The King's Speech

Recorded for 2020 Black History Month UK, now released in 2021 Black History Month US, Jenna and Hugh decided as a Hallowe'en idea to look at the comic book adaptation FROM HELL from writer-directors the Hughes Brothers. Jenna discusses the conflict between her true-crime geekiness and her current status as a queer historian, while Hugh vents on everything he didn't like about the film when in theatres, and how he feels about it now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded during UK Black History Month 2020 but now released in US Black History Month 2021, Hugh and Jenna look at a film that could have been a disastrously unfunny look at real-life events, but instead has become a modern comedy classic as well as a point of pride and inspiration in Jamaica itself. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded during UK Black History Month 2020 but now released in US Black History Month 2021.In a film full of the flavour of New Orleans Disney Animation returned to 2D animation with Princess and the Frog. However, the era that the film is set in is a troubled one for people of colour in America. Hugh and Jenna discuss the difficulties of depicting this era for a "family friendly" audience. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the week of Holocaust Memorial Day, we look at the 2016 drama DENIAL, and its version of the court case brought against historian Professor Deborah Lipstadt by odious Holocaust denier David Irving. Joining us is guest Dr. Waitman Wade Beorn, himself an expert in the field of Holocaust Studies as well as Digital Academic Studies, to discuss the facts behind the fiction and the fiction behind the 'facts'. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded during the 2020 Christmas Period, Hugh and Jenna are joined by Dr David Howell of the University of Gloucestershire to discuss the traditions of Christmas. Expect some musslings on the origin of the tradition of celebrating during the midwinter, Santa Claus, and his helper Zwarte Peit, small magical creatures, gift giving, Coal, Trees, Krampus, and singing Welsh Horse Skulls. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this season finale, Jenna convinces Hugh to go back to a classic episode of the Simpsons, based around an actual 90s event involving an academic historian researching a biography around a lesser-known US president, and what transpired when she thought she had found possible foul play around his death. Given that the episode centres around the Founding Father of Springfield and his statue, this turns out be a timely selection for the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugh discovers a new addition to his favourite rom-com list, but Jenna questions whether as a counter-factual this film really holds up. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Episode, Jenna and Hugh look at 1998’s Hollywood adaptation THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK, which gives Jenna a chance to try out her French and Hugh a reason to out himself as a lifelong Alexandre Dumas (Pere) fanboy. Writer/director Randall “BRAVEHEART” Wallace, actor Gabriel “supercool” Byrne, how Jenna knows more Dumas than she realises and Hugh’s favourite quote from the film are all points along the way as they decide how well the film portrays 17th century France. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded for the 65th anniversary of the original Disneyland’s opening, in this special length episode, Hugh and Jenna chat to their special guest Dr Sabrina Mittermeier, author of the upcoming book “A Cultural History of the Disneyland Theme Parks: Middle Class Kingdoms.”Along with Sabrina, Hugh and Jenna discuss the Disney parks in terms of their history, how they represent history, as well as issues such as class and Americanisation within the parks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Episode, Hugh speaks for far too long, as he tries to get inside the reactions of the local cinema audience when he first saw the film. Jenna provides a lot more laughs when he gets too serious, but also drags him back on track and corrects his mistakes. Nationalism, national identity, royalty, scandal, appearances and “the war” all get an airing in this look at the stellar cast and story in the awards-winner from the director of CATS…. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.