Josh Widdicombe's Archive of Pop Culture
Josh Widdicombe, known from Parenting Hell, hosts this podcast exploring the wildest stories in pop culture history. Joined by comedian friends Tom Craine, Matthew Crosby, or Suzi Ruffell, he covers topics like Mr. Blobby, The KLF, East 17, Dallas, Ghostwatch, and more. The show delves into tales of unhinged genius, massive success, and spectacular failure from film, TV, music, and celebrity. It is produced by Keep It Light Media.
Episodes
The Making of 'Apocalypse Now' (Part 1)
In the mid 1970’s America stood at a crossroads. The Vietnam War had recently ended, leaving deep social divisions and a crisis of trust in government after the Watergate scandal...Alongside this, American cinema was re-inventing itself after the demise of the old Hollywood studio system…A new breed of young, hungry and fearless filmmakers are forging a new path - Scorsese, Lucas, Spielberg, and
Spiderman: Turn off the Dark - Broadway's Biggest Musical Failure? (Part 4)
Spiderman: Turn off the Dark - Broadway's Biggest Musical Failure? (Part 4) In the final part of this incredible story of the Spiderman Broadwy musical - Turn off the dark, we discover the true cost, both finanical and emotional, of the infamous show. How did it measure up to other notorious Broadway bombs?Was it really a failure? And if so, who was to blame? All episodes for this series are avail
Spiderman: Turn off the Dark - Broadway's Biggest Musical Failure? (Part 3)
Spiderman: Turn off the Dark - Broadway's Biggest Musical Failure? (Part 3)In this episode the Spiderman Broadway show is hit by casting issues, money issues, and theatre issues. Bascially, anything that can go wrong does. Will the show ever open? And at what cost?All episodes for this series are available to listen to now if you go to;https://museumofpopculture.supportingcast.fm/And j
Spiderman: Turn off the Dark - Broadway's Biggest Musical Failure? (Part 2)
Spiderman: Turn off the Dark - Broadway's Biggest Musical Failure? (Part 2) In this episode we discuss the genesis story of the band whose two members soundtrack the doomed musical - rock legends U2.And we start to get a sense of the various egos orbiting the broadway show as it starts to take shape. You could say the warning signs were there from the start....All episodes for this series are avai
Spiderman: Turn off the Dark - Broadway's Biggest Musical Failure? (Part 1)
Spiderman: Turn off the Dark - Broadway's Biggest Musical Failure? (Part 1) Joining me today to discuss one of the most disastrous Broadway Musicals ever - Spiderman: Turn off the Dark - Is comedian and friend Suzi RuffellThere are Broadway musicals that become legends……and then there are Broadway musicals that become infamous cautionary tales.From the creators of The Lion King and the visionary m
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes (Part 3)
EPISODE 3Welcome back to the final part of the life and work of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. If you thought the first two parts were a rollercoaster, incredibly his life story is about to take even more wild twists and turns!!! Sir Arthur Conan Doyle faces a series of tragic life events, before he finds himself embroiled in multiple controversies and scandals surrounding clairvoyants, fake fossils an
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes (Part 2)
EPISODE 2Welcome back to part 2 of the story Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes...Coming up in this episode - Sherlock Holmes is killed and resurrected by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle… and we discuss other instances where famous celebrities have solved crimes! All episodes for this series are available to listen to now if you go to;https://museumofpopculture.supportingcast.fm/And joi
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes (Part 1)
Joining me to discuss the incredible life and work of perhaps my favourite author - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - and his most famous creation - Sherlock Holmes, is comedian and friend Tom Craine. EPISODE 1To the world, he was the architect of logic. The man who brought us the deerstalker, the magnifying glass, and the brilliance of 221B Baker Street.But Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was a man of startling co
The strangest fan club memberships, feed the frog, and boring chair facts...
In this latest episode of Archive of Pop Culture we discuss and respond to all the brilliant emails, messages, corrections and suggestions that you, the wonderful AOPC community, have sent us.Thanks to everyone for joining the AOPC fan club community and getting in touch with the show...If you want to become a part of the Archive of Pop Culture Community you can join the fan club and support the s
The Chippendales (Part 4)
Episode 4: In the final episode of this series,, you guessed it, more attmpted murder and inept criminal activity from the Chippendales gang. But will those involved finally get their comeuppance? All episodes for this series are available to listen to now if you go to;https://museumofpopculture.supportingcast.fm/And join the Archive of Pop Culture fan club.If you want to get i
The Chippendales (Part 3)
Episode 3: Coming up in this episode - incredibly there are ven more murder plots, blackmail, and police suspicions grow as the battle for the Chippendales empire takes even more sinister turns...All episodes for this series are available to listen to now if you go to;https://museumofpopculture.supportingcast.fm/And join the Archive of Pop Culture fan club.If you want to get in
The Chippendales (Part 2)
Episode 2: Back for part 2 of the unbelievable story of The Chippendales is comedian and friend Suzi Ruffell…Coming up in this episode - there’s more murrder plots, and a hilarious Chippendales calendar misprint ends up costing those involved $700,000!All episodes for this series are available to listen to now if you go to;https://museumofpopculture.supportingcast.fm/And join the Archi
The Chippendales (Part 1)
Episode 1: Joining me today to discuss the unbelievable story of The Chippendales is comedian and friend Suzi Ruffell…Los Angeles in the late 1970’s…A city of reinvention, excess… and opportunity.In the wake of the sexual revolution, nightlife was shifting and the scene was ready for something different…Enter the Chippendales.What began as a small club scene soon became a global cultural phenomeno
It's A Royal Knockout (Part 4)
Episode 4:Welcome back to the final episode of the definitive story of ‘It’s a Royal Knockout’…We discuss Royal divorces, toe sucking tabloid pics, the Princess Diana ‘squidgeygate’ scandal, and her infamous interview with Martin Bashir…And Prince Andrew reflects on the legacy of the event as his reputation and business are left in tatters.All episodes for this series are available to listen to no
It's A Royal Knockout (Part 3)
Episode 3:Welcome back to part 3 of the story of the PR disaster that was ‘It’s a Royal Knockout’....Coming up in this episode - we discuss the fall-out of the event one reviewer called;“the single most damaging attack on the royal family since Cromwell…” All episodes for this series are available to listen to now if you go to;https://museumofpopculture.supportingcast.fm/And join the
It's A Royal Knockout (Part 2)
Episode 2:Coming up in this episode - we meet the celebrities taking part in the show, and discover the reasons why her majesty The Queen and Charles and Diana quite wisely give the event a wide berth!All episodes for this series are available to listen to now if you go to;https://museumofpopculture.supportingcast.fm/And join the Archive of Pop Culture fan club.If you want to g
It's A Royal Knockout (Part 1)
Episode 1: In the first episode of this series, Josh Widdicombe and comedian and friend Matthew Crosby discuss the incredible story of 'It's a Royal Knockout'The year is 1987…And in Britain, disaster is lurking at every turn…The stock market crash…The worst storm to hit Southern England in centuries…And Margaret Thatcher winning a third term...But none of them compare to what was arguably the wors
Old TV Shows you've appeared on & How Mr Blobby ended my relationship...
In this episode of Museum of Pop Culture we discuss and respond to all the brilliant emails, messages, corrections and suggestions that you, the wonderful MOPC community, have sent us.Thanks to everyone for joining the MOPC fan club community and getting in touch with the show...If you want to become a part of the Museum of Pop Culture Community you can join the fan club and support the show at;
Stay Another Day: The Incredible Story of 'East 17' (Part 4)
Episode 4: In the final episode of the story of East 17 the dream refuses to die as various incarnations of the band rise from the ashes. Will there be a happy ending?And we also look at other classic pop band reformations from S-Club 7, to Bucks Fizz and the lesser known Boyz on the Block.All episodes for this series are available to listen to now if you go to;https://museumofpopculture.sup
Stay Another Day: The Incredible Story of 'East 17' (Part 3)
Episode 3:In the third episode of this series, Josh Widdicombe and comedian and friend Tom Craine discuss the incredible story of one of the biggest boy bands of the 90's - East 17.Coming up in this episode - a controversial tabloid news story leads to the sacking of Brian Harvey, and soon after the whole band implodes as Tony leaves and the record label drops them.All episodes for this series are
Stay Another Day: The Incredible Story of 'East 17' (Part 2)
Episode 2: In the second episode of this series, Josh Widdicombe and comedian and friend Tom Craine discuss the incredible story of one of the biggest boy bands of the 90's - East 17.Coming up in this episode - it’s the battle of the British boy bands as the rivalry with Take That heats up, and they release their career defining chart topper ‘Stay Another Day’All episodes for this series are avail
Stay Another Day: The Incredible Story of 'East 17' (Part 1)
Episode 1: In the first episode of this series, Josh Widdicombe and comedian and friend Tom Craine discuss the incredible story of one of the biggest boy bands of the 90's - East 17.This is the story of a group who defied the odds, topped the charts, and then imploded in spectacular style… this is the rise and fall of ‘East 17’All episodes for this series are available to listen to now if you go t
A Podcast By Any Other Name Would Sound Just As Sweet...
In this episode of Museum of Pop Culture we discuss and respond to all the brilliant emails, messages, corrections and suggestions that you, the wonderful MOPC community, have sent us. And boy have we got a big re-branding announcement for you!!Thanks to everyone for joining the MOPC fan club community and getting in touch with the show...If you want to become a part of the Museum of Pop Culture C
Britain's Greatest Inventor: Clive Sinclair and the C5 (Part 4)
Episode 4: In the final episode of this series, Josh Widdicombe and comedian and friend Tom Craine discuss the unbelievable story of Britain's greatest inventor - Sir Clive Sinclair and his success (and failures) in shaping the landscape of technology and computers.Museum of Pop Culture is a Keep It Light Media ProductionHosted by Josh WiddicombeResearch by Emily Pickthall.Additional editing
Britain's Greatest Inventor: Clive Sinclair and the C5 (Part 3)
Episode 3: In the third episode of this series, Josh Widdicombe and comedian and friend Tom Craine discuss the unbelievable story of Britain's greatest inventor - Sir Clive Sinclair and his success (and failures) in shaping the landscape of technology and computers.Coming up in this episode - the disastrous launch of the C5 and collapse of the computer industry leave Sinclair in a precarious po
Britain's Greatest Inventor: Clive Sinclair and the C5 (Part 2)
Episode 2: In the second episode of this series, Josh Widdicombe and comedian Tom Craine discuss the unbelievable story of Britain's greatest inventor - Sir Clive Sinclair and his success (and failures) in shaping the landscape of technology and computers.Coming up in this episode - the launch of the revolutionary Sinclair ZX Spectrum computer takes the world by storm… and the infamous C5 gets of
Britain's Greatest Inventor: Clive Sinclair and the C5 (Part 1)
Episode 1: Mensa, Eccentric Genius, and the invention of the pocket calculatorIn the first episode of this series, Josh Widdicombe and comedian and friend Tom Craine discuss the unbelievable story of Britain's greatest inventor - Sir Clive Sinclair and his success (and failures) in shaping the landscape of technology and computers.We discuss the formation of MENSA, the early Sinclair success of h
Chatting Star Wars with Liza Minelli, insured celebrity body parts, and meeting Pete Waterman...
In this episode of Museum of Pop Culture we discuss and respond to all the brilliant emails, messages, corrections and suggestions that you, the wonderful MOPC community, have sent us. Including...- Appearing as a guest or contestant on classic old TV shows...- Did a listeners dad who chat Star Wars with Liza Minelli in Studio 54?- And can we build an entire human from insured body parts?Thanks to
Studio 54: The World's Most Infamous Nightclub (Part 4)
Episode 4:In the final episode of this series, Josh Widdicombe and Tom Craine discuss the amazing story of the world's most infamous nightclub - Studio 54 in New York.Museum of Pop Culture is a 'Keep It Light Media' ProductionHosted by Josh WiddicombeResearch by - Shaianne Barnes and Emily Pickthall.Additional editing by Will FitzpatrickDesign by John GregoryMusic by Pickle & ButtonAll ep
Studio 54: The World's Most Infamous Nightclub (Part 3)
Episode 3:In the third episode of this series, Josh Widdicombe and Tom Craine discuss the amazing story of the world's most infamous nightclub - Studio 54 in New York. We discuss the birth and rise of disco, and the nightclub runs into the first of many legal issues as rumours of tax evasion and money laundering threaten to de-rail the dream…All episodes for this series are available to listen
Studio 54: The World's Most Infamous Nightclub (Part 2)
Episode 2:In the second episode of this series, Josh Widdicombe and comedian and friend Tom Craine discuss the amazing story of the world's most infamous nightclub - Studio 54 in New York.Coming up in this episode - against a backdrop of a city in turmoil, the club's infamous opening night and legendary celeb filled, drug fuelled parties dominate the New York night as Andy Warhol, Grace Jones, Di
Studio 54: The World's Most Infamous Nightclub (Part 1)
Episode 1: The Birth of a Club Legend In the first episode of this series, Josh Widdicombe and comedian and friend Tom Craine discuss the amazing story of the world's most infamous nightclub - Studio 54 in New York.Celebrities. Sex. Drugs. Corruption. Scandal. For those fortunate enough to get in, the nightclub had it all, and for a brief moment it felt like it was the centre of the universe…This
The Spice Girls (Part 4)
Episode 4: The Brighest Stars Burn The QuickestIn the final episode Josh Widdicombe and Suzi conclude the amazing story of the rise (and rise) of the most succesful girl group in pop music history - The Spice Girls.Geri leaves and the walls quickly come tumbling down as solo careers and a life beyond the spice awaits the girls. But what a glorious rollercoaster it was.... xxxAll episodes for this
The Spice Girls (Part 3)
Episode 3: Princes, Presidents, Pepsi and Power StrugglesIn the 3rd episode of this four part series, Josh Widdicombe and comedian and friend Suzi Ruffell discuss the amazing story of the rise (and rise) of the most succesful girl group in pop music history - The Spice Girls.When we left them, the girls were an unstoppable pop culture juggernaut with Christmas number ones, merchandise, and a char
The Spice Girls (Part 2)
Episode 2: A Girl Power Explosion In the 2nd episode of this four part series, Josh Widdicombe and comedian and friend Suzi Ruffell discuss the amazing story of the rise (and rise) of the most succesful girl group in pop music history - The Spice Girls.When we left them, we discovered how the band was formed…And the iconic line-up was finally complete as Baby Spice was about to join the group… Co
The Spice Girls (Part 1)
Episode 1: Spice Up Your LivesIn the first episode of this four part series, Josh Widdicombe and comedian and friend Suzi Ruffell discuss the amazing story of the rise (and rise) of the most succesful girl group in pop music history - The Spice Girls.All episodes for this series are available to listen to now if you go to;https://museumofpopculture.supportingcast.fm/And join the Museum of P
David Hasselhoff and the fall of the Berlin Wall (Part 4)
Episode 4: Baywatch and global dominationIn the final episode of this four part series we discuss his infamous Berlin Wall musical performance and finally set the record straight. Did he bring down the wall?And beyond that The Hoff is about to be the most watched man on TV on planet earth as the slow motion juggernaut that is Baywatch hits the shores and episodes are watched by a BILLION people gl
David Hasselhoff and the fall of the Berlin Wall (Part 3)
Episode 3: Looking for FreedomIn the third episode of this four part series, Josh Widdicombe and comedian and friend Matthew Crosby discuss the amazing story of David Hasselhoff and the fall of the Berlin Wall.Things were about to get VERY strange for The Hoff as the cracks appeared in the stability of the Soviet Union, David’s personal life, and quite literally - the Berlin Wall itself…All episod
David Hasselhoff and the fall of the Berlin Wall (Part 2)
Episode 2: The Knight Rider RisesIn the second episode of this four part series, Josh Widdicombe and comedian Matthew Crosby discuss the amazing story of David Hasselhoff and the fall of the Berlin Wall.When we left him, Hasselhoff was forging a path in TV with mixed success.But a chance encounter with an NBC executive, and a talking Trans AM car, was about to change the course of his life forever
David Hasselhoff and the fall of the Berlin Wall (Part 1)
Episode 1: Young and Restless - The Origin of The HoffIn the first episode of this four part series, Josh Widdicombe and comedian and friend Matthew Crosby discuss the amazing story of David Hasselhoff and the fall of the Berlin Wall.Enjoy!!All episodes for this series are available to listen to now if you go to;https://museumofpopculture.supportingcast.fm/And join the Museum of Pop Culture fan cl
The Hit Factory: Stock, Aitken and Waterman (Part 4)
The Hit Factory: Stock, Aitken and WatermanEpisode 4: The Factory Faces ClosureIn the final episode of the series Josh Widdicombe and comedian and friend Matthew Crosby conclude the amazing story of Stock, Aitken and Waterman's 'Hit Factory' record label...When we left them the trio were at the height of their success…Multiple Ivor Novello awards, more hit songs than The Beatles...And yet despite
The Hit Factory: Stock, Aitken and Waterman (Part 3)
The Hit Factory: Stock, Aitken and WatermanEpisode 3: Everyone's Favourite Neighbour(s)In the third episode of this four part series, Josh Widdicombe and comedian and friend Matthew Crosby discuss the amazing story of Stock, Aitken and Waterman's 'Hit Factory' record label...When we left them, Stock, Aitken and Waterman were fully in their pomp and had topped the charts with countless hits. The je
The Hit Factory: Stock, Aitken and Waterman (Part 2)
The Hit Factory: Stock, Aitken and WatermanEpisode 2: From Tea Boy to Chart TopperIn the second episode of this four part series, Josh Widdicombe and comedian and friend Matthew Crosby discuss the amazing story of Stock, Aitken and Waterman's 'Hit Factory' record label...When we left them, the trio’s lives and careers had just converged, and the taste of that early success meant they agreed to col
The Hit Factory: Stock, Aitken and Waterman (Part 1)
The Hit Factory: Stock, Aitken and WatermanEpisode 1: From Coventry schoolboy to the King of DiscoIn the first episode of this four part series, Josh Widdicombe and comedian and friend Matthew Crosby discuss the amazing story of Stock, Aitken and Waterman's 'Hit Factory' record label...Join them on a journey from the over crowded post war class rooms of Coventry to the top of the British pop chart
The Rise and Fall of Mr Blobby and Noel Edmonds (Part 4)
The Rise and Fall of Mr Blobby (and Noel Edmonds)
Episode 4: To Blob, or not to Blob...
And so we reach the final chapter of the Rise and Fall of Mr Blobby and Noel Edmonds…
The former is now firmly in the rear view mirror, although like all great legends - they never truly die and I have a feeling we may see him again…
And the latter is about to experience a late career renaissance in
The Rise and Fall of Mr Blobby and Noel Edmonds (Part 3)
The Rise and Fall of Mr Blobby (and Noel Edmonds)Episode 3: Done Blobbin' - Mr Blobby's DownfallIn the penultimate episode of the series, Josh Widdicombe and comedian Tom Craine explore the incredible rise and fall of Mr Blobby and Noel Edmonds.When we left him at the end of episode 2, Mr Blobby's fame and notoriety had hit giddy stratospheres…He topped the music charts with a Christmas #1 single.
The Rise and Fall of Mr Blobby and Noel Edmonds (Part 2)
The Rise and Fall of Mr Blobby (and Noel Edmonds) Episode 2: The Ascent of BlobbyIn the second episode of this four part series, Josh Widdicombe and comedian and friend Tom Craine explore the incredible rise and fall of Mr Blobby and Noel Edmonds.At the height of his powers, Noel unleashes Blobby on an unsuspecting British public and he becomes a superstar in a way nobody could have imagined or pr
The Rise and Fall of Mr Blobby and Noel Edmonds (Part 1)
The Rise and Fall of Mr Blobby (and Noel Edmonds) Episode 1: Noel's ascent from radio nerd to Saturday Night titanIn the first episode of this four part series, Josh Widdicombe and comedian and friend Tom Craine explore the incredible rise and fall of Mr Blobby and Noel Edmonds.Join them on a journey from the early days of pirate radio, all the way to the giddy heights of Saturday night appointmen
Museum of Pop Culture - COMING SOON
COMING SOON - 1st Jan 2026Join Josh Widdicombe (Parenting hell) as he tells the greatest stories in the history of popular culture. Partnered each time by one of his best friends in the world (comedians Tom Craine, Matthew Crosby or Suzi Ruffell) Josh takes us through the wildest stories of unhinged genius, world dominating success and shaming failure. Mr Blobby, The KLF, East 17, Dallas, Ghostwat
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