Podcast Summary
Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: Ripley's Believe It Or Not – 1 Minute Episodes (356): Cruel Practical Joke
Release Date: November 14, 2025
Host: Harolds Old Time Radio
Episode Overview
This episode of Ripley's Believe It Or Not highlights a chilling anecdote from history, presenting the so-called "cruelest practical joke on record." Designed as a quick, curiosity-driven segment, the episode draws listeners into an unbelievable true story about power, suspicion, and an astonishing abuse of authority in the Ottoman Empire.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Historical Anecdote: The Cruel Practical Joke
- The host begins with a general statement tying the segment to Ripley's central theme of the incredible and bizarre:
"Truth is stranger than fiction. This is the proof. This is Ripley's Believe it or Not." [00:00]
- Olympic Theater Fact:
- A brief historical aside introduces the Olympic Theater in Decenza, Italy:
"The Olympic Theater in Decenza, Italy, built by Andrea Palladio in 1580, is the first theater in history provided with a roof. All previous theaters were of the open air variety. It's still in use, Believe it or not." [00:07]
- The Sultan and the Watermelon Incident:
- The episode’s main narrative centers on Sultan Mohammed II of Turkey:
"One day while Mohammed, second Sultan of Turkey, was dining, he was called away before the dessert course. When he returned, a large juicy watermelon was gone." [00:21]
- In an astonishing act of suspicion, the Sultan interrogates 14 palace pages, all of whom deny taking the dessert.
2. The Extent of the 'Joke'
- The Sultan takes a drastic and grizzly step to resolve the missing watermelon mystery:
"The Sultan summoned his surgeon and ordered him to open the stomachs of all the pages. There was no trace of watermelon in any of them." [00:34]
- The segment concludes with a cold reflection on the Sultan’s manner:
"The Emperor made his half hearted apologies with a nonchalance that is not to be believed. Believe it or not." [00:43]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
Opening Remark:
"Truth is stranger than fiction. This is the proof. This is Ripley's Believe it or Not." — Host [00:00]
-
On the First Covered Theater:
"The Olympic Theater in Decenza, Italy, built by Andrea Palladio in 1580, is the first theater in history provided with a roof... It's still in use, Believe it or not." — Host [00:07]
-
Recounting the Practical Joke:
"The Sultan summoned his surgeon and ordered him to open the stomachs of all the pages. There was no trace of watermelon in any of them." — Host [00:34]
-
Reflecting on the Aftermath:
"The Emperor made his half hearted apologies with a nonchalance that is not to be believed." — Host [00:43]
Episode Timeline
- [00:00] – Introduction & theme: truth outstripping fiction
- [00:07] – Olympic Theater fact
- [00:21] – Story begins: Sultan Mohammed II and the missing watermelon
- [00:34] – Sultan's investigation: demand for surgery
- [00:43] – Emperor’s unapologetic reaction and conclusion
Tone & Style
- The episode is delivered in an old-fashioned, matter-of-fact tone characteristic of classic radio storytelling, with dramatic reveals and a punchline feel that typifies the Ripley’s style.
- The host’s incredulity is understated, letting the facts of the story stand out as shocking and grimly ironic.
Summary Impression
This episode succinctly delivers a remarkable historical anecdote that is both absurd and disturbing, encapsulating the unpredictable extremes of real-life events. It invites listeners to marvel—and shudder—at both human creativity and cruelty, truly living up to the Ripley’s "Believe it or not" challenge.
