You're Dead to Me
BBC Radio 4
The comedy podcast that takes history seriously. In each episode of You’re Dead to Me from BBC Radio 4, Greg Jenner is joined by a comedian and an expert historian to learn and laugh about the past.History isn’t just about dates and textbooks – it’s about extraordinary characters, amazing stories, and some very questionable fashion choices. How long did it take to build an Egyptian pyramid? What does the Bayeux Tapestry reveal about medieval life? Why did it take nearly half a millennium for Joan of Arc to become a saint? And was Catherine the Great really all that great? Whether you want to explore ancient landmarks like Stonehenge and Machu Picchu, dance through the history of Broadway and Bollywood, or find out how the Tudors rose to power, Greg and his guests promise to teach you something new that you won’t have heard in history lessons.Previous episodes of You’re Dead To Me have covered everything from royals to revolutionaries, actors to activists and divas to dictators. Take a stroll through the history of high-heeled shoes or get the scoop on the history of ice cream. Maybe you’d like to paint like the cave artists of the Palaeolithic era, work out like a Victorian bodybuilder, or fight like a Spartan? We’ve even hosted a special, live episode with the BBC Concert Orchestra to explore the dramatic life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.Whatever your historical interests, Greg and his guests make even the trickiest topics easy to follow. Join them for a history lesson that’s as entertaining as it is enlightening - with no homework required.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 9, 2022 • 29min
Medieval Christmas (Radio Edit)
Greg Jenner and his guests Miles Jupp and Dr Eleanor Janega go back to the medieval Christmas for this one-off festive special. They look at the history and traditions that have thankfully continued through the ages, like gift-giving and stuffed wild boars (although numbers on stuffed wild boar we're told are down from previous years) and some that have mysteriously fallen off the radar completely, like masked carol singers and jellied eels.For the full-length version of this episode, please look further back in the feed.Research: Lloyd Roberts
Script: Emma Nagouse and Greg Jenner
Project Management: Siefe Miyo
Edit Producer: Cornelius Mendez
Dec 5, 2022 • 1h 1min
Christmas with Charles Dickens
Greg Jenner is joined by Dr Emily Bell and Mike Wozniak to find out what Christmas was like with Charles Dickens. We take a walk through the many Christmases of the renowned Victorian author. From elephants walking on ice to the family Christmas punch recipe, we take a closer look at the factors that may have influenced some of his most famous works and unpick what the phrase Dickensian has come to mean over the years.Written by Emma Nagouse and Greg Jenner
Produced by Emma Nagouse and Greg Jenner
Assistant Producer: Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow
Researcher: Jessica White
Project Management: Isla Matthews
Audio Producer: Steve HankeyThe Athletic production for BBC Radio 4
Nov 11, 2022 • 16min
Greg Jenner talks to Lucy Worsley about Lady Killers
Greg Jenner and fellow historian Lucy Worsley discuss Lucy’s Radio 4 podcast, Lady Killers, which is about Victorian murderesses. Lucy explains why she wanted to examine these historical cases and what these women's stories tell us about life and society in 19th-century Britain. The pair also discuss some of the fascinating and extraordinary murder cases which are investigated in the podcast.You can listen to Lady Killers on BBC Sounds.
11 snips
Oct 22, 2022 • 29min
The Haitian Revolution (Radio Edit)
Greg Jenner is joined by Prof Marlene Daut and comedian Athena Kugblenu to examine the events and aftermath of the 18th century revolution in Haiti, the first nation to abolish slavery. They look at the life of revolutionary leader Toussaint Louverture, confront the atrocities committed against the people of Haiti and the literal price they were forced to pay for their freedom.
Oct 22, 2022 • 29min
Saladin (Radio Edit)
You may have learned about Richard the Lionheart in school (or from Disney’s Robin Hood), but how much do you know about his opponent, the legendary Saladin? Why does Saladin have such an enduring reputation as a good guy? Host Greg Jenner is joined by comedian Maria Shehata and historian Prof Jonathan Phillips. Produced by Dan Morelle Scripted and researched by Emma Nagouse, assisted by Emily Greenwell.
Oct 14, 2022 • 29min
Mary Shelley (Radio Edit)
Greg Jenner is joined by literary expert Dr Corin Throsby and comedian Lauren Pattison to explore the often turbulent life of literary icon Mary Shelley. Join them as we all question our life achievements while discussing the groundbreaking work Mary produced by the age of just 20, how far she was prepared to walk for love, and arguably the most gothic first date in history.For the full-length verion of this episode, please look further back in the feed.
Oct 14, 2022 • 29min
The Ancient Olympics (Radio Edit)
Greg Jenner and his guests Prof Michael Scott and comedian Shaparak Khorsandi limber up for a trip to the ancient Olympics. Discover the drastic measures taken to prevent women watching the action. Hear how the gruelling challenges brought a whole new meaning to the term "leaving it all on the field" and how even death couldn’t stop you winning.For the full-length verion of this episode, please look further back in the feed.
Oct 7, 2022 • 29min
The Tang Dynasty (Radio Edit)
Greg Jenner is joined by historian Prof Tineke D’Haeseleer and comedian Evelyn Mok in medieval China to explore the Tang Dynasty. Known as the Golden Age of China, it was the time of China’s Emperor Wu, the only woman to hold power in her own right, and Emperor Xuanzong who became so bored with austerity he came up with a unique way to have fun.For the full-length verion of this episode, please look further back in the feed.
Oct 7, 2022 • 28min
Eleanor of Aquitaine (Radio Edit)
Greg Jenner is joined by historian Gabby Storey and comedian Rachel Parris to take a look at the action-packed life of Eleanor of Aquitaine. She was the only woman ever to be queen of both England and France. She took to the seas on a crusade and packed her entire household with her. She bore ten children and defended a castle, yet most of her life was spent clearing up her offsprings' mess. So just why is this badass queen’s legacy eclipsed by that of her sons?For the full-length verion of this episode, please look further back in the feed.
Sep 16, 2022 • 1h 2min
The History of Fandom, 1700-1900 (Live)
Greg Jenner is joined by Dr Corin Throsby and Stuart Goldsmith to look at early cultural fandom in the 18th and 19th centuries. Although many consider Beatlemania to be the start of what is now considered fan culture, Greg and his guests consider some much earlier and often hilarious examples of the birth of fandom. This episode was recorded live at the 2022 Hay Festival.You’re Dead To Me is a production by The Athletic for BBC Radio 4.
Research by Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow
Written by Emma Nagouse and Greg Jenner
Produced by Emma Nagouse and Greg Jenner
Assistant Producer: Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow
Project Management: Isla Matthews
Audio Producer: Abi Paterson
