Dan Aykroyd, purveyor of the paranormal and chronicler of the curious, returns with another installment of “The UnBelievable.” This time, he’s tackling “Fantastic Beings,” an exploration of history’s stranger-than-fiction creatures and occurrences. Forget Bigfoot and Nessie; Aykroyd’s digging deeper, unearthing tales that sound like they’ve sprung from the pages of a particularly imaginative comic book.
Friday’s episode spotlights a true story so bizarre it’s almost impossible to fathom: a bear that enlisted (sort of) in the Allied forces during World War II. Yes, you read that correctly. Wojtek, a Syrian brown bear adopted by Polish soldiers, apparently carried ammunition and even enjoyed the occasional beer. While the image of a boozing, bomb-toting bear might seem like pure fantasy, historical accounts suggest otherwise. Aykroyd, with his characteristic blend of skepticism and enthusiasm, unpacks the legend of Wojtek, separating fact from embellished anecdote.
But the furry phenomenon doesn’t stop there. Aykroyd also turns his attention to the Flores Man, the real-life “hobbits” who once roamed the Indonesian island of Flores. Were they a distinct human species or simply an anomaly? The episode weighs the evidence, exploring the scientific debates surrounding these diminutive hominins.
And finally, in perhaps the strangest twist of the night, “Fantastic Beings” examines the unlikely role of gerbils in the Canadian penal system. Apparently, these furry critters were employed in a rather unorthodox method of contraband detection. Let’s just say it involved tunnels, treats, and a certain level of squeamishness.
So, if you’re tired of the usual historical fare, tune in to “Fantastic Beings” for a dose of the truly unbelievable. Aykroyd’s droll delivery and the sheer oddity of the subject matter make this a must-see for anyone who appreciates history’s weirder side. Just don’t expect any sane explanations.
“The UnBelievable with Dan Aykroyd” airs Fridays at 9 p.m. on History.
