Ep 3. Hoaxes

In QI season 8 episode 3, titled "Hoaxes," host Stephen Fry takes the panel and viewers on a journey exploring some of the most famous hoaxes throughout history.

The show begins with a discussion of the Piltdown Man, a supposed missing link in human evolution that was revealed to be a complete hoax in the 1950s. Fry educates the panel on the steps taken to uncover the fraud and reveals some interesting facts about the schemer behind it.

Next, the panel delves into the world of crop circles, discussing the various theories surrounding their origins and debating whether they are genuine or simply elaborate hoaxes. As always, Fry keeps the conversation lively and entertaining, throwing in witty comments and jokes along the way.

The discussion then shifts to the infamous War of the Worlds radio broadcast in 1938. The panel examines the panic and fear that the broadcast incited and whether it was a true hoax or simply a misunderstanding by the public.

The fourth segment explores the Cottingley Fairies, a series of photographs from 1917 that purported to show fairies in a garden. Fry and the panel investigate the story behind the photographs, including how they fooled renowned author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

The episode concludes with a discussion on the Spaghetti Tree Hoax, a prank pulled by a British news program in 1957 that fooled many viewers into believing that spaghetti grew on trees. Fry and the panel ponder the reasons why people fell for the hoax and discuss the importance of critical thinking in the age of misinformation.

Throughout the episode, Fry poses numerous challenging questions to the panel, making for a thought-provoking and engaging discussion. The show also includes interesting facts and tidbits about each hoax, giving viewers an in-depth look at the history behind each one.

Overall, QI season 8 episode 3 is an entertaining and educational exploration of some of the most famous hoaxes throughout history. Fry's wit and charm, along with the insightful commentary from the panel, make for a must-watch episode for anyone interested in the world of pranks, frauds, and hoaxes.