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Hey, Wowzer fans, Mindy here.
And before we start the show, I gotta let you know that this November, with a special new episode featuring our friends at Circle Round and Terrestrials on Radiolab for Kids,
And don't miss when Elmo from Sesame Street stops by Wow in the World to make us all belly laugh on November 24th.
Oh, but that's not all, Reg.
On December 1st, we are sharing our 250th episode of Wow in the World with all of you.
We think this one is going to be music to your ears.
Literally.
Did I mention it's a musical?
And if you're a member of the World Organization of Wowzers...
Oh boy, do I have a surprise for you.
You can listen to our 250th episode early with me and other members from around the world on Saturday, November 22nd, at 7 pm.
Eastern.
That's right, we are throwing another listening party.
Join us as we dance along to our new songs.
React to the episode with other members in the chat and more.
Grownups.
If you want your wowzer to join this members-only listening party, you can sign up to become a member today at Tinkercastcom.
Slash wow.
Already a member?
Well, you can find the link and password to join the event when you sign in at Tinkercastcom.
Slash wow.
That's it.
It's going to be a November to remember.
But for now, let's get on with the show.
Woo!
Yeah, setting up this health area backstage was a great idea, Mindy.
Here, let me turn on the essential oil aromatherapy diffuser.
I'm so relaxed.
Okay, the lights are set, the mics are checked, the scripts are ready.
And Excuse me, what's going on here?
Foot baths?
Hand creams?
Essential oil aromatherapy diffusers?
Mindy, Guy, are you doing spa treatments?
Oh, hi, Dennis.
Yeah, this is our new health area.
We've been working really hard and you know we thought we deserved some relaxation and some self-care.
And a quick mani-pedi.
And Reggie needs a wingy talony.
I cannot believe how amazing of an idea this is.
Move over, Reggie.
There we go.
Ah.
Oh, yeah.
That's nice.
Oh, uh, Dennis, we were actually just about to get up.
The show starts in, like, five seconds.
That's fine.
I can do it from this chair.
Ahem.
You there.
Patch the cabbage, if you don't mind.
And you, pop the locks whenever you get a minute.
And Reggie, pokey the pokey, we're on in three...
Two, one.
And now for everyone's favorite game show.
It's Two What's and a.
What a scientific game show that separates the wows from the what's.
And the category or theme for today is fingers and toes.
Mindy, why don't you refresh our contestants on how the game works?
You know it.
Wowzers in each of our three rounds.
Today, Guy Raz and I will present you with three scientific statements about fingers and toes.
But, and this is a But only one of those statements will be a true wow.
The other two, just a couple of made up what?
Now, in each round, if you guess correctly, congratulations, you win a point.
But if you guess incorrectly, you must stop, drop, and do a ridonkulous physical challenge.
Okay, everyone ready to start the game?
Great, then let's do it.
All right, round one.
Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow?
Is it A, thumbnails are not made of the same stuff as fingernails?
Or is it B, only 2% of people on Earth have double-jointed thumbs?
Or is it C, most primates have opposable thumbs and some have opposable big toes?
When you think you have the correct answer, yell, Give this question three thumbs up.
As loud as you can.
Reggie, cue the thinking music.
And time is up.
Let's now reveal the winning wow.
And to do just that, joining us by phone, it's Sean from Pennsylvania.
Yeah.
Sean from Pennsylvania, tell us, what's the winning wow?
Hi, Minnie and Guy Raz.
My wow in the world is that most primates have opposable thumbs and some have opposable big toes.
Winner, winner, monkey bread for dinner!
Thank you, Sean!
Contestants.
If you guess the answer C, that most primates have opposable thumbs and some have opposable big toes,
Well, congratulations.
You found the winning wow.
Humans, monkeys, apes, lemurs, and lorises are all in the primate family.
Almost all of us primates have fully functional thumbs which allow us to easily grasp objects in our hands.
There are only three primates who don't have them.
And almost all primates have opposable toes or prehensile feet, which makes their feet very similar to their hands.
The only primates whose big toes are built for grasping are humans.
Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop drop and challenge yourself to a thumb war.
Okay, round two.
Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow?
Is it A, the oldest human fingerprints are over 80,000 years old?
Or is it B, koala fingerprints are similar to human fingerprints?
Or is it C, tree frogs can taste through their fingers?
When you think you have the correct answer, yell, this little piggy needs a bath!
Hey Reggie, cue the thinking music.
Rrrr, rrrr.
Time is up.
And calling in with the answer, it's Tegan from New York.
Tegan, please reveal the winning wow.
Hi, I'm Tegan from Saratoga Springs, New York.
My wow in my world is that koala fingerprints are so similar to human fingerprints that they have been mistaken at crime scenes.
Winner, winner, finger food for dinner.
Thank you, Tegan.
Contestants.
If you guessed the answer B, that koala fingerprints are similar to humans well, congratulations.
You found the winning wow.
Just like opposable thumbs, fingerprints tend to be a primate thing.
But koalas are the exception.
They're the only non-primate to have fingerprints.
And not only that, but their fingerprints are almost identical to humans.
They're so similar that scientists can't tell the difference between the two, even when looking at them under a microscope.
Now, if you did not get the answer correct, you must stop, drop, and tickle your own armpits.
Okay, time for round three.
Which of the following statements is a true scientific wow?
Is it A, humans can't walk without their big toe?
Or is it B, dogs have sweat glands between their toes?
Or is it C, hognose snakes actually have tiny toes on their bellies?
Before we reveal the winning wow...
Let's take a moment to thank our sponsors.
Today's show is brought to you in part by WTWE World Thumb Wrestling Entertainment.
What?
Watch as these competitors go head to head and thumb to thumb in an incredibly small ring.
This Friday, the fearsome Valanchi goes up against the Digit of Destruction.
Mitch the Hitchhiker seeks redemption in his rematch against Nine Inch Thumbnail.
And later tonight, a tag team battle royale in the Thunderdome.
Don't miss out.
Wow, I don't think I've ever been this excited about thumb wrestling before.
Well, now let's take a quick break and hear some other important messages for grown-ups.
To what's in a while, we'll be right back.
Grown-ups.
This message is for you grown-ups.
It's mindy and guy ross here from wow in the world.
Mindy and i have some brand new wow in the world toys out in the world just in time for the holidays, made for the kids who love science and for the ones who don't.
Yet, from our 100 experiments, that wow kit to the telescope and astronomy kit, our wow in the world toys help your wowser learn about their world through play plus.
That's it.
Now, Welcome back to Two What's and a Wow.
The scientific game show that separates the wows from the what's.
Now, before the break, we left you with a dangling question for round three.
And that question was, which of the following statements is a true scientific wow?
Is it A, Humans cannot walk without their big toe.
Or is it B. Dogs have sweat glands between their toes.
Or is it C. Hognose snakes actually have tiny toes on their bellies.
And joining us by phone to reveal the answer, it's Galila from California.
Galila, please tell us the winning wow.
Hey, guys.
Winner, winner, hot dogs for dinner.
Thank you, Galila.
Contestants.
If you guessed the answer B, that dogs have sweat glands between their toes, well congratulations.
You found the winning wow.
Dogs need a way to cool down on hot days, just like humans.
But because most dogs are covered in fur, If they sweat through their skin it would be hard for the sweat to evaporate off their bodies.
So instead, dogs have sweat glands on their paw pads, where there's little or no fur.
That's why you might notice your dog leaving wet footprints in the summer.
Now, if you did not get that answer correct, you must stop, drop, and roll over.
Sit.
Stay.
Good wowser.
Good wowser.
Oh, Guy Raz, that sound can mean only one thing.
The circus is in town?
No, it's time for today's Bonker Balls bonus round.
And the question for this round is, what's under there?
Under where, Mindy?
Under where?
Gotcha!
Gotcha!
Well, congratulations to all of our winning wowsers.
Mindy, what's today's prize?
Guy Raz!
All of our winning wowsers today will be taking home their very own invisible bucket of explosion kernels.
Uh, explosion kernels?
Yeah, you know, you heat these little kernels up until they explode, and then you put them in a bucket and you eat them at the movies.
Oh, you mean popcorn?
Okay, yeah, it's popcorn.
Cue the prize cannon, Reggie!
Well, that's about all the time we have for today.
But before we go, we have a little scientific challenge for you.
We call it Operation Singular Fingerprint.
Your fingerprints are completely unique.
There's no one on Earth who has the same fingerprints as you, even if you have an identical twin.
So for this challenge, we want you to look at your own fingerprints.
Take a washable marker and color the tip of your finger.
And then press it firmly on a piece of paper.
Ask a friend or family member to do the same and compare your fingerprints.
Don't forget to take a photo or video.
Grownups, you can upload pictures and videos to us at Tinkercast.com slash share.
And be sure to come back on Monday for a brand new episode of Wow in the World.
And again on Friday for a new episode of...
Two What's and a Wow.
Until then, keep on wowing.
Two What's and a Wow is executive produced by Meredith Halpern-Ranzer, Mindy Thomas and me.
Our writers are Ruth Morrison and Anna Zagorski.
Sound production and design is by Marion Lozano, with help from our supervising producer, Jed Anderson.
Special thanks to... Our theme song was written and composed by The Pop-Ups.
For more on their three-time Grammy-nominated all-ages music...
Find them at thepopups.com.
To keep the wows rolling, visit us at tinkercastcom, where you can become an official member of the World Organization of Wowsers.
Find our Two What's and a Wow Think and Tinker playbook and learn about all of our other amazing podcasts from Tinkercast.
Grownups, you can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at twowhatsandawow.com.
And our email address is hello at tinkercast.com.
Finally, if you're a kid with a big wow to share, it could be used on an upcoming episode of Two.
What's in a Wow?
Call us at 1-888-7WOW-WOW.
Thanks again for listening and playing along.
Meet us back here on Monday for Wow in the World.
The world was made by Tinkercast and sent to you by Wondery.
