

Oh What A Time...
Pop Pop
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?"For all the links, including our Patreon, head to" ohwhatatime.comYou can get in touch with the show by emailing: hello@ohwhatatime.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 17, 2025 • 37min
#132 Alexander the Great (Part 3)
We’re diving into palace intrigue, starting with the assassination of Philip II at a wedding that makes Game of Thrones look tame.Also, Tom has an idea for glasses innovation that sounds suspiciously like the glasses Dutch footballer Edgar David’s wore in the 90s. Please email in your criticism to: 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 11, 2025 • 32min
#131 Alexander the Great (Part 2)
We explore the young prince’s elite education under Aristotle, featuring wild horses, epic poetry, and geography lessons that fuelled global conquest. Finally, we take a look at the puzzle of Alexander’s early life — where the myths end, the history begins, and the truth gets slippery.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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 10, 2025 • 29min
#130 Alexander the Great (Part 1)
Dive into the colorful life of Alexander the Great, starting with his intriguing parents, Olympias and Philip II. The discussion humorously connects historical figures to modern sports icons. Enjoy a whimsical debate about a 12-year-old pope, full of imaginative scenarios. Explore Alexander's formative years and the royal parenting challenges that shaped him. The speakers offer engaging banter and listener interactions, promising a lively exploration of history's most fascinating characters.

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 x Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 x Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 x Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


