Mental Floss

POP CULTURE









Eric Clapton performing in Rotterdam, Netherlands in 1992.

As a solo artist and a member of bands like The Yardbirds, Blind Faith, Cream, and Derek and the Dominos, Eric Clapton—the man known as “Slowhand” (and sometimes “God”)—has thrilled generations of fans with his righteous bluesy wailing.

Kenneth Partridge






Steve McQueen stars in The Great Escape (1963).

Celebrated as the "King of Cool," Steve McQueen climbed his way from reform school and juvenile delinquency to become one of Hollywood's biggest stars.

Jake Rossen


The von Trapp family performs on a London radio show in December 1937.

Julie Andrews immortalized the charming tale of Maria von Trapp and her musically inclined family in 'The Sound of Music'—here’s how it really went down.

Ellen Gutoskey


Amanda Edwards/Getty Images

Since 1984, millions of viewers have spent their weeknights having their brain cells challenged by legendary 'Jeopardy!' game show host Alex Trebek.

Stacy Conradt






David Hollander in the "Welcome to My Nightmare" episode of Amazing Stories (1985).

Television shows have been trying to be their generation's 'Twilight Zone' ever since Rod Serling's trippy anthology first scrambled its viewers brains. In the 1980s, Steven Spielberg gave it a try with 'Amazing Stories'—a series that has just been reboot

Scott Beggs