Prizefighters, Circus Freaks & Gangsters

About Prizefighters, Circus Freaks & Gangsters

The 19th Century - the American Spirit really comes from here. Fighting, Food, Fashion & Fraud Plus mayhem, bombast, fornication, mendacity, debauchery, slander, sensationalism and vapid triviality... and swearing. Yet it's the least understood American century - far more than the Civil War, the Railroad & Cowboy Movies. Through 20th & 21st century TV & Movies, Jamie Lewis of Plague Of Strength & Greta Hardin of The History of American food will take up on a wild ride through the most exciting parts. These history junkies will talk you through a wild assortment of media as we discuss things like: physical culture & body building medicine shows carnivals & the circus sex work organized crime & ever so many fights Plus the 19th century is the source of: artificial purple dye, electricity, coast to coast instant communications, gas lighting, photography, the bowie knife, the colt revolver and the gatling gun, cardboard boxes, cigarettes, refrigerated train cars, bodybuilding as entertainment, modern gymnastics, all the current fighting sports, the submarine, and the very first automobiles.

Publisher

Jamie Lewis & Greta Hardin

Category

arts · health & fitness · history

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

14 Jul 2023

Latest episode

18 Oct 2024

Latest episodes

69 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   18 Oct 2024

   Resurrections, New York & New Villains - Zorro S1E10 on Amazon Prime

   Ok ok... we reached the end of Season 1 and almost nobody who's name we know dies. I mean let's not kid ourselves, the swashing and the buckling and the fact that there MUST be bad guys means that there's going to be a body count - but let's face it.  Here we are in Telanovela-land so it's going to be less gruesome that Star Trek. Which - ya' know what?  It's fun sometimes to just escape into the past and only be confronted with sherry in pretty glasses, questions about what someone's social class is based on whether or not they are wearing anything on their head, and mysteries about cuff-links. But with horses and dramatic pauses. And that - thank you very much is what this delivers. Deadly plots - or are they? Intrepid newspaper reporters - And just how many languages were spoken in Alta California before it became a part if the USA (the answer is: probobly about the same number as now - lots) It's the end of Season 1 of Zorro.  So much fun, lets do it again! As always - you can reach us on the internets. Jamie Lewis (plagueofstrength.com (https://plagueofstrength.com/)& IG @plagueofstrength) & Greta Hardin (The History of American Food podcast & @THoAFood all over)

2. 

   11 Oct 2024

   Filling Up the Telenovela Bingo Card - Zorro S1E9 on AMazon Prime

   The Telenovela is blooming in it's full flower - we have secret baby - but even better, it is fake! We have mysterious mothers, promised weddings that were and were not completed, consumation while engaged to be married.  It's all a grand mess. Plus THE OUTFITS and finally Party Food. But wait, there's also the reveal that some of the bad GUYS are bad Girls.  This show has everything, including an evil priest. There's nothing more to be desired - except a second season! As always - you can reach us on the internets. Jamie Lewis (plagueofstrength.com (https://plagueofstrength.com/)& IG @plagueofstrength) & Greta Hardin (The History of American Food podcast & @THoAFood all over)

3. 

   4 Oct 2024

   Wedding & Secret Baby! More Telenovela Prizes - Zorro S1E8 Amazon Prime Video

   Greta called it - the whole reason you have a Telenovela wedding is so you can not have a wedding.  Or did she?  This very Telenovela show has lots of tricks up its beautifully tailored sleeves.  And the resolution - or not of this wedding situation, did not see this ending coming. But don’t worry Jamie - the 19th century is here to fight about it.  And all the competing technologies are here to play.  Tomahawk/hatchet v. Knife v. Sword v. Whip v. Bow & Arrow v. Flint-Lock pistol v. Breech Load rifle Oh yeah - and Secret Baby showed up.  Fake Secret Baby.  Almost to Telanovela BINGO Fear not - all the ways to die are here to play - come along next week to see if all the mysteries are coming together. As always - you can reach us on the internets. Jamie Lewis (plagueofstrength.com (https://plagueofstrength.com/)& IG @plagueofstrength) & Greta Hardin (The History of American Food podcast & @THoAFood all over)

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

10 ratings

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.