Fun Facts of The Day

Summary

The Rod Ryan Show — Fun Facts of The Day

Date: July 31, 2026
Podcast: 94.5 The Buzz (KTBZ-FM), Houston

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Episode Overview

This episode of The Rod Ryan Show spotlights the daily “Fun Facts of The Day” segment, where the hosts trade quirky, surprising tidbits from music, language, and science—delivered in the show's signature playful and energetic style. Today’s round of facts touches on Taco Bell’s 1990s music adventure, the etymology of “wasted” and “high,” and the bizarre influence of solar cycles on human lifespans. The hosts’ banter keeps the segment lively and engaging, making science and pop culture trivia accessible and fun.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Taco Bell’s Alternative Rock Compilation Album (01:09–02:15)

• Fun Fact Presenter brings up a forgotten slice of pop culture:

  “Back in 1994, think about, like, what we were doing in 1994... Taco Bell released an album. You heard me correct. Taco Bell released an album. It was a compilation of alternative music. It was called Do Something Something. It featured artists like Spin Doctors, Cracker, General Public, Sarah McLaughlin, Living Color, and the Smithereens.” (01:09)

• Details include:

  • Sold for $4.99 (CD) / $3.99 (cassette) at Taco Bell.
  • Part of the proceeds supported youth community initiatives.
  • "A few relics are available on eBay, starting at about five bucks."
  • Context: Released when alternative music and grunge were peaking; “Nirvana’s Nevermind had come out a couple years earlier.”
    (“It was an amazing time... That’s when the buzz was just starting out in its infancy.” 02:16)

• Memorable Moment:

  • Comparison to brands adopting rap in commercials:

    “It reminds me of when, like, rap first came out and you had the Flintstones rapping on a... like, ‘My name is Fred and I love Fruity Pebbles.’” (02:16)

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2. Etymology of “Wasted” and “High” (02:39–03:02)

• Fun Fact Presenter reveals linguistic trivia:

  "People have only been using the word wasted to describe someone who's drunk since the late 60s." (02:39)

• “To compare, calling somebody high, or getting high—being high has been used since as early as 1627.” (02:51)

• Radio Host 1 reacts:

  “No way.” (03:01)

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3. Lifespan and Solar Activity: The Year You’re Born Matters (03:02–04:07)

• Fun Fact Presenter teases the difference in life expectancy based on birth year:

  • Bad news years:

    “People born in 57, 68, 79, 89, 2000, and 2013. You’re gonna live an average of 5.2 years less than...” (03:29)

  • Co-host confusion and banter:

    "I have no idea what you’re gonna say." (03:22)
    “Yeah.” (03:27)

  • The cause:

    “Peaks in solar activity during those years. Apparently the UV radiation from the solar rays affects growth during pregnancy.” (03:42)

  • Radio Host 1 reacts:

    “That’s neat.” (03:41)

  • Good news years:

    “1954, 1964, 76, 86, 96, and 2008... You’ll live the longest.” (03:54–04:01)

  • The reason:

    “Thanks to being born during periods of lower solar activities.” (04:02)

• Radio Host 1 lightens the science with the show's catchphrase:

  “It’s science. It’s science, bitch. It’s the fun fact of the day.” (04:07)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Taco Bell conned a bunch of artists to get on a compilation CD that they exclusively sold.” (01:09–02:15, Fun Fact Presenter)
• “It reminds me of when, like, rap first came out and you had the Flintstones rapping…” (02:16)
• “People have only been using the word wasted…since the late 60s.” (02:39)
• “Being high has been used since as early as 1627.” (02:51)
• “You’re gonna live an average of 5.2 years less...” (03:29)
• “Peaks in solar activity during those years…” (03:42)
• “You’ll live the longest.” (03:59)
• “It’s science. It’s science, bitch. It’s the fun fact of the day.” (04:07)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:09 – 02:15: Taco Bell’s 1994 alternative rock album and musical context
• 02:39 – 03:02: Etymology of “wasted” and “high”
• 03:02 – 04:07: Birth years, solar cycles, and average lifespan

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Tone and Style

The segment is upbeat, irreverent, and conversational, reflecting the everyday, approachable humor that defines The Rod Ryan Show. Facts are delivered with energy and laced with asides and nostalgia, emphasizing both the hosts' chemistry and their shared love of quirky knowledge.

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Summary

In this “Fun Facts of The Day” segment, The Rod Ryan Show delivers its brand of offbeat wisdom: Taco Bell once sold an exclusive alternative rock album in the ‘90s, “wasted” as a term for drunk is a surprisingly recent invention compared to “high,” and—if you were born in certain years—the sun may have shortchanged or blessed you with extra years (blame the solar cycles). It’s trivia spiced with laughter, pop-culture nods, and a dash of irreverence: “It’s science, bitch!”

Transcript

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[Radio Host 1]

Fun fact of the day. We make you look smart in front of your buddies. It's the fun fact of the day.

[Co-host or Guest]

Yeah.

[Fun Fact Presenter]

Here we go. Now, there's a reason I'm going to tell you this. Fun first fun fact. Okay? I'm going to give it to you first. Back in 1994, think about, like, what we were doing in 1994. And I'll tell you what I was doing in a minute. Taco Bell released an album. You heard me correct. Taco Bell released an album. It was a compilation of alternative music. It was called Do Something Something. It featured artists like Spin Doctors, Cracker, General Public, Sarah McLaughlin, Living Color, and the Smithereens. Okay? You can buy it at Taco Bell for $4.99 on CD, 3.99 on cassette. And a portion of the proceeds went to helping young people improve their communities. I looked it up. A few relics are available on ebay, starting at about five bucks. But in 1994 is when grunge and alternative was taking over the world, okay? And it was the most popular music in America. It was the biggest thing going. So much so that Taco Bell conned a bunch of artists to get on a compilation CD that they exclusively sold.

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[Fun Fact Presenter]

It was an amazing time. Nirvana's Nevermind had come out a couple years earlier, but that's when radio stations were switching. That's when the buzz was just starting out in its infancy. It reminds me of when, like, rap first came out and you had the Flintstones rapping On a. Like, my name is Fred and I love Fruity Pebbles. Like they were. Yeah, yeah, yeah. They did that back in the.

[Co-host or Guest]

It just sticks over.

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[Fun Fact Presenter]

People have only been using the word wasted to describe someone who's drunk since the late 60s.

[Radio Host 1]

That is fun

[Fun Fact Presenter]

to compare calling somebody high or getting high. Being high has been used since as early as 1627.

[Radio Host 1]

No way.

[Fun Fact Presenter]

All right, finally, you're going to want to remember this one, because I'm going to start y. I'm going to start yelling out dates, years that people were born that are listening to the Rod Ryan show. You ready? So see if I catch the year that you were born. You want the good ones or the bad ones first? You want the bad ones?

[Co-host or Guest]

I have no idea what you're gonna say.

[Fun Fact Presenter]

1957. You want the bad ones?

[Co-host or Guest]

Yeah.

[Radio Host 1]

Bad news.

[Fun Fact Presenter]

People born in 57, 68, 79, 89, 2000 and 2013. You're gonna live of average of 5.2 years less than.

[Radio Host 1]

That's neat.

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What's that about?

[Fun Fact Presenter]

Peaks in solar activity during those years. Apparently the UV radiation from the solar rays affects growth during pregnancy.

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What?

[Fun Fact Presenter]

Yeah, hopefully you got those dates now. Good news.

[Co-host or Guest]

Yeah, give me the good news.

[Fun Fact Presenter]

1954. 1964, 76, 86, 96, and 2008.

[Co-host or Guest]

That's me.

[Fun Fact Presenter]

You'll live the longest.

[Co-host or Guest]

I'm sorry.

[Fun Fact Presenter]

Thanks to being born during periods of lower solar activities.

[Radio Host 1]

It's science. It's science, bitch. It's the fun fact of the day. Ouch. We make you look smart in front of your buddies. It's the fun fact of the day.

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