Underunderstood

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There are questions the internet just can't answer. But that doesn't mean we can't find them. On each episode of Underunderstood, we find a question the internet can’t answer — maybe it’s a dead-end Wikipedia page, an abandoned Reddit thread, or an unanswered question on Twitter — and we fill in the gaps. It’s part chat show, part documentary, and almost always surprising. read less

Our Editor's Take

Underunderstood is a podcast that investigates obscure or misunderstood topics. The show features questions that the internet couldn't find the answer to. They might be about a lost part of pop culture or a mysterious online trend. Hosts Adrianne, Billy, Regina, and John try to find out all they can about a curious subject. The results are surprising and sometimes a little bit bizarre.

The Underunderstood podcast hosts have extensive media experience. Billy Disney is a multimedia producer who has worked for The Verge, Mic, and Genius. Adrianne Jeffries is a journalist who has worked for Radio Motherboard and Out West. Regina Dellea has produced videos for Genius, Vox Media, and The Recount. John Lagomarsino is also a video producer who has worked for The Verge, Mic, and The Outline.

One key topic on the podcast is reality TV shows. The hosts try to find out how "real" some popular ones are. In one episode, they investigate MTV Cribs. A rumor says the celebrity house tour show used fake houses, but is that true?

In the episode "Hunting For Manhunt," they investigate a 2001 wrestling reality show that attracted scandal. The podcast explores claims that the show was a setup. Another episode is about the British show Just Tattoo Of Us and How Far Is Tattoo Far?, its American version. In the shows, two guests design tattoos for each other with shocking results. Were the shows a hoax?

Other episodes explore random topics. In "What's The Deal With Airport Food?," the hosts research how vendors set prices in New York City airports. In "Did Daft Punk Record 'Pee is Stored in the Ball's?" the team explores a weird internet meme. Another episode remembers the '00s game Disney's Virtual Magic Kingdom and asks what happened to it.

This podcast makes strange or long-forgotten topics fascinating.

Episodes of Underunderstood are 30 to 60 minutes long.

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Society & CultureSociety & Culture

Episodes

How Far Is Tattoo Far: Real or Fake?
Feb 8 2023
How Far Is Tattoo Far: Real or Fake?
A listener question sends Billy on a deep dive into an MTV reality show. Want to support the show? Become a patron at https://patreon.com/underunderstood. Have a mystery? Email hello@underunderstood.com or leave a voicemail at 212-994-4882‬. Show notes: A Deep Dive into ‘Just Tattoo of Us’, the Greatest Show on British Television – Vice‘Just Tattoo of Us’ Is the Best Worst Show on TV – The WrapJust Tattoo of Us: like getting waterboarded by a Ministry of Sound compilation – The GuardianTop 3 Harshest Tattoos – JTOU U.K. on YouTubeSnooki And Nico Tortorella Talk New Show ‘How Far Is Tattoo Far?’ – Today on YouTubeSnooki & Nico Tortorella’s Tattoo Reality Show Is TV’s Biggest Emotional Roller Coaster – Refinery29Girl forced to get ‘S**T’ emblazoned on her bum – The MirrorThis ‘Ballsy’ Tattoo Is Petty As Hell – MTV on YouTubeEphemeralOn “How far is tattoo far” by Snooki, are the tattoo’s real or fake ? – RedditContestants on MTV’s ‘How Far Is Tattoo Far?’ Get More Than a Free Tattoo – Distractifydollarztatu’s post on InstagramAngelina on HFITF’ – MTV on YouTube Angelina’s tattoo visible on Instagram: May 25, 2021, March 28, 2022, May 25, 2022 Does Angelina have a tattoo of… her engagement ring? – Reddit@darcywindebank22’s video on TikTokScreenshot of Darcy’s tattooDarcy on HFITF – MTV on YouTubeBDave on HFITF – MTVBDave’s tattoo visible on YouTube: June 2019, October 2020, January 2023Connor and Trevor showing their tattoos, March 2019 – YouTubeDarcy talking about her HFITF experience – YouTube MTV has not yet responded to our request for comment.
One More Thing… Deodorant
Mar 29 2022
One More Thing… Deodorant
Billy investigates a theory that Apple products are packaged with a signature fragrance. Want to join us for "the world's largest trivia contest"? Visit https://underunderstood.com/trivia to sign up. Support Underunderstood and get our bonus podcast by joining our Patreon! Show notes: 02:00 – Kevin Purdy02:10 – iFixit02:22 – Carbon Switch02:26 – ImportYeti02:39 – #importyeti on TikTok04:14 – Apple on ImportYeti04:34 – GrandPerspective09:50 – H.S. Code: 330720 Personal Deodorants - ImportYeti11:50 – Does Apple intentionally make its products' packaging smell compelling? - Quora15:23 – 90FM Trivia15:40 – A video we worked on about the trivia contest16:17 – Join our trivia team by signing up here!18:20 – Joanna Stern20:46 – Joanna tweeting about the new MacBook smell in in 2012 and 201421:28 – New Mac Candle - Twelve South (archive.org)22:10 – New Mac Candle Hands-on - 9to5Mac25:25 – Dave Applegate - LinkedIn26:54 – Copy of Apple CSV file27:36 – Google results for ASA Apple Inc.29:32 – Similar data on Zauba30:17 – How Do We Get This Data? - ImportYeti (YouTube)31:48 – Apple Has Increased Use of Cargo Ships - MacRumors33:00 – Items under code 330720 with "personal effects" in the description - Zauba35:52 – Why do Apple stores all smell the way they do? - Quora36:35 – What is a fact that you know about Apple products that most people don't know? - Quora38:48 – Packaging PD team job listing - Apple45:46 – Monkeys Spinning Monkeys by Kevin MacLeod