Reviews
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“I’ve enjoyed listening to these podcasts but the dreaded postmodernist ideology is creeping in. I appreciate it’s the BBC (and they have openly admitted they are all about social justice) but this obsession with this most bizarre of ideologies is puzzling. Just provide the facts-telling people...”Read full review »
jazz2987 via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
01/02/24
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“… About other posh people. The ones that choose someone posh from their own posh family are the worst. I mean lol come on”
MaryH1nge via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
09/30/23
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“Mixed feelings about this podcast. I appreciate the breadth of subjects and the breezy tone of the show. But it seems the goal of each episode is to lessen our appreciation & respect for the subject as they are made 'more human' and seemingly more 'relatable'. Of course these...”Read full review »
Joey 5cents via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/25/23
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“Long running broadcast where the life of a public person is examined by a champion and an expert, thoughtfully led by host Mathew Parris.”
Lancia71 via Apple Podcasts ·
Portugal ·
08/06/23
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“Unstructured and slightly sexist with the odd tasteless comment about women. There is no real biographical description juts a lot of “gossip” from “experts”. A true old fashioned (neo imperialistic) British podcast.”
thefuturefox via Apple Podcasts ·
Germany ·
08/05/23
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“Learn how to pronounce her last name: it’s Médici, not Medìci. It’s not a matter of interpretation! One of your guests knows it and the other doesn’t.”
nucuplmnjuyh via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
07/24/23
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“Whilst my political views are almost diametrically opposed to those of Mr Parris, I find his hosting of this programme hits absolutely the right note, and his voice is just sumptuous - like a magnum ice cream on a baking hot day. It educates, appreciates and questions in exactly the right ratio.”
masujopa via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
03/01/23
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“So many angry reviews, relax people it’s just an opinion that’s not in line with your own. Such an enjoyable light hearted show. Thank you Matthew!!”
PaulPD7 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
07/30/22
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“They left some things out with FDR:
Executive Order 9066
On February 19, 1942, FDR issued Executive Order 9066, which led to the forced relocation of approximately 120,000 Japanese Americans living on the West Coast. More than two-thirds of these people were native born American citizens. They...”Read full review »
Peterson3018 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
07/12/22
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“This is what I want more of.”
Elvis Diet Coke via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
07/06/22
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“This podcast is done very well. It’s nice that there are no bells and whistles, no time fillers, no ads. Hardly any arrogance. Well done. I like Matthew Parris’ style. There is personality and honesty.”
bennett_Dinosaur via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/25/22
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“I used to like this program.
The episode about the life of Joey Ramone was gaslighting drivel.
A pair of smug middle aged middle class (insert expletive) repurposing the story of pink to suit their own reactionary deluded self serving narratives. I was alive in 1976 and I remember what punk was...”Read full review »
Professor Braveheart via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
02/15/22
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“I listened to the biography of the late, great Austrian actress, Hedy Lamarr, as told by Suzy Klein. I consider it biographical malpractice that she left out the very significant fact that Hedy was born Hedwig Kiesler, to a Jewish family! Her first husband was an arms merchant, Friedrich Mandl....”Read full review »
Geoplanter via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
01/19/22
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“The conversations are quite revealing and the guests always bring such insights. The host is very talented. I love these podcasts!”
A disappointed member via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
11/28/21
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“And you, Matthew Parris—after you’ve argued for the rational inevitability of criminalising Roma & Traveller lives, and for the rational & emotional inevitability of leaving refugees & asylum seekers to die somewhere else—will yours be remembered as a Great Life?”
RuralWriting2018 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/28/21
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“Delightfully diverse.”
LLBelle100 via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
05/11/21
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“Matthew, or the producer or researcher.....
Please ask Dr Joanina Ramirez to talk about the Anchorite mystic Julian of Norwich, about whom she has written.. I believe she was the first woman in England to write a book, and her teachings are relevant today, as she lived her whole life during...”Read full review »
old feminist via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
04/08/21
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“I enjoy this podcast so much. Will BBC continue producing it? Please! -Susana”
100West via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/19/21
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“I find this series endlessly fascinating.”
Eliwo1 via Apple Podcasts ·
New Zealand ·
02/09/21
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“The Khalil Gibran episode is a great example of how condescending and patronizing the host can be on this show. He says something along the lines of: you say you’re such a great admirer and yet you’ve never seen a photograph of Gibran? Hmm Wow. I don’t get why he acts so disagreeable. If the...”Read full review »
mahparaf via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
01/25/21
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“If the strategy of the hosts of the David Bowie and Marcel Duchamp programs was to be unsophisticated and irritating, then well done. Maybe they should just read the news.”
Netherota via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
12/10/20
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“This podcast is very BBC very informative and suitably high brow with erudite and interesting guests.. I have held back one star because the podcast name strongly implies that to be discussed will be the biographies of great even if at times obscure people. So it isratger surprising if not...”Read full review »
Paleofast via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
11/20/20
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“One of the best podcasts,ever!”
Boss78217 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/12/20
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“I am hooked on this podcast. Excellent guest selection, great format, and Matthew’s skill as the master of ceremonies is the glue that holds it all together. Intelligent and witty. First rate.”
Monday Mikey via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/27/20
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“An inexhaustible source of inspiration and high-brow (in a good sense) language. Totally recommended!!”
Colorificata via Apple Podcasts ·
Russia ·
09/09/20
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“This podcast needs a host that isn’t mired down in old white man with far right views biases and prejudices syndrome. He’s very disrespectful to those he obviously doesn’t like and his bigotry is on full display in many episodes while he gushes on over historical rightwing political subjects. The...”Read full review »
Miss Ginger 58 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/01/20
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“Always love listening to GL, lesser known characters from down the ages spring to life with surprising interest. Frankopan on Tsiolkovsky an extra special treat, recommended.”
LDNfreddie via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
08/19/20
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“Just long enough and so good to listen to! Very respectful and informative! Love to listen to them! Marianne (The Netherlands)”
Mhughfhg via Apple Podcasts ·
Netherlands ·
08/12/20
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“Found this podcast today. Love it.”
MDmighty via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
07/29/20
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“What a wonderful program! I thoroughly enjoyed the episode on Doris Day—like Dolly, I found her when I was young and am a lifelong fan. I appreciate the depth of conversation. Will definitely listen to more episodes!”
K80fab via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
07/06/20
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“Superb. I have learned a lot from these podcasts. Matthew Parris is a wonderful host. His voice is perfect and he has a very easy rapport with all guests. I particularly enjoyed the Oliver Sacks one. Love this podcast.”
Poppetteer via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
07/01/20
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“Guests and the experts always sound like they’re sitting around in a pub having a jolly time with their subject and the host. Always informative. I look forward to each new program.”
Waste my time why don't you via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
06/02/20
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“I love this programme. Matthew Paris thoughtful enquiry but this one on Victoria Wood was particularly timely. It’s been difficult in lockdown but this was heart lifting & made me laugh out loud. The use of lesser known excerpts was brilliant. Well done”
annie ping prim via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
05/11/20
“...”
SpenceDRogers via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
05/06/20
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“Ive only listened to one episode of this podcast , which will be the first and last for me. This “ analysis “ of Enid Blyton was a complete joke, what a grating snobbish, sneering discussion and completely missing the point . One star is too high a rating for this nonsense .”
Sophie meow via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
04/11/20
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“Interesting, inspiring and sometimes very moving”
fleurcowgill via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
02/10/20
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“This episode annoyed me very much. You were all so hell bent in being politically correct you missed the whole point of Enid Blyton as a writer. You dismissed almost her entire canon with your moral high ground judgements. The times were different then as you mention but then go straight back to...”Read full review »
Janet Australia via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
01/02/20
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“Best program & podcast of the year. Thank you”
Clint Hyper Hyper Watchtick via Apple Podcasts ·
Switzerland ·
12/10/19
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“I always learn something new. I am almost done listening to all the back episodes! This has been a great companion on some long drives. The interviewer is thoughtful and insightful. The guest are intelligent and able to speak well about their subject.”
lingua203 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/28/19
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“I love them all and learn so much!”
loves sisters via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/12/19
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“I love that Podcast because it is not only entertaining, it’s clever and it opens new worlds. I have learned so much by listening to Matthew Parris and his guests. I highly recommend listening to all episodes!”
Maychild1961 via Apple Podcasts ·
Austria ·
07/26/19
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“I just discovered this podcast a few weeks ago and I love it. It covers a wide range of people, some I’ve heard about and many I haven’t. Super interesting and well delivered. Host asks great question and guests are well informed. Both entertaining and educational. Would recommend the listen :)”
Kiana Phoenix L via Apple Podcasts ·
New Zealand ·
06/29/19
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“May: I wish someone would choose a boxer such as Mike Tyson, or Sugar Ray
I love this show”
Mikehillslasveg via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
05/08/19
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“The white-washing of Edward Said in this podcast is disgusting. The language used in this podcast to describe Said further demonizes Palestinians....”
salmayazmine via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/07/19
☆
☆
☆
☆
☆
“A series of brief overviews and insight into the lives of some great and talented people...”
WE BE SES via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
03/11/19
Do you host a podcast?
Track your ranks and reviews from Spotify, Apple Podcasts and more.
See hourly chart positions and more than 30 days of history.
Get Chartable Analytics »
See hourly chart positions and more than 30 days of history.
Listen now
Links
Genres
Artwork or description wrong?
Request an update »
Updates may take a few minutes.
Do you host a podcast?
Track your ranks and reviews from Spotify, Apple Podcasts and more.
See hourly chart positions and more than 30 days of history.
Get Chartable Analytics »
See hourly chart positions and more than 30 days of history.
