Short Stuff: Pie-In-The-Face Gag

In this episode of Stuff You Should Know, Chuck and Josh dive into the surprisingly rich history of the pie-in-the-face gag, tracing it from its origins in late 1800s vaudeville to its golden age in silent comedy films. They explore how Canadian performer Doc Kelly supposedly inspired the bit, how Keystone Studios perfected it and even built their own bakery to keep up with demand, and why Laurel and Hardy's 1927 film "Battle of the Century" became the ultimate version using a staggering 4,500 pies. Along the way, you'll learn the specific techniques and unwritten rules that made the gag work, from the type of pie crust to use to how not to flinch, plus some surprising real-world applications of pie-throwing as political protest against powerful figures.