logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2021
38m 11s

King for a Week: The Strange Story of Ot...

iHeartPodcasts
About this episode

For most people, the old saying "it's good to be king" is just a cool phrase -- but for magician and noted spinner of tall tales Otto Witte, this sounded like an idea to take literally. In today's episode, the guys explore how one man (maybe) managed to con the entire nation of Albania into believing he was their king... and got away with it for a week. If, in fact, it actually happened.

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Jul 8
A Titanic Disaster: That Time An Entire Production Crew Tripped Off Bad Chowder
James Cameron's Titanic was, by all accounts, a blockbuster success. And, like so many other masterpieces, the story of its creation is a tale all its own. In today's episode, Ben and Noel dive deep into a little-known disaster that struck the already-tense production: someone la ... Show More
44m 30s
Jul 3
CLASSIC: Back When the Rich Ate Corpses
Nowadays it's safe to say that cannibalism isn't a widely-accepted practice, but not so long ago it was considered the bleeding edge (get it?) in medicine throughout Western Europe. Join Ben and Noel as they explore the odd practice of consuming human body parts in hopes of curri ... Show More
36m 21s
Jul 2
Introducing: United States of Kennedy
Hello, Ridiculous History Fans! We want to share a new show you might like, United States of Kennedy, About the show: United States of Kennedy is a podcast about our cultural fascination with the Kennedy dynasty. Every week, hosts Lyra Smith and George Civeris go into one aspect ... Show More
2m 6s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2010
Who was King Tut... really?
When Egyptologists studied King Tutankhamen's DNA, they learned some surprising things: In addition to being disabled, the king was inbred. And this is just the beginning. Learn more about the real King Tut -- and where he came from -- in this podcast. Learn more about your ad-ch ... Show More
16m 4s
Mar 2021
Qui est Otto Witte, le clown devenu roi ?
Un imposteur de clown devenu roi... comme Ubu ?C'est bien l'escroquerie qu'a entreprise l'allemand Otto Witte, en essayant de se faire couronner "Otto Ier roi d'Albanie", en 1913.Récit d'une improbable opération de sidération. Voir Acast.com/privacy pour les informations sur la v ... Show More
2m 29s
Jan 2020
The Swan King Went Mad
Only days after he was deposed, King Ludwig II of Bavaria died in an apparent suicide. But was it murder? Or was it just the final act of a king who had gone mad with love and with passion, born into the wrong century? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcast ... Show More
24m 24s
Feb 2022
The Art of King Making
The term “Black excellence” can be a double edged sword. The pressure to be twice as good, and the burden of being Black enough can be a heavy task to bear. But in this episode, Khadeen and Devale explain the way they encourage and embrace their Princes on their journey to becomi ... Show More
54m 52s
Feb 2022
EP183: The Wonderful Origins of Everyday Expressions (Pt. 17) and America's Last King: The Story of King George III
On this episode of Our American Stories, Andrew Thompson continues to share another slice from his ultimate guide to understanding these baffling mini mysteries of the English language. English historian Andrew Roberts tells the story of King George III, and why he isn't the man ... Show More
38m 16s
Apr 2023
Becoming an Anglo-Saxon King
Throughout April, Gone Medieval is your perfect companion for the forthcoming coronation of King Charles III. In this episode, Dr. Cat Jarman asks what did kingship really mean in the first half of the medieval period? How and when did we start to have kings in what later was to ... Show More
34m 23s
Aug 2020
The Távora Executions
In the words of Omar Little, "When you come at the king, you best not miss." A possible bungled assassination attempt on the King of Portugal in 1758 gave his prime minister the excuse he needed to unleash a bloody reign of terror on the nation's nobles. Learn more about your ad- ... Show More
23m 25s
Nov 2019
Minisode: Is Netflix's "The King" Good History? And Winter Reading Recommendations!
Leah is back on the show today to discuss The King on Netflix starring Timothee Chalamet as King Henry V, our favorite Sadboi King, as he becomes the greatest king England's ever seen. Overall, we liked it! And if you need something that everyone in your family can agree on, it's ... Show More
29m 35s
Nov 2020
Charles the Beloved, the Mad, the Fool
While feverish and riding on a hot day, King Charles VI had a fit of madness, and murdered one of his own men. For the rest of his reign, he would be plagued by periods of insanity during which he often couldn't remember his own name. And without a clear regent, greedy factions a ... Show More
27m 21s
Aug 2008
How King Arthur Worked
Thanks to his enduring presence in western culture, the name King Arthur conjures up a very specific image. Take a look at our HowStuffWorks podcast to learn more about the fact and fiction surround King Arthur. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork ... Show More
8m 11s