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Television

Is 'The Simpsons' Character Mr. Burns Based on Banker Jacob Rothschild?

Written by:
Alex Kasprak
Sep 6, 2023 The Rothschild family is a common source of conspiracy theory fodder.
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A tweet that claims Jerry Springer left his fortune to two secret Black children he had out of wedlock is labeled Fake.

Did Jerry Springer Leave Entire Estate to His 2 'Secret Children'?

Written by:
Izz Scott LaMagdeleine
May 16, 2023 The video of the supposed "will reading" was actually a 2020 fictional play.
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Did Jerry Springer Once Say He Didn't Watch His Own Show?

Written by:
Damakant Jayshi
Apr 28, 2023 The 2014 video clip appeared to show the eponymous host of "The Jerry Springer Show" admitting t ...
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The couple from Mary Kay and Johnny were the first onscreen pair to share the same bed.

Who Was the First TV Couple to Sleep in the Same Bed?

Written by:
David Mikkelson
Apr 24, 1999 Many answers have been offered to this classic trivia question, but the correct one is rather ob ...
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A rumor claimed that I Love Lucy co-star Vivian Vance was contractually obligated to remain at least 20 pounds overweight.

Was 'I Love Lucy' Co-star Vivian Vance Contractually Obligated to Remain Overweight?

Written by:
David Mikkelson
May 27, 2002 Sidekicks are usually drawn so as not to detract from the main characters they support.
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Did Game Show Contestant Win by Memorizing Sequence of Lights on Prize Board?

Did Game Show Contestant Win by Memorizing Sequence of Lights on Prize Board?

Written by:
Barbara Mikkelson David Mikkelson
Oct 20, 2000 The American television gameshow "Press Your Luck" first premiered in 1983.
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Did Mr. Rogers Hide Violent and Criminal Past?

Written by:
David Mikkelson
Jun 28, 2007 Children's television show host Fred Rogers has been the focus of many rumors.
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In Westeros, Rhaenyra finds herself in a power struggle akin to that of the real-life Empress Matilda, who lived from 1102 to 1167. HBO

Scholar: HBO’s ‘House of the Dragon’ Was Inspired by a Real Medieval Dynastic Struggle Over a Female Ruler

Written by:
The Conversation
Oct 19, 2022 During a two-decade period of English history known as the Anarchy, a woman sought to make the t ...
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Did a Game Show Contestant Need Help Distinguishing Horsepower From 'Llamathrust'?

Written by:
Dan MacGuill
Apr 19, 2018 A viral meme shows a real moment of mental difficulty for one contestant on "Who Wants to Be a M ...
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David Cassidy, 'Partridge Family' Heartthrob, Dies at 67

Written by:
Brooke Binkowski
Nov 21, 2017 Former teen idol Cassidy of "Partridge Family" fame had been battling dementia and suffered mult ...
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Was a 'Conspiracy Theory Rock!' Segment Banned from 'Saturday Night Live'?

Written by:
David Mikkelson
Oct 23, 2016 Rumor: 'Saturday Night Live' aired a 'Conspiracy Theory Rock!' segment once in 1998, after which ...
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Former Texas Governor Rick Perry Appears on 'Dancing With the Stars'

Written by:
Bethania Palma
Sep 13, 2016 Perry was partnered with Emma Slater for his September 2016 debut on the hit television show.
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'Barney' Was Based on a 1930s Serial Killer

Written by:
Dan Evon
Aug 24, 2016 A rumor that the children's TV show 'Barney & Friends' was based on a 1930s serial killer is ju ...
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'Stranger Things' Season Two to be Written by Stephen King?

Written by:
Dan Evon
Aug 22, 2016 An article that reported Stephen King would be writing the second season of the popular televisi ...
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Promo for New Netflix Series 'Home Improvementer' Is Fake

Written by:
Dan Evon
Mar 8, 2016 A fake promotional image for a new Netflix original series called "Home Improvementer" was circu ...
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Bill Maher Smokes a Joint on 'Real Time'?

Written by:
Kim LaCapria
Feb 19, 2016 Bill Maher appeared to genuinely smoke a joint during a February 2016 taping of 'Real Time with ...
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Big Ang of 'Mob Wives' Died?

Written by:
Kim LaCapria
Feb 17, 2016 Initial reports claiming 'Mob Wives' personality Big Ang died of cancer were corrected by her re ...
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'First Letter of the Alphabet' Question Didn't Appear on 'Millionaire'

Written by:
Dan Evon
Jan 19, 2016 A popular photograph purportedly showing a hapless 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire' contestant is ...
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Rumor Spatter Analysis

Written by:
Dan Evon
Nov 28, 2015 Showtime did not announce in November 2015 that the hit show "Dexter" would be returning for ano ...
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Star Wreck

Written by:
Dan Evon
Nov 11, 2015 Web comic rekindles interest in 'Star Trek' creator Gene Roddenberry's experience surviving a Pa ...
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