For the April fools among us . . .
On April 1, 1957, the BBC program Panorama broadcast a three-minute report on the spaghetti harvest in Switzerland. At that time, spaghetti was a relatively unknown food in Britain and many of the estimated 8 million viewers were quite happy to believe the report, along with millions more around the world. After all, the BBC never fibs.
As you will see, it was quite a compelling, professional and convincing production. I remember seeing the report on Tonight Starring Jack Paar around 1960. And yes, I had my doubts, but asked my parents to verify.
Decades later the production still ranks among many sources as the greatest April Fools' joke of all time. The link provides a full backstory.
You do know you'll think about this story the next time you enjoy a plate of "homegrown" spaghetti.
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