

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

Aug 4, 2025 • 34min
#128 Magic (Part 2)
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed!This week we’re talking about the great illusionists and conjurors of our times. We’ve got the man that pretty much invented the genre Jean-Eugene Robert, we’ve got the much-loved icon of British children’s TV Sooty and we’ve got the main man himself, Harry Houdini.Plus, is trying to work out who won the dad’s race via mobile phone footage basically the same as trying to work out who killed JFK from a single camera shot? The answer is yes. But you can email us anyway: hello@ohwhatatime.comIf 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 xSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aug 3, 2025 • 38min
#128 Magic (Part 1)
This week we’re talking about the great illusionists and conjurors of our times. We’ve got the man that pretty much invented the genre Jean-Eugene Robert, we’ve got the much-loved icon of British children’s TV Sooty and we’ve got the main man himself, Harry Houdini.Plus, is trying to work out who won the dad’s race via mobile phone footage basically the same as trying to work out who killed JFK from a single camera shot? The answer is yes. But you can email us anyway: hello@ohwhatatime.comIf 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 xSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jul 28, 2025 • 26min
#127 Revolting Peasants (Part 2)
This discussion dives into the tales of history's most rebellious peasants, featuring the infamous Wat Tyler and Dr. Smith Azza Broughton's remarkable challenges to medical norms in 19th century America. The conversation humorously touches on the Canadian anti-rent war struggles and how these events echo today’s identity politics. Plus, they explore disastrous marketing tactics, like the infamous Sunny Delight incident and McDonald's Olympic sponsorship blunders. Expect laughs and unexpected insights into historical revolts and modern missteps!

Jul 27, 2025 • 29min
#127 Revolting Peasants (Part 1)
This week dives into history's most revolting peasants, featuring the legendary Wat Tyler and his fight for social justice. The podcast also explores quirky marketing blunders, including Sunny Delight turning drinkers orange and McDonald's Olympic mishaps. From tales of wild university drinking events to the significance of historical uprisings against oppressive taxation, the hosts blend humor with insightful commentary, making the past come alive with engaging anecdotes and unexpected connections.

Jul 21, 2025 • 29min
#126 Journeys and Adventure (Part 2)
This installment dives into the thrilling life of Eva Dickson, a groundbreaking adventurer who defied norms in aviation and motorsport. It also recounts the incredible journeys of legendary explorers like Lewis and Clark, showcasing their resilience in uncharted territories. The hosts share amusing personal adventures, from a canoe trip across Belgium to a captivating trek across the Sahara. Along the way, they reflect humorously on the past, explore the world of writers before digital tools, and pay tribute to the iconic custard-loving WW2 hero.

Jul 20, 2025 • 41min
#126 Journeys and Adventure (Part 1)
Join in for a humor-filled journey through the past as the hosts share quirky stories about collaboration before digital tools, making you appreciate Google Docs even more. Relive their fun Glastonbury festival blunders and the significance of flags for navigating the crowd. Discover the adventurous spirit of historical figures like Robert Louis Stevenson and enjoy whimsical discussions about custard, longevity, and the transformative power of travel. It’s a delightful mix of nostalgia and laughter that sparks wanderlust!

Jul 14, 2025 • 25min
#125 The Super Rich (Part 2)
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed!Let’s have a look at some of the most interesting self-made millionaires that history has to offer! This week we have Sarah Breedlove and her lucrative beauty revolution, Richard Crawshay’s Welsh ironmongery bonanza and, more recently, let’s discuss Apple’s main man Steve Jobs.Elsewhere, haircuts come and go - from center parting curtains to the mullet - but the medieval monk circular-shaved-bald-spot-at-the-back refuses to come back. Plus, what era of your life would you choose from for your ghost form? If you’ve got anything on this or anything else, you know what to do: hello@ohwhatatime.comIf 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 xSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jul 13, 2025 • 42min
#125 The Super Rich (Part 1)
Let’s have a look at some of the most interesting self-made millionaires that history has to offer! This week we have Sarah Breedlove and her lucrative beauty revolution, Richard Crawshay’s Welsh ironmongery bonanza and, more recently, let’s discuss Apple’s main man Steve Jobs.Elsewhere, haircuts come and go - from center parting curtains to the mullet - but the medieval monk circular-shaved-bald-spot-at-the-back refuses to come back. Plus, what era of your life would you choose from for your ghost form? If you’ve got anything on this or anything else, you know what to do: hello@ohwhatatime.comIf 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 xSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jul 7, 2025 • 29min
#123 Music in Unexpected Places (Part 2)
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed!This week we’re discussing various tunes and music genres which popped up in surprising circumstances. We’ve got North Africa’s blues inspired Tuareg Rock, western music behind the iron curtain and modern attempts to recreate that original Tudor sound!Tom’s joined the rechargeable nasal hair remover revolution and we’re talking hair removal through history this week; we’re talking Norman Lamont, we’re talking Margaret Thatcher’s press secretary. To contribute on this subject or anything else, please email: hello@ohwhatatime.comIf 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 xSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jul 6, 2025 • 37min
#123 Music in Unexpected Places (Part 1)
This week we’re discussing various tunes and music genres which popped up in surprising circumstances. We’ve got North Africa’s blues inspired Tuareg Rock, western music behind the iron curtain and modern attempts to recreate that original Tudor sound!Tom’s joined the rechargeable nasal hair remover revolution and we’re talking hair removal through history this week; we’re talking Norman Lamont, we’re talking Margaret Thatcher’s press secretary. To contribute on this subject or anything else, please email: hello@ohwhatatime.comIf 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 xSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.