April Fools

[poliphilo]

Back in the early days of TV the BBC ran a spoof news story about spaghetti growers in Switzerland. It's probably the last time an April Fools Day hoax actually fooled people in large numbers. We were used to the BBC being all Reithian and responsible so, yeah, they got us. But only that once. It remains the only hoax of its kind that people can remember without having to resort to Google. I see they've put the clip up this morning on the Indy's website.

When I was about four I crept up on my mother as she was digging in the garden and told her there was a giant standing behind her. She obligingly turned round and looked. I was so pleased at my success I waited a minute and tried the exact same thing again....

Comments

[shewhomust.livejournal.com]

I'm very fond of the Guardian's San Serriffe story...

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Yes, that was a good one too...

But also a long time ago. Everyone's wised up now- and on the lookout for hoaxes.

[ooxc.livejournal.com]

That's the one I always think of - I didn't hear of the spaghetti one until years later.
My next favourite is the one about minitiuarizing railway travellers - complete with photograph
There was one about the sun in the Guardian - completely given away by dotting pictures of the sun on every page. I can't remember what the sun was supposed to be doing
Today's in the Times must be the cathedral, mustn't it?

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

There a link to a website with pictures of the cathedral and its maker. If it's a hoax it's one that's had a lot of work put into it.

[ooxc.livejournal.com]

Yes - but the Times is very good at graphics - and if that isn't it, where is it?

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I haven't yet seen any reporting of a hoax in the Times. Most of the other papers- yes, but the Times- no.

[sovay]

Back in the early days of TV the BBC ran a spoof news story about spaghetti growers in Switzerland.

I have seen the footage for that; it's still pretty awesome. My father actually saw it on television when it aired.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I suppose I too may have seen it when it first aired. I was 6 in 1957.

[oakmouse]

I do enjoy the creativity they put into their jokes, though. Last year's flying penguins video was delightful.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

It's a charming tradition. I've had a few smiles today- reacting to big hoaxes in the media- and a couple of little ones here on LJ.

Exploding Maples, and Happy!Madame Butterfly

[drox.livejournal.com]

In the U.S., National Public Radio usually sneaks one spoof news article into their April 1st broadcast. I'll never forget the one from 2005, about how sugar-maple trees, if not tapped regularly, can explode as the pressure from all that sap builds up.

The story started off sounding so very normal, so I was snowed for a while. But it just got gradually weirder and crazier, and then I remembered what day it was.

The following year the same broadcaster did a (fake) broadcast about rewriting the great operatic tragedies so they'd have happy endings.

Re: Exploding Maples, and Happy!Madame Butterfly

[mummm.livejournal.com]

The joke about rewriting those operas is one I would rate as GREAT! :^)

Re: Exploding Maples, and Happy!Madame Butterfly

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

The happy operas have made my day. Don Giovanni gets Born Again- why of course! What could be more natural?

Of course that's precisely what the 18th century did to Shakespeare- and no less a personage than Dr Johnson thought it a good idea.

[mummm.livejournal.com]

That story was actually in our local paper today! That was way back in 1957 I think. I guess some (funny) things never go away.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

The spaghetti harvest is a beautifully simple idea- and immaculately done. And the great British public- which didn't take foreign holidays in those days- was easily fooled.