Comedian and pop culture fanatic Aasif Mandvi gets up close and personal with the most iconic artifacts at the National Museum of American History.
Join Aasif and his guests as they explore how vintage clothing, ratty furniture, and mismatched shoes transformed into Fonzie's leather jacket, Archie Bunker's chair, and Dorothy's ruby slippers and became defining symbols of American culture along the way.
Episode 10: The Muppets
Jim Henson created hundreds of Muppets. Many of them are well known, but there are a whole bunch of Muppets from the early days that most people haven't even heard of. The Smithsonian has more than 30 of those original, obscure Muppets including the original lizard-like Kermit who was made from an old green coat Henson's mother threw out.
Please note, at the time of the podcast, this object is not on display.
Released Thursday, November 25, 2019.
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Episode 9: Bee Gees' Silver Suits
The Bee Gees — Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb, were among the most successful vocal groups in rock and roll history, helping define the disco era with their falsetto harmonies and funky beats. The Australian band's silver suits at the Smithsonian are from their 1978 tour, riding on the heels of their album for the movie "Saturday Night Fever," one of the top selling soundtracks in history.
Please note, at the time of the podcast, this object is not on display.
Released Thursday, November 21, 2019.
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Episode 8: Pelé's #10 Jersey
Professional soccer player, Pelé — did so much for the sport's global that the International Olympic Committee named him the athlete of the century. In 1975, he came out of retirement in Brazil, put on his unassuming white mesh jersey with the number ten on it and went to play with the New York Cosmos, lifting the sport from a sleepy backwater in the U.S. to having unprecedented interest today.
Please note, at the time of the podcast, this object is not on display.
Released Thursday, November 14, 2019.
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Episode 7: Archie Bunker's Chair
All in the Family was a groundbreaking sitcom. Its pilot episode came with a trigger warning, and every episode thereafter came with a hefty dose of retrograde political commentary from Archie Bunker. So why is the chair in the Smithsonian? How did this piece of furniture make it from a second hand store in Los Angeles to the National Museum of American History in DC? (Celeb interviews: Hector Elizondo and Norman Lear)
Released Thursday, November 7, 2019
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Episode 6: Carrie Bradshaw's Laptop
Carrie Bradshaw was the voice of HBO's groundbreaking comedy Sex and the City. Launching in 1998, each episode was built around Bradshaw writing her weekly column and uncensored voice and actions of four women who rode the roller coaster of modern sexual relationships. Her laptop now resides at the Smithsonian. Host Aasif Mandvi (who had a role on the show as Dmitri, a computer tech) explores the show's enduring appeal. (Celeb interview: Candace Bushnell).
Please note, at the time of the podcast, this object is not on display.
Released Thursday, October 31, 2019
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Episode 5: Muhammad Ali's Robe
Muhammad Ali was a legendary boxer and much, much more. Finding the robe Ali wore during training gives Aasif a chance to get into the history of one of the biggest sporting events of all time: The Rumble in the Jungle. (Celeb interview: Reporter, Jerry Izenberg)
Please note, at the time of the podcast, this object is not on display.
Released Thursday, October 24, 2019
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Episode 4: Phyllis Diller's Gag File
Phyllis Diller was a 38-year old, practically homeless mother of five when she started her standup career. She was a trailblazer, using her jokes to open doors for all the women who would come after her. In a lucky break for history, she was also a compulsive note taker and gave a filing cabinet with 50,000 jokes to the Smithsonian for safe keeping.
Please note, at the time of the podcast, the gag file is not on display.
Released Thursday, October 17, 2019
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Episode 3: Dorothy's Ruby Slippers
The Ruby Slippers Judy Garland wore in The Wizard of Oz are one of the most popular items at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. So why is the pair on display mismatched? And what does the FBI have to do with it?
Released Thursday, October 10, 2019
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Episode 2: José Feliciano's Guitar
José Feliciano was the first artist to perform a personalized rendition of the National Anthem at the World Series, and it nearly destroyed his career. But was it an act of protest or of patriotism? Also, Aasif gets a private concert when José Feliciano is reunited with his guitar at the Smithsonian. (Celeb interview: José Feliciano)
Please note, at the time of the podcast, the guitar is not currently on view.
Released Thursday, October 3, 2019
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Episode 1: Fonzie's Jacket
The Fonz was the breakout character on the sitcom Happy Days, and his leather jacket became a symbol of coolness itself. But why? And how did Henry Winkler turn The Fonz into an American icon? (Celeb interview: Henry Winkler)
Please note, at the time of the podcast, the jacket is not currently on view.
Released Thursday, September 26, 2019
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