Mental Floss

LISTS



Jesus probably wasn't born on December 25.

'Tis the season to bust some myths about our favorite holiday celebrations, from the origins of the Hanukkah dreidel to Jesus's real birthday.

Alvin Ward






Will Sharpe, Aubrey Plaza, Meghann Fahy, and Theo James in 'The White Lotus.'

'The White Lotus' was originally slated to be a one-season miniseries, but the Mike White-created dark comedy has proved to be an enormous hit, and has just been renewed for a third season.

Scott Beggs


Ray Harryhausen in  action.

Perhaps the best stop-motion animator of all time, Ray Harryhausen—born on June 29, 1920 in Los Angeles—made a name for himself in an industry whose visual effects artists are too often overlooked.

Mark Mancini










Sylvester Stallone stars in 'Tulsa King.'

Some TV series have just the right blend of action, gadgets, and middle-aged protagonists to really excel at capturing your dad's attention.

Jake Rossen




The 11th tablet of 'The Epic of Gilgamesh.'

These pieces of literature—from 'The Epic of Gilgamesh' to what is widely considered the first novel ever written—are some of the oldest in history.

Justine Johnston Hemmestad