Wed, Feb 17, 2016
On the topic of History's Worst Medical Advice, the six items up for consideration between Craig and the panelists - Bob Pflugfelder, also known as "Science Bob", and comedians Jordan Carlos and Chris Hardwick - are: smoking is good for you; bloodletting (specifically by leeches) is a cure-all; lobotomies cure mental illness; pulling teeth helps combat depression; the use of mercury can cure a variety of maladies; and drinking one's own urine can purify the body. Beyond the merits of keeping the issue on the list, they talk about which ones are still being done in some form (if even recreationally), the rationale behind the logic of the act, the veracity of each by renowned scientists during their time, and the role religion, metaphysics and faith play in health. Bob does a show and tell of historic unusual medical devices. They also discuss other treatments not on the list and the association of the six to other things people do to their bodies.
Wed, Feb 17, 2016
On the topic of History's Biggest American Political Blunders, the six items up for consideration between Craig and the panelists - public relations expert Howard Bragman, and comedians Jen D'Angelo and Jimmy Kimmel - are: Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich impeached for trying to sell a senate seat; Republican Presidential candidate Herman Cain accused of sexual harassment by employees; New York Governor Eliot Spitzer caught frequenting prostitutes; Idaho Senator Larry Craig charged for lewd conduct for allegedly trying to initiate gay sex in an airport men's room; Delaware Senate candidate Christine O'Donnell admitted to having dabbled in witchcraft; and Vice-President Dick Cheney accidentally shooting his lawyer friend in the face during a hunting trip. The panel generally talks about the guidelines they will use in judging each item, with relativity of the "offense" compared to the situation, to others, and to other things they've done taken into consideration. Hypocrisy of the action and the height of the figurative fall from grace are other factors they consider. They also talk about what isn't on the list but perhaps should have been.
Wed, Mar 2, 2016
On the topic of History's Most Doomed Presidential Campaign, the six campaigns up for consideration between Craig and the panelists - political science professor and former political campaigner Dan Schnur, actor/comedian Bryan Callen and actor Elijah Wood - are: Gary Hart's bid for the Democratic nomination in 1988, which was derailed by his adultery; Michael Dukakis' presidential bid as the Democratic nominee in 1988 which had image problems; Al Gore's presidential bid as the Democratic nominee in 2000 which also had image problems; Howard Dean's bid for the Democratic nomination in 2004 which was largely derailed by a shouting speech he made; John McCain's presidential bid as the Republican nominee in 2008, the loss which is largely blamed on his choice of then unknown Sarah Palin as his running mate; and Mitt Romney's presidential bid as the Republican nominee in 2012 which had problems in tone. The panelists look at the merits of each campaign as the most doomed, and use as unofficial criteria those problems that were the most self-inflicted, and those that perhaps would not be deemed as doomed if they happened today. They also mention campaigns that did not make the list but perhaps should have. Their discussion closes with how these campaigns stack up against what within recent memory seems to be the most unusual current run to the presidency in 2016.