Fun Facts of The Day

Summary

The Rod Ryan Show: "Fun Facts of The Day" – May 15, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of The Rod Ryan Show delves into quirky and surprising pieces of trivia as part of their beloved "Fun Facts of the Day" segment. The hosts banter about everything from hockey broadcasting history and Alex Trebek’s nearly missed career path, to bizarre medical uses of ketchup, and the shifting gender balance in gynecology. The conversational, humorous tone keeps the facts lively and each point is served up with relatable anecdotes and plenty of laughs.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Alex Trebek’s Missed Hockey Broadcasting Gig

• Context: The segment kicks off with lighthearted teasing about hockey before diving into a surprising career fact about Alex Trebek.
• Trivia: In 1971, Alex Trebek was a top contender to become the host of "Hockey Night in Canada," a major Canadian sports broadcast akin to Monday Night Football in the U.S.
  • Quote:
    • "Hockey Night in Canada was—as big, like, think about Monday Night Football before we had all those extra days…" (B, 00:27)
    • "The front runner to become the host of Hockey Night in Canada in 1971... the network bosses refused, saying, 'We're not hiring him. We don't hire guys with mustach. Alex Trebek, pre-Jeopardy, almost was Hockey Night in Canada guy." (B, 00:42–01:10)
• Reaction: The hosts reflect on the oddity of Alex Trebek missing out due to something as trivial as his mustache.
  • Quote: "Watch it. Don't say anything bad. Ken Jennings will come and kick your ass. He loves him." (B, 01:21)

2. Ketchup as Medicine in the 1830s

• Trivia: In the 1830s, ketchup was not just a condiment; it was turned into pills marketed as medicine for indigestion and diarrhea.
  • Quote: "In the 1830s, ketchup was turned into pills and sold as a medicine to treat indigestion and diarrhea." (B, 01:23)
• Reaction: The team finds this both hilarious and bizarre, with laughter and incredulity.
  • Quote:
    • "That is fun." (A, 01:46)
    • "Is that hilarious? Why is he laughing so hard?" (C, 01:52)
    • "Because people bought it." (B, 01:56)
    • "Does it really work?" (C, 02:02)
    • "It doesn't matter. I don't know. You ever felt better after eating ketchup? No, I don't eat it like that." (B, 02:03)

3. The Gender Shift in Gynecology

• Trivia: In 1970, only 7% of gynecologists were women; today, about 65% are women, and 85% of current residents (in training) are women.
  • Quote:
    • "Finally, in 19[70], 7% of gynecologists were women. Now it's up to about 65%." (B, 02:06)
    • "85% of the residents training to be gynecologists are now women." (B, 02:34)
• Discussion: The hosts note the shift but show uncertainty about the "right" balance.
  • Quote:
    • "That's not a lot." (C, 02:23)
    • "65% of all gynos are chicks. That's the majority." (B, 02:25)
    • "Does that seem like we're getting to be in the right area of this?" (B, 02:37)
    • "I don't know what's right." (C, 02:41)
    • "Do you have a dude gynecologist? No. Okay, well, then those numbers were wrong earlier." (B & C, 02:42–02:46)

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Opening Jingle:
  • "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." (A, 00:00 & 02:47)
• Ketchup Pills Revelation:
  • "That is fun." (A, 01:46)
  • "Is that hilarious? Why is he laughing so hard? (C, 01:52)
• Teasing and Banter:
  • "Rest in peace. Watch it. Don't say anything bad. Ken Jennings will come and kick your ass. He loves him." (B, 01:21)
  • "Do you have a dude gynecologist? No. Okay, well, then those numbers were wrong earlier." (B & C, 02:42–02:46)

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Timestamps for Highlights & Key Segments

• [00:14] – Banter on hockey, Alex Trebek's missed broadcasting role
• [01:23] – Ketchup as a medicinal pill in the 1830s
• [02:06] – Gender demographics in gynecology, then and now

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Tone & Style

The episode is irreverent, quick-moving, and full of friendly ribbing. The hosts keep trivia fun with open, relatable humor and a conversational approach, making even strange historical facts or medical statistics entertaining.

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Conclusion

This "Fun Facts of the Day" segment serves its purpose of arming listeners with quirky, conversation-ready trivia. The hosts keep it light and engaging, blending interesting facts with their signature witty banter and genuine curiosity.

Transcript

[A]

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.

[B]

Hell comes in here, starts busting my balls about my hockey team. They could. Dude. Dude, I was rooting for you. It's raw. It's raw from last night. It's tough. I do have a. I have a hockey fun fact for you guys. Hockey night in Canada was. Was similar to. I mean, it was as big, like, think about Monday Night Football before we had all those extra days, you know? Monday Night Football, remember? Do you remember how special that used to be? Hockey night in Canada was like that. Okay. The front runner to become the host of Hockey Night in Canada in 1971. He came right down to the wire, and the network bosses refused, saying, we're not hiring him. We don't hire guys. With Mustach. Alex Trebek, Pre Jeopardy. Almost was Hockey Night in Canada guy.

[C]

Interesting.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Is he Canadian?

[B]

Nope. He was. Yeah. Rest

[A]

in

[B]

peace. He was. Rest in peace. Watch it. Don't say anything bad. Ken Jennings will come and kick your ass. He loves him. In the 19th or the 1830s. Geez, if they did this in 1930. 1830s ketchup was turned into pills and sold as a medicine to treat indigestion and diarrhea.

[A]

That is fun.

[C]

Is that hilarious? Why is he laughing so

[A]

hard,

[B]

dumb asses? Because people bought it.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah, people bought it.

[C]

Does it really work?

[B]

It doesn't matter. I don't know. You ever felt better after eating ketchup? No, I don't eat it like that. Finally, in 19, 70, 7% of gynecologists were women. Now it's up to about 65%. Why are you making a face?

[C]

I'm just thinking. That's not a lot.

[B]

65% of all gynos are chicks. That's the majority. 85. 85% of the residents training to be gynecologists are now women.

[A]

That's neat.

[B]

Does that seem like we're getting to be in the right area of this? I

[C]

don't know what's right.

[B]

I don't know. Do you have a dude gynecologist? No. Okay, well, then those numbers were wrong earlier.

[C]

It's

[A]

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