Clever, fun, informative, and frequently disgusting, The Worst Jobs in History is a terrific series of documentaries that looks at history not thru the eyes of aristocrats and generals, but thru the eyes of the lowest of the low on the social ladder. For those who remember him fondly from Blackadder, Tony Robinson is the perfect presenter for the downtrodden, and tries everything himself, smelling, touching, and even tasting the worst jobs since the Norman invasion. Each episode is confined to a specific time period, with each job getting successively worse. Often humorous but occasionally quite poignant, the show allows you to really feel for the people who lived in those times and suffered the squalor and indignity of scraping a living from medieval and early modern life.
9 Reviews
excellent show.
atomius15 July 2007
Warning: Spoilers
This is a great show presented by Robinson from Time Team. It features Robinson investigating, at modern day replica sites, the old time jobs and positions of the lower classes, and he goes all the way in this by testing the jobs on camera. The opening sequence is nice and the background music quite enjoyable. The jobs are presented well and a huge bite of historic knowledge comes with every episode. The show gives us moderners an insight into what was really necessary to bring about our modern day world of easy living and computers. Showing the dark side of the classical and later historic world in a nice manner. This makes the perfect watch on Sunday nights where it's time slot resides on abc.
This is very enjoyable and Robinson is a great presenter of this funny, entertaining, and informative documentary. well done on the producers of this show. 9 stars.
This is very enjoyable and Robinson is a great presenter of this funny, entertaining, and informative documentary. well done on the producers of this show. 9 stars.
Another historical winner from Tony Robinson
Voxel-Ux9 October 2004
Excellent and engaging series of programmes focusing on various distasteful professions from the different ages of England since (roughly) 1066.
Once again Tony Robinson (of Blackadder fame) takes his interest in history down another avenue from his Time Team series. Whether it be Tudor or Georgian or any of the other ages of the past 900 years or so one is able to get a glimpse of the jobs on the lower rung of the ladder. Not only does Mr Robinson speak in his usual easy manner of the facts behind his choices but also gets his hands dirty by having a go himself. Swallowing a toad or being knee-high in urine to step into the shoes of those from the past do not deter him from realising the former hardships that once affected individuals whose task it was to perform these duties. Not for the squeamish indeed.
I have always looked forward to Mr Robinson's programmes and this one was certainly not a disappointment. I look forward to more of his efforts in the future. Truly enjoyable and edifying.
Once again Tony Robinson (of Blackadder fame) takes his interest in history down another avenue from his Time Team series. Whether it be Tudor or Georgian or any of the other ages of the past 900 years or so one is able to get a glimpse of the jobs on the lower rung of the ladder. Not only does Mr Robinson speak in his usual easy manner of the facts behind his choices but also gets his hands dirty by having a go himself. Swallowing a toad or being knee-high in urine to step into the shoes of those from the past do not deter him from realising the former hardships that once affected individuals whose task it was to perform these duties. Not for the squeamish indeed.
I have always looked forward to Mr Robinson's programmes and this one was certainly not a disappointment. I look forward to more of his efforts in the future. Truly enjoyable and edifying.
This is exactly the sort of show that makes history exciting to kids
planktonrules15 November 2008
I am a history teacher and have long felt that most history books and shows do a lot to kill any interest in history in kids. After all, too often they are packed full of irrelevant details and are devoid of interesting tidbits and excitement. It's as if there's a consensus that history MUST be boring and be taken like medicine! It's in light of this that I say that "The Worst Jobs in History" series is a wonderful breath of fresh air. In this lovely short series, Tony Robinson ("Baldrick" from the "Black Adder" TV series) takes us on an unforgettable journey through the ages as he explores the utterly disgusting and dangerous jobs done by the common people. In fact, as history often ignores these common folk, the series also does a great job of making history about people--not just kings and presidents.
I've shown a couple episodes to teens and all of them loved it and paid complete attention throughout. When the shows finished, many asked if I would show them more! That's the sort of thing kids need--to feel a hunger for history and disgusting history is just as valid and important as any other type of history.
Wonderfully made and fascinating throughout. While not always great to watch on a full stomach, the show can't be beat when it comes to making history interesting to kids.
I've shown a couple episodes to teens and all of them loved it and paid complete attention throughout. When the shows finished, many asked if I would show them more! That's the sort of thing kids need--to feel a hunger for history and disgusting history is just as valid and important as any other type of history.
Wonderfully made and fascinating throughout. While not always great to watch on a full stomach, the show can't be beat when it comes to making history interesting to kids.
Fascinating walk through rarely known British History
Minou076 December 2009
I just caught the middle of "Worse Jobs in Maritime History," this morning and instantly knew that voice! Then I really knew the face. (I own the DVD sets of "Blackadder" (starring Robinson, Rowan Atkinson, and Hugh Laurie) Robinson is serious and sometimes humorous in presenting the program that makes British History interesting. He explains and participates in doing these actual jobs and it is fascinating. In "Maritime," they also show photos of women gutting fish. Of course people still do that today. But the most overlooked and dangerous jobs are those of the "stokers" in the ships boilers and the ones of people who actually built the lighthouses.
In the USA we have the program "Dirty Jobs," so we can certainly appreciate what people do to earn a living. It's also sobering to those of us who have lousy, low-paying jobs but don't also have to soil our hands or risk our lives to do them.
In the USA we have the program "Dirty Jobs," so we can certainly appreciate what people do to earn a living. It's also sobering to those of us who have lousy, low-paying jobs but don't also have to soil our hands or risk our lives to do them.
The Worst Jobs in History
jboothmillard21 July 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Many people enjoy Tony Robinson as Baldrick in Blackadder, and after that there is obviously Tim Team, but this historical type programme is probably not mentioned that often. It is a good programme though that people will find interesting, particularly hard workers in whatever job. Basically Robinson visits a time in history where there were many jobs to be done for whatever purpose, and he runs down all the worst jobs that someone could be doing. People watching this probably think "Thank God we don't do this anymore", and they'd be right. Examples of jobs have included: mixing crap with straw to make mortar type stuff, ploughing a field with a cart with a horse, and making some disgusting meals. A good history type programme with a good host. Good!
Fantastic series from Four
switchkid027 September 2004
One of the finer documentaries of recent years. Robinson's chummy, honest style of presenting makes the history real and accessible. I've seen three episodes, and hope there are more out there. There's an element of "Fear Factor" (Tony gags as he trods on wool cloth in a vat of stale human urine), and also some really revealing emotional moments, as in the "egg-gathering", and the "headsman".
Most "history-rich" documentaries tend to leave a lot of viewers cold, being all facts, dates, and places. This series humanizes the history, and affords us an insight into the day-to-day struggle of common folks, such as ourselves.
No matter how bad your job may be, I think it's easy to say that it doesn't compare to "The Worst Jobs in History".
Most "history-rich" documentaries tend to leave a lot of viewers cold, being all facts, dates, and places. This series humanizes the history, and affords us an insight into the day-to-day struggle of common folks, such as ourselves.
No matter how bad your job may be, I think it's easy to say that it doesn't compare to "The Worst Jobs in History".
Fantastic!!
christmas32728 December 2004
I most recently watched Tony Robinsons "Worst Jobs In History" and enjoyed it more than I can say. I've always thought due to past shows on these eras that I may have enjoyed living in these times, but with the reality shown on this documentary may have to recant my former wishes. The reality of these times although sobering, is at times too funny. Tony puts himself right into it, really great, I would watch it again and again. I would like to order it to watch with friends and family. I can see that much research went into the making of this documentary, and traveling. Do the people he interviewed live this or are they part of reenactments? Thank you so much to the producers, directors and Tony for this educational entertainment, why couldn't history class have been this way?
Incredible show
frozen0124 January 2010
Being a fan of historical fiction, and a frequent patron of Ren Faires, I always had a deep respect for the historical "daily grind", but never has such programming really brought that to life like The Worst Jobs in History. Tony interviews experts and gets his hands dirty to show you what people used to have to go through to do simple tasks that are taken for granted today, in all sorts of historical and locational settings. He puts a real-world human touch on a subject that too often just gets boiled down to reciting boring facts. Entertaining, informative, and funny as all get out, this show should be a staple of every history class! Please, please, PLEASE release this to DVD or iTunes in the US! I have a few teachers in my family who I know would adore this program!
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