and he drank a glass of it every day? 575 00:28:15,277 --> 00:28:18,279 Now, Galen never says anything publicly 576 00:28:18,280 --> 00:28:21,240 about having any symptom of radiation poisoning. 577 00:28:21,241 --> 00:28:23,451 Something tells me, even if he did, 578 00:28:23,452 --> 00:28:26,078 he probably wouldn't go out of his way to mention it. 579 00:28:26,079 --> 00:28:29,373 Interestingly though, his actual cause of death 580 00:28:29,374 --> 00:28:31,584 is not mentioned anywhere in his obituary 581 00:28:31,585 --> 00:28:34,295 or the press after his passing. 582 00:28:34,296 --> 00:28:36,380 I'm not sure if anyone has taken a Geiger counter 583 00:28:36,381 --> 00:28:37,965 to his tombstone, 584 00:28:37,966 --> 00:28:40,761 but it might be worth doing to see if it settles the debate. 585 00:28:42,179 --> 00:28:43,596 Galen Winsor is not the only one 586 00:28:43,597 --> 00:28:46,432 willing to go to extremes to make a point. 587 00:28:46,433 --> 00:28:49,185 In Greece, when two competing churches 588 00:28:49,186 --> 00:28:52,104 try to settle a rivalry, sparks fly. 589 00:28:54,691 --> 00:28:56,108 In the Greek Orthodox faith, 590 00:28:56,109 --> 00:28:59,070 Easter is the holiest day of the year. 591 00:28:59,071 --> 00:29:01,948 And the day right before Great and Holy Saturday 592 00:29:01,949 --> 00:29:03,824 is just about as holy. 593 00:29:03,825 --> 00:29:06,202 Greek Orthodox believe that somewhere between 594 00:29:06,203 --> 00:29:09,664 being crucified on Friday and resurrected on Sunday, 595 00:29:09,665 --> 00:29:12,333 Jesus descended into Hades 596 00:29:12,334 --> 00:29:15,294 where he preaches the gospel to the dead 597 00:29:15,295 --> 00:29:17,797 and brings them with him into Heaven. 598 00:29:17,798 --> 00:29:20,424 It's called the Harrowing of Hell. 599 00:29:20,425 --> 00:29:22,343 And so Holy Saturday is a big deal 600 00:29:22,344 --> 00:29:24,929 in the Greek Orthodox faith. 601 00:29:24,930 --> 00:29:26,931 While most observe the occasion 602 00:29:26,932 --> 00:29:28,516 with quiet reverence, 603 00:29:28,517 --> 00:29:32,436 one small town prefers a little more firepower. 604 00:29:32,437 --> 00:29:34,105 Precisely at 11:00 PM, 605 00:29:34,106 --> 00:29:37,733 just as the Resurrection service is beginning, 606 00:29:37,734 --> 00:29:40,319 two neighboring Orthodox churches 607 00:29:40,320 --> 00:29:44,865 start assaulting each other with homemade fireworks. 608 00:29:49,162 --> 00:29:51,080 Locals come out in huge numbers 609 00:29:51,081 --> 00:29:53,791 with each church's congregants 610 00:29:53,792 --> 00:29:58,004 making over 30,000 handmade rockets. 611 00:29:58,005 --> 00:30:02,425 The goal is to hit each opposing church's bell tower 612 00:30:02,426 --> 00:30:05,720 with rockets as many times as possible. 613 00:30:09,725 --> 00:30:12,560 It's called Rouketopolemos or Rocket War, 614 00:30:12,561 --> 00:30:15,355 and it's been going on for over a century. 615 00:30:16,481 --> 00:30:18,858 But what exactly does it have to do with Easter? 616 00:30:18,859 --> 00:30:20,609 Well, it's a little murky. 617 00:30:22,320 --> 00:30:24,113 One legend points to a time 618 00:30:24,114 --> 00:30:27,783 when Greece was under occupation by the Ottomans 619 00:30:27,784 --> 00:30:31,537 and Christian services were restricted. 620 00:30:31,538 --> 00:30:35,875 The churches would fire cannons over each other, 621 00:30:35,876 --> 00:30:39,253 feigning some sort of local skirmish. 622 00:30:39,254 --> 00:30:42,381 The result is the Ottoman authorities 623 00:30:42,382 --> 00:30:44,717 would leave them alone and not want to get involved, 624 00:30:44,718 --> 00:30:46,510 and that way the residents 625 00:30:46,511 --> 00:30:48,971 could actually go to Easter service. 626 00:30:48,972 --> 00:30:51,682 And it's said that when the Ottomans actually maybe get wind 627 00:30:51,683 --> 00:30:54,310 of what's going on and they take the cannons away, 628 00:30:54,311 --> 00:30:57,229 the locals fill in that gap. 629 00:30:57,230 --> 00:30:59,732 They just start making their own explosives 630 00:30:59,733 --> 00:31:02,610 so that they can continue the tradition. 631 00:31:02,611 --> 00:31:05,237 It's kind of like the 4th of July in the United States. 632 00:31:05,238 --> 00:31:06,781 We set off fireworks. Why? 633 00:31:06,782 --> 00:31:08,407 It's in celebration of beating the British. 634 00:31:08,408 --> 00:31:10,076 They set off fireworks. Why? 635 00:31:10,077 --> 00:31:13,788 It's in celebration of defiance to the Ottoman Turks. 636 00:31:16,792 --> 00:31:19,460 People look forward to this all year. 637 00:31:19,461 --> 00:31:22,588 A whole cadre of artisan rocket makers 638 00:31:22,589 --> 00:31:27,134 spend the entire year building their new rockets. 639 00:31:27,135 --> 00:31:30,096 And there have been injuries, maimings, 640 00:31:30,097 --> 00:31:34,225 people losing limbs and fingers, countless fires, 641 00:31:34,226 --> 00:31:37,520 and even fatalities, yet it still goes on. 642 00:31:37,521 --> 00:31:41,065 The police sort of just turn a blind eye to it. 643 00:31:41,066 --> 00:31:43,567 And now it's even bigger than ever. 644 00:31:43,568 --> 00:31:45,361 Due to online popularity, 645 00:31:45,362 --> 00:31:48,656 people from around the globe come to Chios 646 00:31:48,657 --> 00:31:52,284 to watch the Holy Saturday firework fight. 647 00:31:53,745 --> 00:31:55,372 It's a beautiful tradition, 648 00:31:55,539 --> 00:31:58,958 but it does make you appreciate the quieter side of Easter. 649 00:31:58,959 --> 00:32:00,501 You know, eggs, candy, 650 00:32:00,502 --> 00:32:04,047 and celebrations that don't require a fire extinguisher. 651 00:32:08,009 --> 00:32:09,176 They say love is a journey. 652 00:32:09,177 --> 00:32:10,177 In Finland, it's also a race. 653 00:32:10,178 --> 00:32:12,388 One that tests strength, balance, 654 00:32:12,389 --> 00:32:15,432 and a very specific kind of commitment. 655 00:32:17,561 --> 00:32:19,270 Every summer, the Finnish town 656 00:32:19,271 --> 00:32:22,022 of Sonkajarvi draws thousands of spectators 657 00:32:22,023 --> 00:32:25,317 for the strangest team sport ever invented. 658 00:32:25,318 --> 00:32:27,153 It looks absurd from afar. 659 00:32:27,154 --> 00:32:30,322 Two bodies smooshed together into one, 660 00:32:30,323 --> 00:32:34,201 barreling through this obstacle course at full speed. 661 00:32:34,202 --> 00:32:37,538 This bizarre spectacle is called the Eukonkanto, 662 00:32:37,539 --> 00:32:39,331 or wife-carrying competition. 663 00:32:40,709 --> 00:32:42,334 Its origins are said to go back centuries 664 00:32:42,335 --> 00:32:46,130 to a less romantic time when men would just find their wives 665 00:32:46,131 --> 00:32:48,048 by going to a neighboring village 666 00:32:48,049 --> 00:32:50,426 and carrying a woman back to theirs. 667 00:32:50,427 --> 00:32:52,845 At first glance, it looks ridiculous, 668 00:32:52,846 --> 00:32:54,930 but the athletes take this really seriously 669 00:32:54,931 --> 00:32:59,185 and it does have a set of official rules and regulations. 670 00:32:59,186 --> 00:33:02,897 For the world championship, the person being 671 00:33:02,898 --> 00:33:05,399 carried, the wife must be at least 49 kilograms 672 00:33:05,400 --> 00:33:07,026 or 108 pounds in weight. 673 00:33:07,027 --> 00:33:08,694 And should they be lighter, 674 00:33:08,695 --> 00:33:12,198 a weighted belt is added to make sure they meet the minimum. 675 00:33:12,199 --> 00:33:14,491 The course is pretty treacherous. 676 00:33:14,492 --> 00:33:17,745 There are moats, there are hurdles, there are sand traps, 677 00:33:17,746 --> 00:33:22,416 there's slippery gravel, all spread over 250 meters. 678 00:33:22,417 --> 00:33:24,877 That's a pretty long way to carry someone. 679 00:33:24,878 --> 00:33:26,879 And surprisingly, despite the name, 680 00:33:26,880 --> 00:33:31,091 the couples don't actually have to be married to compete. 681 00:33:31,092 --> 00:33:33,302 While marriage may not be a requirement, 682 00:33:33,303 --> 00:33:36,055 teamwork is non-negotiable. 683 00:33:36,056 --> 00:33:39,391 Each couple has to find a carrying technique 684 00:33:39,392 --> 00:33:40,893 that works for them to achieve 685 00:33:40,894 --> 00:33:43,187 the maximum speed and stability. 686 00:33:43,188 --> 00:33:45,356 There's the classic piggyback. 687 00:33:45,357 --> 00:33:49,068 But most popular of all, albeit most uncomfortable looking, 688 00:33:49,069 --> 00:33:53,197 is the Estonian carry with the wife upside down. 689 00:33:53,198 --> 00:33:55,783 It puts the center of gravity higher 690 00:33:55,784 --> 00:33:57,493 so the weight can be carried 691 00:33:57,494 --> 00:33:59,662 on the shoulders instead of the lower back. 692 00:33:59,663 --> 00:34:03,374 For the wife, holding on requires arm and leg strength, 693 00:34:03,375 --> 00:34:05,292 but she must also act as a counterweight 694 00:34:05,293 --> 00:34:08,671 to help the carrier maintain balance over the obstacles. 695 00:34:08,672 --> 00:34:11,466 One slip of the grip and they're both going down. 696 00:34:12,717 --> 00:34:14,635 With a reasonably high risk of injury, 697 00:34:14,636 --> 00:34:16,053 not to mention divorce, 698 00:34:16,054 --> 00:34:18,013 what may you ask is the prize 699 00:34:18,014 --> 00:34:20,640 for becoming a world champion wife carrier? 700 00:34:20,641 --> 00:34:22,225 Ah! 701 00:34:22,226 --> 00:34:23,894 The wife's weight in beer. 702 00:34:23,895 --> 00:34:26,647 Unlike boxing, there are no weight classes. 703 00:34:26,648 --> 00:34:30,526 So the greater the risk, the greater the reward in beer. 704 00:34:32,445 --> 00:34:34,280 If you think wife carrying is odd, 705 00:34:34,281 --> 00:34:35,656 wait until you see 706 00:34:35,657 --> 00:34:38,493 what some people in England compete to do. 707 00:34:40,161 --> 00:34:43,080 Once a year in a field in England, 708 00:34:43,081 --> 00:34:46,667 you'll come across a strange sight. 709 00:34:46,668 --> 00:34:51,254 Hundreds of people acting in a very peculiar way. 710 00:34:51,255 --> 00:34:55,466 They're stomping on the ground, banging pots and pans, 711 00:34:55,467 --> 00:34:57,136 even chanting and singing. 712 00:34:57,137 --> 00:34:59,179 At first glance, you might think 713 00:34:59,180 --> 00:35:01,265 it's some weird pagan ritual, 714 00:35:01,266 --> 00:35:05,227 or maybe some sort of hippie-ish communing with nature, 715 00:35:05,228 --> 00:35:08,981 but it's actually something far stranger than that. 716 00:35:08,982 --> 00:35:10,399 The goal? 717 00:35:10,400 --> 00:35:12,276 Coax as many worms to the surface as possible 718 00:35:12,277 --> 00:35:17,407 because this is the world championship of worm charming. 719 00:35:18,241 --> 00:35:19,283 It starts pretty logically. 720 00:35:19,284 --> 00:35:20,534 For thousands of years, 721 00:35:20,535 --> 00:35:22,995 fishermen knew that they need worms for bait. 722 00:35:22,996 --> 00:35:25,289 At some point, the fishermen start to notice 723 00:35:25,290 --> 00:35:27,708 by watching various birds, including seagulls. 724 00:35:27,709 --> 00:35:31,170 They start to do a strange dance on top of the soil. 725 00:35:31,171 --> 00:35:33,631 It turns out that the vibrations 726 00:35:33,632 --> 00:35:35,382 simulate the sound of raindrops, 727 00:35:35,383 --> 00:35:37,384 which brings the worms to the surface. 728 00:35:37,385 --> 00:35:39,637 It doesn't take long for humans to catch on 729 00:35:39,638 --> 00:35:43,057 and naturally turn it into a game. 730 00:35:43,058 --> 00:35:46,602 Farmers and fishermen try to outcharm each other 731 00:35:46,603 --> 00:35:50,064 to get as many worms as possible. 732 00:35:50,065 --> 00:35:53,108 And as time goes on, this becomes competitive, 733 00:35:53,109 --> 00:35:55,819 with the world's first official championship 734 00:35:55,820 --> 00:35:58,906 taking place in Cheshire, England in 1980. 735 00:35:58,907 --> 00:36:01,450 Local farmer's son, Tom Shufflebottom, 736 00:36:01,451 --> 00:36:05,871 manages to collect 511 worms in just 30 minutes, 737 00:36:05,872 --> 00:36:08,749 making him the first world champion. 738 00:36:08,750 --> 00:36:13,755 There are strict rules administered by a governing body 739 00:36:15,131 --> 00:36:18,467 called the International Federation of Charming Worms 740 00:36:18,468 --> 00:36:20,928 and Allied Pastimes. 741 00:36:20,929 --> 00:36:23,472 IFCWAP for short. 742 00:36:23,473 --> 00:36:25,015 Each competitor is assigned 743 00:36:25,016 --> 00:36:27,851 a three-meter by three-meter plot 744 00:36:27,852 --> 00:36:30,145 and a 30-minute time period. 745 00:36:30,146 --> 00:36:33,232 You can use any kind of implements, sticks, 746 00:36:33,233 --> 00:36:36,318 musical instruments, heavy shoes, tap dancing. 747 00:36:36,319 --> 00:36:40,114 However, absolutely no digging is allowed, 748 00:36:40,115 --> 00:36:42,616 and IFCWAP is not messing around. 749 00:36:42,617 --> 00:36:45,244 Some people come in elaborate costumes, 750 00:36:45,245 --> 00:36:49,248 which is kind of odd because the worms really can't see, 751 00:36:49,249 --> 00:36:52,334 as most species don't have eyes. 752 00:36:52,335 --> 00:36:55,963 The current world record set in 2009 753 00:36:55,964 --> 00:37:01,051 is a massive 567 worms. 754 00:37:01,052 --> 00:37:04,722 But the techniques of worm charming continue to evolve. 755 00:37:04,723 --> 00:37:08,976 And records, however ridiculous, are meant to be broken. 756 00:37:11,020 --> 00:37:13,522 They say nothing attracts a crowd like a crowd, 757 00:37:13,523 --> 00:37:14,732 which is true, 758 00:37:14,733 --> 00:37:16,984 even if that crowd is just staring 759 00:37:16,985 --> 00:37:19,571 at a pile of worms. 760 00:37:23,825 --> 00:37:24,742 In show business, there's an old saying, 761 00:37:24,743 --> 00:37:25,617 "The show must go on." 762 00:37:25,618 --> 00:37:27,578 But one annual event in London 763 00:37:27,579 --> 00:37:29,997 has taken that idea to an extreme, 764 00:37:29,998 --> 00:37:32,040 continuing for nearly a century 765 00:37:32,041 --> 00:37:35,544 after its star died in 1837. 766 00:37:37,797 --> 00:37:40,966 If you happen to be near the All Saints Church 767 00:37:40,967 --> 00:37:44,636 in Haggerston, London, on the first Sunday in February, 768 00:37:44,637 --> 00:37:47,723 you might be in for an interesting sight. 769 00:37:49,768 --> 00:37:52,186 Instead of your normal praying and hymns 770 00:37:52,187 --> 00:37:54,313 and somber reflection, 771 00:37:54,314 --> 00:37:58,358 you'll be surrounded by hoards of clowns. 772 00:37:58,359 --> 00:38:01,361 Despite what it looks like, this is no joke. 773 00:38:01,362 --> 00:38:03,071 In fact, it is perhaps the most sacred event 774 00:38:03,072 --> 00:38:06,283 for professional clowns all over the world. 775 00:38:07,744 --> 00:38:09,620 This is the Annual Clown Service. 776 00:38:09,621 --> 00:38:12,623 It's held in honor of Joseph Grimaldi, 777 00:38:12,624 --> 00:38:16,293 who is known as the father of modern clowning. 778 00:38:16,294 --> 00:38:19,338 Grimaldi was born in 1778 779 00:38:19,339 --> 00:38:22,925 and started performing in London theaters at the age of two. 780 00:38:22,926 --> 00:38:27,888 Life in England in the early 1800s is really difficult. 781 00:38:27,889 --> 00:38:29,306 There are high levels of poverty. 782 00:38:29,307 --> 00:38:32,059 There are high levels of infant mortality. 783 00:38:32,060 --> 00:38:33,894 Disease is rampant. 784 00:38:33,895 --> 00:38:35,354 People struggle on the daily. 785 00:38:35,355 --> 00:38:37,105 But Grimaldi's performances 786 00:38:37,106 --> 00:38:41,276 really offer this desperately needed levity. 787 00:38:41,277 --> 00:38:44,029 Not only is he credited with creating the look 788 00:38:44,030 --> 00:38:48,575 of modern clowns with white makeup and red accents, 789 00:38:48,576 --> 00:38:51,203 but also he brings forth the techniques 790 00:38:51,204 --> 00:38:54,289 of facial expressions, acrobatics, 791 00:38:54,290 --> 00:38:58,418 and physical comedy that continue to this day. 792 00:38:58,419 --> 00:39:00,254 Because of his impact, 793 00:39:00,255 --> 00:39:03,882 Joseph Grimaldi is still celebrated long after his death 794 00:39:03,883 --> 00:39:07,511 with a service that's part funeral, part circus. 795 00:39:07,512 --> 00:39:11,014 At first glance, seeing a bunch of clowns in a churchyard, 796 00:39:11,015 --> 00:39:13,308 some people might not love the concept, 797 00:39:13,309 --> 00:39:15,185 but when you think about it, 798 00:39:15,186 --> 00:39:17,646 them bringing laughter to people 799 00:39:17,647 --> 00:39:20,232 is really a form of charity and service. 800 00:39:20,233 --> 00:39:22,234 Those are tied very closely 801 00:39:22,235 --> 00:39:24,237 to Christian values and ideology. 802 00:39:25,864 --> 00:39:28,240 If a few whoopie cushions can fill a church with 803 00:39:28,241 --> 00:39:31,910 laughter, imagine what happens when America's favorite pastime 804 00:39:31,911 --> 00:39:34,037 gets put on four legs. 805 00:39:36,124 --> 00:39:37,749 It's the 1930s in America. 806 00:39:37,750 --> 00:39:40,168 We're in the middle of the Great Depression, 807 00:39:40,169 --> 00:39:42,671 and times are incredibly tough. 808 00:39:42,672 --> 00:39:44,673 There's widespread poverty. 809 00:39:44,674 --> 00:39:48,385 People are living in shacks and tents, wearing rags, 810 00:39:48,386 --> 00:39:52,139 basically just trying to cobble together an existence. 811 00:39:52,140 --> 00:39:54,600 For many, spending money on entertainment 812 00:39:54,601 --> 00:39:56,184 is not even an option. 813 00:39:56,185 --> 00:39:59,730 So promoters look to entice smaller audiences 814 00:39:59,731 --> 00:40:02,107 with something loud and exciting, 815 00:40:02,108 --> 00:40:05,402 but also small scale and affordable. 816 00:40:05,403 --> 00:40:08,488 One promoter in particular, Ray L. Doan, 817 00:40:08,489 --> 00:40:10,032 has the brilliant idea 818 00:40:10,033 --> 00:40:13,076 to combine the thrill of professional baseball 819 00:40:13,077 --> 00:40:16,038 with the speed of horse racing. 820 00:40:16,039 --> 00:40:18,665 The problem is racehorses are expensive, 821 00:40:18,666 --> 00:40:22,169 and so we end up with donkey baseball. 822 00:40:22,170 --> 00:40:25,631 It's such a strange and confusing advertisement 823 00:40:25,632 --> 00:40:28,634 that people have to go see it for themselves. 824 00:40:28,635 --> 00:40:30,260 There are rules. 825 00:40:30,261 --> 00:40:31,929 Unless you're batting, 826 00:40:31,930 --> 00:40:34,556 you have to be mounted on a donkey to do anything, 827 00:40:34,557 --> 00:40:38,310 and that includes running the bases or retrieving a ball. 828 00:40:38,311 --> 00:40:39,645 Now, if you're wondering, 829 00:40:39,646 --> 00:40:42,481 is a donkey a solid and reliable teammate, 830 00:40:42,482 --> 00:40:44,483 a good clubhouse presence? 831 00:40:44,484 --> 00:40:46,234 The answer is absolutely not. 832 00:40:46,235 --> 00:40:49,404 Donkeys are slow, notoriously stubborn, 833 00:40:49,405 --> 00:40:51,907 and they do not care about competition. 834 00:40:51,908 --> 00:40:55,452 The real draw isn't to see a real game, of course. 835 00:40:55,453 --> 00:40:58,705 It's to see if they can actually pull this off. 836 00:41:00,041 --> 00:41:02,209 The players are not professionals. 837 00:41:02,210 --> 00:41:04,753 They're often local politicians, teachers, 838 00:41:04,754 --> 00:41:07,005 policemen, or firefighters. 839 00:41:07,006 --> 00:41:10,342 The real fun comes from watching your mayor or sheriff 840 00:41:10,343 --> 00:41:14,596 desperately trying to drag a braying ass all over the field. 841 00:41:14,597 --> 00:41:17,892 It kind of makes your own problems seem not so bad. 842 00:41:19,227 --> 00:41:21,353 It's hard to predict what may grab our attention. 843 00:41:21,354 --> 00:41:23,313 Whether it's death on display, 844 00:41:23,314 --> 00:41:25,065 a rocket car to nowhere, 845 00:41:25,066 --> 00:41:27,484 a religious feud fueled by fireworks, 846 00:41:27,485 --> 00:41:30,988 or an athletic endeavor that is just asinine. 847 00:41:30,989 --> 00:41:34,283 These are the spectacles that are truly unbelievable.