These United States Stories

A professional picnic planner tells Professor Pringle how free-flowing beer, dull knives, an adults-only bounce house and a snake pit can tip the scales from good old fashioned fun to post-apocalyptic orgiastic hellscape in the blink of an eye.

In this holiday special Professor Pringle revisits his interviews with a fireworks manufacturer with a surprisingly popular "Death To America" display, and the owner of a water park with the laziest river ever and a rash that just won't go away.

Professor Pringle visits with the mayor of a surprisingly costly New England Beach resort, who shows him the community's unique 9/11 memorial, explains the town's generous open-door policy for all refugees, and warns of the dangers of using any product not purchased on the island.

As the state fair season heats up, Professor Pringle interviews the country's foremost creator of deep fat fried novelty foods, who explains why frying makes almost anything edible, the challenges of finding new things to fry, and the growing business of crisping cadavers.

Professor Pringle visits a day care center for dogs and learns why you should always check your dog's mouth for duck blood, discovers the secret lives of terriers, and the benefits of herding the elderly.

The owner of a network of AM radio stations tells Professor Pringle about the money to be made from telling a story with "news," the benefits of selling "End of Days" survival kits, and what you should do when someone asks you to put your ear in their mouth.

Professor Pringle learns about the surprisingly violent world of street characters from a man who makes his living by posing for photos in costume as "Iron Guy," "Superperson," and Charles Manson.

A specialist in Genealogy tells Professor Pringle about the many fascinating and troublesome things you can discover when you delve into your family history.

A world class assassin explains to Professor Pringle how improvements in auto safety have made his work more difficult, the benefits of using the the internet to select targets, and the joy of rigorous preparation for each job.

Professor Pringle journeys to the bayous of Louisiana and speaks with a sharp eyed Cajun who explains the somewhat disgusting secret to becoming one of the world's greatest trackers.

Professor Pringle meets a performer who explains how he is able to  swallow -- and bring back up relatively clean-- almost anything, including wallets, purses, spare change, a whole grapefruit and the occasional small animal.

An expert in Angelology tells Professor Pringle about the many angels among us, and explains the difference between guardian, avenging and messenger angels, as well as why it is important to have a no nonsense archangel keeping everyone in line.

Professor Pringle learns about the "science" of using a Y-shaped stick to discover water, urine and pregnant women, when he interviews a man who douses with a divining rod.

Professor Pringle visits an old fashioned ice cream parlor and learns that Vermont is the coca plant capital of the country, the perils of having urine that glows in the dark, and the horrifying invention of mix-ins for ice cream.

Professor Pringle discovers that doves and rabbits can be squeezed into very tiny spaces, the benefits of incorporating a toilet into a card trick, and the logistical problems of encasing someone in Jello, when he speaks with a man who creates magic tricks.

Professor Pringle is entertained and then alarmed, when he discovers the secrets behind a successful wax museum.

Professor Pringle interviews a sewer worker who explains the importance of corpse proof storm drain grates, carefully prodding possum carcasses, and why the temperature of the sewer is always 68 degrees.

A man who designs and builds amusement park rides tells Professor Pringle how he makes mucus fun, explains why sheer terror is the secret to a good thrill ride and how a merry-go-round can teach children the facts of life.

Professor Pringle visits a cookie company where he discovers the link between infants and cookie craving, the strict hand of the International Cookie Federation, and why a cookie is sometimes the best medicine.

Professor Pringle learns about the world of online gaming, the excitement of flying an airliner while sitting at his desk, and the fun of doing hard time in solitary confinement, when he interviews a video game designer.