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August 28, 2025 34 mins

Join hosts Ryan and Ruban on The Worst of the Best Podcast as we dive into the 14 greatest hoaxes of all time, from spaghetti growing on trees to a fake rock supergroup featuring Mick Jagger and Bob Dylan. We’re breaking down the most outrageous pranks, like the MIT balloon prank at a Harvard-Yale game and the 1957 BBC segment on Swiss spaghetti crops, to figure out which one’s the least convincing. Buckle up for laughs, surprises, and a look at why people fall for these tricks!

In this episode, we explore iconic hoaxes that fooled the masses, from Orson Welles’ War of the Worlds panic to a fake moon civilization with winged humans. You’ll hear about clever stunts like Virginia Woolf’s naval prank and a dog brothel that won an Emmy for its coverage. Whether you’re a history buff, a prank enthusiast, or just love a good story, you’ll learn how gullibility shaped these moments and why some hoaxes are too fun to debunk. Plus, we pick the “worst” hoax—tune in to see if you agree!

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