Cunk on Britain - Beginnings
🕑 Added 2025-07-28 19:13:17 +0000 UTCComments
Black Mark
And I believe a bunch of volunteers maintain his bits in the face of grass overgrowing them, keeping them clear of sheep poop, and the chalk being washed away (gradually, by erosion)...
sadie penman
All the history is real, the guests are real professionals - and Diane Morganβs mind just works different lol. You must watch her on Rickyβs Deadly Serious Podcast. Also if you want a kid friendly History programme you must watch Horrible Histories - would love your reactions to them, but they are a must watch reaction or not xx glad I joined Patreon - but I already running out lol π
Jonathan Hodgson
Cerne Abbas giant is a real thing in Dorset
Ξ Tessellate
Yes she first appeared (on TV) as Philomena Cunk in her own segment on Charlie Brookerβs Weekly Wipe, the show started as CBβs Screen Wipe where heβd review movies, once it became weekly wipe he would discuss the weeks events in a super satirical fashion, eventually weekly wipe became yearly wipe. Very funny shows, there was another character who used to be in the same segments too called Barry Shitpeas.
Kirk Deighton
The Wall in game of thrones was based on Hadrian's Wall too, or Hard Ian's Wall as it was called in this episode.
Julian Wilcox
St George was English, In the same way that St Patrick wasnt Irish
Susan Jack
I just donβt find this funny. Iβve taught teenagers for decades and the stuff they say is way more hysterical than this, hysterical because they will fight to the death to prove themselves in the right. Cunk is just another of my mad hilarious pupils who I was paid to teach. However, thank you for your reaction. I can now laugh at your infectious laugh. π€ Thank you for making me laugh finally at this daft nonsense. π
Ketzalborne
Absolutely hilarious, I love Cunk so much
Len's Flares
Poor Jess, there's surprise knob and bollocks popping up randomly in all kinds of videos, even serious science ones like this....
Karl Devereux
So hoping the next Populist UK Government can give Cunk a Ministerial role...Minister of Arts, Culture, & Alternative Facts... The Imperial fckery of the film, Zulu, for example....a different Cunk honesty/perspective, waiting...
Fordy7169
The reactions by some American historians to her stuff is funny too. They also crack up and give the correct info as it goes along.
Danny Heywood
Nice name!
Karen Campbell
Dexi's Midnight Runners sang the theme song. That's a pathetic piece of trivia, I know lol It wasn't the best sitcom but I always watched it
david mitchell
That was brilliant
Pomerau
Today, RGN stands at a fork in it's crossroads.
Fordy7169
Mike and Jess, believe it or not if you know little about history these shows are educational. The topics, people, dates are there but Cunk conveys them like a young child's brain would but in an adult body. Every one of her shows has relentless daft comments. The Experts were told that Diane Morgan would be playing a comedic character but didn't know what questions they would be asked and that they would have to keep as straight a face as possible. The corpsing out-takes must have been plentiful.
Fordy7169
The line before 'it's a like an 8 year old boy had drawn the finale to Game of Thrones'
Paflad
I vividly remember watching this on first airing and absolutely losing it at the Baywatch Tapestry line. The whole show is great but for some reason that line just broke me.
Karl Devereux
Brooker's Screen Wipe, whilst brilliant, much too UK parochial...would need to be aware of UK News stuff years ago....just silly.
Karl Devereux
Great fun watching this with you guys. First time I've seen it too.
Darren Geoghegan
Female Ali G.
David Mannion
I think they knew she was playing a role but weren't briefed on what she was going to say and were asked to play it completely straight. I read somewhere that they did have to edit out bits where the experts laughed at the questions.
Richard Stokes
Having seen you enjoy this I'm more convinced you will love Charlie Brookers Screenwipe from where Philomena emerged. It's the same writer (Brooker and his team) but instead is a review of the years events. Cunk is a talking head on it from 2012 onwards. Whether it's her Brooker or their colleague Barry Shitpeas doing the talking it's this kind of style of writing, but I'd say there is a bit more variety in the style than Cunk getting it all wrong, but that's definitely in the mix!
Karlos
The massive chalk guy with a dick is real. No jokes, google Cerne Abbas Giant. It's in Dorset. I've never been but I find it hilarious. I love the pausing. It makes it longer and more enjoyable to see you guys react. I wouldn't worry about it. People who hate pauses can just watch the original video. I love how much you find her funny though. I'm a big Charlie Brooker fan and the actress Diane Morgan is in After Life, she's pretty good in that too.
Keatan Forrest
First time i've seen this. Approve!
Emily
As someone who is passionate about British history, I was equally laughing and crying at this π
Emily
Here's a good documentary about the whole process, including how they identified him using DNA and a living descendent. Worth a watch if you want to learn more π https://youtu.be/P8QDa1zuUd4?si=ASB6ZKCG5s-_A1eY
Luke Gale9
GOT - War of the Roses York/Stark Lancaster/ Lannister
Tim
Definitely be good to see you watch more of this if you're enjoying it (which I' pretty sure you π )
Nextmans
I highly endorse more cunk on Britain or actually cunk on anything! Great reaction guys!
Julian
The USA videos are just poor edits which take bits from the actual shows.
Julian
Glad you took the advice on this one. That was fun. Hope you do more.
Fred bates
The one she does on America is absolutely hilarious.Please find that one I would love to see you guys react to that.
Josh Read
Brushstrokes should be on tomorrow's poll now π€
Ketzalborne
Cunk for Prime Minister
Static CentreHalf
This was bloody brilliant. Full disclosure, I was a bit take-it-or-leave-it with this show but seen through your eyes it's hilarious! Do hope you'll do some more.
Static CentreHalf
Not all of them. I know for a fact Howard Goodall didn't.
Christian Rolfe
I enjoyed her in motherland, funny lady
Sam Dilks
Philomena Cunk is brilliant. She sounds a bit like Neil from the Inbetweeners trying to explain and ask about history. Diane Morgan is a brilliant comedian actress
Daz Parker
Great surprise to see this. Funny you mention GoT as it was heavily influenced by The War of The Roses And while we're on that *clears throat* WHITE ROSE WHITE ROSE WHITE ROSE WHITE ROSE
Steve Cox
The Cerne Abbas Giant is in Dorset, north of Dorchester. You must stop by on your trip to the UK next year. π
Jeffrey44
Do a link, Steve.
Christopher Bergren
Embarrased to say (since I have become so in to history in latter years) that I didn't know that analysis actually confirmed that the skeleton found under that car-park was actually Richard III. So cool to see actual footage (albeit skeletal) of such a historically renowned person. See, even comedy can give history lessons, just make sure to fact-check =D
Superclarky666
buster
Mike you're missing the point, she's in (a now)a boring field that was once A VERY, VERY, VERY interesting field
Tim Mountford
Yay I love Philomena Cunk! You do have to concentrate as her droll deadpan delivery contains so much clever wordplay, so it's easy to miss stuff. But her kooky take on history and interviews with unsuspecting academics are hilarious.
Tro Janors
The Runnaway by Martina Cole really is a very good book π
buster
British comedy? It's the best sense of humour in the world
buster
Being honest that Camelot bit went right over my head π€
buster
And she looked absolutely gorgeous
Fordy7169
Mike and Jess, check your Patreon direct messages. I sent you some info about something that's in the post to you. It includes Philomena Cunk episode files amongst others. She did 2 full solo series 1. Cunk On Britain 5 eps. 2. Cunk On Earth 5 eps. and 3 stand-alone specials 'Cunk On Shakespeare', 'Cunk On Christmas', 'Cunk On Life'. I've compiled all the Cunk U.S.A. clips (from the Cunk On Earth series) in one file about 28 minutes long. It doesn't matter about context within other episode you will completely understand what she's on about.
buster
You both loved Joe Wilkinson's poem, he's in AFTERLIFE, Philomena (Diane Morgan) is also in AFTERLIFE, if AFTERLIFE doesn't win your poll I highly recommend you both watch it in your own time π
Emma Edwards
Nobody ever picks up on it either π
Dave
Loved this. Hope you do the rest of this series
Josh Read
Thank you for this one guys π
Tro Janors
The very first line, "Britain stands at a fork in its cross roads" π€£
Erica
This programme is so funny π . I havenβt worked out what the experts featured were told before filming about the show , if anyone knows please share x
Graeme Frew
Cunk is fantastic. You should keep watching.
Simon Crockford
Nice one guys. I think you may be teetering on the edge of a Cunk rabbit hole.. And i can't wait to come with you!
Kieran B
Al Murray does a podcast about WW2 with this Tom Hollandβs brother James - called We Have Ways of Making you Talk, itβs great. And this Tom does a general history podcast called the Rest is History. They both have a great sense of humour in reality, although fairly dry. Ronald Hutton, the first expert talking about rocks, often appeared in the historical farms series and doesnβt take himself too seriously either.
Brad Johnson
Can you believe this show is created by the same guy that makes Black Mirror. I've seen Charlie Brooker stuff pop up a few times in the polls so hopefully you get to see more of his work, he's a great writer
Simon Cross
I can confirm that 'Brush Strokes' was indeed a real comedy, it ran for 5 seasons and started in 1986. I was 22 back then and used to enjoy it if anyone's interested, and I'm sure your'e not.
Your Precious Prints
Cunk 'Diane Morgan" is brilliant in Afterlife with Ricky Gervais...also Brush Strokes was a very good sitcom in it's day, it was about the mishaps of a Painter and Decorator who was a charmer 'Jack the lad", with women. His name was coincidentally "Jacko"...another fun fact x
Kieran B
Oh the whole series would be brilliant if you could, even if not every week
Steve Moppett
The Cerne Abbas Giant- the chap with the large chalk member- is very much a real feature, as is the Uffington White Horse. Have a look on Google Earth :-)
buster
Cunk is the latter day Ali G, trolling people BEFORE trolling was a thing, do more cunk and DEFINITELY more Ali G, Borat, and Bruno, Bruno interviews the wrestlers on Daytona beach Florida is bloody hilarious
Big Sam
Never been more proud to live about 10mins from the decorative pervert π€£
Susy Manoosy
I love these please do the series
Thomas Tom S.
Office, Inbetweeners, Fawlty Towers, now this (and maybe Partridge on the horizon?!) You guys are really entertaining at the moment, thanks so much!
Emma Edwards
Cunk on USA part 2 https://youtu.be/2xwSM0B9Nfg?si=1u_EoFjLGNL-O2Nw
Emma Edwards
Cunk on USA part 1 https://youtu.be/mxZCkcUoYzk?si=IpCInCH9aR9zpk5M
Emma Edwards
Oh yay, full episode π