What do you think wackus bonkus original

8/10

Monty Python with facts

The 4 King George's as a boy band singing Born to Rule. That's all you need to know. Sketch comedy for the family.

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9/10

One of the best children's TV programmes ever written!

'Horrible Histories' is a show comprising sketches and songs based around a range of different historical periods such as Measly Middle Ages, Slimy Stuarts, Terrible Tudors and Savage Stone Age, often focusing on British history but also covering the history of other nations and peoples such as Groovy Greeks, Rotten Romans and Incredible Incas. The show is based on the hugely popular books by Terry Deary (who plays the occasional cameo!) and features animations by Martin Brown.

The whole show from start to finish is just hilarious. I became addicted earlier this year watching repeats of the first series, and was overjoyed when the second series was aired a few months later. The sketches are incredibly clever - many of them are take-offs of popular shows such as Wife Swap, Ready Steady Cook and This Is Your Life. There's even a catchy, cleverly-written song in each episode which you'll find yourself humming about the house for days afterwards! It's great that the episodes are so funny but also of course it gets kids (and adults!) learning more about history which is no bad thing! And even though it is primarily aimed at children, it's obvious it's meant to entertain the grown-ups just as much! I think there's so many children's series that have come out over the years which are peddled as 'comdedy' for children but they just end up patronising them with 'gags' that they can see coming a mile off and are rarely funny at all - 'HH' credits its young viewers with a lot more intelligence I think.

But I must mention that even though the writing, structure and general concept of the show are inspired, what really makes the show what it is is its fantastic cast, many of whom contribute to the writing. Mathew Baynton, Martha Howe-Douglas, Jim Howick, Ben Willbond, Laurence Rickard and Sarah Hadland (as well as a whole host of others) are all brilliant in their countless roles - they seem to put a lot of thought into maximising the hilarity of each sketch and basically just do their job really well! My favourite moments are too many to list although I particularly like the medieval paramedics, the Will Somers sketch, Mathew Baynton's parody of a certain TV fashion makeover guru and the Franciso Pizzaro Rough Guide. I also love the Boudica, Charles II, four King Georges and Spartan High School Musical songs (the last just seems to get funnier with each viewing!). Just catch the repeats on CBBC or buy the DVD if you've yet to see it - if you have kids they'll love it, and even if you don't, you should like it anyway!

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10/10

Hail Horrible Histories!!!

Warning: Spoilers

I rarely watch TV. Well can you blame me? Full of sad people all with the same desperation to be on TV via reality shows, ever since Big Brother, TV has seriously gone down hill. But this amazing programme, changes it all.

I first took interest in Horrible Histories when it was just a minor book series, i bought it in my first year of high school, i only had two books, but they were seriously entertaining, and believe it or not at the age of 25 i still have them! i was flipping through the channels a year ago when i was bored and i saw Horrible Histories. and oh my, its now an obsession.

I didn't think a children's programme could ever make me laugh so so hard.

The sketches are all insanely funny, and rather interesting too, i must admit after watching certain sketches i do find myself hopping onto the internet and doing a bit more research.

The Actors & Actresses are all fantastic, i cannot find fault with any of them. My favourites have to be Simon Farnaby, Jim Howick & Lawrence Lewin.

You learn the most interesting things, how Hitler would be in such a Paddy if he was awoken from his sleep, How they identified who was guilty and who was innocent in the middle ages by eating a piece of cake! Diogenes would pee on you if you insulted him! Other sketches to consider are, The prisoner of War, life in the trenches.

They Also mimic other TV shows and use it for some hilarious gags, for example Wife Swap, Hisorical Masterchef, Apprentice, Eastenders, Gok Wans Fashion Fix (minus the Gok Wan) Ready Steady Feast and many more. I wouldn't spend a second of my time watching these shows if they were on TV, but i have watched the horrible histories versions again & again and still laugh as hard as i did when i first watched it.

My favourite character has to be Caligula, and i wish there were more of him, he reminds me of Pontious Pilate in Monty Pythons Life of Brian, but a bit more crazier, he seriously reduces me to tears of laughter, him, his speech impediment & his mallet who he lovingly names Wackus Bonkus.

There are so many other sketches, the accents are spot on and make me laugh too, and the way they give random Era's a different accent, who would think King Pepi of ancient Egypt had a southern American accent?? Well he didn't, but it made me laugh all too hard.

This sketch show is the new Monty Python, and i hope one day The Monty Python Clan & The Horrible Historie Clan collaborate to make the ultimate sketch show.

The newer series feature more songs, which are all rooted from popular cult classics, but the lyrics changed. Although i do not watch these and try to avoid them (not my style!) i will admit they are a fantastic way to help children memorise crucial information.

And the winner of Two Bafta Awards two years in a row, the show must be fantastically hilarious and amazing! You must watch it for it is truly amazing!

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9/10

Who says history is boring?

Based on the successful book series published by Scholastic (with new titles still being published, mind you), this romp through historical mishaps, deaths, kings and queens, battles, language, and the inevitable fart and poo jokes.

Each episode jumps around between time periods and locations. Being a British show, Europe is the main focus, but the Ancient Incas, Egyptians, and Arab doctors don't escape the HH treatment.

Don't expect a hard hitting documentary, or even a loosely connected series of events. This is sketch comedy with a factual edge. It does its best to show accurate events, but mixes it in with some deliberate anachronistic elements.

Well acted, well written, just a lot of fun for kids of all ages - adults as well if you aren't too proud to admit it.

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9/10

Laugh your way through history

Warning: Spoilers

Every once in a while I catch my sister watching this, I sit down to watch with her and it's always interesting!

You learn a lot of useless, gruesome, interesting and comical details (some useful ones too) about what people did in the past. They also like to depict what happened in a modern day context, like Cleopatra asking Caesar to assassinate her enemies via instant messaging and a Roman "come dine with me", where the emperor Elagabalus gives the guests plastic food whilst he eats the real stuff.

I especially enjoy listening to the songs they come up with, my favourite being the one about Vikings.

Genius

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Not just "horrible", but quite movingly patriotic at times ... and nearly always brilliant

I'm with the other reviewers here in being: a) adult and b) hugely admiring of the "Horrible Histories" concept in general, and the way these particular actors put it into effect, in particular. However, I am not sure if the other reviewers have fully cottoned on to the exquisite way in which the work can at times rise to being both funny and moving at the same time. Cases in point are the "We fighter pilots..." song (about the Battle of Britain), and now recently the Magna Carta song (produced in time for the 800th anniversary thereof). Both songs are attractive visually, catchy as musical creations, funny, informative and ... distinctly moving! That's a nice and clever and unusual trick if you can pull it off, and these guys certainly can! Much-deserved congratulations to them, therefore. Their world-beating work fusing education with entertainment offers us yet another reason to be "proud to be British".

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9/10

The PERFECT Children's TV Show.

I have recently revisited the brilliant TV show that is Horrible Histories and still found it as amusing as before, it is a brilliant comedy show with originality. To say that the TV Show has some disgusting bits in it is an understatement, it is a fun-packed half an hour, each episode, of blood, gore, vomit, farts, burps and laughs. Whether it's HH TV Sports, HH TV News or the Scary Stories, it will bring a laugh to the darkest of people. If your child of whatever age has not seen this brilliant TV Show then they are missing out on lots of things, if your child thinks that Cartoon Network's Uncle Grandpa is the prime of all children's television or Teen Titans Go is the pick of the bunch then show them this TV Show from start to finish and they will see what they are missing out on. Truly Enjoyable for any ages, this will show people that Michael Macintyre is not funny.

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10/10

The Best Way To Learn History

Horrible Histories is one of the best shows on children's television; with catchy songs and entertaining jokes, this show really is the best way to learn about history.

When this show first aired I was starting high school and hated history, I couldn't remember anything and was getting bottom marks in every test. This show saved my grades, every episode meant that a large amount of information became lodged in my head. From Vikings to King Charles II to the Civil Rights Movement, this show covers a lot with coherence and clarity even being clever enough to make spoofs of popular shows and TV adverts ('we buy any monk.com!') that ring true to modern British culture. This should not, however, restrict its audience though since it is an easily accessible show that has something for everyone.

Now what truly makes Horrible Histories special are the amazing covers of popular songs. After six years I still find myself singing to 'Born To Rule' and 'My Name Is Charles'. The catchy lyrics will get stuck in your head faster than the Flash can run and will help you learn. The one downside is that you may get weird looks if you start to sing out loud to the songs in public (Trust me on this!). Everyday life has never been the same, but my friends and I have had great fun trying and failing to sing our favourite songs in tune.

Overall this show is a must watch, especially if you like history or comedy. With an amazingly witty cast and crew this show will have you begging for more episodes (but, since this is a BBC show, you shouldn't hold your breath).

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9/10

Not only for children

Blood, guts and excrement. Words to make you sick, I meant. Show this to your children and rejoice, toilet calls - there is no choice!

Sorry, didn't rime properly. Bad viking me.

Amazing show. I cannot believe how they market this as a children's show. The humor is quite pythonesque and the pop-culture references are pretty subtle (for a child to understand).

On the minus side there are some historical inaccuracies. E.g. Caligula wasn't murdered by his niece. And there are some more, but who cares. It's fun.

There really are some gruesome moments.. mostly involving feces. Amazing educational show, you silly Brits!

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10/10

School Take Notes

Warning: Spoilers

Growing up this was one of my fav shows but then it ended. I'm currently 14 and was recently scrolling through Netflix - I can not begin to explain my excitement at finding it. It's funnier to me now than it was then as I get a lot more of the gags I sit and watch it all the time and (although he doesn't like to admit it) my dad watches it as well and often laughs at some of the gags. It is so cleverly scripted and acted, the cast are phenomenal and the new cast doesn't even compare they are so unnatural - as Netflix has realised as they only have the original seasons. I am constantly singing the songs and this has taught me so much more history than school. It baffles me how schools don't use clips to further educate and make lessons more interesting (if they did it this way I would've decided to take History for my GCSEs) I HIGHLYYY recommend this it's great.

Also the 4 King George's singing Born 2 Rule - AMAZING Charles II the King of Bling - ICONIC (I've learnt ALL of the words) I became a highway man was daylight RoBbErY!!

This is literally one of my favourite shows and I will make my future kids watch it 😹

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10/10

Could not recommend it more

The first few seasons are honestly some of the best TV CBBC has ever shown. After season 5, the show goes rather rapidly down hill, but until then it is television gold. Educational yet funny. This show has the truly unique ability to actually get young children interested in history, and honestly older kids too! Some of the jokes are cheap and ever so immature, but many of them are witty and intelligent, and the songs are all brilliant. From Charles II to the 4 georges, each song is so catchy and unique, and also filled with information and fun facts which stick with you far longer than most things learnt in a classroom. It truly is a creative and educational masterpiece. Also I owe my entire Public Health section of my GCSE to this show.

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10/10

HH is like Monty Python in the 21st Century.

Warning: Spoilers

I am a 53 year old woman in Texas and I came upon this program on HULU. It's obviously for kids, but I AM HOOKED. I was searching for funny shows to watch in the evenings to help me decompress after a hard days work, and this show does the job.

I don't know how accurate it is; For example, the costumes for the Incas and Aztecs are almost identical and in some cases, the backdrop and props look more like something you'd see in a South Pacific village rather than Mezo America. But that's okay because the show is wonderfully funny. I watch it solely for its comical merit and not historical accuracy.

The humor is intelligent, sharply witty and sometimes grossly juvenile; reminiscent of The Monty Python skits from back in the day. With the exception that Horrible Histories (HH) also has an incredibly talented musical writing team (their musical skits are absolutely FABULOUS) and a wonderfully multi-talented cast -- they all sing, dance, act and are very, very funny.

I highly recommend it to anyone age 12 and above. Please keep those great episodes coming HH!

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10/10

Series 1-5; 10 out of 10 / Series 6 onwards went downhill

The early series of this show were superb. The writing and attention to detail for the sets and costumes was superb. It always amazed me how much effort (and probably cost!) went into each segment. Sadly it went downhill big time from Series 6 onwards. I'm guessing that the writing changed, but I wouldn't be surprised if the budgets were significantly reduced as well.

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10/10

Only 1 star for the second part though.

At some point, the actors were replaced. Unfortunately, the new actors are really very bad. Awful actors actually. The second part of this series (I call it like that because of the new actors) is not at all funny. With their bad acting, the new cast simply destroyed this wonderful series. :-(

But the first part (the one with the original cast) is just amazing. Superbly well acted and funny as hell!

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10/10

First 5 Seasons Are Exceptional

The first 5 season are exceptional. Some of the funniest British comedy sketches I've ever seen and the original music is first rate . I rate seasons 1-5 as 10. Unfortunately the subsequent seasons fall off a cliff. The sketches are drawn out and boring and the music is uninspired.

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7/10

Perfect until new people

I started researching one of my favourite childhood shows and I still love the show until the cast changed

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10/10

Horrible Histories!!!!

I love this show so much! It's hilarious, it's not boring at all and a great way to learn history. I watch it with my mum and dad every night and they too enjoy it. I know all the words to most songs, and thanks to Horrible Histories, I know all the English kings and queens, things about Charles the 2nd etc. Some of the song film clips resonates well with an older audience, as they are copies of older songs. They creatively add riff offs of shows, such as 'Historical Masterchef', 'Historical Apprentice' and 'Historical Dentist.' If you haven't watched it, I would definitely give it a go as it is funny and entertaining. As you watch the series you begin to get attached to some of the main characters, like we have, so it makes it more fun. 10/10 I love it so much.

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1/10

Season 6 - New Cast a Dud :(

Warning: Spoilers

We're really not liking it. It doesn't have that flow. The old cast had a good rapport & worked so well together. This new cast is very wooden. It's like they're playing their role, but not living it. The old cast really looked like they were having FUN!

I don't know why CBBC decided to do this. It's completely turned my family off the series. Perhaps it's the writing The episodes are just too disjointed to hold a child's attention. Each episode is focused on something specific in history - Napoleon, the Magna Carta, Henry VII. It looks like it should flow, rather than the old method of skits of many different historical facts, but it doesn't. It's too dry and not jaunty enough. The cast just looks so uncomfortable and out of place.

Very sad to see the series go like this. Up till now we have loved it.

Horrible Histories RIP.

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10/10

Best show ever

This show is literally the best, I would watch this everyday when I was a kid and still watch it now. I LOVE IT!!!!

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10/10

Best series ever

Its a very easy and interactive as well as funny way to "laugh your way through history". I definitely recommend this to everyone (children to adults). Great series!!!!!!!!!!!! I wish there would continue filming new series including Huns, china and other cultures which would be very interesting to watch and learn. Awful Egyptians Vile Victorians Gorgeous Georgians Awesome USA Troublesome 20th Century Slimy Stuarts Incredible Incas Angry Aztecs Rotten Romans Groovy Greeks Potty Pioneers Putrid Pirates Ruthless Rulers Frightful WWI Woeful WWII Smashing Saxons Cut-Throat Celts Terrible Tudors Savage Stone Age Measly Middle Ages Barmy British Empire Stormin' Normans Blized Brits Villanious Victorians Vicious Vikings Rutless Romans

P.S. As well as the books

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10/10

Outstanding

This is an outstanding TV series. Informative fun. I teach European history and I use it often as a fun way to introduce topics or to reinforce information. I cannot wait until my daughter is old enough to watch, learn, and be entertained by this TV series. Not even historians can be 100% accurate in their interpretation and analysis of the past, but despite that this show has more hits than misses. I know they have just recently made a new series and I do hope they continue to do more. BBC America should show it or PBS - as American kids are missing out - unless they are in my history class lol Good job lads and ladies on an excellent show.

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9/10

Fantastic! It broke the mold on children's television

Warning: Spoilers

for years, I've cringed at TV programming for children. Either the content is boring, politically correct or has no educational value. Horrible Histories is educational, funny and takes risks. It's also wonderful to see great representation by men and women in a balanced way (it's almost unheard of ... Although I'm turning a blind eye to the sexist "girl power" song that never should have been included - if you're not willing to say boy power, don't do girl power: you just demoralize young boys by doing so). The acting and writing is excellent. The historical facts are both fascinating and humorous. As a parent, my 10 year old squirmed through a number of gags (which is good - it is "horrible" after all). I often had to explain how things were mis-represented (eg. Caligula wasn't an idiot - he was very dangerous. People would have taken his lunatic ideas seriously for fear of death). Another example was the "take a seat" gag for the Stone Age sketches. I felt the need to dispel the fallacy that Stone Age means stupid. That's simply modern arrogance that we are only smart today. I was very happy to see a later episode showed Stone Age as not-so-stupid. Also, the show harps on about Vikings killing monks - it got very repetitive after the same point was repeated continually. But, don't let these small details put you off. The acting and writing is brilliant. It gets kids interested in history. It challenges our understanding of our ancestors. It's very entertaining for young and old. If you love Monty Python, you'll almost certainly love Horrible Histories. Keep an eye out for Master Chef, Tudors and Ancient Greece. The series deserves all the accolades it's been given.

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4/10

Fun for everyone

Getting kids interested in History or any other subject for that matter is hard. So if this show can help bring it to life for them in an engaging way then I'm all for it.

Even for adults this is an entertaining show, with actually more laughs in it than some of the prime time sketch shows that litter the schedules.

I can see why it's struck a chord with kids and adults a like because it's a well made and entertaining show. I hope schools have latched onto it and start using it as a resource. It would make a change to 'Blackadder'.

Long may it continue.

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10/10

Educational and entertaining enough for everyone!

My wife and I love the show so much that we couldn't stop binging each and every season. And is the second BBC show that's teaching us more than any grade and high school History classes ever did.

The comedy in each and every segment is so good that you completely forget you're actually learning so much world history. And the musical segments are awesome.

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