Weird or funny "went viral" stories for 2016

[twowhat?]

I need some ideas (this will be for a true/false quiz-like exercise). What are some strange or hilarious stories of the year that went viral? They need to be work appropriate and I'd also like to stay away from politics :)

[robinsmommy]

The one about the bees that followed their queen when she got stuck in a car?

http://www.treehugger.com/animals/swarm-bees-follow-car-2-days-rescue-queen-trapped-trunk.html

[bisous]

I don't know if this is possible but what about looking at the transcripts for "Wait, wait don't tell me". That's a weekly NPR comedy show that covers the news. They always have a true/false quiz that covers some really wild news stories!

[mikala]

This one came to mind but it's 2015. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/05/mcdonalds-kangaroo-beaver-dam-wisconsin_n_6623206.html

[mikala]

I don't know if this is possible but what about looking at the transcripts for "Wait, wait don't tell me". That's a weekly NPR comedy show that covers the news. They always have a true/false quiz that covers some really wild news stories!
I was just thinking of this and trying to remember some especially good ones! Love that show.

[robinsmommy]

I was just thinking of this and trying to remember some especially good ones! Love that show.

Yes! "Bluff the Listener" is the segment you want.

http://www.npr.org/programs/wait-wait-dont-tell-me/497065226/wait-wait-dont-tell-me-for-oct-8-2016

ETA - They have changed it! It used to be that the listener called in and the quiz that followed would be a great way to get the oddest news pieces in short, but it sounds like they have changed their format a little bit - the the segment I suggested is no longer the best way to get the info you need succinctly. Sorry!

[elbenn]

That lady in the Chewbacca mask.

[twowhat?]

Yes, the whole idea is based on Bluff the Listener! I just needed to simplify it for timing purposes...it can only take a few minutes:) Great ideas so far!!!

[TwinFoxes]

Yes, the whole idea is based on Bluff the Listener! I just needed to simplify it for timing purposes...it can only take a few minutes:) Great ideas so far!!!

Isn't using viral stories the opposite of bluff the listener? How can you bluff if the story is viral?

Was that video of the brothers tricking their post-dental surgery sister into thinking there was a zombie apocalypse this year? That was funny.

[twowhat?]

Isn't using viral stories the opposite of bluff the listener? How can you bluff if the story is viral?

Was that video of the brothers tricking their post-dental surgery sister into thinking there was a zombie apocalypse this year? That was funny.

I'm going to make up one of the viral stories and have them choose the fake one (so, loosely based on Bluff the Listener). So, the weirder the real stories, the better:) Post-dental procedure zombie apocalypse totally fits the bill!!!

[TwinFoxes]

This was last fall, but it is so fricking cute. It's a pee wee football game that's interrupted when they start doing the whip nae nae.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YT2kdZa_NMI

[crispychicky]

I'm going to make up one of the viral stories and have them choose the fake one (so, loosely based on Bluff the Listener). So, the weirder the real stories, the better:) Post-dental procedure zombie apocalypse totally fits the bill!!!

2 different local radio stations have a "stupid news" segment every morning. Actually, NPR does have that one 'funny' story every morning too on Morning Edition. It sounds like that type of thing may be what you're looking for. I bet you could google a bunch of those types of stories. I remember the story from the other day was about how someone broke into a store in Canada and stole $100,000 worth of hockey sticks. Apparently, the thief lowered himself through the ceiling mission-impossible style.

The other semi-viral video I remember was the girl snowboarder who didn't know she was being chased by a bear.
ETA- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vT_PNKg3v7s

[maestramommy]

How about the lady with the Chewbacca mask? Was that this year or last?

[jent]

Try News of the Weird. We get this as a column in our monthly "funny times " but I think there's a website.

[Mom Magic]

Last week I saw a ton of pictures and mentions of Daniel the emotional support duck and his first plane ride-- a woman brought her duck, complete with red booties and Captain America diaper, on a plane and the pictures and story went viral. Here is just one article about it from the Washington Post, but if you google it there are pages of mentions from all over the world. I think it fits your criteria!

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/animalia/wp/2016/10/20/daniel-the-emotional-support-duck-takes-his-first-plane-ride-soars-in-popularity/