The Zeitgeist Tapes

This month, Steve and Emma are joined by Dr Scott Rodgers, Senior Lecturer in media theory at the University of London, Birkbeck to discuss The Hunger Games. 

A film adored across the political spectrum, but is it too down on politics? And is it also inherently conservative?

In this episode, Steve and Emma are joined by journalist Helen Lewis - author of Difficult Women: A History of feminism in 11 fights - to talk about Mrs America. 

The Series depicts the fight around the Equal Rights Amendment in the 1970s between two groups of women. The second wave feminists and the backlash from conservative women. It is an incredible and complex depiction which - while clearly taking a view - doesn't demonise or idolise either side. 

In this episode, Emma and Steve are joined by the President of the New York chapter of National Action Network - Derek Perkinson - to discuss three seminal Spike Lee films. We cover Do the Right Thing, Malcolm X and BlacKKKlansman. 

All three speak to the moment we find ourselves in. Lee uses humour and great storytelling to drive home his point, never losing either anger or control. 

Today we are delighted to be joined by playwright James Graham. We interview him on the day that his play This House is due to go online (you can watch it here for free for a week https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vsSHyjEMrg). 

We talk about his portrayal of both real and fictional political actors from This House through Labour of Love and of course we touch on his portrayal of a certain Dominic Cummings. 

We have a first this month as Emma and Steve are joined by our first guest ever to be portrayed onscreen as a character.

Jon Lansman talks about the 1981 Labour Party conference and the battle to change the way the party elects its leader as depicted in a BBC docudrama which can be found here. 

As we all find ourselves willing Prisoners reliant on a strong proactive state to keep us healthy, we thought it might be fun to explore an alternative point of view. 

In this iconic 60s drama, Patrick McGoohan finds himself trapped in the perplexing and frustrating world of The Village. Constantly experimented on and tortured by Number 2, he is number 6. Though he would argue he's a free man. 

This drama explores issues of surveillance, freedom, conformity and difference. While a touch baffling at times, this incredibly watchable and interesting drama combines the best of 60s psychedelia with old fashioned action. 

With Emma Burnell, Professor Steve Fielding and Tim Worthington. 

This month Emma and Steve discuss Parks and Recreation - possibly the least cyncial programme ever made about politics. 

This month, Emma and Steve discuss Yes Minister/Yes Prime Minister. Prompted by the recent death of the last remaining regular, Derek Fowlds who played Private Secetary Bernard Woolley we re-examine what this show meant to perceptions of the civil service and where power really lies. 

This month, to keep us going through the election, Emma and Steve have been watching The Campaign. These politicians are not kissing babies - they're punching them! 

Lighthearted and surprisingly sweet in places this is definitely a good antidote to UK politics. 

In this election special, Steve and Emma are joined by occasional broadcaster and TV's Clangers expert Tim Worthington to talk about the one-off special of that show: Vote For Froglet.

This seven-minute-long slice of surreal seventies stuff has a lot more to tell us about our current political moment than you would think.

You can find the whole thing here.

As always do get in touch and let us know what you think at @ztpodcast on Twitter or on our Facebook page.