logo
episode-header-image
Aug 2021
51m 36s

Fairy Tales

Bbc Radio 4
About this episode

Greg Jenner and his guests uncover the gruesome truths behind some of our most-loved fairy tales that have kept children and adults enchanted for centuries. In comedy corner, we have the wickedly funny “evil queen of comedy” Sally Phillips, who we all know as a comedian, sketch-writer and for her appearances in shows like Miranda, Green Wing, Veep and many more. In history corner is the world-renowned expert on children’s literature, folklore and German literature, Prof Maria Tatar.

Up next
Oct 30
Francis Galton (Radio Edit)
Greg Jenner is joined in Victorian England by historian and curator Subhadra Das and comedian Desiree Burch to learn all about the life of scientist and eugenics pioneer Francis Galton. He was many things: a Victorian gentleman scientist, an inventor of whacky devices, a pioneer ... Show More
28m 2s
Oct 23
The Iliad and Odyssey (Radio Edit)
Greg Jenner is joined in ancient Greece by historian Dr Emily Hauser and comedian and actor Kiell Smith-Bynoe to learn about the epic poems the Iliad and Odyssey. Traditionally attributed to the poet Homer, these works tell parts of a legend that has fascinated us for centuries: ... Show More
28m 9s
Oct 16
The History of Fandom, 1700-1900 (Radio Edit)
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 hilar ... Show More
28m 34s
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2024
Origins of Fairy Tales
<p>Fairy tales exist everywhere and in every time.&nbsp;Through centuries of oral tradition and the invention of print and later advances in television and film, fairy tales have altered and shaped themselves in reflection of changing cultural norms.&nbsp;</p><br><p>In this episo ... Show More
29m 48s
Feb 2020
GTTU 120: Grimms' Scary Tales
On Episode 120 of Guide to the Unknown:These stories are totally for children. NOT!We’re looking back at the wonderful work done by The Brothers Grimm! As folklorists and historians, they literally wrote the book on fairy tales! But who were they? And what did they collect?On thi ... Show More
1h 15m
Jan 2022
Tap dancing Twizzlers, cockroach warriors, and fairy tales! Oh my!
Two collections of short stories, both alike in playfulness in our fair podcast. The first is with Gwen Kirby whose debut collection of short stories is called, hilariously, Shit Cassandra Saw. It ranges from radioactive cockroaches to tapdancing Twizzlers. Kirby told NPR's Mary ... Show More
16m 51s
Feb 2020
Fairy Tale with Ellen Haun and Laura Lane
Hey Sleeping Beauty and Snow White - wake up! There's some man trying to kiss you! The girls welcome Ellen Haun and Laura Lane (This is Why You're Single), the forthcoming authors of Cinderella and the Glass Ceiling and Other Feminist Fairy Tales, to discuss cosplay, doing chores ... Show More
49m 58s
Aug 2025
Evil Animals, Series 1: Trailer
Join comedian Russell Kane for Evil Animals. The feral sibling of Evil Genius.Russell is joined by special guests: comedian Laura Smyth, zoologist Jules Howard, comedian Ola Labib and Principal Curator of Diptera at the Natural History Museum, Erica McAlister.Hosted by Russell Ka ... Show More
2m 10s
Jun 2020
Level 2.160 Once upon a time
There are some very unpleasant people in fairy tales! 
3m 29s
May 2023
The Woman Who Wrote Fairy Tales
<p>When it comes to fairy tales, most people know Charrles Perrault and the Brothers Grimm. Fewer know of Madame d'Aulnoy, whose own life of murder and political inrigues inspired the stories where love is hard won and happiness is harder when the parties are human.</p> <p>Suppor ... Show More
34m 12s
Nov 2015
The Dark Origins of Fairy Tales
<p>Fairy tales are for kids right? Well not at first they weren't. They were dark tales of murder, rape, incest, cannibalism and mayhem geared toward adults. What changed? Chuck and Josh will drop that knowledge and more in today's episode.</p><p> </p> Learn more about your ad-ch ... Show More
41m 31s
Mar 2014
No Such Thing As The Middle Ages
Episode 3: This week QI Elves Dan Schreiber (@schreiberland) and James Harkin (@eggshaped) are joined by Horrible Histories consultant Greg Jenner (@gregjenner) and comedian Alex Edelman (@alexedelman) to discuss the first recorded smile, the most important animal in America and ... Show More
27m 34s