logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2023
37m 37s

The Strange Tale of Charles Entertainmen...

iHeartPodcasts
About this episode

For many Americans, Chuck E. Cheese is an immediate hit of pure nostalgia -- the pizza! The birthdays! The games! And, of course, the characters. In this week's special two-part episode, Ben, Noel and Max dive deep into the strange history of Chuck E. Cheese, from its founding days in the shadow of Atari, all the way to the modern day.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Yesterday
The Ridiculous Racist Origin of Tipping, Part One: A Gratuitous History of Gratuity
What's the best meal you've ever had at a restaurant? If it was in the United States, odds are you paid your tab -- and then added an extra fee on top of that. While tipping didn't originate in the USA, the States have the world's most prevalent (and infamous) tipping culture. An ... Show More
36m 12s
Aug 29
CLASSIC: I Modi: The Scandalous Erotic Blockbuster Banned By The Vatican
Nowadays it's no secret that some Papal administrations from centuries past were a bit more scandalous than others, but when master engraver Marcantonio Raimondi created prints of explicit art located within the papal palace, the church was scandalized. Learn more about the bizar ... Show More
34m 42s
Aug 27
The Dark Side of Frank Lloyd Wright, Part Two: Mass Murder, Cults, and the FBI
Even if you're not an architecture enthusiast, odds are you've heard of Frank Lloyd Wright. This massively famous architect fundamentally changed the discipline of architecture as we know it. Yet as Ben, Noel and Max learn in the second part of this special two-part series, Frank ... Show More
34m 39s
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2023
Chuck E. Cheese: Everything You Didn't Know
What do Atari, Pixar, pizza, beer and rats have in common? Jordan and Alex dive into a suspiciously sticky ball-pit under the uncanny valley gaze of an animatronic rat to go deep on everyone's favorite source of cherished childhood memories and/or trauma: Chuck E. Cheese! They'll ... Show More
1h 4m
Apr 2016
A History of Pizza Live at C2E2
<p>Pizza-like foods go way, way back in history, long before we associated the delicious dish with Italy. How did pizza's pedigree develop, and how did it get to its second home in the U.S.?</p><p> </p> Learn more about your ad-choices at <a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork ... Show More
50m 17s
Mar 2023
Arcades: Nostalgia Abounds
Chuck and Josh were around during the Golden Age of the arcade. And look how they turned out! Join them on a trip down memory lane. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
58m 44s
Dec 2024
Chuck E Cheese vs ShowBiz Pizza | Where a Kid Can be a Kid | 3
Is nostalgia alone enough to keep Chuck E. Cheese afloat in 2025? As the chain continues to crawl its way out of bankruptcy, they’ll need to win over the next generation of kids — or perhaps, their parents — to keep the arcade lights on. Ben Coley of the trade publication QSR Mag ... Show More
36m 29s
Apr 2022
The Delightful History of Pubs
In today's episode, Chuck and Josh dive into the wonderful history of the public house. So pull up a stool, grab a pint and have a listen.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
48m 59s
Nov 2021
Selects: The Stories Behind A Few Food Fads
<p>America loves to go nuts over new food trends and it turns out that the 20th century was a boon time for them. Revisit them with Josh and Chuck in this classic episode.</p><p> </p> Learn more about your ad-choices at <a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https://www.i ... Show More
48m 7s
Aug 2021
OFH Throwback- Episode #83- Who Invented Your Favourite Food?
In this OFH Throwback episode Sebastian takes a look at one of the most fun and accessible episodes in the OFH catalog. The world of food and drink is filled with colourful mythology. How much should we believe about the origin stories of our favourite foods? Could this be the be ... Show More
1h 4m
Aug 2021
OFH Throwback- Episode #83- Who Invented Your Favourite Food?
In this OFH Throwback episode Sebastian takes a look at one of the most fun and accessible episodes in the OFH catalog. The world of food and drink is filled with colourful mythology. How much should we believe about the origin stories of our favourite foods? Could this be the be ... Show More
1h 4m
Jun 2021
POGs: The 90s in a Bottle Cap
<p>Today, Chuck and Josh go down a 90s rabbit hole with another in their classic toy series. This time, they tackle the odd sensation that was POGs.</p><p> </p> Learn more about your ad-choices at <a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com ... Show More
48m 50s