You're Dead to Me

By BBC Radio 4

Comedy History

What's You're Dead to Me about?

The history podcast for people who don't like history... and those who do. Greg Jenner brings together the best names in comedy and history to learn and laugh about the past.

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Ivan The Terrible (Radio Edit)

09.23.2023

Greg Jenner and his guests discuss the life, times and crimes of Russia's first Tsar, the infamous Ivan the Terrible. Joining Greg are Prof Peter Frankopan from the University of Oxford and Russian-born comedian Olga Koch, whose BBC appearances include ...

You're Dead to Me episodes:

09.23.2023 Ivan The Terrible (Radio Edit) Greg Jenner and his guests discuss the life, times and crimes of Russia's first Tsar, the infamous Ivan the Terrible. Joining Greg are Prof Peter Frankopan from the University of Oxford and Russian-born comedian Olga Koch, whose BBC appearances include ...
09.16.2023 Agrippina the Younger (Radio Edit) Greg Jenner is joined by historian Dr Emma Southon and comedian Cariad Lloyd in first-century Rome to meet Agrippina the Younger. Empress, overbearing mother of the Emperor Nero and murderess, but how much of what has been written about this ...
09.09.2023 P.T. Barnum (Radio Edit) Greg Jenner is joined by historian Prof Benjamin Reiss and comedian Desiree Burch in 19th-century America to meet the self-proclaimed showman, P.T. Barnum. He was a man famous for his museums and shows as well as "curiosities" such as General ...
09.02.2023 Hatshepsut (Radio Edit) Greg Jenner is joined by special guests Kemah Bob and Dr Campbell Price as they head back to Ancient Egypt to meet the unique and powerful ruler, Hatshepsut. She reigned for over 20 years, built a temple which is still ...
08.26.2023 Leonardo da Vinci - Live (Radio Edit) In this special, live episode of You’re Dead To Me, Greg Jenner is joined by Prof Catherine Fletcher and comedian Dara Ó Briain to learn about Leonardo da Vinci. Leonardo lived from 1452 to 1519 during an era of plague ...
08.19.2023 Atlantis (Radio Edit) Greg Jenner is joined by Dr Stephen Kershaw and comedian Sophie Duker to dive into the myth of Atlantis. The Atlantean story has its origins in the writings of the ancient Greek philosopher Plato. And literally nowhere else. Yet the ...
08.12.2023 Medieval Science (Radio Edit) Greg Jenner and his guests look at a range of scientific discoveries spanning 1000 years of history, widely known as the medieval period. How were knowledge and scientific findings shared across a world with its countless languages and regions before ...
08.05.2023 Nell Gwyn (Radio Edit) Greg Jenner and his guests travel back to 17th-century England to meet a celebrity of the Restoration era. As was one of the first actresses in comedy and a mistress to King Charles II, Nell Gwyn's life was as eventful ...
07.29.2023 Ancient Athenian Democracy (Radio Edit) Greg Jenner is joined in Ancient Greece by special guests Prof Michael Scott and comedian Alice Fraser as they examine the start of democracy with the Athenians. Aside from it obviously being a system that only benefited men, we will ...
07.22.2023 Zheng Yi Sao (Radio Edit) Greg Jenner, comedian Ria Lina and Prof Ronald C Po investigate one of the most successful pirates to have ever lived, Zheng Yi Sao. During the 18th century Qing dynasty, she led the most feared army of pirates the world ...
07.15.2023 The History of Timekeeping (Radio Edit) Greg Jenner is joined by Dr David Rooney and Desiree Burch at the literal beginning of time to explore the history of timekeeping. Covering everything from the origins of timekeeping to time in space, we even learn how you can ...
07.08.2023 Agatha Christie (Radio Edit) Sue Perkins and Dr Lucy Worsley join Greg Jenner to discuss the life of world-famous novelist, Agatha Christie. Agatha Christie is arguably the greatest ever crime novelist but her work has also permeated film, theatre and television over the past ...
06.02.2023 Medieval Irish Folklore (Live) In this special live episode, recorded at the Hay Festival, Greg Jenner is joined by Dr Gillian Kenny and comedian Seán Burke to learn about medieval Irish folklore. We’re focusing on the lore and stories from Gaelic Irish culture. Gaelic ...
05.19.2023 Agatha Christie Sue Perkins and Dr Lucy Worsley join Greg Jenner to discuss the life of world-famous novelist, Agatha Christie. Agatha Christie is arguably the greatest ever crime novelist but her work has also permeated film, theatre and television over the past ...
05.12.2023 Leonardo da Vinci (Live) In this special episode of You’re Dead To Me, recorded in front of a live audience, Greg Jenner is joined by Professor Catherine Fletcher and comedian Dara Ó Briain to learn about Leonardo da Vinci. Leonardo lived from 1452 to ...
05.05.2023 Victorian Bodybuilding Greg Jenner is joined by Dr Vanessa Heggie and comedian Darren Harriot to learn about the bodybuilding boom of the 19th and 20th centuries. The latter part of the 19th century saw the beginning of a fitness craze where the ...
04.28.2023 The Rise of the Tudors Greg Jenner is joined by Dr Adam Chapman and comedian Kiri Pritchard-McLean to learn about the rise of the Tudor dynasty. The Tudors are probably the most famous ruling dynasty in British and English history. But where and when did ...
04.21.2023 Cleopatra Greg Jenner is joined by Dr Shushma Malik and comedian Thanyia Moore to learn about Cleopatra. Cleopatra – the seventh Ancient Egyptian Queen to bear that name – was born around 69 BCE and she’s seen by many historians as ...
04.14.2023 Al Andalus Greg Jenner is joined by Prof Amira Bennison and comedian Fatiha El-Ghorri to learn about Al Andalus. From 711 to 1492, a significant amount of the Iberian peninsula – modern day Spain and Portugal – was ruled by a succession ...
04.07.2023 The Jacobites Greg Jenner is joined by Dr Jeremy Filet and comedian Eleanor Morton to learn about the Jacobites. During the 17th and 18th centuries, across Britain and Ireland, the Jacobite movement was at its height. The Jacobites were mainly, but not ...
03.31.2023 Atlantis Greg Jenner is joined by Dr Stephen Kershaw and comedian Sophie Duker to dive into the myth of Atlantis. The Atlantean story has its origins in the writings of the ancient Greek philosopher Plato. And literally nowhere else. Yet the ...
03.24.2023 Sarah Bernhardt Greg Jenner is joined by Prof Sharon Marcus and comedian Isy Suttie to learn about the actor Sarah Bernhardt, a global icon in the 19th and 20th centuries who died a century ago. Bernhardt was one of the most famous ...
03.17.2023 The Columbian Exchange Greg Jenner is joined by Dr Caroline Dodds Pennock and comedian Desiree Burch in the 15th century to learn all about the Columbian Exchange, which is often described as the start of globalisation. We go beyond the expeditions of Christopher ...
03.10.2023 Frederick Douglass Greg Jenner is joined by guests Prof Emily Bernard and comedian Toussaint Douglass in 19th century America to meet the remarkable Frederick Douglass. From heartbreaking beginnings, Frederick fought on to become a famed abolitionist, orator, writer and statesman who broke ...
03.03.2023 Vital Electricity Greg Jenner is joined by guests Prof Iwan Rhys Morus and comedian Olga Koch in the 17th century to learn all about "vital electricity". From elaborate party tricks to questionable medicinal claims, we’ll explore the downright bizarre ways that the ...
02.24.2023 The Indus Civilisation Greg Jenner is joined by guests Dr Danika Parikh and comedian Ahir Shah in the Bronze Age to explore the ancient Indus civilisation. They take a close look at the terracotta, toilets and even the unicorns of this vast civilisation ...
02.17.2023 Early Medieval Papacy Greg Jenner is joined by guests Prof Brett Whalen and comedian Alison Spittle in 9th-century Rome to explore the early medieval papacy. As the political heart of the papacy is plunged into chaos, we step into a world consumed by ...
02.10.2023 Valentine’s Special: Georgian Courtship Greg Jenner is joined by guests Prof Sally Holloway and comedian Caraid Lloyd in the long 18th century to explore Georgian love and courtship. Forget Bridgerton and allow us to guide you through a typical courtship in the Georgian era ...
02.03.2023 Announcing Series 6 We’re back! Greg Jenner previews some of the topics and guest coming up in the new series of You're Dead To Me which starts on Friday 10 February, 2023.
01.21.2023 Grainne O’Malley (Radio Edit) Greg Jenner is joined by historian Dr Gillian Kenny and comedian Catherine Bohart in 16th-century Ireland to look at the life of pirate queen Grainne O’Malley. Against the backdrop of the changing legal landscape of Ireland as it faced brutality ...
01.14.2023 Ancient Greek & Roman Medicine (Radio Edit) Greg Jenner is joined by historian Dr Kristi Upson-Saia and comedian Stu Goldsmith to explore the strange world of Ancient Greek and Roman medicine. Welcome to a world where health was fleeting and water could be dangerous. The team will ...
01.07.2023 The Asante Empire (Radio Edit) Greg Jenner is joined by historian Dr Augustus Casely-Hayford OBE and comedian Sophie Duker to explore the incredible Asante Empire. We learn the roots of Ghanian heritage - from storytelling, fabric, food, music and rhythm as communication, to how centuries ...
12.31.2022 Prohibition in the USA (Radio Edit) Greg Jenner is joined by historian Prof Sarah Churchwell and comedian Kemah Bob in 1920s USA to follow the implementation and after-effects of Prohibition. They take a look at the origins of the Prohibition laws and hear how a movement ...
12.09.2022 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 ...
12.05.2022 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 ...
11.11.2022 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 ...
10.22.2022 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 ...
10.22.2022 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 ...
10.14.2022 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 ...
10.14.2022 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 ...
10.07.2022 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 ...
10.07.2022 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 ...
09.16.2022 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 ...
09.10.2022 Medieval Animals Greg Jenner is joined by Dr Tim Wingard and Kiri Pritchard-McLean to look at what we know about animals in medieval Europe. From hunting and farming to companionship and entertainment, animals have long been a part of our culture but ...
09.02.2022 Ibn Battuta Greg Jenner is joined by Prof Amira Bennison and Nabil Abdulrashid in medieval Morocco to meet the globetrotter Ibn Battuta. This 14th-century traveller covered a mind-boggling 73,000 miles and is the author of arguably one of the world’s most famous ...
08.26.2022 The History of Timekeeping Greg Jenner is joined by Dr David Rooney and Desiree Burch at the literal beginning of time to explore the history of timekeeping. Covering everything from the origins of timekeeping to time in space, we even learn how you can ...
08.19.2022 Njinga of Ndongo and Matamba Greg Jenner is joined in 17th-century West Africa by Dr Daniel F. Silva and Athena Kugblenu to meet the warrior queen, Njinga of Ndongo and Matamba. One of the most formidable queens in history, Njinga lived a tumultuous life and ...
08.12.2022 The Terracotta Army Greg Jenner is joined in Ancient China by Professor Julia Lovell and special guest Phil Wang as they take a closer look at The Terracotta Army. In 1974 a family of farmers made arguably the greatest archaeological discovery of all ...
08.05.2022 Black Georgian England Host Greg Jenner is joined by Prof Gretchen Gerzina and special guest Kwame Asante in Georgian England as they meet some of the leading figures of Black History. With communities thriving in London and the port cities of England, we ...
07.29.2022 Julius Caesar’s Rise To Power Greg Jenner is joined by Dr Shushma Malik and Ahir Shah as they travel back to Ancient Rome to meet one of history’s biggest names, Julius Caesar. With a name so good his family used it multiple times, for every ...

Older episodes

You're Dead to Me

What's You're Dead to Me about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

You're Dead to Me episodes:

Ivan The Terrible (Radio Edit)

Agrippina the Younger (Radio Edit)

P.T. Barnum (Radio Edit)

Hatshepsut (Radio Edit)

Leonardo da Vinci - Live (Radio Edit)

Atlantis (Radio Edit)

Medieval Science (Radio Edit)

Nell Gwyn (Radio Edit)

Ancient Athenian Democracy (Radio Edit)

Zheng Yi Sao (Radio Edit)

The History of Timekeeping (Radio Edit)

Agatha Christie (Radio Edit)

Medieval Irish Folklore (Live)

Agatha Christie

Leonardo da Vinci (Live)

Victorian Bodybuilding

The Rise of the Tudors

Cleopatra

Al Andalus

The Jacobites

Atlantis

Sarah Bernhardt

The Columbian Exchange

Frederick Douglass

Vital Electricity

The Indus Civilisation

Early Medieval Papacy

Valentine’s Special: Georgian Courtship

Announcing Series 6

Grainne O’Malley (Radio Edit)

Ancient Greek & Roman Medicine (Radio Edit)

The Asante Empire (Radio Edit)

Prohibition in the USA (Radio Edit)

Medieval Christmas (Radio Edit)

Christmas with Charles Dickens

Greg Jenner talks to Lucy Worsley about Lady Killers

The Haitian Revolution (Radio Edit)

Saladin (Radio Edit)

Mary Shelley (Radio Edit)

The Ancient Olympics (Radio Edit)

The Tang Dynasty (Radio Edit)

Eleanor of Aquitaine (Radio Edit)

The History of Fandom, 1700-1900 (Live)

Medieval Animals

Ibn Battuta

The History of Timekeeping

Njinga of Ndongo and Matamba

The Terracotta Army

Black Georgian England

Julius Caesar’s Rise To Power

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