Mental Floss

TV

Did I do that? Yes, Steve Urkel really did somehow get lost in space for the Family Matters series finale.

A surprising number of television shows have ended with the sudden appearance of dinosaurs, demons, and that tired old trope of shooting your lead into outer space.

Jake Rossen










Jerry Springer tapes an episode of his show in December 1998.

From Wendy Williams’s “Dula Peep” coinage to a guest’s death on ‘The Dick Cavett Show,’ here are the talk show incidents we’ll never stop talking about.

Ellen Gutoskey






Cute, cuddly, and controversial.

For a gaming series revolving around adorable little monsters, Pokémon has had a number of run-ins with racial stereotypes, Nazi imagery, and seizure-inducing animation.

Paul Cecchini




Mando (Pedro Pascal) surrounded by Baby Yoda and the Frog Lady in from The Mandalorian.

The irresistible combination of classic Star Wars action with the added bonus of a seriously darling miniaturized Yoda-esque creature has made 'The Mandalorian' a hit.

Kinsey Gidick




Keith Morrison discusses Dateline NBC in New York City.

This year marks the 30th season of NBC’s 'Dateline.' To celebrate, here’s what you need to know about the show’s early days, how “To Catch a Predator” came to be, the show’s pivot to true crime, and what Keith Morrison really thinks of Bill Hader’s impres

Erin McCarthy
Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany star in WandaVision on Disney+.

'WandaVision,' which details the domestic bliss of Marvel superheroes Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision (Paul Bettany), introducing the world to Phase Four of the Marvel Extended Universe.

Scott Beggs
(L-R): Corey Stoll, Damian Lewis, David Costabile, Kelly AuCoin, Maggie Siff, Asia Kate Dillon, Condola Rashad, Paul Giamatti, and Jeffrey DeMunn are at each other's throats in Billions.

'Billions' is the perfect show about God-like wealth and our complicated feelings about those who wield it at a divisive time in American history.

Scott Beggs