Episode 31: Origins of Celebrity with Greg Jenner

Celebrity feels like a modern idea. Something that owes its origins to the rise of Hollywood, television and reality TV. But its cultural origins run far deeper. People who could be - and were - treated as celebrities can be seen right back to the world of 17th century theatre and beyond.

The relationship between celebrity, fame and renown has also always been fluid, shifting in the eyes - and papers - of past times as much as it does today.

Guest

Greg Jenner is a public historian who loves comedy. Host of BBC You’re Dead To Me podcast, previously historical consultant to BBC Horrible Histories TV show, author of 8 funny history books for adults and children, including Dead Famous: An Unexpected History of Celebrity, From Bronze Age To Silver Screen

Cats present

Cecilia

Useful links

Dead Famous: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/dead-famous-an-unexpected-history-of-celebrity-from-bronze-age-to-silver-screen-greg-jenner/818042ae197dbf7f?ean=9781780225661&bkshp-astro=t

Greg Jenner on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/gregjenner.bsky.social

You’re Dead To Me: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p07mdbhg

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