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Is he the Messiah, or is he just a very naughty boy? This week, the lads dive headfirst into Monty Python’s 1979 masterpiece, Life of Brian. Does the satire still hold up over forty years later? Is it the towering work of comedic genius the Pythons claim, or is it just an excuse to write Latin grammar jokes on a wall?

More importantly, what about this Jesus guy anyway? Was he a historical reality, or the ultimate urban legend of the Ancient Mediterranean?

We are setting the stage by stepping into 1st century Judea, a glorious, boiling cauldron where religious fervor, Roman bureaucracy, and geopolitical chaos collide. The Levant in the 1st century CE was the ultimate crossroads of the ancient world, where Hellenistic culture, Jewish tradition, and Roman military might smashed together to create a recipe for total madness.

Join us as we sort through the mess of meandering messianic maxims!

Support the show at patreon.com/reelhistorypodcast, where you can also get early access to part two.

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There is a new trailer for the upcoming Game of Thrones spin off, A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms. The boys react to it and Jim is surprised by his reaction.

Jim has been watching Halloween television episodes, specifically the Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 2 Episode 6 episode Halloween. This gives Jim and Jakob another excuse to rant about the good ol’ days of television.

Jakob has been watching the Apple TV+ Owen Wilson golf show Stick. Is this show scratching the Ted Lasso itch? Is this another promising Apple TV+ show that no one else is talking about? Jim has finished season 2 of Peacemaker and he has some thoughts. Jakob has completed House Of Guinness and we discuss the self awareness around the creators vision of actual Irish history.

Both Jim and Jakob have been watching the Apple TV+ documentary series Mr. Scorsese, covering arguably one of the greatest filmmakers of all time Martin Scorsese. Did Daniel Day Lewis’s wife do the life and career of Martin Scorsese justice?

The post A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms & Mr. Scorsese | SWYK 037 first appeared on Shows What You Know.

It’s the dog days of summer TV, but we’ve got a packed episode of news, reviews, and questionable life choices. First up: Chimp Crazy’s Tonia Haddix has been sentenced to 46 months in federal prison after a wild saga of lies, basements, and surprisingly casual on-camera confessions. We marvel at the access Eric Goode (of Tiger King fame) managed to get, and whether this is the most incriminating reality footage ever.

Then, Paramount Plus and Skydance officially tie the knot, birthing the hilariously clunky new moniker “Paramount: A Skydance Corporation.” We unpack the corporate dynasty politics, AI buzzwords, and what this could mean for the future of TV (Spoiler: not great).

Jim takes us on an emotional journey to the 40th anniversary screening of Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure, visits Paul Reubens’ grave, and discusses the new documentary Pee-Wee as Himself – a heartfelt deep dive into the life, legacy, and humanity behind the bow tie.

Jakob reviews season one of Murderbot, starring Alexander Skarsgård, a surprisingly cozy slice of sci-fi about an autistic-coded (pardon the pun) security unit navigating corporate space, alien relics and its own inner monologue. All while binge-watching its favourite TV show – so relatable!

And finally, we watch the trailer for The Paper, an Office sequel we were prepared to hate but… didn’t?

All this plus tangents, nostalgia, and the usual sprinkle of existential dread!

The post Pee-Wee’s Big Anniversary | SWYK 034 first appeared on Shows What You Know.

In part two of our special on Brian Boru, we chart the extraordinary reign of the most ambitious king in Irish history — from regional warlord to the first ruler with real, island-wide power.

(Listen to part one at showswhatyouknow.com or scroll back in the podcast feed!)

Brian’s ascent didn’t end with Munster. Through ruthless warfare, savvy alliances, and a string of political marriages (including to the formidable Gormlaith), he steadily brought Connacht, Leinster, and even the Viking cities under his control. In 1002, he forced the High King of Tara, Máel Sechnaill, into submission — breaking the ancient Uí Néill monopoly on kingship and forging an uneasy peace that we’ve decided to call the “Pax Boru.”

But Brian’s authority, hard-won though it was, rested on shaky foundations. Discontent simmered among his vassals, and when old enemies in the north and east sensed an opportunity, rebellion flared once more. Dublin and Leinster rose again, bolstered by Viking reinforcements from Orkney, the Isle of Man, and beyond. It all came to a head on Good Friday, 1014, in a battle that would echo down through the centuries.

The Battle of Clontarf was no simple tale of Ireland vs. the Vikings. It was a bloodbath of tangled loyalties, shifting alliances, and dynasties fighting for survival. Join us as we unpack the chaos: from Prince Murchad’s heroic charge to Brian’s final moments in prayer, to the brutal fate of Brodir of Mann and the devastating losses on both sides. It may have ended in a technical victory, but with Brian, his son, and his grandson all slain, the cost was staggering, and the dream of a united Ireland died with him.

This is the real history behind the legend — the story of a king who nearly changed everything, and the battle that ended it all.

Intro music is Lamentation by Kevin MacLeod, licensed under CC BY 3.0

The post The Battle of Clontarf | Brian Boru 2/2 first appeared on Shows What You Know.

Surprise! A rogue Reel History appears like a fistful of sand to the eyes! We covered Gladiator in our second episode, almost exactly 5 years ago. Ridley Scott took 24 years to return with Gladiator II and while the Reel History HQ usually operates at a similar glacial pace, we have – thanks to our Patrons – had a chance to watch and break down this hotly anticipated blockbuster! There are a lot of inaccuracies to cover and, more importantly, a lot of fascinating characters, so let’s dig in.

Join us as we separate fact from fiction in Gladiator II and learn why a… sea siege? on Numidia in 200 AD would have been absurd. Learn about the real “twin emperors” Geta and Caracalla (they weren’t emperors at the time) and the true story of Paul Mescal’s Lucius Verus Aurelius (there wasn’t much of a story). Denzel Washington steals the show and the empire as Macrinus – how does the scheming of reality’s Marcus Opellius Macrinus compare? Pedro Pascal’s General Acacius might not have existed at all, but the character was most likely inspired by Tiberius Claudius Pompeianus, Lucilla’s husband who  refused the imperial throne multiple times. And, speaking of Lucilla (played by Connie Nielsen, reprising her role), she would have been dead a long time, but there’s still plenty to say about why underestimating the women of Rome was rarely a good idea.

Oh, and the year is wrong too. There’s no way this is 200 AD.

Also: Sharks?!

It’s Ridley Scott, it’s Gladiator; there’s gonna be a lot to talk about. Join us for this special episode and consider supporting the show on patreon.com/reelhistorypodcast for more bonus content between main episodes. If you want to stay in the world of Rome you might enjoy our trailer breakdown and theories ahead of Gladiator II and a 2-part series on the most underrated Roman Emperors.

Note that this is not the start of a new bi-weekly season, we simply wanted to get this out as quickly as possible and we’ll be back with part 2 of our Brian Boru special in early 2025!

The post Gladiator II (2024) | Geta, Caracalla, Macrinus (200) first appeared on Shows What You Know.

You’ve had podcast, yes, but what about SECOND podcast?

This episode of The Podcast About the Podcasts About Television starts with us asking how far we’ve gone off the rails, as The Friendship Onion isn’t even a TV rewatch podcast, but rather a hobbity Lord of the Rings nostalgia trip. We’re reviewing episodes 3 and 4 of the show, a.k.a. the Elijah Wood episodes, and it’s a zip back in time to the pandemic, a.k.a. the ground zero of celebrities getting microphones and recording podcasts to celebrate their careers. But what starts as a harmless, if ad-filled, jaunt down memory lane soon turns into an investigation of a Succession-style conspiracy that we gradually uncover over the course of this episode.

We all know, by now, that this story isn’t about podcasters OR actors, but rather it’s a story about podcast networks. What is the shadowy organization keeping The Friendship Onion in a perpetual state of hiatus? Who filled the first ten minutes of this show with ten different ads? Why don’t these dear hobbits want to talk anymore? Welcome to the story of Kast Media and Colin Thomson, the man who brought the exploitative model of podcast networks to the next level and scammed down-on-their luck rich celebrity podcasters until they hung up their hobbit feet and sailed off to the Undying Lands.

Join your favorite Hobbits, friends and co-stars, Billy Boyd and Dom Monaghan as they take a look back at their time on The Lord of the Rings. Featuring interviews with cast and crew, diving deep into life behind the scenes, and answering the many fan questions, The Friendship Onion will peel back the layers of their friendship, both on screen and off.

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In episode 4 of Season 4 we’re diving into the 2004 film adaptation of King Arthur, marketed as the epitome of historical accuracy but leaving much to be desired. With a star-studded cast led by Clive Owen and Keira Knightley, the film aimed to elevate the Arthurian legend to new heights but ultimately stumbled in its execution. Join us as we dissect the discrepancies between cinematic portrayal and historical reality, using this film as a launchpad to explore the enigmatic legend of King Arthur.

From the very first frame, where the claim “Historians Agree” sets the stage, we debunk the notion of consensus around the Arthurian legend and scrutinize the film’s depiction of native peoples, dubbed “Wodes,” even though they’re clearly Picts. Venturing beyond the silver screen, we delve into the origins of the Arthurian myth, tracing its evolution from ancient folklore to modern-day interpretations. Through discussions on Roman conquests, the construction of Hadrian’s Wall, and the tumultuous fall of Roman Britain, we unearth the historical foundations upon which the legend of King Arthur is built.

Sources

“The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire” by Edward Gibbon

“The Twelve Caesars” by Suetonius

The post King Arthur (2004) | Dark Age Britain (410 CE) first appeared on Shows What You Know.

Fáilte go dtí Reel History! We’re finally going local – this week we dive into the wild forests of Irish history with Wolfwalkers, our first Irish feature film and first animated film. Come along on a mythical romp thorugh oppressed Cromwellian Ireland and learn how puritanical Christianity clashed with Irish mythology and tradition!

Wolfwalkers concludes director Tomm Moore’s “Irish Folklore Trilogy”, following his previous films The Secret of Kells (2009) and Song of the Sea (2014), and it was produced by Irish animation company Cartoon Saloon, based in our very own Kilkenny.

We use this fun family film to discuss Oliver Cromwell’s occupation of Ireland, colonization and other fun topics such as genocide. Irish history sure is a blast! We go thorugh the rise and fall of the so-called “Lord Protector”, Oliver Cromwell, and his crusade against Catholisism, and anything vaugely foregin, if we’re being honest.

Let’s go beyond the pale to a land of wolves and legends, and discover the misty mystic origins of the oldest man-made structures in the world, and some of the oldest tales from these here isles.

Yes, this week truly features all sorts of mythical creatures — including a woman!

Sources

The post Wolfwalkers (2020) | Cromwellian Conquest (1649–1653) first appeared on Shows What You Know.

Oh, you want more Vikings? We’ve got more Vikings.

In this third (and final) installment about the History Channel’s drama series Vikings, we’re talking about the main characters and their real-life counterparts… er… if they in fact existed.

Join as we discuss the man, the myth, the legend – Ragnar Lodbrok! Was he a simple farmer from Denmark who had visions of glory or a divine hero, inspired by Odin the all-father to slay dragons, wander to distant lands and marry witch-princesses? And what does ‘Lodbrok,’ mean anyway? We’ll discuss the shows portrayal of one of Europe’s legendary leaders and compare it against the sources that exist for the real figure that served as the key figure the History Channel’s show.

We also take aim at our female lead, the mythical Lagertha! A legendary shield-maiden (were they even real?), Lagertha anchors much of the show’s 6 seasons and proves every bit the Viking hero of her husband and son. But was she real? Rollo the Walker, the inspiration for Ragnar’s brother is also discussed- we chart how you can go from dispossessed minor noble in Norway to founding a dynasty in France that would conquer Britain and Ireland, not to mention Sicily and Jerusalem!

Come join us and hear how the story ends with Harald Hardrada, the ‘Last Viking.’ England is invaded on two fronts and a fateful arrow to the eye changes history forever. It’s climatic battles, magic pants, a man who moves like a snake, fate, the gods and everything in between. It’s Vikings Part III. It’s Reel History.

Please remember to leave a review and follow us @reel_history on Twitter!

The post Vikings III | The End of the Viking Age (1066) first appeared on Shows What You Know.

It seemed so perfect. We had Oliver Stone, the filmmaker behind JFK & Nixon; the auteur director of Wall Street, Platoon and the Doors. We had a monstrous budget, a huge cast and locations from India to Morocco. We had one of history’s most interesting characters. We even had an excellent historical consultant on hand to keep the filmmakers honest. We finally had the follow up to Ridley Scott’s Gladiator!

And then it all went so wrong.

Join us this week as we discuss Oliver Stone’s epic disaster, Alexander. It’s Doris Day’s wig playing Collin Farrell playing Alexander the Great. Bizarre performances from some of the worst casting you have ever seen in a serious Hollywood production meets appalling dialogue in this baffling biopic. Collin Farrell is somehow supposed to be believable as the son of the Snake-Witch Angelina Jolie and horrendously drunk Val Kilmer all whilst sporting a truly offensive hair-do.

Alexander the Great has lived in the memory of both the west and the east as he went from first dominating the Greek world to founding over a dozen cities and stamping Greek culture on Asia from modern Turkey to India. Dead at 32, this forever-young historical icon produced some of the regions most important cultural milestones from battles and an attempt at ethnic harmony to long-lived dynasties that would later give even Rome a headache. From a reference in the Bible as the King of Greece who will conquer the Medes and Persians to the Arabic ‘Two Horned one,’ and the Zoroastrian ‘Alexander the Accursed,’ few figures have loomed quite so large over history.

Our hosts are exasperated by a movie who’s running time is matched only by its increasingly bizarre choices. The Greeks are English while the Macedonians are Irish…except when they’re American…or Welsh…the wigs are crazy, the waste of talented actors is unforgiveable and Jared Leto is in it for some reason.

We’ll discuss the true story of this young King of Macedon and discuss why he’s known to history not just as Alexander, but Alexander the Great.

Sources:

Alexander the Great- Robin Lane Fox (2004)

The post Alexander (2004) | The Great (323 BC) first appeared on Shows What You Know.