James O'Brien's Mystery Hour
Global
SummaryEver wondered why popcorn is the universal snack of the cinema, or whether a mosquito gets tipsy if it bites you after a night out? Welcome to James OBrien’s Mystery Hour, the podcast where no question is too trivial and no rabbit hole is too deep. In this show, James invites his listeners to take the lead, turning a collection of curious minds into a collective encyclopedia of the weird and wonderful. The format is beautifully simple: listeners call in with the questions that have been nagging at them, and together with James, they hunt for the truth. One minute you might be analyzing the aerodynamic flight path of a dog in the woods, and the next, you are diving into the historical origins of 10 Downing Street or the geopolitical ripples of a cabinet resignation. It is this unique blend of the profound and the utterly bizarre that defines the show. Whether the topic is the mechanics of elevator buttons, the secret lives of zebras, or the physics behind a hot cup of tea on a summer day, the show thrives on the joy of discovery. With James as your guide, you will navigate a landscape of social habits, biological wonders, and life’s little logistical mysteries. It is engaging, intellectually playful, and the perfect companion for anyone who loves asking, but why?
Updated Jul 4, 2026
Episodes
Are my polished nails suffocating?
Do fingernails and toenails actually breathe, or is the sensation of them being suffocated under varnish just a myth?
Do birds herd sheep?
Do birds herd sheep, does a spoon keep champagne fizzy, and how does a displaced mouse find its way back home?
Ducks in the sea?
Uncover why ducks are seen swimming in the sea and what these aquatic birds actually eat.
Can mosquitoes get drunk?
Can mosquitoes get drunk on a drinker's blood, and can lip readers actually distinguish between regional accents?
Why is popcorn a cinema snack?
Investigate the origins of the cinema's classic snack and discover why popcorn became the go-to movie theatre treat.
How do football commentators remember players?
How do football commentators recall players names instantly during high-speed matches?
Where did they get the water from for the canals?
Why won't my glasses blow off?
An insult to science
Can you feel the tension in a room?
Is some music too hard to play?
My kitten won't listen to me
Mystery Hour Travel Edition: It's in a tin
How genetically related am I to Farage?
Raw meat, leaves and that?
Who invented the suit?
Where did "Geordies" come from?
A major induction hobs dispute
Unbelievable bee content
The truth about Guinness
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