Forever Ago: "No Fooling! Forever Ago is back April 9th!"

Release Date: April 1, 2025
Host: Joy Dolo
Co-Host: Mikayla from Oak Park, Illinois
Production: American Public Media

Introduction: A Day of Pranks [00:00 - 03:26]

The episode kicks off with host Joy Dolo immersing listeners in her playful April Fool's Day spirit. Joy humorously details her day filled with classic pranks: "I've dropped banana peels all over the floor, swapped the whipped cream for shaving cream, and put whoopee cushions on all the chairs and brains on Universe HQ. I'm pranked out" (00:00). These antics set a whimsical tone, highlighting the episode's theme centered around pranks and April Fool's Day.

Joy introduces her co-host, Mikayla, who is immediately amused and baffled by the prank-filled studio: "Wow, it's so spiffy in here. Fancy microphones, big cushy headphones, banana peels all over the floor. Wait, why are there banana peels all over the floor?" (01:21). The playful banter emphasizes the lighthearted nature of the show.

Deep Dive into April Fool's Day [03:26 - 09:19]

Joy announces the main topic: April Fool's Day, deemed "the prankiest day of the year" (03:26). Despite being aired in October, Joy quips, "Why be a prankster for one day when you could prank all year round?" (03:44), setting up an engaging exploration of the holiday's origins and cultural significance.

Theories on the Origin of April Fool's Day:

1. Ancient Rome's Hilaria Festival (06:34): Joy suggests a connection to Hilaria, a joyful Roman festival celebrating spring with games and imitations. She humorously dismisses it with, "Guess this one" (07:09), acknowledging its obviousness but still presenting it as a possible origin.

2. Iranian New Year – Sizzdah Bedar (07:09): Another theory links April Fool's to Sizzdah Bedar, marking the end of the Iranian New Year with picnics and playful pranks. Mikayla enthusiastically responds, "Picnics and pranks. Sign me up." (07:40).

3. France's Calendar Switch (07:43): Joy narrates the story of France's 1500s calendar change, moving New Year's Day from spring to January 1st. The delayed news spread led some to continue celebrating in April, dubbing them "fools": "Now, Zoot, a whole new calendar. What's next?" (08:39).

Mikayla summarizes, "So many different cultures throughout history have had spring celebrations that are about laughter or pranks." (09:13), highlighting the universal nature of pranking traditions tied to springtime festivities.

Interactive Segment: Prank Toys Through History [09:19 - 24:28]

Joy introduces an engaging game titled "First Things First," where she and Mikayla explore the chronological invention of prank toys: snakes in a can, whoopee cushions, and hand buzzers (09:19).

Mikayla's Guesses:

• Snakes in a Can: First
• Whoopee Cushions: Second
• Hand Buzzers: Last (10:10)

Joy probes Mikayla's reasoning, leading to a discussion on the technological complexity and simplicity of each prank device. The segment is interactive and educational, allowing listeners to ponder the evolution of pranks.

Future Jobs and Listener Engagement [11:36 - 13:53]

Shifting gears, Joy and Mikayla brainstorm future jobs that don't exist today. Mikayla suggests a "pet designer home person," sparking excitement: "Comfortable homes for pets. I love this idea because I have three pets." (11:51). Joy encourages listener participation by inviting them to submit their ideas: "Send it to us@foreverago.org contact" (12:35).

Promotional Interlude: Brains on Universe [12:35 - 13:50]

A brief promotion for the Brains on Universe network showcases related podcasts like Brains on Smash and Brains on Brains On, emphasizing the family-friendly, educational content available to listeners.

Historical Pranks and Media's Role [13:50 - 23:29]

Returning to April Fool's Day, Joy and Mikayla delve deeper into various pranks and their societal impacts. They discuss classic pranks, such as:

• BBC's Spaghetti Tree Hoax (1957): Presented as a legitimate news segment, it tricked many into believing spaghetti grows on trees: "Isn't only in Britain that spring this year has taken everyone by surprise." (17:58).

• Modern Pranks by Corporations:

  • Krispy Kreme (2024): Advertised glazing any item (e.g., pizza, watermelon) (15:08).
  • 7-Eleven's Hot Dog-Flavored Sparkling Water: A whimsical concept that highlights the playful nature of corporate pranks (15:23).

Molly Bloom's Critique:

Molly Bloom, host of another Brains on Universe podcast, interjects with a critical perspective on the overuse of pranks, especially by media outlets: "April Fool's has gotten out of hand, and I just wanted to get up on my literal and metaphorical soapbox to say so." (15:51). She argues that media-driven pranks can erode trust: "If they're posting fake information even as a lighthearted prank, people might start to trust them less." (21:17).

Molly passionately defends traditional, in-person pranks over digital misinformation, stating, "Pranks are fun, but fake stories online? We don't need them. I say let's take April Fools off our screens and back into real life where pranks belong." (21:17).

Conclusion and Interactive Answers [24:16 - End]

As the episode nears its end, there is recognition of the production team and a segue back to the interactive game.

Revealing the Answers:

Joy unveils the historical order of the prank toys:

1. Snakes in a Can (1915): Invented by Soren Sorensen Adams, these deceptive cans were a hit in 1915.
2. Hand Buzzers (1928): Also an Adams invention, these devices gave a surprising jolt when shaking hands.
3. Whoopee Cushions (Early 1930s): Developed by GE, originally called "Poo Poo cushions" with a gross green color (24:28).

Mikayla reflects on her surprise: "The most surprising was probably snakes in a can. I didn't really think I would get that right." (26:57) and expresses her intent to prank her dad with a snake in a can (27:03).

Joy wraps up by teasing the next episode about Gladiators and thanking listeners: "Join us next week for a new episode, all About Gladiators." (27:12).

Notable Quotes

• Joy Dolo:

  • "I'm pranked out." (00:00)
  • "Slipping on banana peels isn't everyone's cup of tea." (02:16)
  • "April Fool's Day has brought mischief for centuries." (14:09)

• Mikayla:

  • "Picnics and pranks. Sign me up." (07:40)
  • "Sparkling hot dog water. That's a good prank." (15:23)
  • "So when people see it later, they might not be on the lookout for pranks and they might just think it's real." (21:11)

• Molly Bloom:

  • "April Fool's has gotten out of hand, and I just wanted to get up on my literal and metaphorical soapbox to say so." (15:51)
  • "Pranks are fun, but fake stories online? We don't need them." (21:17)

Key Takeaways

• Origins of April Fool's Day: Multiple theories link the holiday to ancient Roman festivals, Iranian New Year traditions, and France's calendar changes.

• Evolution of Pranks: From simple tricks like snakes in a can to corporate-led jokes in modern media, pranks have evolved but carry different social implications.

• Media Responsibility: While traditional pranks foster laughter and camaraderie, media-driven misinformation can undermine trust and lead to unintended consequences.

• Interactive Learning: The episode engages listeners with interactive segments, encouraging participation and creative thinking about both historical pranks and future societal roles.

Conclusion

"No Fooling! Forever Ago is back April 9th!" masterfully balances humor, history, and critical discussion. Through playful pranks in the studio, a deep dive into April Fool's Day's origins, interactive games, and thoughtful critiques from guest Molly Bloom, the episode offers a comprehensive exploration of pranks' cultural and historical significance. Listeners are left with both amusement and reflection on the impact of pranking in society.

Stay Tuned:
Subscribe to Forever Ago and join Joy and Mikayla as they unravel more intriguing histories. Don’t forget to share your own prank ideas and future job concepts by contacting us@foreverago.org.