The Absurd

Starting off with the brutal and amazing survival story of 15-year-old Mary Vincent who, after being attacked and mutilated, survived through sheer will. Next, Mel will tell us about the bizarre disappearance and unsolved death of Josh Maddux. Rod will then take us down to Antarctica where a Soviet doctor had to perform surgery on himself. Lastly, ever felt like someone is right behind you, but wh...

In this episode, we start off looking at an incident where a man in New York City fell into a sinkhole when the sidewalk he was standing on collapsed. But that isn’t the most terrifying part. Next, Mel will tell us about a 9-year-old boy in France who was left to live by himself after his mother abandoned him. We will then look at a most delicious cargo that washed up on a beach in England. Lastly...

A recent story out of Pennsylvania about a man found with over 100 skulls and other various remains in his house. And that’s just the beginning. Next, the last of five sisters who made Canadian history and were exploited by the provincial government has passed away. Mel will then tell us about a truly shocking case of wanton contempt for babies by the milk industry. Then Rod will bring it on home...

This is a reposting of Episode 64: “Ed Gein, 18 Years At The Airport, On All Four Legs, Worst Traffic Jam Ever” which was first aired on July 23rd, 2025. We will be back next week and we will then do our draw for the swag contest. We do apologise.

Hey Absurdians. Due to some truly absurd weather snow, ice storms, and even flooding, we are unable to record this week as the roads are just too dang treacherous. So we are bringing you a replay of one of our favourite episodes, this one aired on June 4th. Also, we will postpone our contest draw until next week, so please continue to like and share our show on your socials, and kindly give us a f...

Starting things off with a look at one of the underappreciated stars of one of the most popular Christmas movies. Next, Mel will regale us with some interesting modern Christmas facts. Then Rod will take us to Iceland where we look at Jólakötturinn, also known as the Yule Cat. This is not a kitty you want to say hello to. Lastly, we will go back to the early 17th century and learn about a terrifyi...

When a whale washed up on an Oregon beach in 1970, local authorities decided that, given the horrible smell, they had to get rid of it. Their plan didn’t go brilliantly. Then we’re off to meet Elsie Eiler, the sole resident (and mayor) of the town of Monowi, Nebraska. Mel will then tell us about Frasier the lion, who after being in a circus for nine years, was sent to an animal reserve where he …...

We’re starting off with a teeny tiny bit of something absurd. Then, Rod will tell us a truly jaw-dropping example of mans inhumanity to man, and perhaps not surprisingly, it’s about the rich. Then Mel talks about a murderous woman who giggled as she confessed. Next we’ll meet Katelyn Thornley, a 12-year-old girl who sneezed … as much as 12,000 times a day! Lastly, we’ll learn how one woman got ove...

Mel kicks off this week’s episode with an incredible bank robbery in Buenos Aires, Argentina that was brilliantly planned and elaborate in its detailing. Yet it was brought down by something so simple. Next, Rod will tell us about Lois Gibson, a woman who is in the Guinness World Records for Most Identifications by a Forensic Artist. Then we’re off to Thailand to learn about a woman who was saved...

Starting off this episode with the story of Julian Hernandez. A 5-year-old boy who went missing in 2002 only to be found 13 years later. Thing is, Julian didn’t know he was missing. Next we’ll learn about a situation that can make any parent freak out. A mother’s car disappeared from a school parking lot with her 10-year-old son still inside the car. Mel will then tell us about an AI teddy bear wh...

We’ll start off this week in India, where a guru commanded his follows to offer a lot more than some change in the collection plate. Then Mel will tell us about several bizarre incidents surrounding a painting known as The Crying Boy. We will then meet a corgi named Fu Zai who is an explosives detection dog with Chinese police. Lastly, a sad incident in which a man died after he ended up in a dino...

We’re going to start off this week with a look at Larry Flynt, a true hustler. While reviled by many, he was actually a rather moral person who set out to expose hypocrisy. Then we’re off to the border of Albania and Greece where researches have discovered the largest spider web ever. Next, Mel will tell us about a truly horrifying incident in Laos where a father and son died while zip lining. But...

We start off today with a sad and disgusting historical incident which too few know about. Mans inhumanity to man plumbs new depths. Then Mel will tell us about a terrifying incident in which a pet chimpanzee attacked a friend of it’s owner with truly terrifying results. Then we’ll lighten the mood a bit when Rod tells us about a woman who is suing Disney after she was injured on a roller coaster....

This is our Hallowe’en special, and we begin with a telling of an axe murder in 1912 Iowa where an entire family along with two guests were murdered in their beds. Next we’ll learn about the basis for the famed Annabelle doll in which a boy’s doll is reported to be possessed and it is responsible for causing terror. Next, Mel will tell us a truly haunting ghost story from the deep woods of New Bru...

A lot of sports fans will know about this first story in which a 4-year-old boy was struck by a foul ball back in 1982, and a quick thinking player may well have saved his life. Plot twist, this story is connected to one of our show hosts. No doubt many of you were fans of the show Dexter and are aware of it’s premise. Here’s a tale about a Canadian wannabe Dexter. Next, we’ll learn about the Pari...

Are you afraid of clowns? Even though they are meant to elicit laughter, many people find them terrifying. Especially when the clown is trying to scare you. Surgery can be a stressful experience, causing many people to feel vulnerable. We expect medical staff to have decorum and respect. This doctor missed the memo. Mel will take us to her home province to tell us a terrifying tale about a headles...

Tylenol has been in the news a lot as of late, but nothing like back in 1992 when several deaths were associated with the medication. But not how you think. Have you ever wanted to be shorter? Mel will tell us about a radical treatment available in Turkiye to reduce the length of a patient’s legs. I hope we all know the name Amelia Earhart and how she and her copilot went missing without a trace i...

Mel will tell us about Dr Ignaz Semmelweis, who determined that the washing of hands was key to preventing a myriad of issues in the hospital. Sound obvious? Everything is, after it’s been discovered. Then Rod brings a story about a man who had a rare and bizarre medical condition which … well. It’s weird. Staying in the field of medicine, we’ll learn about an 82 year old woman who went to the doc...

We’ll start off this episode with a trip back to 1939 Italy and meet a woman who believed that the only way to prevent one of her few surviving children was through human sacrifice. She also did a little baking. Then Mel will take us to Russia where we’ll learn about a man’s utterly horrific efforts to not be alone. The ick factor is big in this one. Rod will then lighten things up with a woman wh...

Mel will start us off with a trip to Sumatra where we will meet a boy who was a chainsmoker at the age of two, smoking as many as 40 cigarettes a day. Next we’ll learn about a doctor who left in the middle of an operation to have sex with a nurse. His explanation is … annoying. Then we’ll learn about the life of Frane Selak, a Croatian man who has survived an incredible series of serious accidents...

We’ve got a story from right here in southern Ontario where human remains found 45 years ago in Algonquin Park have finally been identified. Next, Mel will tell us about a woman who made and collected plaster casts of rock star’s penises. Rod will then bring us a terrifying and mysterious incident that happened to a police officer in Argentina. Lastly, we’ll go to China and meet a woman who lost b...

They say necessity is the mother of invention, and transportation can certainly be considered a necessity. But this method of doing so in Turkey sure sounds like a pain in the back. We hate animal poachers and we especially hate people who buy parts of endangered animals for stupid reasons. Now, there is a new approach to help protect animals from poachers. Mel will tell us about a truly harrowing...

Ever have a chest or head cold? We all have. And many of us have used the good old Vick’s rub to relieve those hideous symptoms. But how did it come about? Next, we’ll meet a woman who paid a high price when a bat flew into her mouth. Mel will then tell us about a man who left this world in a very weird way. But at least he had a great tan. Lastly, we’ll meet a 10 year old girl whose quick recogni...

There are an estimated 20 quadrillion ants on earth, and they are very warlike. One species is very nearly taking over the planet by wiping out all other species of ants. We’re both glad that we’re not ants. Then, Mel will take us to Mexico to learn about Ines Ramirez, a woman with no medical experience, successfully performed the first and only documented self C-section. Who the heck doesn’t love...

Mel will start us off this week with a trip to Italy where we will learn of a bizarre bit of history. The mummies of Venzone are a collection of mummies discovered in Venzone, Italy, in the 16th century. Although similar mummies may be found elsewhere, the reason for the Venzone mummies’ preservation is still unknown. They were mummified by natural processes. Next, Rod will tell us about a bizarre...