This week we learn how activist Marion Stokes archived 30 years of television in an effort to protect the truth from fake news. A listener voice memo suggests a novel way to clone Richard Nixon.

Episode Tabs:

The Remarkable Story of a Woman Who Preserved Over 30 Years of TV History

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/marion-stokes-television-news-archive

Listener Tabs:

This man has held onto Richard Nixon's half-eaten sandwich for 60 years

https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-wednesday-edition-1.5735767/this-man-has-held-onto-richard-nixon-s-half-eaten-sandwich-for-60-years-1.5737750

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This week we learn about Uncle Sam's predecessor Brother Jonathan, and how America's mascot for itself evolved between the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. A listener email explains the importance of a finely carved 2000 year old statue of the Buddha recently found in Egypt.

Episode Tabs:

Before America Got Uncle Sam, It Had to Endure Brother Jonathan

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/brother-jonathan-uncle-sam

Listener Tabs:

Berenike Buddha

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berenike_Buddha

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This week we learn how a rejected Belgian inventor's obsession with creating new instruments eventually led to the creation of one of the great American art forms. A listener email explains how bikes were used to smuggle drugs in the Netherlands.

Episode Tabs:

It was banned by the Nazis, Stalin and the Vatican. This is the surprising history of the saxophone

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-25/saxophone-history-of-musical-instrument-brutal-and-beautiful/11960922

Listener Tabs:

CONTRABAND AND SMUGGLERS’ OBJECTS

https://www.bdmuseum.nl/en/collectie/smokkelobjecten/

Email your closed tab submissions to: 500opentabs@gmail.com

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Continue the conversation by joining us on Discord! https://discord.gg/8px5RJHk7a

Get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to nebula.tv/500opentabs

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week we conclude the story of controversial comic artist Mike Diana whose run in with the law eventually ends up with him being taken to trial with charges of obscenity. A listener email explains how the how until recently, nipples in comics were considered taboo.

Episode Tabs:

Author of pedophile guide arrested on Florida obscenity charge

https://archive.ph/20130203144830/http://www.tampabay.com/news/courts/criminal/article1141156.ece

Listener Tabs:

A First for Prince Valiant

https://aprincenamedvaliant.blogspot.com/2018/04/a-first-for-prince-valiant.html?m=1

Email your closed tab submissions to: 500opentabs@gmail.com

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/500OpenTabs

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Continue the conversation by joining us on Discord! https://discord.gg/8px5RJHk7a

Get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to nebula.tv/500opentabs

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week we dive into the origin of the controversial comic artist Mike Diana, who sought to create the "most offense zine ever made." A listener email explains how the release of a million balloons over the skies of Cleveland led to civilian deaths.

Episode Tabs:

Mike Diana Comics (TRIGGER WARNING!)

https://mikedianacomix.com/

Listener Tabs:

When Cleveland Released 1.5 million Balloons and Two Men Died

https://rarehistoricalphotos.com/cleveland-balloons-1986/

Email your closed tab submissions to: 500opentabs@gmail.com

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Get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to nebula.tv/500opentabs

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week Hannah discusses the superstitions surrounding the year of the Fire Horse which began after a young girl tried to burn down Tokyo for love. A listener email reveals the hidden life of Yoplait Mimes.

Come see us at C2E2!

Artist Alley R-07

Episode Tabs:

Yaoya Oshichi: The Girl Who Tried to Burn Down Tokyo For Love

https://www.amusingplanet.com/2025/10/yaoya-oshichi-girl-who-tried-to-burn.html

Listener Tabs:

Dancers Don New Colors

https://www.chicagotribune.com/1985/07/25/dancers-don-new-colors/

Email your closed tab submissions to: 500opentabs@gmail.com

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Get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to nebula.tv/500opentabs

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On this very special Nowruz episode, Kaveh explains the origin of his snake shoulder fighting namesake from the Shahnameh. A listener voice memo gets into how Mendez v. Westminster overlaps with some of our previous tabs.

Episode Tabs:

Zahhāk: An Etiology of Evil

https://themarkaz.org/zahhak-an-etiology-of-evil/

Listener Tabs:

Sylvia Mendez

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sylvia-Mendez

Email your closed tab submissions to: 500opentabs@gmail.com

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This week we're joined by friend of the show Steven Ray Morris as he teaches us how Haim Saban was able to recycle Super Sentai footage and turn it into a gajillion dollar franchise . A listener email reminds us how the original Space Jam is still alive and well.

Episode Tabs:

Might Morphin Power Rangers

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mighty_Morphin_Power_Rangers

Listener Tabs:

Space Jam

https://www.spacejam.com/1996/

Email your closed tab submissions to: 500opentabs@gmail.com

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500 Open Tabs Wiki: https://500-open-tabs.fandom.com/wiki/500_Open_Tabs_Wiki

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Continue the conversation by joining us on Discord! https://discord.gg/8px5RJHk7a

Get 40% off an annual subscription to Nebula by going to nebula.tv/500opentabs

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.