Fun Facts of The Day

Summary

The Rod Ryan Show: Fun Facts of the Day

Date: May 27, 2026
Host: 94.5 The Buzz (KTBZ-FM)
Episode Theme: Fun, quirky, and surprising facts to share with friends

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Episode Overview

This episode of The Rod Ryan Show highlights fan-submitted fun facts designed to “make you look smart in front of your buddies.” The hosts share three unusual pieces of trivia, each leading to playful banter and memorable moments. The facts touch on the origins of the rear view mirror at the Indy 500, unexpected music royalties from a novelty toy, and a unique moment on Wheel of Fortune.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Rear View Mirror’s Racing Origins

• Submitted by: Listener Larry Lass

• [00:55 – 01:55]

• The first rear view mirror was used at the inaugural Indianapolis 500 race in 1911, installed by driver Ray Haroun.

  • B: “The rear view mirror made its debut at the inaugural Indianapolis 500 in 1911 by driver Ray Haroun. Who could forget?” [01:12]
  • Using the mirror meant Haroun didn’t need a second person—traditionally, a “mechanic driver”—in the car to look behind and warn about overtaking cars.
  • The lighter car aided his victory in the race.

  Memorable moment:

  • A: “I definitely went to that museum a lot growing up.” [01:25]

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2. Big Mouth Billy Bass Makes Bank

• [02:05 – 02:53]
• The 1974 song “Take Me to the River,” covered by the Talking Heads and many others, surprisingly earned its songwriters more royalties from the Big Mouth Billy Bass singing fish toy than from all iconic cover artists combined.
  • B: “The songwriters earned more royalties from the use of the song by the novelty toy Big Mouth Billy Bass than from any other artist that covered the track. That is fun.” [02:41]
• The hosts laugh and marvel at the unexpected success story, noting the oddities of the music business.

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3. A Unique Wheel of Fortune Moment

• [02:57 – 03:28]
• Wheel of Fortune has only once run out of available puzzles, following a rapid solve on April 2, 2001.
  • B: “April 2, 2001, after it was solved, Pat Sajak in Pat Sajak form said, we have officially run out of puzzles.” [03:16]
  • The hosts briefly discuss Pat Sajak’s hosting legacy.
  • A: “Pat Sajak was really, really good. It is really good at his job. Right?” [03:11]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• B: “We make you look smart in front of your buddies. It’s the fun fact of the day.” [00:41 & 03:22]
• A: “You’re gonna roll today, Ross. All right, don’t let us down with this last one.” [02:53]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:55] – Rear view mirror and the Indy 500
• [02:05] – Big Mouth Billy Bass and “Take Me to the River” royalties
• [02:57] – Wheel of Fortune: The only time they ran out of puzzles

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Tone & Style

The hosts keep the segment light, zippy, and interactive, often riffing off each other’s comments and submissions from listeners. With a mix of curiosity and humor, they invite the audience to enjoy the oddities of trivia and the fun of learning something new each day.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

It's the fun fact of the day. We make you look smart in front of your buddies. It's the fun fact of the day. Wonder if Mo knows this.

[A]

Oh, geez.

[B]

Larry Lass sent this in. Larry Lass. The rear view mirror was used for the first first time at the Indianapolis 500.

[A]

I did not know that.

[B]

Yeah. So the rear view mirror made its debut at the inaugural Indianapolis 500 in 1911 by driver Ray Haroun. Who could forget?

[A]

I definitely went to that museum a lot growing up.

[B]

So when he used the rear view mirror, it eliminated the second driver that had to be in the car. Back then, there was a mechanic driver. It saved weight, and he did end up winning the race because he had a rearview mirror. His car was lighter. So, yeah, they early race cars carried two people, and the mechanic's job was to look behind the car and alert the driver of anybody that was ready to overtake them. Just put a mirror in there and that was it.

[A]

Now a bad Indian.

[B]

Larry, if you will. Thank you, Larry. I mean, I should be one and done.

[A]

You're so good today.

[B]

Oh, music. The people that wrote this song. The 1974 hit Take Me to the river was covered here by the Talking Heads, covered by many artists. And big mouth Billy Bass. Well, you know where I'm going. Okay. Take me to the river. The songwriters earned more royalties from the use of the song by the novelty toy Big mouth Billy Bass than from any other artist that covered the track. That is fun. And the Talking Heads had a hit with that.

[A]

You're gonna roll today, Ross. All right, don't let us down with this last one.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Geez.

[B]

A lot of pressure. A lot. All right. There's only been one time on Wheel of Fortune where the answer to a puz. Wheel of Fortune. That's neat. I'll tell you what. Pat Sajak was really, really good. It is really good at his job. Right? He was. He doesn't host it anymore. April 2, 2001, after it was solved, Pat Sajak in Pat Sajak form said, we have officially run out of puzzles. Apparently, it's the fun fact of the day. We make you look smart in front of your buddies. It's the fun fact of the day.