

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

Jun 30, 2025 • 28min
#121 Silent Films (Part 2)
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed!Time to go back to the golden age of cinema; this week we’ll tell the story of how sport first burst onto the big screen, how the first silent films were soundtracked and how F Scott Fitzgerald fell in and out of love with Hollywood.And we’re also discussing the things that take us back in time (like the theme tune to Going For Gold). What takes you back in time? AND PLEASE SEND US YOUR QUAINT LOCAL ATTRACTIONS! (With a pic of the leaflet if possible).You can email everything in here: 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.

Jun 29, 2025 • 38min
#121 Silent Films (Part 1)
Time to go back to the golden age of cinema; this week we’ll tell the story of how sport first burst onto the big screen, how the first silent films were soundtracked and how F Scott Fitzgerald fell in and out of love with Hollywood.And we’re also discussing the things that take us back in time (like the theme tune to Going For Gold). What takes you back in time? AND PLEASE SEND US YOUR QUAINT LOCAL ATTRACTIONS! (With a pic of the leaflet if possible).You can email everything in here: 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.

Jun 23, 2025 • 28min
#120 Scandals (Part 2)
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed!This week we are trawling the archives for scandals! (And let’s attempt this episode description in true tabloid fashion). Hear all about Lord Byron’s saucy behaviour! The blackmail of Alexander Hamilton! And (one of the all-time great scandals) you simply won’t believe the Profumo affair!And this week we’re asking: how on earth did anyone ever travel anywhere more than 50 years ago? And we’re also asking for more contributions to our hit new feature ‘COULD YOU BE ARSED THOUGH’? And also…PLEASE SEND US YOUR QUAINT LOCAL ATTRACTIONS! (With a pic of the leaflet if possible).Please email them in here: 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.

Jun 22, 2025 • 35min
#120 Scandals (Part 1)
This week we are trawling the archives for scandals! (And let’s attempt this episode description in true tabloid fashion). Hear all about Lord Byron’s saucy behaviour! The blackmail of Alexander Hamilton! And (one of the all-time great scandals) you simply won’t believe the Profumo affair!And this week we’re asking: how on earth did anyone ever travel anywhere more than 50 years ago? And we’re also asking for more contributions to our hit new feature ‘COULD YOU BE ARSED THOUGH’? And also…PLEASE SEND US YOUR QUAINT LOCAL ATTRACTIONS! (With a pic of the leaflet if possible).Please email them in here: 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.

Jun 16, 2025 • 25min
#119 Daft Deaths (Part 2)
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed!This week we’re turning to history to find people unfortunate enough to have had a really daft death. We’ve got sixteenth-century Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe, Alexander Pushkin’s totally avoidable end and we’ll hear all about the sad but, in some respects, happy demise of Greek philosopher Chrysippus. Plus we’re chatting Stonehenge this week. Got a crackpot theory on what it is? Got a good fact? Ever been there for a rave? Well, we’re desperate to hear more: 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.

Jun 15, 2025 • 28min
#119 Daft Deaths (Part 1)
This week we’re turning to history to find people unfortunate enough to have had a really daft death. We’ve got sixteenth-century Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe, Alexander Pushkin’s totally avoidable end and we’ll hear all about the sad but, in some respects, happy demise of Greek philosopher Chrysippus. Plus we’re chatting Stonehenge this week. Got a crackpot theory on what it is? Got a good fact? Ever been there for a rave? Well, we’re desperate to hear more: 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.

Jun 9, 2025 • 37min
#118 Motoring (Part 2)
This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed!Let’s get behind the podcasting wheel and drive through a history of motoring. We’ll hear about the birth of the service station, the dawn of motorways and breakdown services and - and this really is a huge one - the rise and fall of Little Chef. And we’ve got a brand new feature which we’re calling ‘Could You Be Arsed Though?’.. Which job is easy in the modern world but would be almost impossible in the past? Send in your suggestions here: 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.

Jun 8, 2025 • 43min
#118 Motoring (Part 1)
Let’s get behind the podcasting wheel and drive through a history of motoring. We’ll hear about the birth of the service station, the dawn of motorways and breakdown services and - and this really is a huge one - the rise and fall of Little Chef. And we’ve got a brand new feature which we’re calling ‘Could You Be Arsed Though?’.. Which job is easy in the modern world but would be almost impossible in the past? Send in your suggestions here: 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.

Jun 2, 2025 • 28min
#115 Weird Wars (Part 2)
Explore the absurdity of the Emu War, where Australian farmers waged war against birds during the Great Depression. Delve into the chaotic Football War between El Salvador and Honduras, showcasing how a soccer match can ignite political tensions. The discussion also takes a comedic turn with stories of fan antics at live events, tying in the cultural impact of sports on society. Plus, hear about the bizarre global conflicts among invasive ant colonies, proving that even nature can have its weird wars!

Jun 1, 2025 • 36min
#115 Weird Wars (Part 1)
Dive into the world of unusual conflicts, from the bizarre dog dispute between Greece and Bulgaria that escalated into war, to the hilarious Football War between Honduras and El Salvador. Nostalgically reflect on the quirks of pre-social media life, with entertaining tales of pub crawls and underage mischief. Catch amusing anecdotes about the complexities of diplomatic messengers through history, and get ready for more weird war stories in the next installment!