Afleveringen
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Rerun: The Sinclair C5, Sir Clive Sinclairâs disastrous entry into the EV market, launched at Alexandra Palace on 10th January, 1985. Looking like a cross between a mobility scooter and a childâs pedal car, it had no on-board storage, was too heavy to climb uphill, and a top speed of 15km per hour. But Sinclair had contracted Hoover to produce the vehicle, expecting orders of 200,000 units per year.In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly revisit the original publicity material for this doomed design classic; rank the public embarrassment of the carâs failure against Sinclairâs other high-profile flops; and reveal the contents of the optional âwet weather kitâ drivers could enjoyâŚFurther Reading:⢠âA Revolution in Personal Transportâ - the original press kit from the launch (1985): www.sinclairql.net/downloads/1985-01-10_Sinclair_C5_launch_press_kit-SQPP.pdf⢠âSinclair C5: the history of Sir Clive Sinclairâs electric carâ (Auto Express, 2021): https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/356059/sinclair-c5-history-sir-clive-sinclairs-electric-car⢠âImagine a Vehicle that can drive you five miles for a pennyâ - original Sinclair C5 TV advert (1985): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EQetm_qWDgPhoto credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/eevblog/âWhy am I hearing a rerun?âEach Thursday and Friday we repeat stories from our archive of 800+ episodes, so we can maintain the quality of our independent podcast and bring you fresh, free content every Monday-Wednesday⌠⌠But đ´CLUB RETROSPECTORSđ´members get an additional full-length episode each Sunday! Join now with a free trial on Apple Podcasts or Patreon and support our show â¤ď¸The Retrospectors are Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina & Arion McNicoll, with Matt Hill.Theme Music: Pass The Peas. Announcer: Bob Ravelli. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Edit Producer: Emma Corsham.Copyright: Rethink Audio / Olly Mann 2025.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Rerun: âIn this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxesâ, the American statesman Benjamin Franklin once said, but until 9 January, 1799, taxation looked very different to the way it does today, because this was the day the world was first introduced to income tax.Its introduction by British Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger was not one of his most popular innovations, but he had good reason to be wanting to bring more money into the governmentâs coffers, given the national debt had doubled during the American War of Independence and now stood at ÂŁ243 million.In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly explain why there was a bonfire outside Westminster the day income tax was eventually repealed; marvel that taxation used to target the wealthy rather than the poor; and reveal why taxing farts is more sensible than it sounds⌠Further Reading:⢠â9 January 1799: income tax introduced to Britainâ (Money Week, 2021): https://moneyweek.com/372129/9-january-1799-income-tax-introduced-to-britain ⢠âA short history of income taxâ (The Independent, 1995): https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/a-short-history-of-income-tax-1577708.html⢠âWilliam Hague on William Pittâ (Cambridge University, 2010): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0tHmYEaqokâWhy am I hearing a rerun?âEach Thursday and Friday we repeat stories from our archive of 800+ episodes, so we can maintain the quality of our independent podcast and bring you fresh, free content every Monday-Wednesday⌠⌠But đ´CLUB RETROSPECTORSđ´members get an additional full-length episode each Sunday! Join now with a free trial on Apple Podcasts or Patreon and support our show â¤ď¸The Retrospectors are Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina & Arion McNicoll, with Matt Hill.Theme Music: Pass The Peas. Announcer: Bob Ravelli. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Edit Producer: Emma Corsham.Copyright: Rethink Audio / Olly Mann 2025.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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According to legend, François Grimaldi and his brother Ranieri executed a bold plan to seize control of Monaco's iconic rock on 8th January, 1297. Disguised as Franciscan monks seeking refuge, they gained access to the fortress under false pretenses… only to reveal their true intentions by overpowering the guards and taking the stronghold. The House of Grimaldi remains the monarchy of the microstate, over seven centuries later.
Monaco’s appeal has always revolved around its strategic rock. Since ancient times, this geographical feature has served as a vital lookout and defence point over the Mediterranean. It wasn’t until 1297, amid the turbulent Guelph and Ghibelline conflicts—where local loyalties were deeply entangled in the rivalries of the Pope and the Holy Roman Emperor—that the Grimaldis seized their opportunity. Their success against Genoan control marked the start of an initially turbulent history, with Monaco’s sovereignty repeatedly contested until the principality solidified its independence.
In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly reveal that Monaco, now synonymous with wealth, was in fact once the world’s poorest country; explain where the ‘Carlo’ in ‘Monte Carlo’ comes from; and question whether ‘The Grimaldi Curse’ can really be evidenced…
Further Reading:
• ’How the Grimaldis came to live on the Rock’ (Monaco Life, 2023): https://monacolife.net/how-the-grimaldis-came-to-live-on-the-rock/
• ‘The Basics; Why Is Monaco A Country?’ (The New York Times, 2005): https://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/10/weekinreview/the-basics-why-is-monaco-a-country.html?searchResultPosition=27
• ‘MONACO: MONTE CARLO: 700TH ANNIVERSARY OF GRIMALDI DYNASTY’ (AP Archive, 2015):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1M8H-XcOMo
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On January 7th, 1904 the Marconi Company sought to establish a universal distress call; proposing, âCQDâ for emergencies. Despite its adoption in Britain, other nations had varied distress signals, leading to a lack of international consensus. The second International Radio Telegraphic Conference in Berlin in 1906 came up with âSOSâ instead. The United States werenât keen on adopting the new standard⌠until the sinking of the Titanic in 1912 highlighted the need to fall into line.In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly explain what âWCâ meant; recall the eye-catching way Marconi first demonstrated transatlantic radio waves; and explain how, eventually, Morse Code itself was retired as a method of marine communication by the end of the 20th Century⌠This episode first premiered in 2023, for members of đ´CLUB RETROSPECTORSđ´ - where you can also DITCH THE ADS and get weekly bonus bits, unlock over 100 bits of extra content and support our independent podcast. Join now via Apple Podcasts or Patreon. Thanks! We'll be back tomorrow! Follow us wherever you get your podcasts: podfollow.com/retrospectors The Retrospectors are Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina & Arion McNicoll, with Matt Hill.Theme Music: Pass The Peas. Announcer: Bob Ravelli. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Edit Producer: Ollie Peart.Copyright: Rethink Audio / Olly Mann 2024.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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In our first new episode of 2025, The Retrospectors dive into the scandal that shocked the world of figure skating, when, on 6th January, 1994, Olympic hopeful Nancy Kerrigan was attacked in the leg by a man wielding a police baton in an attempt to incapacitate her. This wasnât just a random act of violence; it was part of an orchestrated scheme involving Kerriganâs rival, Tonya Harding, her ex-husband Jeff Gillooly, and a band of bumbling conspirators. What followed was a tale of ambition, sabotage, and an investigation that captured the worldâs attention.In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly explore how the media, both upmarket and tabloid, got their guns out for Harding and backed Kerrigan as the wronged ice princess; recall the drama that played out in Lillehammer that year as both competitors were chosen for the squad; and consider how, despite a raised awareness of the abusive relationships under the surface, the sheer absurdity of Hardingâs crime continues to resonateâŚFurther Reading:⢠âJealousy On Iceâ (The New York Times, 1994): https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/packages/html/sports/year_in_sports/01.06.html⢠âJeff Gillooly, The Mastermind Behind The Nancy Kerrigan Attackâ (All Thatâs Interesting, 2024): https://allthatsinteresting.com/jeff-gillooly⢠âTonya Harding speaks out about Nancy Kerrigan attackâ (Good Morning America, 2018): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfXm8s37E8g#Sport #Crime #90s #ScandalLove the show? Support us! Join đ´CLUB RETROSPECTORSđ´to DITCH THE ADS and get an additional full-length episode each SUNDAY⌠⌠Plus, get weekly bonus bits, and unlock over 100 bits of extra content. Join now with a free trial on Apple Podcasts or Patreon and support our show â¤ď¸The Retrospectors are Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina & Arion McNicoll, with Matt Hill.Theme Music: Pass The Peas. Announcer: Bob Ravelli. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Edit Producer: Ollie Peart.Copyright: Rethink Audio / Olly Mann 2024.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Ollyâs favourite episode of 2024 unfolds on September 23rd, 1387: the day of the most extravagant feast of the Middle Ages, featuring dishes like broth, venison, roasted swan, and boar-heads⌠and 12,000 eggs. It took place at the London home of the Bishop of Durham, and was given in honour of King Richard II. Just 20 years old, Richard had already developed a reputation for extravagant tastes, employing 2,000 cooks to feed his court. But, despite the abundant and luxurious menu, the atmosphere at the feast was likely solemn, given the churchy setting and the era's rigid rules of etiquette. In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly explain why the cooks roasted birds in increasingly extravagant styles, yet served spices NEAT; discover how to make a "subtlety"; and dip into the rulebook for the carvers trained in the fine art of slicing and presenting food fit for a KingâŚFurther Reading:⢠âKing Richard's Feast Of 1387â (OAKDEN): https://oakden.co.uk/king-richard-second-feast-1387/⢠âOxford Symposium on Food & Cookeryâ (1990): https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Oxford_Symposium_on_Food_Cookery_1990/XseXnb98h90C?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=23rd+September+1387&pg=PA138&printsec=frontcover⢠âHow To Prepare A Traditional Medieval Feast | Let's Cook Historyâ (Chronicle, 2021): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkqQ5iGATrkLove the show? Support us! Join đ´CLUB RETROSPECTORSđ´to DITCH THE ADS and get an additional full-length episode each SUNDAY⌠⌠Plus, get weekly bonus bits, and unlock over 100 bits of extra content. Join now with a free trial on Apple Podcasts or Patreon and support our show â¤ď¸Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Rebeccaâs favourite episode of 2024 recalls the day âThese Are My Childrenâ premiered on NBC; the worldâs first televised soap opera, transmitted on 31st January, 1949. It lasted only four weeks on air, was broadcast live, and had a tiny budget, but influenced the production of the genre for decades. As dramas primarily created by and for women, soap operas typically attracted sniffy reviews from male critics, yet proved enormously popular with their initial audience of 1950s housewives. Creator Irna Phillipsâ own backstory mirrored the dramatic storylines she wrote, and many of the situations she introduced into her productions â illegitimate children, amnesiac medical patients â were TV firsts. In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly consider the genreâs clunky transition from radio to TV; explain the difficulties in obtaining quality soap actors; and reveal how Phillips not only pioneered soaps, but also pre-empted the Marvel Cinematic Universe⌠Further Reading:⢠âThe Queen of Soaps SpeaksâŚfor Herselfâ (Library of Congress, 2022): https://blogs.loc.gov/now-see-hear/2022/03/the-queen-of-soaps-speaks-for-herself/⢠âWomen Pioneers in Television â Biographies of Fifteen Industry Leaders, By Cary OâDellâ (McFarland, 1997): https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Women_Pioneers_in_Television/74fnsRmeeZcC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=these+are+my+children+first+soap+opera&pg=PA191&printsec=frontcover⢠âEileen Fulton on Irna Phillipsâ (Television Academy, 2018):https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGyhpn01e9ILove the show? Support us! Join đ´CLUB RETROSPECTORSđ´to DITCH THE ADS and get an additional full-length episode each SUNDAY⌠⌠Plus, get weekly bonus bits, and unlock over 100 bits of extra content. Join now with a free trial on Apple Podcasts or Patreon and support our show â¤ď¸Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Happy New Year, Retrospectors! We’ll return with new episodes from Monday 6th January, but in the meantime the team have been choosing their favourite episodes from 2024 that are worthy of a second listen. First up, Arion has selected our conversation about “Zone de Sensibilité Picturale Immatérielle”, the artwork concluded by French artist Yves Klein on 26th January 1962 – when he threw half the gold he received for the artwork into the Seine, and burned the ownership receipt. This conceptual performance, forgotten for decades, is now often credited by art critics for presaging the world of NFTs and blockchains.
Known for his daring, influential art, Klein’s more famous works include orchestrating a monotone silence symphony and copyrighting a colour: International Klein Blue. Despite satirising capitalism, however, he always made sure he was well paid…
In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly explain how Klein’s methods aimed for spontaneous, chaotic, and absurd expressions of art; explain how the audience were always a crucial component in his performances; and question whether Farrow and Ball have the edge over his trademark colour…
Further Reading:
• ‘Money for nothing: receipt for ‘invisible art’ sells for $1.2m’ (The Guardian, 2022): https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2022/apr/14/receipt-for-invisible-art-auction-yves-klein
• ‘Yves Klein: The man who invented a colour’ (BBC Culture, 2014): https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20140828-the-man-who-invented-a-colour
• What Inspired Yves Klein? (Christie’s, 2018):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nX3GrC6legQ
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How many nickels did the first Automat take in 1902? What does ‘Opus Dei’ mean in Latin?
And what WAS the title of the novelty song released by the Jamaican bobsled team in 1988?
It’s Arion vs. Rebecca in our fourth annual Retrospectors Quiz of the Year! Over festive drinks and listener feedback, Olly puts them to the test in this fiendishly difficult quiz - fiendishly difficult, that is, unless you’ve been listening to our show this year… in which case you will obviously know ALL the answers.
That’s it for another year of great Retrospecting: we’ll be back with new episodes from Monday 6th January, 2025. Thanks for listening, and happy holidays!
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Rerun: Charles Dickensâ novella âA Christmas Carolâ was written in just six weeks, and published on 19th December, 1843. The timeless story, which introduced the world to Ebeneezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim, and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, was conceived in part to get its author out of a sticky financial situation.Dickensâ other motive was to put into an accessible fable the political ideas that had formed the core of his proposed pamphlet, âAn Appeal to the People of England on behalf of the Poor Man's Childâ. In so doing, he re-focussed the Christmas message around charitable giving and kindness for generations. In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly explain how Dickens plundered his own back-catalogue to surface some âChristmas goblinsâ; consider whether the book-buying public truly understood the intended message of his work; and reveal why his determination to produce it in an affordable edition hit him in the pocket⌠Further Reading:⢠âA Christmas Carol: The True History Behind the Dickens Storyâ (Time, 2021): https://time.com/4597964/history-charles-dickens-christmas-carol/⢠âHow did A Christmas Carol come to be?â (BBC Culture, 2017): https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20171215-how-did-a-christmas-carol-come-to-be⢠"What day is it?" (George C. Scott - A Christmas Carol - 1984): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YO17UOjcovgâWhy am I hearing a rerun?âEach Thursday and Friday we repeat stories from our archive of 800+ episodes, so we can maintain the quality of our independent podcast and bring you fresh, free content every Monday-Wednesday⌠⌠But đ´CLUB RETROSPECTORSđ´members get an additional full-length episode each Sunday! Join now with a free trial on Apple Podcasts or Patreon and support our show â¤ď¸The Retrospectors are Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina & Arion McNicoll, with Matt Hill.Theme Music: Pass The Peas. Announcer: Bob Ravelli. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Edit Producer: Emma Corsham.Copyright: Rethink Audio / Olly Mann 2024.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Save Your Love became the UK’s unlikely Christmas Number One on 18th December, 1982. A blend of heartfelt crooning, offbeat British humour, and bucketfuls of kitsch, the song gained traction after Terry Wogan played it on his Radio 2 breakfast show, going on to sell around one million copies.
Former Italian waiter Renato Pagliari delivered the operatic voice and dramatic presence that carried the track, but the ‘Renée’ in the duet was in fact a young British session musician called Hilary Lester. The two had been brought together by songwriter Johnny Edward, after he spotted Pagliari on New Faces, and composed Save Your Love as a satirical jab at the overly saccharine ballads of the 70s.
In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly explain how Renée came to be replaced for the song’s iconic video; reveal the extraordinary contribution the song made to the success of independent records in the UK charts; and take a shot at topping Ronato’s show-stopping vocals…
Further Reading:
• ’30 years on from Birmingham duo Renee and Renato at top of the pop charts’ (Birmingham Live, 2013): https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/music/30-years-on-from-birmingham-duo-renee-401365
• ’Even Renée didn't want to star in 'cheesy' Save Your Love hit’ (Daily Express, 2022): https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/music/1711081/renee-renato-save-your-love-christmas-hit
• ’Renée and Renato - Save Your Love’ (Hollywood Records, 1982): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuaIBGwEUfo
ďťżLove the show? Support us!
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Join now with a free trial on Apple Podcasts or Patreon and support our show â¤ď¸
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Victorian Henry Cole took delivery of the first ever mass-produced card today in history in 1843.Notably absent from the design was Jesus Christ; Cole had commissioned up-and-coming illustrator John Callcott Horsley to depict a family enjoying a traditional dinner and drinks. The card was a commercial flop, but, by the 1870s, with decreasing postage costs, Christmas cards began to gain popularity among the lower middle classes - and have been circulated ever since.In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly explain why robins, of all birds, became a favourite feature on mass-produced cards; discover Horsleyâs campaign against nudes in art; and lament the Victorian card themes that have sadly not endured into the Hallmark era; dogs, cats, rabbits, and clownsâŚFurther Reading:âThe History of the Christmas Cardâ (Smithsonian Magazine, 2015): https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/history-christmas-card-180957487/âThe first Christmas cardâ (V&A Museum): https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/the-first-christmas-cardâWorld's First Christmas Card | How did the tradition of sending Christmas cards start?â (Postal Museum, 2020): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDml2EBWThoThis episode first premiered in 2023, for members of đ´CLUB RETROSPECTORSđ´ - where you can also DITCH THE ADS and get weekly bonus bits, unlock over 100 bits of extra content and support our independent podcast. Join now via Apple Podcasts or Patreon. Thanks! We'll be back tomorrow! Follow us wherever you get your podcasts: podfollow.com/retrospectors The Retrospectors are Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina & Arion McNicoll, with Matt Hill.Theme Music: Pass The Peas. Announcer: Bob Ravelli. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Edit Producer: Ollie Peart.Copyright: Rethink Audio / Olly Mann 2024.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Over a Chequers banquet of sole in shrimp sauce, fillet of beef, and caramelized oranges, Margaret Thatcher and Mikhail Gorbachev met for the first time on 16th December, 1984.
While their ideologies were worlds apart, Thatcher appreciated Gorbachev's frankness and imagination. The Soviet leader, meanwhile, seemed equally captivated by Thatcher's unapologetic firmness and sharp intellect. Their rapport formed the foundation of a relationship that would influence global politics profoundly, with Thatcher famously declaring the Russian "a man we can do business with".
In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly explore the rest of the Gorbachevs’ holiday itinerary; explain how Neil Kinnock killed the vibes; and reveal what Denis and Raisa got up to while their spouses were deep in conversation…
Further Reading:
• ‘Gorbachev and Thatcher: The Chequers meeting that melted the Cold War ice’ (The Times, 2022): https://www.thetimes.com/article/e9c5616c-2942-11ed-9092-6adde03bf612
• ’Political leadership in the Cold War's ending: Thatcher and the turn to engagement with the Soviet Union’ (British Politics and Policy at LSE, 2020): https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy/thatcher-end-of-cold-war/
• ‘Margaret Thatcher would 'do business with' Mikhail Gorbachev - Daily Mail’ (BBC News, 1984): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhl680YRT6g
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Rerun: Michelle "Cardboard Shell" Lesco achieved her third world record in competitive eating on 13th December, 2018 - this time for consuming the most amount of mayonnaise in three minutes.She consumed 2,448g - the equivalent of 3.5 jars, and 16,000 calories.Her previous titles were the fastest time to eat a bowl of pasta (26.69 seconds), and the fastest time to eat a hot dog with no hands (21.60 seconds).In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly ask whether all the viewers watching women with mayo on their faces are *purely* interested in the sport; trace the history of competitive eating back to 17th Century Kent; and recall the times when speed-eating has turned tragicâŚFurther Reading:⢠âWoman eats 5 lbs of mayo in 3 minutes | Guinness World Recordâ (SoAmazing TV, 2018): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oiwfl9IrZbk⢠âWhat It's Really Like to Train for the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contestâ (Menâs Health, 2019): https://www.menshealth.com/entertainment/a28196268/nathans-hot-dog-eating-contest-training/â˘âCompetitive Eating Was Even More Gluttonous and Disgusting in the 17th Centuryâ https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/eating-kent-eater-competitive-history-nicholas-wood-foodâWhy am I hearing a rerun?âEach Thursday and Friday we repeat stories from our archive of 800+ episodes, so we can maintain the quality of our independent podcast and bring you fresh, free content every Monday-Wednesday⌠⌠But đ´CLUB RETROSPECTORSđ´members get an additional full-length episode each Sunday! Join now with a free trial on Apple Podcasts or Patreon and support our show â¤ď¸The Retrospectors are Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina & Arion McNicoll, with Matt Hill.Theme Music: Pass The Peas. Announcer: Bob Ravelli. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Edit Producer: Emma Corsham.Copyright: Rethink Audio / Olly Mann 2024.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Rerun: Winona Ryder was arrested for shoplifting from Saks Fifth Avenue, Beverly Hills on 12th December, 2001. Amongst the products she had stuffed into her hat was a Marc Jacobs sweater worth $760, and Frederic Fekkai hair adornments listed at $600.
At first, the Oscar nominated actress claimed she had been under the impression that her assistant would pay for the items later. Then, she said she had stolen them as research for a forthcoming role. But in court, the security guards said they’d seen Ryder clipping the tags off some items with scissors. She got 500 hours of Community Service, and her career was derailed for a decade.
In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly consider whether Saks leveraged the opportunity for publicity purposes; examine the strange composition of the jury who decided Ryder’s fate; and ask if her appearance in a ‘Free Winona’ t-shirt was indulgent or amusing…
Further Reading:
• ‘A grass roots campaign to "free" Winona Ryder helps make $15 T-shirt LA's hottest style statement’ (British Vogue, 2002): https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/free-winona
• ‘Ryder possessed 8 drugs during arrest, memo says’ (Chicago Tribune, 2002): https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2002-12-04-0212040374-story.html
Winona Ryder Convicted of 2 Counts in Shoplifting - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
• ‘America’s Dumbest Criminals’ (Channel 5, 2002): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unyKRYb7WPo
‘Why am I hearing a rerun?’
Each Thursday and Friday we repeat stories from our archive of 800+ episodes, so we can maintain the quality of our independent podcast and bring you fresh, free content every Monday-Wednesday…
… But đ´CLUB RETROSPECTORSđ´members get an additional full-length episode each Sunday! Join now with a free trial on Apple Podcasts or Patreon and support our show â¤ď¸
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Mobile game Angry Birds debuted on the App Store on 11th December, 2009. The quirky and fun cartoonish characters and addictive gameplay found fans - but it took Apple featuring the app as their ‘Game of the Week’ in early 2010 for the Finnish creation to become a cultural juggernaut, catapulting mobile gaming into the mainstream.
Angry Birds wasn’t just a game; it was a masterclass in universal appeal. Rovio cracked the code of "four-quadrant gaming," targeting men, women, kids, and adults alike. Its intuitive drag-and-release mechanics suited the touchscreen revolution, making it accessible to non-gamers, and, by 2011, Angry Birds had evolved into a full-blown multimedia empire, spawning toys, cartoons, and a movie. Though sceptics doubted its longevity, the 2016 "Angry Birds" movie grossed $352 million, proving the franchise's unexpected staying power.
In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly explain what a roast turkey had to do with the Angry Birds phenomenon; consider how the game ushered in a rush for downloadable updates and an ever-closer developer-player relationship; and come to blows as to whether future generations of kids will recognise the characters as they do Mickey Mouse now…
Further Reading:
• ‘Ten Years at the Top - An in-depth chronicle of Angry Birds' history’ (Pocket Gamer, 2019): https://www.pocketgamer.com/angry-birds/ten-years-at-the-top-an-in-depth-chronicle-of-angr/
• ‘In depth: How Rovio made Angry Birds a winner (and what's next)’ (Wired, 2011): https://www.wired.com/story/how-rovio-made-angry-birds-a-winner/
• ‘Angry Birds In-game Trailer’ (Rovio, 2009):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNNzRyd1xz0
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Join đ´CLUB RETROSPECTORSđ´to DITCH THE ADS and get an additional full-length episode each SUNDAY…
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On 10th December, 1907, angry medical students and animal rights activists were clashing over a controversial bronze statue of a brown terrier who had been dissected at University College London in 1903, revealing violations of animal experimentation regulations. The âbrown dogâ case fuelled the anti-vivisection movement, kickstarting a fundraising appeal that culminated in the erection of a memorial in Battersea - chosen as the statueâs location because of its association with the famous dog home - and, ultimately, some of the worst rioting ever seen in LondonâŚIn this episode, The Retrospectors consider why this seemingly innocuous drinking fountain required round-the-clock police protection; explain why there was a link between feminism and animal rights campaigners; and reveal the considerably less controversial statue that still stands in Battersea Park...Further Reading:⢠âThe Statue Of A Dog That Caused Riotsâ (Londonist, 2016): https://londonist.com/2016/09/the-dog-statue-that-cause-riots⢠âHow the cruel death of a little stray dog led to riots in 1900s Britainâ (The Guardian, 2021): https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2021/sep/12/how-the-cruel-death-of-a-little-stray-dog-led-to-riots-in-1900s-britain⢠âThe history of the anti-vivisection movementâ (NewsTalk, 2013): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3KTsi61tokThis episode first premiered in 2023, for members of đ´CLUB RETROSPECTORSđ´ - where you can also DITCH THE ADS and get weekly bonus bits, unlock over 100 bits of extra content and support our independent podcast. Join now via Apple Podcasts or Patreon. Thanks! We'll be back tomorrow! Follow us wherever you get your podcasts: podfollow.com/retrospectors The Retrospectors are Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina & Arion McNicoll, with Matt Hill.Theme Music: Pass The Peas. Announcer: Bob Ravelli. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Edit Producer: Ollie Peart.Copyright: Rethink Audio / Olly Mann 2024.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Alfred Tennyson’s ‘The Charge of the Light Brigade’ was first published on 9th December, 1854, in The Examiner. Tennyson had penned the poem shortly after reading a dramatic account in The Times of the disastrous charge, which occurred during the Battle of Balaclava in the Crimean War.
Its rhythmic cadence, mimicking the galloping charge, made it both poignant and memorable, and the poem was an instant hit with the public - though critics were sniffy about the poet’s rhyming of ‘blunder’ and ‘hundred’...
In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly consider why Tennyson initially left his name off the poem, despite him being Queen Victoria’s Poet Laureate; debate whether it is pro or anti-war; and try to establish exactly who blundered on the battlefield…
Further Reading:
• ‘The Charge of the Light Brigade’ (Historic UK, 2019): https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofBritain/Charge-Of-The-Light-Brigade/
• ’Poem of the week: The Charge of the Light Brigade by Alfred Tennyson’ (The Guardian, 2014): https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2014/jan/20/poem-of-the-week-charge-light-brigade-tennyson
• ’Alfred, Lord Tennyson Reading "The Charge of the Light Brigade"’ (Thomas Edison, 1890):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLrJqhhR2G8
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Rerun: A female contestant had never scooped the jackpot on an American TV quiz show before New York psychologist Dr Joyce Brothers won $64,000 on 6th December, 1955.Her specialist subject was boxing - a topic about which she knew little, until she devoted herself to studying the annals of the sport in preparation for multiple appearances on the show. Despite the best efforts of sponsors Revlon to catch her out, she claimed the top prize on âThe $64,000 Questionâ AND its subsequent spin-off, âThe $64,000 Challengeâ.In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly reveal how Brothers combatted sexism on many prior occasions; explain how she swerved âthe Quiz Show scandalsâ; and celebrate her ability to leverage her celebrity and academic qualifications to become Americaâs first pop psychologistâŚFurther Reading:⢠âDr. Joyce Brothers on The $64,000 Questionâ (CBS, 1955): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqhxN9a8OCg⢠âObituary: Popular TV psychologist Dr. Joyce Brothers dies at 85â (Los Angeles Times, 2013): https://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-joyce-brothers-20130514-story.html⢠âJoyce Brothers: She overcame sexism to become the first woman to win US quiz showâ (Honey, 2021): https://honey.nine.com.au/latest/joyce-brothers-first-woman-to-win-us-quiz-show-64000-question-women-in-history/dd9f0dd2-0815-47e5-b84b-8f13edeb688fâWhy am I hearing a rerun?âEach Thursday and Friday we repeat stories from our archive of 800+ episodes, so we can maintain the quality of our independent podcast and bring you fresh, free content every Monday-Wednesday⌠⌠But đ´CLUB RETROSPECTORSđ´members get an additional full-length episode each Sunday! Join now with a free trial on Apple Podcasts or Patreon and support our show â¤ď¸The Retrospectors are Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina & Arion McNicoll, with Matt Hill.Theme Music: Pass The Peas. Announcer: Bob Ravelli. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Edit Producer: Emma Corsham.Copyright: Rethink Audio / Olly Mann 2024.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Rerun: James Christie held his first auction on 5th December, 1766 - billed as a sale of âgenuine household furniture, jewels, plate, firearms, china and a large quantity of madeira and high flavoured claretâ belonging to a âNoble Personage (deceased)â.His auction-house, Christieâs, went on to become one of the worldâs leading dealers of fine art. But it took Christie many years to exploit this opportunity, which he accomplished partly by leveraging well-connected friends. His milieu included Richard Tattersall, Thomas Chipperfield, Thomas Gainsborough, Horace Walpole, Joshua Reynolds and David Garrick - a âWhoâs Whoâ of 18th century London once known as âChristie's Fraternity of Godparentsâ.In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly explain how Christie innovated public viewings, product placement and sales technique; connect the dots between the French Revolution and Christieâs biggest successes; and reveal how much it costs to buy a two-headed taxidermied lamb⌠Further Reading: ⢠âJames Christie: the eloquent auctioneerâ (Royal Academy of Arts, 2016): https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/article/james-christie-eloquent-auctioneer ⢠âMr Christie, before Christieâs⌠His early daysâ (Artprice, 2021): https://www.artprice.com/artmarketinsight/mr-christie-before-christies-his-early-days ⢠âWelcome to Christieâsâ (Christies, 2016): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZ2kq20kK5UâWhy am I hearing a rerun?âEach Thursday and Friday we repeat stories from our archive of 800+ episodes, so we can maintain the quality of our independent podcast and bring you fresh, free content every Monday-Wednesday⌠⌠But đ´CLUB RETROSPECTORSđ´members get an additional full-length episode each Sunday! Join now with a free trial on Apple Podcasts or Patreon and support our show â¤ď¸The Retrospectors are Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina & Arion McNicoll, with Matt Hill.Theme Music: Pass The Peas. Announcer: Bob Ravelli. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Edit Producer: Emma Corsham.Copyright: Rethink Audio / Olly Mann 2024.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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