Horrible Histories (2009 TV series) facts for kids
Horrible Histories is a super funny British TV show that teaches you about history! It's a sketch comedy series, which means it's made up of lots of short, funny scenes. The show is based on the popular Horrible Histories books by Terry Deary. It was made for CBBC, a children's TV channel.
The TV show looks a lot like the Horrible Histories books. It keeps the same silly but true style, focusing on the dark, gross, or sometimes shocking parts of history. It covers history from the Stone Age all the way up to after World War II. Each episode mixes sketches from different time periods, just like the books do.
Contents
About Horrible Histories
What the Show is About
Horrible Histories is famous for making history exciting and hilarious. Instead of just dates and names, it shows you the weird, wild, and sometimes disgusting things that really happened. You'll see sketches about everything from Rotten Romans to Terrible Tudors. The show uses catchy songs, silly characters, and funny costumes to bring history to life. It's a great way to learn facts you might not find in a regular textbook!
Spin-offs and Other Versions
Because the show was so popular, other versions were made. In 2011, a game show called Horrible Histories: Gory Games started on CBBC. It lets kids test their history knowledge in a fun way. Also in 2011, the original show was shown on the main BBC One channel. This version was called Horrible Histories with Stephen Fry. In this show, famous actor Stephen Fry took over from the puppet rat as the presenter.
Main Cast
Many talented actors have been part of Horrible Histories. They play lots of different historical characters in the sketches. Some of the main actors who appeared in the first five series include:
- Mathew Baynton
- Simon Farnaby
- Sarah Hadland
- Martha Howe-Douglas
- Jim Howick
- Laurence Rickard
- Ben Willbond
Later series and specials featured new cast members like:
- Richard Atwill
- Richard David-Caine
- Jalaal Hartley
- Samson Kayo
- Naz Osmanoglu
- Jessica Ransom
- Adam Riches
- Ryan Sampson
- Tom Stourton
- Thom Tuck
- Gemma Whelan
The puppet rat, Rattus Rattus, was voiced by John Eccelston.
Historical Eras and Features
The show covers many different times and places in history. Here are some of the eras and civilizations you'll see in Horrible Histories:
- Savage Stone Age
- Groovy Greeks
- Rotten Romans
- Putrid Pirates
- Slimy Stuarts
- Smashing Saxons
- Cut-Throat Celts
- Terrible Tudors
- Measly Middle Ages
- Frightful First World War
- Woeful Second World War
- Vile Victorians
- Vicious Vikings
- Awful Egyptians
- Gorgeous Georgians
- Incredible Incas
- Angry Aztecs
- Fabulous French
- Nasty Knights
- Wild Warriors
- Radical Renaissance
Awards and Recognition
Horrible Histories has won many awards both in the UK and around the world. It won several BAFTA Children's Awards. It also won two British Comedy Awards and a Rose d'Or Award for Best Children's Programme. It was the first children's show ever to win a British Comedy Award! The show also won four children's BAFTAs in a row for Best Comedy. In 2013, it was even named one of the greatest British children's TV series of all time in a Radio Times poll.
Images for kids
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Typical examples of the title cards with animated characters, based on the art style of the books, that introduced sketches
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The starring cast at the 2011 Children's BAFTAs. L-R: Simon Farnaby, Martha Howe-Douglas, Mathew Baynton, Laurence Rickard, Ben Willbond and Jim Howick
See also
In Spanish: Horrible Histories (serie de televisión de 2009) para niños
