logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2023
28m 16s

Ivan The Terrible (Radio Edit)

Bbc Radio 4
About this episode

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 OK Computer, Human Error, Fight, QI and The Now Show.

For the full-length version of this episode, please look further back in the feed.

A production by The Athletic for BBC Radio 4.

Up next
Yesterday
Marco Polo (Radio Edit)
Greg Jenner is joined in 13th-Century Venice by Professor Sharon Kinoshita and comedian Ria Lina to learn all about medieval traveller Marco Polo and his adventures in China.Born into a family of merchants, in 1271 a teenage Marco set out for the court of the Mongol emperor Qubil ... Show More
28m 4s
Jul 4
History of Coffee (Radio Edit)
Greg Jenner is joined by Professor Jonathan Morris and comedian Sophie Duker to learn all about the bittersweet history of coffee.Coffee is undoubtedly one of the most popular drinks worldwide, and we consume an estimated 95 million cups of the stuff everyday in the UK alone. But ... Show More
28m 11s
Jul 4
American War of Independence: Fourth of July Special
Greg Jenner is joined in the eighteenth century by Professor Frank Cogliano and comedian and actor Patton Oswalt for a special Fourth of July episode all about the American War of Independence. Also known as the American Revolutionary War, 2025 marks 250 years since the start of ... Show More
57m 34s
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2023
Andy Warhol
Darren Harriott, Helen Bauer and Sara Barron on the weird and wonderful founder of pop art. And for the first time, one of the panellists falls violently in love with the subject during the recording and won't hear a word against him. Producer: Beth O’Dea Evil Genius with Russell ... Show More
45m 39s
Aug 2023
Ivan the Terrible
The name Ivan the Terrible is synonymous with brutality and ruthlessness. While Western scholars insist that the first crowned Tsar of all Russia did create a policy of mass repression and execution, others claim Ivan’s name has been tarnished by Western travellers and writers. H ... Show More
36m 25s
Feb 2020
Aristophanes
Join Natalie Haynes and guests for half an hour of comedy and the Classics from the BBC Radio Theatre in London. Natalie is a reformed comedian who is a little bit obsessive about Ancient Greece and Rome. She stands up in the name of Greek playwright and inventor of 'old comedy', ... Show More
26m 58s
Aug 2023
74. Peter the Great: The First Emperor
A giant of Russian history, and a giant of a man. Peter the Great, standing at 6'8, established Russia as the world power that it is today and is famously one of Vladimir Putin's inspirations. He expanded Russia's borders, modernised the state, and built St Petersburg from a swam ... Show More
1 h
Feb 2024
Ukraine frontline: ordinary lives in extraordinary times
A surgeon in a wheelchair, an indomitable grandmother, and a man taking care of eight cats in a bombed-out flat: just some of people the BBC’s Andrew Harding has met on repeat trips to Ukraine’s front lines. He and the BBC’s Olga Robinson, who has family in Russia and Ukraine, ta ... Show More
26m 45s
Nov 2023
The Queen's Soviet Spy
Sir Anthony Blunt, esteemed art historian and a favourite of the Royal family, was publicly revealed as a Soviet spy on 15th November, 1979, when Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher confirmed he had been part of the "Cambridge Five", a group of double agents who secretly passed sens ... Show More
11m 56s
Mar 2021
Bill Burr to play the Rose Bowl! (Parking lot)
The Comedy Store announces shows in the Rose Bowl parking lot featuring Bill Burr, David Spade, Whitney Cummings, Jeff Ross, Iliza Shlesinger, Fortune Feimster, Donnell Rawlings and more. More horrible allegations against Chris D'Elia Eddie Murphy talks about a MAGA gag that soun ... Show More
16m 15s
May 2024
The Now Show - 12th April
Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis present the week via topical stand-up and sketches. Starring Gareth Gwynn deep diving into the archives of the internet, Laura Lexx on Russ Cook’s incredible Africa run, and an original song from Jon Long. Voices from Daniel Barker and Gemma Arrowsmith. ... Show More
27m 55s