‘Stories that defy imagination’ – Dan Aykroyd on The UnBelievable S2
Ahead of the second season of 'The UnBelievable with Dan Aykroyd', the legendary actor, comedian and screenwriter shares his thoughts on the show’s most bizarre tales.
Image: The UnBelievable with Dan Aykroyd
Dan Aykroyd, the legendary actor, comedian and screenwriter best known for Ghostbusters and The Blues Brothers, has always had a knack for exploring the extraordinary. Now, he’s back with a second season of The UnBelievable, a show that dives headfirst into the strangest true stories in human history.
Ahead of season two, which starts Thursday, 3rd April on Sky HISTORY, Dan shared his thoughts on the show’s most bizarre tales and why truth really is stranger than fiction. In the first series, Dan investigated stories from Boston's Great Molasses Flood to a man who survived being struck by lightning seven times. So, what can viewers expect this time around?
What’s coming up in the news series?
Season two features a range of eclectic topics that are sure to delight fans. From amazing survivals, stories of revenge and absurd military weaponry, there’s something for everyone. Dan gives a sneak peek of a few of his personal highlights.
He mentions the fascinating story of the Peekskill meteorite, a 4.4 billion-year-old space rock that crashed to Earth. In October 1992, it struck the parked Chevrolet Malibu of 17-year-old Michelle Knapp in upstate New York.
'You may have heard that story, but we go back to it and treat it in a new way. We also cover the story of another lady who was hit by a meteorite in bed, for God's sake!'
Dan also points to the story of ‘Unsinkable’ Violet Jessop – a woman who survived the Titanic and two other major ship disasters.
'She kept going back out there. She stayed with it. That was her calling. You’ve got to admire that. But I don't know whether she tried to make a fourth trip!'
On a similar theme, another of Dan’s favourites from the new series is the famous feline survivor from the sinking of the Bismarck. Over 2,000 Germans perished during the sinking, which makes the cat’s survival even more remarkable.
'The HMS Cossack rolled up to check the wreckage of the Bismarck, and they found this cat,' Dan explains. 'His name was Oscar. Now that story defies imagination, but it’s true. It’s the same with all the best stories on this show; they are unbelievable, but true.'
The appeal of the show
Dan's enthusiasm for the show shines through in each episode. He’s full of praise for the meticulous research and captivating storytelling that bring these incredible tales to life.
'They bring such credibility to stories that defy your imagination and defy any fantasy that you might have ever had,' he enthuses. 'All of the stories are real. Some you may have heard of, some you may not have heard of, but it's the quality of the research that distinguishes them.'
The results speak for themselves: the first series quickly became a smash hit on both sides of the Atlantic. Dan couldn’t be more delighted about its success.
'The programme is the greatest conversation piece. People are talking about it at the water cooler on a Monday morning. I love that!'
When asked why he thinks the show has such widespread appeal, he makes a compelling argument, pointing to humanity's timeless fascination with extraordinary tales. Dan explains how many people are naturally nosy and drawn to stories that defy belief and stretch the boundaries of imagination.
'We have always been fascinated by incredible tales. We like to experience ordeals without having to go through them ourselves. We like to hear about people who eat weird things and people who ride out tornadoes in bathtubs, but we really don't want to do them ourselves.'
'The programme gives you the opportunity to sit there and vicariously enjoy events that were in some cases almost un-survivable and in some cases were not survivable at all.'
A delicate balance of truth and wonder
While some bizarre tales are well-documented, The UnBelievable aims to bring something fresh, offering new perspectives on stories that continue to captivate and amaze. For Dan, presenting the show is often a tricky balance between light-heartedness and seriousness.
'I have to roll with the emotion of each story. Some are absurd and funny, and you can be a little light with them. And some are pretty heavy. You have stories about people who died in battle, or the airman who fell out of a B17 ball turret at 33,000 feet without a parachute and lived. You have got to consider the gravity of what these people were doing and what they were participating in.'
It's a testament to Dan’s talent that he can tackle any story with the respect and enthusiasm it deserves. Whether it's a light-hearted look at a bizarre event or a deep dive into an awe-inspiring survival story, The UnBelievable brings each tale to life in a unique way. It’s compelling viewing for all ages that’s not to be missed.
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