

Oh What A Time...
CBW Productions | Wondery
It’s time to embark on a journey through history with "Oh What A Time…" a comedy history podcast hosted by renowned comedians Elis James and Tom Craine along with award winning podcaster Chris Scull. Tackling a brand new subject each week, (from ‘childhood’ to ‘a life at sea’, ‘marriage’ to ‘holidays’) your hosts will dive into the very weirdest and worst that history has to offer, in an effort to answer the question… "Was the past as awful as it sounds?"Listen to Oh What A Time... on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting https://wondery.com/links/oh-what-a-time/You can get in touch with the show by emailing: hello@ohwhatatime.com.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 28, 2025 • 11min
🚨 EMERGENCY PODCAST 🚨
Hey listeners,As you may have seen, our podcasting host Wondery has closed its UK operations — which has left Oh What A Time a little homeless for the moment.Wondery+ has been the home of our bonus content for the past year, so with those doors closing, our paid subscriber episodes also needed somewhere new to live.The good news: as of today, we’ve found that new home — Patreon! 🎉On our Patreon you’ll now find:The full archive of bonus episodesBrand new bonus episodes each monthOWAT subscriber group chatsLoads of extra perks for supporters of the showPLUS the first two episodes of our new series (Technophobia and Memorials), which we can’t wait to share with you.Join us at 👉 patreon.com/ohwhatatimeAnd as a special thank you, use the code custard for 25% off your first month.Thanks so much for sticking with us — and apologies for the little pause while we find a new long-term home for the show.Chris, Tom & Elis x

Sep 22, 2025 • 55min
#69 Your Letters - September 2024 (Bonus Episode!)
OWAT returns properly on Monday 29th September 2025, so to fill the gap over the next couple of weeks we're dropping a few old subscriber episodes onto the feed.And today we have a Your Letters episode from September 2024. In this, we’ll hear from listeners with astounding relatives, we’ll ponder how awful a stag-do in Sparta may have been, plus we hear of the most practical one day time machines, possibly ever.If you fancy sending us a letter, you can do so via the medium of the future, email: hello@ohwhatatime.comYou can also follow us on: X (formerly Twitter) at @ohwhatatimepodAnd Instagram at @ohwhatatimepodAaannnd if you like it, why not drop us a review in your podcast app of choice?Thank you to Dan Evans for the artwork (idrawforfood.co.uk).

Sep 21, 2025 • 54min
#55 Your Letters - June 2024 (Bonus Episode!)
OWAT returns properly on Monday 29th September 2025, so to fill the gap over the next couple of weeks we're dropping a few old subscriber episodes onto the feed.Today we've got a Your Letters episode back from June 2024.There will be hilarious emails, there will be things we never knew and YES there will be a healthy dose of corrections. Don’t forget if you’ve got anything to send in, you can send it in via: hello@ohwhatatime.comYou can also follow us on: X (formerly Twitter) at @ohwhatatimepodAnd Instagram at @ohwhatatimepodAaannnd if you like it, why not drop us a review in your podcast app of choice?Thank you to Dan Evans for the artwork (idrawforfood.co.uk).

Sep 15, 2025 • 54min
#51 Selection Box (Bonus episode!)
OWAT returns properly on Monday 29th September 2025, so to fill the gap over the next couple of weeks we're dropping a few old subscriber episodes onto the feed.And today with have a special little selection box of a few things we desperately wanted to talk about; there’s a bit more on gangs, a bit more on weather and (quite possibly the main event) a bear that joined the military.Now would the Rolling Stones have caught on if Tom was the lead singer? Would Van Gogh’s famous Sunflowers have been surpassed by Chris’? And could Elis have been bigger than the Beatles? We don’t have the answers, but do you? If so: hello@ohwhatatime.comYou can also follow us on: X (formerly Twitter) at @ohwhatatimepodAnd Instagram at @ohwhatatimepodAaannnd if you like it, why not drop us a review in your podcast app of choice?Thank you to Dan Evans for the artwork (idrawforfood.co.uk).We'll be back soon!

Sep 14, 2025 • 56min
#35 Medieval S*x (Bonus episode!)
OWAT returns properly on Monday 29th September 2025, so to fill the gap over the next couple of weeks we're dropping a few old subscriber episodes onto the feed.Today we've got the only episode ever recorded without Elis - with the marvellous Matthew Crosby sitting in for him.This episode is Medieval S*x and yes, it’s worth pointing out that history’s horniest podcaster Tom Craine came up with this one. Who would you go back and kiss through cling film? Do you love creme egg gloop? If you’ve got answers to these or any other questions, please do get in touch: hello@ohwhatatime.comOh and please follow us on Twitter at @ohwhatatimepodAnd Instagram at @ohwhatatimepodAnd thank you to Dr Daryl Leeworthy for his help with this week’s research.Thank you to Dan Evans for the artwork (idrawforfood.co.uk).We'll be back soon!

Sep 8, 2025 • 30min
#139 Alexander the Great (Part 10)
We wrap up Alexander’s legacy by looking at his cultural impact. On screen, everyone from Richard Burton to William Shatner (yes, really) takes a shot at bringing him to life. And in literature, from medieval romances to Mary Renault, Alexander refuses to stay in the past — his legend constantly rewritten for every age.If you fancy a bunch of OWAT content you’ve never heard before, why not treat yourself and become an Oh What A Time: FULL TIMER?Up for grabs is:- two bonus episodes every month!- ad-free listening- episodes a week ahead of everyone else- And much moreSubscriptions are available via AnotherSlice and Wondery +. For all the links head to: ohwhatatime.comYou can also follow us on: X (formerly Twitter) at @ohwhatatimepodAnd Instagram at @ohwhatatimepodAaannnd if you like it, why not drop us a review in your podcast app of choice?Thank you to Dan Evans for the artwork (idrawforfood.co.uk).Chris, Elis and Tom x

Sep 7, 2025 • 30min
#138 Alexander the Great (Part 9)
We explore how Alexander’s story echoes through time. In history, his empire shapes Rome, Egypt, and the borders of knowledge itself.Also - is it just us or were 80s and 90s playground not quite up to today’s health and safety standards? If you’ve got something to share on this, do email: hello@ohwhatatime.comIf you fancy a bunch of OWAT content you’ve never heard before (and the entirety of the mini-series right now!), why not treat yourself and become an Oh What A Time: FULL TIMER?Up for grabs is:- two bonus episodes every month!- ad-free listening- episodes a week ahead of everyone else- And much moreSubscriptions are available via AnotherSlice and Wondery +. For all the links head to: ohwhatatime.comYou can also follow us on: X (formerly Twitter) at @ohwhatatimepodAnd Instagram at @ohwhatatimepodAaannnd if you like it, why not drop us a review in your podcast app of choice?Thank you to Dan Evans for the artwork (idrawforfood.co.uk).Chris, Elis and Tom x

Sep 1, 2025 • 35min
#137 Alexander the Great (Part 8)
In the Indus Valley, Alexander pushes into modern-day Pakistan and India, defeating warrior queens and kings before his men call time at the edge of the known world. Then, the long road home — a deadly desert march, political purges, and the loss of Hephaestion — sets the stage for Alexander’s final days.If you fancy a bunch of OWAT content you’ve never heard before (and the entirety of the mini-series right now!), why not treat yourself and become an Oh What A Time: FULL TIMER?Up for grabs is:- two bonus episodes every month!- ad-free listening- episodes a week ahead of everyone else- And much moreSubscriptions are available via AnotherSlice and Wondery +. For all the links head to: ohwhatatime.comYou can also follow us on: X (formerly Twitter) at @ohwhatatimepodAnd Instagram at @ohwhatatimepodAaannnd if you like it, why not drop us a review in your podcast app of choice?Thank you to Dan Evans for the artwork (idrawforfood.co.uk).Chris, Elis and Tom x

Aug 31, 2025 • 31min
#136 Alexander the Great (Part 7)
We’re chasing Alexander into Central Asia, where Darius meets a grim fate and local satraps learn the cost of betrayal.And what did people do in the pre-freezer age? The mind boggles. But if you’ve had something in your freezer for 30 years or more, please let us know: hello@ohwhatatime.comIf you fancy a bunch of OWAT content you’ve never heard before (and the entirety of the mini-series right now!), why not treat yourself and become an Oh What A Time: FULL TIMER?Up for grabs is:- two bonus episodes every month!- ad-free listening- episodes a week ahead of everyone else- And much moreSubscriptions are available via AnotherSlice and Wondery +. For all the links head to: ohwhatatime.comYou can also follow us on: X (formerly Twitter) at @ohwhatatimepodAnd Instagram at @ohwhatatimepodAaannnd if you like it, why not drop us a review in your podcast app of choice?Thank you to Dan Evans for the artwork (idrawforfood.co.uk).Chris, Elis and Tom x

Aug 25, 2025 • 39min
#135 Alexander the Great (Part 6)
Egypt rolls out the red carpet, hailing him as Pharaoh and even a living god. Finally, the titanic Battle of Gaugamela sees Alexander smash Darius’ massive army and claim the Persian Empire for himself.If you fancy a bunch of OWAT content you’ve never heard before (and the entirety of the mini-series right now!), why not treat yourself and become an Oh What A Time: FULL TIMER?Up for grabs is:- two bonus episodes every month!- ad-free listening- episodes a week ahead of everyone else- And much moreSubscriptions are available via AnotherSlice and Wondery +. For all the links head to: ohwhatatime.comYou can also follow us on: X (formerly Twitter) at @ohwhatatimepodAnd Instagram at @ohwhatatimepodAaannnd if you like it, why not drop us a review in your podcast app of choice?Thank you to Dan Evans for the artwork (idrawforfood.co.uk).Chris, Elis and Tom x