Weird But True! Interview with Charlie Engelman

The Weird But True! television series premiered September 10.  Right before the launch date, I had the chance to chat with one of the hosts, Charlie Engelman about this fascinating new show.  As a National Geographic Kids Insider, it’s exciting to have early access to information to share.  Read on to hear what Charlie has to say about the behind-the-scenes action of the show! 

CHICAGO, ILL.- (Left to Right) Kirby roleplays as a storm chaser as Charlie reports at "HQ". (Photo credit: National Geographic Channels/Jill Littman)
CHICAGO, ILL.- (Left to Right) Kirby roleplays as a storm chaser as Charlie reports at “HQ”. (Photo credit: National Geographic Channels/Jill Littman)

The Weird But True! Television Series is a syndicated series primarily on FOX television stations (check your local listings). Each episode follows talented science-loving sibling hosts Charlie and Kirby Engelman as they investigate the fun, strange and surprising ways our world works. From exploring shipwrecks to discovering how our senses work, no topic is off-limits for the curious duo.

Material for the series is inspired by the Weird But True! books and magazines from National Geographic Kids.  The show brings these facts to life, sending the crew on location to explore the weirdest of the weird!  Charlie says his favorite locations for filming, so far, have been Six Flags in New Jersey where they filmed a segment on physics, Arizona where the cast went meteorite hunting, and Virginia where he was able to go caving.  Exploring the caves has sparked a personal interesting in caving and he hopes to discover more about this adventurous sport.

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CHICAGO, ILL.- (Left to Right) Kirby and Charlie play the new treasure hunting game on their phone. (Photo credit: National Geographic Channels/Jill Littman)
CHICAGO, ILL.- (Left to Right) Kirby and Charlie play the new treasure hunting game on their phone. (Photo credit: National Geographic Channels/Jill Littman)

Nothing on the show has truly grossed Charlie out yet.  He found it a little intimidating to swim with sharks for an episode and was almost trapped on a glacier in Alaska when filming, but still found both to be very exciting and rewarding experiences.  Charlie has always been curious and participating in the Weird But True! television series certainly fuels his curiosity.

The experts Charlie has met during the filming of the show have given him a different world view and have further inspired his desire to explore the world.  He found it fascinating that the experts he’s encountered have been extremely knowledgeable and focused on their subject matter.  The experience has left him with a nice appreciation for how different and unique people are.

TUCSON, ARIZ.- (Left to Right) Geoff and Charlie uncover a meteorite, as Kirby watches. (Photo credit: National Geographic Channels/Jill Littman)
TUCSON, ARIZ.- (Left to Right) Geoff and Charlie uncover a meteorite, as Kirby watches. (Photo credit: National Geographic Channels/Jill Littman)

Charlie hopes kids are inspired by the show, too, and is looking forward to creating more new episodes.

“One think I hope kids will take away from the show (Weird But True!) is to be curious about the world around them.” – Charlie Engelman

Some of Charlie’s favorite weird true facts are about everyday things in life that you though were one way but really wind up being something else.  Like the fact that peanuts are not nuts at all, they are legumes.  Check out these other Weird but True interesting facts we found fascinating:

Weird but True! Interview with Charlie Engelman

Weird but True! Interview with Charlie Engelman

Weird but True! Interview with Charlie Engelman

Weird but True! Interview with Charlie Engelman

Weird But True! is also debuting a new SiriusXM Radio Program.  Live in early October on SiriusXM’s Kids Place Live, the Weird But True! radio show features National Geographic Kids Editors Becky Baines and Kate Hale, who have spent 12 and seven years, respectively, building the impressive database of the weirdest (but all true) facts on the planet. The radio show will air new pisodes weekly on Fridays at 5 p.m. ET, with a replay on Sundays at 1 p.m. ET and two replays on “Weird But True! Wednesdays” at 2 p.m. ET and 10 p.m. ET.

For more information and fun Weird But True! online content, visit http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/adventure_pass/weird-but-true/

by
Barb Webb. Founder and Editor of Rural Mom, is an the author of "Getting Laid" and "Getting Baked". A sustainable living expert nesting in Appalachian Kentucky, when she’s not chasing chickens around the farm or engaging in mock Jedi battles, she’s making tea and writing about country living and artisan culture.
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Comments

    • Rose M.
    • September 19, 2016
    Reply

    I didn’t know there was a TV show now. My daughter loves these books!!

    • Margaret
    • September 21, 2016
    Reply

    My Sam would have gone bonkers if he had the chance to be there, he’s a super big fan. He has all the books, one of our favourite ways to spend time is to go through the books and ask each other questions, he just loves it when I get it wrong so I have to fake some. He loves the gross ones that turn my stomach inside out, go figure haha. Could you please share how you ended up a National Geographic Kids Insider?

      • Barb Webb
      • September 26, 2016
      Reply

      Thanks for the awesome feedback, Margaret! Hope you enjoy the new show! National Geographic Kids has an application process for their Insider program each year. I applied this year and was so fortunate to be selected, love being involved with an organization that has so many values similar to my own. You can read more about the Ambassador program here: http://press.nationalgeographic.com/2016/08/24/national-geographic-kids-announces-new-brand-ambassadors-for-2016-2017/

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