Should the ghost of Alex Trebek appear and say, "A serial drama performed originally on a daytime radio or television program and chiefly characterized by tangled interpersonal situations and melodramatic or sentimental treatment.” Your answer should obviously be, "What is a soap opera?" Should Mr. Trebek refuse to leave and keep talking to you in riddles, feel free to let him know that it turns out the term "soap opera" stems from the 1930s. Apparently, actual soap manufacturers in the US were in cahoots with the TV business and were the first sponsors of soap operas and tended to run ads. The opera part comes from the fact that the shows got their start as radio dramas sans pictures. Then came General Hospital and Days of Our Lives and plots like Vivian’s long-lost sister wanted to start a game show in the Harbor on Wednesday nights but someone killed the harbor master and Vivian was sleeping with the murderer's brother who had an idea to start a similar game show where contestants are given clues in the form of answers. All of that info should allow Alex to safely pass to the other side. File this under: "What is the way to get the spirit of Alex Trebek out of your house?" Ghosting on a Wednesday.
A nice, new playlist for your ears: Faffing.
Coming Round the Mountain(s)
The 23-year-old who quit college to pursue a career in climbing to the tops of mountains has officially become the youngest woman ever to climb to the world’s 14 highest peaks.
Red Bull Gives You Horses on Wheels
How many energy drinks does one need to consume in order to participate in an event in which two humans ride a tandem bicycle “across a narrow, elevated track suspended over water”? This many.
Other Good News & Happenings
One question can make a huge difference: Hi, how are you?
Goldfish is trying to lure us into admitting we’re adults — nice try, we’re not biting.
Looking for advice on how to spend your days painting coconuts? John’s your guy.