Philomena Cunk on Britain (WW1 and WW2) - Historian Reacts

[@markadams7046]

My favorite Winston Churchill quote: "You can always count on Americans to do the right thing, after they have tried everything else."

[@michaelswami]

Well he was, after all, determined to fight on to the last American.

[@lyndoncmp5751]

Michael The British and Commonwealth troops were fighting as well, and before the Americans were. Churchill fought on before America was in the war.

[@KasumiRINA]

We feel it so much, Sweden renounced its neutrality, Germany militarized and provided tanks, then UK gave us Storm Shadow missiles, yet USA is still dragging their feet with excuses about not giving ATACMS and F16s. They're SLOW.

[@lyndoncmp5751]

@@KasumiRINA Very true. Good input 👍

[@phil2854]

@@michaelswami US deaths in WW2: 418,500 from a population of 150 million, British deaths 450,000 from a population of just under 50 million. Soviet Union deaths: 25 million. The Indian army, made up entirely of volunteers, numbered 3,500,000, more than the US army in Europe. The British, Indian, Canadian, West Indian, Australian, South African, New Zealand and other countries fought from 1939 for 6 years, the US fought for 3 of those years. Their total casualties were way more than the US casualties, but Russia paid the heaviest price.

[@unsweetenedit9090]

If she had an American accent, none of us would have thought she was joking.

[@jimmyh6601]

She would be in Congress with MTG and Lauren Hoebert

[@cajunking5987]

I didn’t think she was joking at first any way

[@klepto5596]

@@cajunking5987 You said that out loud mate.

[@jackyack7850]

@@jimmyh6601 Nah she would be talkin out her arse under the moniker Jimmy H

[@tonyde6423]

Classic ✌

[@jonathandavies89]

“Radio made it possible to hear voices in your living room without the need for thin walls or a devastating mental condition” still one of the best jokes Cunk has ever said 🤣🤣🤣

[@matthewholadaypiano]

#1 by far

[@redwiltshire1816]

I mean the devastating mental condition is pretty handy personally

[@haplostreams]

😂😂😂

[@shannontaylor1849]

Thaaaaat's the one

[@DBT1007]

I mean this is the era when PTSD first discovered and studied and the early times of psychology field.

[@americangamer7661]

I actually laughed really hard at the end when she cried over "finding out" there were still nuclear weapons and made the guy she was interviewing so uncomfortable 😂 it was gold

[@jillybe1873]

I cried

[@bakeymykakey]

the abba bit was absolutely my breaking point

[@DeathnoteBB]

I mean, that’s the normal reaction to nuclear weapons. Shit is a nightmare and we just normalized it

[@KasumiRINA]

​@@DeathnoteBB nuclear nonproliferation is scary. We're being bombed every day because we gave up our nukes. Worst decision in history. If you have to give up everything else and just build nukes instead, do it... North Koreans might be starving but at least russians won't kill them all because they have nukes that work.

[@Celeste-cc3hu]

I don't think he was uncomfortable. He showed a very empathetic face

[@TheNeonParadox]

Philomena is finally getting the respect she deserves in the U.S. She's just so delightfully deadpan.

[@DopeSauceBenevolence]

I think most comedy fans know her. If you followed Doug Stanhope, then you know about Wipe, and you saw Cunk on there.

[@NefariousKoel]

I binged that whole history series and got some good laughs, being a historical nerd. The only reason I didn't feel jaded in subbing to a month of Netflix here in the US.

[@nibblitman]

I mean until recently no one bothered to tell us these existed. Very rude of you all if you ask me.

[@Celestina0]

Her popularity has exploded since bbc started posting her stuff to TikTok etc.

[@NefariousKoel]

@@nibblitman - Those of us over here in the States gotta keep an eye out for the occasional good British comedy. I ended up watching the 3 seasons of "Toast Of London" twice (thus far)! After tripping over it in a streaming service a few years ago and recognizing Matt Berry in the lead role. Couldn't get enough, wanted more!

[@TimSimms7]

Dianne Morgan has said that they had to do many takes sometimes because the historians could not keep straight faces. Yea, they were way in on it, but you are absolutely right, they didn’t know what questions she was going to ask.

[@HighlandHistoria]

They're aware it's being filmed for a comedy series, but they don't actually know what she's going to say or ask.

[@HighlandHistoria]

@@binarymalehim There was another comment.

[@binarymalehim]

@@HighlandHistoria 👍🤙

[@kevinramsey417]

What I love about Philomena is that through making a joke she can make an incredibly accurate point.

[@MaeveLaRenarde]

Exactly. With a silly question, she can bring the experts to talk with a new angle or elaborate on details.

[@DarkSkay]

Very remarkable selection of historians as well, who somehow manage to not laugh and just respond seriously, adding contrast, absurdity, often philosophical depth. The host of this show wouldn't last one minute without laughing or smiling when faced with such questions :) Somehow this makes me curious about the historians who had surprising reactions to the very surprising (script writer's) questions which obviously are designed to catch them off-guard. Amused experts, show-stealing or profound replies, plunges into deep thinking, spontaneous sparks...

[@brontewcat]

I was about to say something similar.

[@danielearley5062]

there's a great one in another VTH episode about PC on America. 'America became the land of the free, except for the slaves', or something like that.

[@gordonsalive6465]

Welcome to your first day of satire

[@kyle5810]

“Radio was an exciting new invention that made it possible to hear other people’s voices in your living room without the use of thin walls or devastating mental condition” 💀💀💀

[@omegashinra7672]

Fucking hell that one made me laugh so loud.

[@jonners606]

My favourite one is where she says "I'm here in Trafalgar Square, where the battle of Trafalgar took place. It's hard to image that just a few hundred years ago all of this was underwater. The French fleet lined up over there, by that Pret a Manger".

[@divermike8943]

What is a Pret a Manger? Asks this American.

[@sje8425]

@@divermike8943 It's a sandwich shop chain, pretty sure I've seen them in New York, don't know if they're still there post covid. Means ready to eat in French.

[@TheJunkFarm]

she knows her history, you gotta give her that.

[@bobsworth7082]

Confirmed they have them in NY, did double take last time I was over there as was not expecting to see that brand! ​@@sje8425

[@CristiNeagu]

17:58 You missed that one! "His speeches were stirring, and powerfully erotic. 'We know it will be hard. We expect it will be long.'" 😂

[@nobudgetguy]

was looking for this comment HAHA

[@andrewralte4844]

I was like, 'what did she say?'

[@adventurenana]

He seemed to miss that one. 😂

[@thiamjoo]

Wanted to say the same thing but you said it first.

[@khallrik]

absolutely Freudian, that one...

[@davehopkin9502]

How the historians keep a straight face is beyond me........

[@eagle_spangled_tricolor2073]

They're reactions are probably on an outtake reel.

[@GeoffOsterberg]

In interviews the producers have said that they would prepare the experts by telling them that Diane (Philomena) is incredibly dense, and to try and steer her back on course.

[@ajivins1]

The hair gel guy did look annoyed.

[@gettingkilt]

Morgan said in an interview that the historians would occasionally corpse (crack up) and they'd just have to try again later and cut that bit out.

[@barrysteven5964]

@@GeoffOsterberg No, Diane Morgan said in an interview that the experts are in on it, enjoy it and occasionally crack up and they have to stop filming.

[@Matt-cz6ti]

I love that bit about Dunkirk. It’s actually quite unbelievable that one of Britain’s worst ever military disasters has become mythologised as a great moment in our national history

[@AJ-PFbat]

Kinda was great though, by rights the entire force should have been captured or destroyed. It's just sheer luck that the enemy made poor choices and the British managed to pull together enough to get as many out as possible.

[@rex4229]

You brits do love to do that though, turn defeats into moral victories. Dunkirk, Charge of the light brigade, Gallipoli. Quite interesting to be fair.

[@ambrosiogiovanni6952]

It was a tactical defeat but a strategic victory.

[@mairiconnell6282]

It is a great moment for me. My Dad came home. He jumped onto a cargo net and someone pulled him up. He was never the same afterwards.

[@jhnshep]

@@rex4229 Corunna is another one, more like Dunkirk

[@kenw.1520]

Alright. This is peak British Humor. And I love it. We can do more reacts to her content. It'd be a fun take on history.

[@Space_and_history]

British humor at its peak

[@joncurtis199]

No. No it is not peak british humour. Too dumbed down for thet

[@hoticeparty]

​@@joncurtis199 what would you give as an example of peak british humor then?

[@alisonhill3941]

@@hoticeparty Blackadder

[@hoticeparty]

@@alisonhill3941 i agree but the question wasnt for you haha

[@majbrat]

She is one of a kind. Full dead pan - dishing out comments that you can see challenge the guests to keep their composure or from getting irritated. So good.

[@DaveTheRaveyah]

I also think the guests elevate it so much, they mostly try to give some sort of genuine answer to her questions!

[@matthewhollis250]

As a brit, it overwhelms me with joy that you enjoy our ridiculous humour so much

[@KasumiRINA]

Most people like British humour though. Like it's a stereotype in Europe that English jokes are high-brow and good... I mean, you had to find joy in the darkest most horrible things in life, what with your cuisine and all.

[@georgemarcouxjr6192]

It is far from ridiculous! It's absolutely brilliant! My introduction was Monty Python's Flying Circus as a kid. Greetings from the 🇺🇲!

[@roseberry6381]

@@KasumiRINA LOL! 😁

[@franciscodetonne4797]

British humor is my favorite type lol Physical humor never catches me, though.

[@kjurpjdpihe9096]

As a french guy I dont think it's ridiculous. I love it and I also like how harmless it is

[@josephschultz3301]

This really is solid gold. The deadpan delivery and intentionally vacant stare that she maintains the entire time really sells the whole act xD

[@MravacKid]

Philomena is brutal, that deadpan delivery of absolute chaos is a joy to behold. :)

[@Sdween]

Diane Morgan is her real name, Philomena Cunk is the character she portrays in her series.

[@Daniel-ef3tk]

That professor deserves an award, he was soft spoken and informative. Never once did he shame her. He answered politely every time.

[@Floragala]

Why would he shame her? She's brilliant.

[@Georgia-cd8ty]

She is joking with her questions btw just being extremely dry with the delivery Love her sm

[@fromthewreckage]

I actually really enjoy you watching satirical or parody history videos and adding the real facts alongside your reactions to the comedy itself!

[@MrCakerape]

"with Germany's secrets twatted wide open" is a truly beautiful line

[@badateverything5392]

My grandfather lived in Bethnal Green for the entirety of the war (his parents wouldn't let him be evacuated, because that would "show cowardice"), and he used to ride his tricycle through the ruins of London, picking through the rubble for toys and playing cards. We were watching the news, and he said he didn't feel any sympathy for the people suffering as a result of natural disasters. I asked him if growing up surrounded by the Blitz might have caused that. He turned around and said: "You know, I had never thought of that. At the time you just carry on, go to school, and sometimes my little friends didn't come back, I didn't know why they left. Maybe that is why I don't feel sympathy now because no one showed it back then." Bugger me, that was a revelation.

[@ertjiesb4158]

I think we have a bigger problem with 'victim mentality' now. They had horrible things happen to them, there were horrible conditions and events, but they didn't really go and sit in a corner(i am sure some did), they just carried on and did the best they could. I think with our current mindset we are actually worse off than what those generations were, since we hold ourselves back.

[@boogermaiden]

Understandable feeling for grandpa. I also feel, no one would have been able to help another person coz everyone was equally hopeless and distraught.

[@davepoole9520]

Obviously Bethnal Green was the scene of the worst Underground disaster during the war. He may well have lost a lot of friends of his own age and others he knew as neighbours - even teachers and shopkeepers - in that one day.

[@SarahSB575]

This is quite a common side-effect of trauma of all kinds. Your brain protects you from the trauma by really switching off / down your empathy to get you through the traumatic time. Without therapy you’ll then generally continue through life like that. People say we’re too “soft” these days but our brains work the same way - if there was another war, our empathy would close down too. You can see the impact of a mild version of it from Covid. It’s a mental defence mechanism gone astray.

[@phunk8607]

@@ertjiesb4158ummmm no. The countless generation of sufferers misdiagnosed. Your logic is bullshit

[@davidhibbs4737]

This video was posted only 34 years after the release of Belgian techno anthem Pump Up the Jam.

[@VloggingThroughHistory]

Hahaha

[@alfredlear4141]

The Canadian national anthem?

[@sartanawillpay7977]

If you like this type of historical humour I would highly recommend reading "1066 and All That" ( A Memorable History of England, Comprising All the Parts You Can Remember, Including 103 Good Things, 5 Bad Kings and 2 Genuine Dates). Which is a parody of both how British history used to be taught and what the students half learned. It has great observations like "The Romans were top nation on account of their classical education."

[@meemo32086]

I will definitely check them out!!

[@KasumiRINA]

I love Roma music, not sure you can call it classical though.

[@nancymoore1240]

Thank you!!! I shall forthwith climb aboard my Amazon and purchase said tome. I love this kind of humor. It reminds me of all the Richard Armour books I read long ago.

[@2gooddrifters]

The peasants are revolting.

[@ellenmarch3095]

I love how much I learn from her asking qs no one else would ask, like a little kid. Not the thing itself, but it always forces the "expert" to think about it in a new way, and then something bubbles up that I never thought of.

[@MH-ms1dg]

Yes! This^!

[@Strathaczar]

Oh my goodness... how did I, a huge history nerd, NOT know about this woman! Sir, I both highly respect you (for introducing me to this) and loathe you (for making me have to fall down the rabbit hole)!

[@NarnianRailway]

As a history nerd, you will love the full "Cunk on Britain" series (this was from episode 4). Philomena's "Moments of Wonder" short segments are great too.

[@FOCKOFF-ruzzyan-emptyheads]

"twatted wide open"😅

[@Celeste-cc3hu]

Everything she plays is fantastic

[@NoNameAtAll2]

haven't you heard about Arthur that Came A Lot before?

[@davepoole9520]

And don't forget her book, Cunk on Everything. I believe she's written another great work of reference which was recently released

[@AndyTaken]

"soldiers scrambled looking for power ups and health kits" broke me. especially when it was followed with the respawn comment. I have a deep appreciation for the sacrifice people made during that time but i was crying with laughter.

[@cannavaras]

The Imperial war museum changed content several years ago and went from glorifying combat with lots of the machinery of war, to showing the true horrors. Its section on the Holocaust is so sad its painful. It has a minimum age to enter as well. Its powerful stuff. On a separate note, we were served by an American lady in the cafe. Two weeks later and we were staying in Manchester Vermont in a hotel while on a road trip around the US north east and got chatting to the woman next to us on the rocking chairs as we watched the sun go down.....turns out it was her mum!!! Not sure what the chances of that could be?

[@painvillegaming4119]

Could make a nice movie

[@thedoodindoing3931]

*holocaust* and yes any portrayal of this event is down right sad and horrible.

[@hannibalburgers477]

Halocast? With Herrenchef?

[@cannavaras]

@@hannibalburgers477 sorry guys, I typed it fast, didn't check for typos ( there are more than that one) and now cannot edit it ☹️

[@cannavaras]

@@thedoodindoing3931 turns out I can now. Nothing to see here....move along...

[@kruksog]

You really do a great job adding value with your reactions. I'll watch you react to something I've already seen, because I'm interested in the background and context you provide. Great job man.

[@starwarsgenius1679]

Her references to pop culture aren't glaring, they're not as out there as others might be. She introduces her style with simple, overused jokes to lead into other, newer ones. Jeeves and Wooster is hilarious, I appreciate that and I love the LEGO reference she makes in the same sentence. Glorious.

[@kumquatmagoo]

Not seen that many Lego haircuts since I visited Sunderland.

[@DevilboyScooby]

That Jackson is low-key hilarious too, the way he says "I love Abba" so seriously in another clip is perfect 😂

[@grumblesa10]

Silent hand cranked films were recording at ~18fps. The current standard is 24fps, which is why everything seems to move faster than normal. I have been asked this very question leading WW1 tours BTW...

[@VloggingThroughHistory]

Gets tricky though because they were hand cranked so the speed varies from one moment to the next sometimes.

[@Yora21]

Now that it's digital, you can quite easily adjust the speed to make it closer to actual speed.

[@grumblesa10]

@@Yora21 Yes, and there are quite a few films from the silent era "speed corrected" now. :)

[@NeilMyatt]

Nothing improves British humour better than having the punchlines singled out and explained by an American… 😂

[@smexijebus]

Perfect balance of informative, educational, and entertaining! Well done!

[@Saphthings]

Dude I'm dying here with the reaction, she's amazing, British humor is just so unique xD It's like a mixture of puns, wordplay, timing, and tone that I love!

[@pwalmsley9]

If you haven't seen/reacted to Horrible Histories at all, worth a quick look. It's aimed at kids but with that classic British humour and nod to parents in there too.

[@djd8305]

Yes, but i think HH messes too much with history - goes for laughs over basic accuracy.

[@deeznoots6241]

HH is kinda just historical propaganda for kids tbh

[@edie3900]

@@djd8305HH has won awards for its accuracy- i think in fact over the whole course of the series they never got anything wrong, and had multiple experts both helping with writing and on set

[@julzzietasmr9590]

​@@djd8305if u read the little "this didnt actually haplen" or "thus actually happened" exclaimers, youll see theyre all accurate. Gatta look out for them tho

[@MrTerry]

She’s hilarious. I’m loving her!

[@trentonebel9088]

Fun Fact: Franz Ferdinand (The band, not the Archduke) has a song featured on Madden NFL 2005 one of the video games of my childhood. Any video of the song audio has plethoras of snide historical references to the band’s namesake. The song? Take Me Out

[@KasumiRINA]

I still can't believe they named a guy after a 2000s shoegazer band and a masculinity parody here from boomer shooters (Duke Nukem). Like, being called Duke Franz Ferdinand as as silly a name as Doom Iron Maiden, or Wolfenstein 3D Hootie And The Blowfish. Imagine voting for mr. Redneck Rampage Red Hot Chili Peppers... how did he even get elected?

[@zac8246]

@@KasumiRINA I read this like half an hour ago and im still laughing omg, well done

[@FoxGlove8]

I love that song

[@MrZombiekiller23]

It's truly the most elegant high class humor, mixed with degenerate shock value all under the backdrop of amazing history, LOVE IT!

[@stephendavis6267]

I love when Diane-as-Philomena interviews Prof. Ashley Jackson. He's so stoic and rigid, but he clearly knows what he's in for and he's a perfect straight man to her comedy.

[@thefoss5387]

The guy she interviews about singing in the Underground is Howard Goodall, CBE, a composer and musical historian. I highly recommend his 4 part music history series 20th Century Greats, where he argues that the 4 most important composers of the 20th century were, Cole Porter (early 20th century show tunes), Bernard Herrmann (famous for film scores), Leonard Bernstein (mid 20th century show tunes), and Lennon/McCartney (who shaped late 20th century popular music).

[@abishaipaul2298]

Thankyou

[@zzzzoijzzzzz]

I was wondering if it was him. He also wrote the theme tunes to Blackadder and QI, which seems relevant.

[@carnifaxx]

What I particularly like on this kind of humour is that you really need to know much, much more than you actually use. To act stupid, you have to have a surprisingly wide knowledge about why is your question/remark that stupid (or someone from the team has to) :D

[@hahaoml2812]

very good point

[@danlefou]

Exactly. Diane's seamless ad-libbing while remaining absolutely in character is wonderful.

[@charlesmorton7944]

Thomas Atkins was the fictitious name used to instruct recruits in the completion of army forms. This was shortened to "Tommy" to describe a soldier.

[@adrianatkins3128]

All of my family were in the army, mum, dad, two brothers and a sister so you can imagine the ribbing they got due to our surname

[@infamousfalcon588]

Ayy! Nice that you're back reacting to some British humor. How about continuing your WW1 Blackadder series?

[@professorbonghitx7835]

Seconded!

[@jordanhooper1527]

I second this!

[@Player_nate2008]

I second this!

[@bjornodin]

❤❤❤ I didn't expect to find this so hilarious. I'm sure I got some funny looks laughing out loud while out walking by myself 😂 But Blackadder is still the uncontested champ when it comes to satirizing WW1 🏆

[@electeng6481]

Yes please

[@DugTheDog]

For those not aware, WW1 and 2 happened decades before the 1989 release of Belgian techno anthem "Pump Up the Jam".

[@loneassassin1015]

Don’t forget WW2 ended 41 years to the year that the new BBC Comedy Brush Strokes hit the airwaves

[@itwaswalpole]

I went to the Imperial War Museum last month for the first time and it was amazing. I spent the whole day there and I only got through the sections on the first and the second world wars. They had Bernard Montgomery's staff car, a life ring from the Lusitania, the Eagle and swastika from the Reich Chancellory and uniforms from nearly every belligerent of the world wars, truly amazing stuff. For me though the best part was the 5.5 inch gun used by 16 year old Jack Cornwell on the HMS Chester during the Battle of Jutland that earned him the Victoria Cross. A shell had killed the rest of the gunners and despite being heavily wounded, he manned the gun alone until ordered to stop. Shortly later he died of his injuries. I had seen a plaque for him in Chester Cathedral a few months earlier so seeing this piece was astounding.

[@alanvanallen7762]

Thanks Chris.I love how you look so exasperated at some of Philomena's statements and then give us the corrections,we brits love this type of humour,and especially when it's aimed at ourselves,I only discovered Philomena recently so these clips are so refreshing to me.Thanks again for your reactions,more soon I hope.Alan

[@theDENIMMAN]

One of my favourite anecdotes about the white feathers (that Ive seen come up a bunch but have yet to find a solid source on so...y'know) was that on one occasion they handed one out to somebody who had actually served before being honourably discharged for being wounded while he was on his way to be awarded a medal for his bravery

[@yes-me6yg]

I hope he kept the feather with him as he received the medal as a fu to the craziness

[@theDENIMMAN]

@@yes-me6yg I mean I would

[@yes-me6yg]

@@theDENIMMAN me too

[@janetsouthworth6983]

I think it was the first world war that when someone had been discharged after being woulnded, they were given a blue suit so that people knew thay had served and had been wounded too much to go back.

[@solentbum]

@@janetsouthworth6983 I think the blue suit was a hospital uniform. Once discharged there was a lapel badge .

[@Rhianalanthula]

On the music segment, at the end, Cunk was talking with Howard Goodall. He is a composer who has written for comedy. His most notable works are EVERYTHING in Red Dwarf, at least in the early series. If Lister his singing a ditty, it was written by Howard. He also wrote music and lyrics for The Blackadder series'. Howard gained a First Class Honours degree from Oxford, where he met and became friends with Rowan Atkinson and Richard Curtis. He has also composed more serious and choral pieces.

[@PrimevalMudd]

You've just inadvertently landed me with an earworm. Specifically, this one: 'He's Arnold, Arnold, Arnold Rimmer, Without him life would be much grimmer.'

[@Fionn-Greyship]

Philomena Cunk is just so original. I enjoy everybit of the series

[@markjones127]

You'd also enjoy a British comedy panel show called 'QI', one episode asked the question "When was the First World War named as such?" and the answer they gave was 1918, and the story given was a British officer called Lieutenant Colonel Charles à Court Repington met with a Major Johnson from Harvard University to decide what the official name of the war should be, he gives a full account of the different names they suggested and why in his diary, and they both finally agreed on calling it The First World War. But I've also heard some argue since that it was September 1914 by German biologist and philosopher Ernst Haeckel, who claimed that "There is no doubt that the course and character of the feared 'European War' will become the First World War in the full sense of the word". Philomena Cunk is awesome, I'm huge fan.

[@BloggerMusicMan]

I clicked on this as soon as I saw it. I thought this would be good, and you didn't disappoint. (I find Diane Morgan very funny, and the balance between the comedy and the history was well worth the watch.)

[@johnsumser9743]

I love that the historian repeats what we just heard as if we hadn't heard it.

[@jameslane2326]

I had seen this woman's name in my various social media feeds, but never looked into what it was about, turns out that was a mistake on my part. I love the straight faced comedy style

[@wudangmtn]

That was fun. The thing I love about Philomena, is that she is so knowledgeable on such a wide variety of topics.

[@stevekazenwadel5423]

In Australia in the 70s there was a character named Norman Gunston (played by Garry McDonald), who specialised in ruining celebrity interviews. Garry McDonald was in the "Aunty Jack show" and the sitcom "Mother and Son", by contrast (but also comedies).

[@leec6707]

Norman Gunston was on UK TV in the 1980s. I remember my whole family laughing along. He was great!

[@shaksper]

Doing history as comedy in a way that turns out to be a kind of valid history can be traced back in Britain to the book "1066 and All That: A Memorable History of England, Comprising All the Parts You Can Remember, Including 103 Good Things, 5 Bad Kings and 2 Genuine Dates" published in 1930. It was a satirical and funny book, but it's summary of the English Civil War in which the Cavaliers were "wrong but romantic" and the Roundheads "right but repulsive" is a very pithy and memorable explanation, and very much the kind of thing that Philomena Cunk is doing nearly a hundred years later.

[@markfisher7962]

With a wonderful errata: "For pheasants, read peasants, throughout." et seq.

[@anitatereszczuk3967]

All of her shows are amazing! I honestly feel like you could cover the whole Cunk on Britain and Cunk on Earth series as it's difficult to pin point the best moments without jumping around - for example, there is a section on American Civil War in the latter series, but it's too short for a whole video (in my opinion at least). Cunk on Shakespeare and Cunk on Christmas are great too, but I don't know if they are that interesting from your point of view

[@rgallitan]

The best Cunk joke is when she says school was easier in Shakespeare's day, because he didn't have to study Shakespeare

[@ben-tendo]

Howard Goodall who spoke of the singing during WWII is a phenomenal composer, not just of orchestral music but of many many famous UK television theme tunes. Mr Bean, Blackadder, Red Dwarf, The Vicar of Dibley. Always up for a laugh so is perfect for this.

[@aeovid]

This was so much fun. To make such a funny video, she and the group that work on these must really know their stuff. I’d like to see more of anything done by her with your reactions.

[@4Mr.Crowley2]

Also the Hun for the Germans (as in “Over There,” “time to show the Hun you’re a son of a gun”) the Imperial War Museum is awesome - they have so many fantastic exhibits - I was transfixed by the rations exhibits alone and spent my time in the trenches exhibit

[@frozendefender5690]

She is brilliant, one of the best at British humor and in my opinion on the same level as blackadder and Monty Python.

[@djd8305]

Really!!!:)

[@felicehappy]

absolutely loved watching your reactions to this, your laughter and comments just added a whole new dimension to CUNK!!! Thank you and keep cunking!!!

[@Harryhas26]

You did a great job on balancing the history and enjoying the humour.

[@JustME-ft4di]

Charlie Brooker who writes Black Mirror writes most of this. She started on his TV show years ago.

[@HaurakiVet]

The term "First World War" was used at the time. I have magazines from the time and they write of this particular war as "being the first world war". Not in a sequential sense but in the sense that while there have been other wars this is the first to involve the whole world.

[@DEEJAYWAL]

Peter Capaldi's last episode of Doctor Who riffed on the whole "calling it World War One" thing with time travel thrown in. "You're a soldier from World War One" "World War One?" "Judging by your uniform" "Yes, but...One?" "Oops".

[@heynsenene]

She's brilliant. Can't recommend her show enough!

[@MichaelLamming]

It was already being called the first World War during it. They originally called it the Great War, but the Napoleonic war was already called the Great War, so by 1917 it was called the first world war.

[@alanansara2190]

The actress who plays Philomena is great in Afterlife with Ricky Gervais. Similar character but not quite as clueless as this

[@crustyzimmerman3324]

If your coming over here again, bear in mind there is an imperial war museum north, in Manchester and was also a nominee for the Stirling award a prestigious architectural accolade. Now, if you’re in Manchester, 40 mins away under the streets of Liverpool is one million square feet of reinforced bunker, part of which is now the Battle of the Atlantic museum. (With the map on the table and the little ships and a Wren acting as a ‘croupeé’. Not to mention the signals museum at Blandford forum (enigma machine here) Bletchley park, and the American air force museum at nearby Duxford.

[@mrm2542]

Disgusting that those women who weren't even fighting themselves would do that to young boys who would be sent off to die against their will

[@phillipridgway8317]

There was even a patriotic song at the time (sung by a woman, of course) which included the line "We don't want to lose you but we think you ought to go!" Very easy to shame others if you can't be sent there yourself!

[@funkyfranx]

I suppose from their point of view, their husbands, sons, brothers were out fighting, so so should they (the young boys) be. It was a more collectivist time.

[@djd8305]

Al an sort of alternative reality - The Germans were referred to as Huns - to tie them to Atilla's hordes of barbarians and class Germans as people who would "bayonet babies". But then they did do a bit of such in Belgium...

[@SlimJim3082]

I don't think men don't wanna die in wars for modern women anymore

[@danaknapek4084]

@@SlimJim3082 Well they never went to for women, did they?

[@oldmcfarlane]

Thanks!

[@allengilbert7463]

Actually, in September of 1914 there was an article in the Indianapolis Star that said something along the lines of, "...this is the first world war..." Obviously, it became a much more common name after the Second World War started, but yeah, we were pretty pessimistic about it being the first in a franchise. Thankfully, the third part of the trilogy has been in development hell for decades.

[@melissak.3578]

So awesome to hear you like Mr. Terry History! Love your reviews; I've been around awhile for both.

[@sandywright5466]

This is totally hilarious. I needed a good laugh today. Please do more reaction videos.

[@terinn7115]

Have you seen the one where she asks why Beethoven's Fifth Symphony has no words? She asks 'how can we know what the song's about, with no words?' She's brilliant!

[@snbks4ever]

Mr Terry just reacted to a couple of her videos, this stuff is freaking funny if you like British humor or play on words type of humor. Funny AF, happy you're reacting to this, this should be enjoyable

[@Elena-sh3fx]

thank you for making the effort. Americans needed this. in your own words, they needed this.

[@drewpamon]

My dad was a 9 year old boy living in Hawaii when pearl harbor took place. He spent most of the war on the mainland so its not quite so distant to some of us. Even have a picture of the whole family in gas masks, including the baby in sort of a capsule

[@casper_z1259]

Didn't Hawaii get hit that one time though?

[@MrLolx2u]

You should do the one she talked about the age old question of "Is Camelot real" and that was a hoot. She played the whole King Arthur and "Camelot" pun alot to the point that the one getting questioned was soo god damn embarrassed that it was fucking hilarious.

[@nickshaffer9961]

This was so hilarious!! Please do more!! I never laughed and learned so much at the same time!

[@alittlecreepywhenyou]

It's almost a pity that he didn't interrupt Philamena more. Her humor is brilliant, and his insights were just as brilliant. Bravo.

[@dbilly121]

Just to note, even in WW1 they did call it WW1, first known use of the phrase was in 1917. As for The Great War, even after WW2, when someone mentioned "The War" they didn't necessarily mean the second one, learnt that one from my high school history teacher who was born in the 50s, sometimes "the war" meant WW1.

[@Kriegter]

Well that actually makes sense because it iss indeed the first worldwide war (I mean seven years war but let's not talk about that)

[@dbilly121]

@Kriegter Depends on your definition of world war really

[@KasumiRINA]

​@@dbilly121 Eastern Hemisphere War doesn't roll from the tongue as well.

[@luminyam6145]

This video was just great, thank you. My cousin was a sniper in the Canadian Armed Forces in WW1. I met him when I was a little girl and he was in his late 90s.

[@HarryFlashmanVC]

Her ability to keep a straight face is awesome

[@Cloudson97]

Random bloke from the UK here! Wanted to share a few of my visits among history here. So I live among the Jurassic Coast, have been between the stones of Stonehenge, visited the Old Operating Theatre in London, The Huntarian Museum and the WWII exhibit in the Imperial War Museum! A little side note to add that the DM for my D&D games is also the curator for The Globe Theatre!

[@liamgalwey5616]

Its always impressive to see when a actor is in something comedic but keeps a straight face and line delivery.

[@RippySharp]

Only just picked up on these videos, your back commentary adds to the story, nicely done!

[@jerryactrik1901]

This was awesome. Great blend of reaction and history lesson. Can't believe I'm only stumbling upon your channel now.

[@brianferris8668]

Iron Maiden vividly describe the war in their song "Paschendale", Motorhead "1916", and the Furey Brothers "Green Fields of France (Willie McBride)".

[@davetdowell]

I have a feeling Charlie Chaplin would be quite pleased to discover that he is still such a big name in the 2020s, that he can be used as a comedic reference. It's certainly speaks to a lifetime of achievement on his part.

[@david672orford]

More than that, speaking of him dismissively is so idiotic that it can be used as a joke.

[@amberflokstra88]

It’s a great way to teach history, using humor. And she does it perfectly!

[@deadmeat_0152]

My Grandmother was a Royal Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) in WW2, lived and worked in London throughout the Blitz. She said there were days the rubble from the bombings were so bad she would get lost trying to find her way to work or home. Lived too far from an adequate bomb shelter so her, my great grandmother & her sisters would just pray.

[@seanphilippi3141]

This is exactly what I needed and didn't know it. Love the channel. Please do another

[@Kindred420]

I’m literally driving my wife nuts wanting to watch your show constantly now. She doesn’t get it. 😂

[@campbellanderson2100]

I love watching your face when she drops clangers and your knowledge of history is amazing.

[@joeohara3447]

Omg Diane Morgan is my absolute favourite, she used to live down the street from me ❤❤❤❤❤

[@nicolaspeigne1429]

2:15 well Ernst Haeckel actually called it in 1914 "the first world war", but the term "World War 1" make its debut in 1939 in Time Magazine

[@parthibbiswas9920]

1:32 Reaction

[@Amanita._.Verosa._.]

Thank you.

[@ClaudiusCaelum]

As a WWII nut, "We shall fight them bitches" made me spit my beer, lmao !! Thank you for making me discover that amazing Humorist