Looking back at the wonderful world of British sitcoms. @britcompod
…
continue reading
This podcast is for anyone interested in modern British political history from 1945 to 2010. The focus is generally going to be more on domestic policy and I plan to either interview someone knowledgeable each episode, or use a book, documentary etc as some fodder for discussion. My personal interest in this comes from being a longstanding modern British history enthusiast, with an interest in UK domestic affairs over the recent past. My rough aim is to put out a podcast every two months, bu ...
…
continue reading
Talking about British sitcoms and the people behind them. We discuss actors, writers and everything in between. Each episode will have a year in sitcom history where we talk about shows making their debut that year. Join Andy and Verso for discussions about the shows you love, some forgotten gems and a few shows best forgotten
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
15. A History of BBC Election Night Broadcasting - Crossover with The British Broadcasting Century Podcast
48:56
48:56
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
48:56
This one covers BBC election night broadcasting from 1922 all the way up to the present day. It's a crossover episode with Paul Kerensa of The British Broadcasting Century Podcast and we were joined by Gary Rodger, author of the book Swing: A Brief History of British General Election Night Broadcasting. Support the Show.…
…
continue reading
Allen went to the opening night of the brand new West End show Fawlty Towers - The Play and gives us his totally objective review. Is it going to be the sitcom successor to the Only Fools and Horses Musical and take theatreland by storm? Or is it a lazy cash grab from John Cleese?By British Sitcom History Podcast
…
continue reading
We recently looked at the peak years of Red Dwarf, a show that was so good that even the Americans had a go at it. There were two attempts (more like one and a half) at pilots for a US series and footage has unofficially leaked out. So let's have a look at them!By British Sitcom History Podcast
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Yes Minister (Guesting on Modern British History Podcast)
43:49
43:49
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
43:49
In this bonus episode, Gareth is a guest on The Modern British History Podcast. Harry White is the host and he generally looks at the modern (post war) British political scene. In this episode, he invited Gareth on to discuss the eighties sitcom Yes Minister and they discuss how it caricatures the civil service of the time. And have things changed …
…
continue reading
It's christmas! Time for cheer and good will to all men (or women). Unless you're Rigsby, in which case it's time to be a miserable git as always. But will he ruin the day for everyone else?We look at the Rising Damp christmas special from 1975 and see how it measures up to our own miserable christmas experiences.…
…
continue reading
In 1971, the TV sitcom Please Sir! got itself a big screen spin off. We're joined by Sol Harris of Diminishing Returns Podcast to see if it makes the transition smoothly, despite a change in cast member and a distinct lack of Potter.By British Sitcom History Podcast
…
continue reading
Fleabag, the iconic series that defined a generation, was based on a theatrical one-person show that Phoebe Waller-Bridge wrote and performed a few years before the TV people got involved. In 2019, she did that show again for the benefit of an audience (and cameras) as part of the National Theatre Live project.We watched it! And then inevitably com…
…
continue reading
It's part 2 of our discussion on (probably not really a sitcom) Fleabag, in which we continue to dissect in excruciating detail Phoebe Waller-Bridge's iconic series and then the rest of her career as well.By British Sitcom History Podcast
…
continue reading
British Sitcom History takes on its most modern show yet as we travel all the way back to 2016 to look at the generation defining Fleabag.Phoebe Waller-Bridge got the Guardianistas chattering with her frank portrayal of a woman dealing with grief and loneliness but how does it stand up when looked at by two slightly chippy middle aged men from York…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
14. 'Yes Minister' - Crossover with the British Sitcom History Podcast
47:24
47:24
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
47:24
"In stage one, we say nothing is going to happen. Stage two, we say something may be about to happen, but we should do nothing about it. In stage three, we say that maybe we should do something about it, but there’s nothing we can do. .....Stage four, we say maybe there was something we could have done, but it’s too late now.” I'm joined by 'my rig…
…
continue reading
We're back for part 2 of our look at the peak years of Red Dwarf. We're making a close inspection of The Inquisitor and having a peruse of the other work that the boys from the Dwarf did in the 90s. Spoiler - they're all crap.By British Sitcom History Podcast
…
continue reading
We're back in deep space for our second visit to the Jupiter Mining Corp vessel Red Dwarf. The computer's different and now there's an android doing the ironing; what's all that about?We take a look at the significant changes that turned Red Dwarf from a quirky space based sitcom into a sci-fi cult classic.…
…
continue reading
For part 2 of our review of Chance in a Million, we get stuck into an episode and take a closer look at the sitcom history of Brenda Blethyn. We also try and get into the minds of the writers to see where they get their crazy ideas.By British Sitcom History Podcast
…
continue reading
Chance in a Million is an early channel 4 sitcom that is today mostly only remembered for the central performance of Simon Callow. Allen says it's idiosyncratic, Gareth says it's a load of old toss. Is there anything to be said for revisiting this bizarre eighties show?By British Sitcom History Podcast
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
13. Northern Ireland Roundtable Discussion
51:04
51:04
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
51:04
What are the common myths about the conflict in Northern Ireland? Is understanding history a barrier to peace building in the country, or a vital part of it? And finally, what are the prospects for Irish unification in future? I was joined by Dr Thomas Leahy, Dr Eleanor Leah Williams and Dr Jonathan Kirkup for a full roundtable conversation on all …
…
continue reading
Part 2 of our look at Game on and we continue our analysis of a specific episode and take a look at how the show changed over the three series. And we even have time to do a sidebar on Hat Trick Productions, who have brought us several legendary sitcoms.By British Sitcom History Podcast
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
12. John Major: An Unsuccessful Prime Minister? - with Dr Ben Williams
41:47
41:47
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
41:47
John Major was prime minister for longer than the last five we've had in the UK. What were his politics? Were they little more than Thatcherism with some of the hard edges taken off; or did he represent a more significant shift of the political dial. Thanks to Dr Ben Williams for joining me on this one to unpick these questions (and a few more besi…
…
continue reading
It's always more distressing when we delve into the nineties as we have to address what we were up to at the time. This week, we look at Game On, the cult success that plays into the lad culture that was so prevalent at the time.Will it live up to our memories of it and how similar was it to Gareth's mid-nineties London life?…
…
continue reading
It's part 2 of our look at old school favourite Please Sir!This week, we finish looking at the episode and look at the legacy of the show, which actually split into two sitcoms when the original kids left. We also take a look at what became of the kids from Fenn Street in their later careers.By British Sitcom History Podcast
…
continue reading
Today we're going old school. All the way back to 1969 for LWT's Please Sir!Set in a London comprehensive and featuring the roughest bunch of fifteen year olds you've ever seen, has time and cancel culture caught up with the show yet?By British Sitcom History Podcast
…
continue reading
In part 2 of our review of Hi-de-Hi!, we have a look at some of the supporting actors, consider the changes that came in the later series, and ask the usual question of, "is it healthy to watch 60 episodes of a show in three weeks?"By British Sitcom History Podcast
…
continue reading
Our new series starts with eighties classic Hi-de-Hi!, which means we finally get to deal with Jimmy Perry and David Croft. We also look at the principal actors, including Su Pollard and Ruth Madoc.By British Sitcom History Podcast
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
11. The Legacy of Hugh Gaitskell and John Smith - with Dr Martin Farr
51:16
51:16
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
51:16
Both Smith and Gaitskell died suddenly and never gained political office. What do they tell us about how the Labour party remembers its lost leaders? What might have happened if they had both lived? And finally, where are they best placed on the spectrum of political opinion in the Labour Party? In this episode I'm joined by Dr Martin Farr, Senior …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
10. The EU's Role in Northern Ireland Peacebuilding - with Dr Giada Lagana
43:56
43:56
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
43:56
What is the often overlooked role that the EU played in Northern Ireland peacebuilding? What were the challenges of the EU getting buy-in from the Northern Irish community and how were these tackled? What lessons can be learnt from this for other peacebuilding initiatives? For this episode I was very grateful to be joined by Dr Giada Lagana, lectur…
…
continue reading
Why are by-elections called; what myths and misconceptions surround them; and how much do they shed light on the national political picture? I was grateful to be joined by Marc Collinson for this episode - lecturer in contemporary politics and history at Bangor University - to tackle these questions and many more. Hope you enjoy the discussion! Rec…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
8. Rock Against Racism - with Dr Ieuan Franklin
48:00
48:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
48:00
I'm very grateful to Ieuan Franklin - lecturer in History and Politics at Bournemouth University - for joining me on this one. In this episode, we talk about the Rock Against Racism movement of the late 1970s. What was the National Front and why did its followers join it? How did Rock Against Racism get started and challenge the National Front's rh…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
7. The Falklands War - Crossover Episode with The Aspects of History Podcast
58:24
58:24
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
58:24
I'm delighted to be joined on this one by Ollie Webb-Carter, host of The Aspects of History Podcast. In this crossover episode, we take on the hefty topic of The Falklands War. How did Britain get drawn into a war on a small set of islands 8000 miles away? How did the conflict play domestically in Britain - both in the House of Commons, the media, …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
6. Labour in the 80s: the Rocky Road to Recovery - with Associate Professor Danny Rye
39:21
39:21
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
39:21
Why did the Labour Party lose the 1983 election and what changes did the party make to put itself back on the path to recovery? We're joined by another real expert on the period for this episode - associate professor Danny Rye from Liverpool Hope University - to tackle these questions and more! Reading Suggestions Drucker, H.M., (1979) Doctrine and…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
5. The Evolution of Political Campaigning - with Professor Darren Lilleker
48:03
48:03
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
48:03
Ever wonder how political campaigns have transformed over the years? Discover how political marketing has embraced corporate strategies, as we analyse the image management and PR tactics of iconic leaders like Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair. Learn about how the introduction of television altered politicians' presentations and the roles played by …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
4. Party Finance - with Professor Justin Fisher
53:05
53:05
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
53:05
What if we told you that the often overlooked aspect of party finance plays a critical role in shaping British politics? As we dive into the historical landscape of political funding, our guest Justin Fisher from Brunel University brings his 35 years of expertise in political science to help us unravel the complexities and motivations behind politi…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
3. Economics and Culture in the 80s - with Alwyn Turner
47:18
47:18
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
47:18
“Economics are the method, the object is to change the soul” - Margaret Thatcher (1981) What were the various tensions and contradictions between free markets and social conservatism in the 1980s? How did these manifest in the culture, music, and media of the time? In this episode, I’m joined by author and historian Alwyn Turner to ponder these que…
…
continue reading
Are you smarter than a 47 year old? To round off series 4 of the British Sitcom History Podcast, we have a quiz (loosely) based on the things we've just watched. There is a whole section on Oscar nominated sitcom stars, Coronation Street connections, and stand ups in sitcom. Play along and try and beat Gareth.…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
2. Special advisors - with Dr Athanassios Gouglas
1:01:50
1:01:50
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:01:50
In this episode we hear from Dr Athanassios Gouglas on the subject of special advisors. Dr Gouglas is a politics lecturer at the university of Exeter and you can find out more about his research here: https://politics.exeter.ac.uk/staff/gouglas/ In the coversation we cover why special advisors came into being, the benefits and tensions they produce…
…
continue reading
BSH takes a field trip to visit The Royal Theatre Haymarket and say its goodbyes to the musical version of Only Fools and Horses. Allen saw it several years ago when it first started and wasn't that impressed, so will he have a better time with an American in tow and sitting in the worst seat in the house?…
…
continue reading
I Only Arsked! has a special place in sitcom history because it was the first film spin-off ever. After the success of the first series of The Army Game, (most of) the original cast came together to make a film before they all went off to do Carry On films for twenty years.How does it hold up after 55 years?…
…
continue reading
This week, we're taking a look at the film spin off from Porridge. It's one of the best sitcoms ever and probably one of the better of the film offerings as well but it's not exactly perfect.By British Sitcom History Podcast
…
continue reading
Part 2 of our clinical dissection of Miranda and this time we consider the influence of clowning techniques on the show and discuss the degradation of the show in the third series.By British Sitcom History Podcast
…
continue reading
For the last show of our series, we're looking at modern classic Miranda, from the mind of Miranda Hart. Can a 21st century audience empathise with a posh protagonist? Can a sitcom that ended eight years ago already feel out of date?By British Sitcom History Podcast
…
continue reading
Part 2 of our look at the first series of Blackadder includes closer inspections of Miriam Margolyes and Jim Broadbent as well as the original unaired pilot.By British Sitcom History Podcast
…
continue reading
This week we begin an epic journey through centuries of English history with the first series of Blackadder. The Black Adder sees Rowan Atkinson as spare to the throne and we're looking at episode four, where he is forced to marry the Infanta of Spain.By British Sitcom History Podcast
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Up the Elephant and Round the Castle (Part 2)
42:55
42:55
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
42:55
Part 2 of our look at the 80s Jim Davidson vehicle Up the Elephant and Round the Castle and this week we also take a look at the supposed sequel Home James!, even though it was completely different and had no resemblance to the former.By British Sitcom History Podcast
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Up the Elephant and Round the Castle (Part 1)
42:48
42:48
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
42:48
This week we take a look at the oft forgotten 80s sitcom designed as a vehicle for the unbound comic talent of Jim Davidson, Up the Elephant and Round the Castle. It wasn't good then and it's even worse now but is there anything of value to be salvaged from it?By British Sitcom History Podcast
…
continue reading
In part 2 of our look at Victoria Wood's dinnerladies, we take a closer look at Julie Walters and Maxine Peake and see how the series came to an end.By British Sitcom History Podcast
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
1. Crises in the 1970s - with Dr Chris Kirkland
56:12
56:12
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
56:12
This episode has Dr Chris Kirkland joining the podcast to speak on crises in the 1970s, with a particular focus on their link to the Labour Party. Chris is a lecturer in politics at York St John University and has published monographs comparing crises in modern British Politics and exploring how crises have shaped the UK Labour party’s economic ide…
…
continue reading
This week we start our look at Victoria Wood's dinnerladies. In many ways it is classic sitcom in its purest form but does it also break the rules occasionally?By British Sitcom History Podcast
…
continue reading
In part 2 of our look at The Army Game, we focus more on the second generation cast and the spin off success of Bootsie and Snudge. Is this a rare example of a show getting better after a big cast change?By British Sitcom History Podcast
…
continue reading
This week we look at ITV's first sitcom, The Army Game. Starting in 1957, the show was a huge hit and made stars of Charles Hawtrey, William Hartnell, Bernard Bresslaw and many others. But how does it hold up in 2023?By British Sitcom History Podcast
…
continue reading
This week it's part 2 of our look at Porridge in which we go a bit deeper on Brian Wilde and his wife's gammon steak hawaii. We also continue our look at the episode Just Desserts and then throw cheap shots at Kevin Bishop.By British Sitcom History Podcast
…
continue reading
We're back and we're starting the new series with an absolute classic. Clement and La Frenais' Porridge was a vehicle designed for Ronnie Barker but is just as well remembered for its stellar supporting cast. Part one takes a look at the careers of Barker and Fulton Mackay and we start to comb through one of the episodes.…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Time Gentlemen Please - Christmas Special
52:21
52:21
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
52:21
It's Christmas time again and that means all the most reputable people in society are going down the pub. We go back to the pub by the gas works to see how the Pub Landlord is handling Christmas with his mother.By British Sitcom History Podcast
…
continue reading