I've mentioned it before - I have never been much of a podcast listener - with the notable exception being Welcome to Night Vale and I've even stopped listening to that. I get bored too easily. But thanks to a friend and fellow Anglophile's suggestion, I am currently addicted to a new-to-me podcast -- Rex Factor!
Rex Factor is a "podcast reviewing all the Kings and Queens of England from Alfred the Great to Elizabeth II" (Rex Factor site). The podcast was created by two history enthusiasts (Graham Duke and Ali Hood) and is set up as a quasi-reality show format, like X Factor, Idol, or Hell's Kitchen. In each episode, the hosts look at one monarch, going over their life and reign before reviewing them on a number of factors:
- Battleyness: how good they are in battle and warfare;
- Scandal: their notoriety and tendency towards naughtiness;
- Subjectivity: how well and justly they ruled (i.e. would you want to be a subject?);
- Longevity: how long they ruled for;
- Dynasty: how many legitimate, surviving children they had;
And then, finally, they consider whether or not they have that "certain something, that lasting legacy, the star quality that [Graham and Ali] call the Rex Factor". The scores are totaled up and one monarch will eventually be 'crowned' [pun intended] as the monarch who has the "Rex Factor". The podcasts are well researched, lighthearted, and unscripted which provides a more accessible and fun approach to British history.
The podcast debuted in August 2010 and three and half years and 70+ episodes later, they have completed the entire list of monarchs and have started on the playoffs. Holy cow! I am way, way, way behind (I just listened to number 6). Consequently, I have to be very careful not to read any results before hearing all the episodes, but I've got my favorite royals and will cross my fingers that one of them has enough 'Rex Factor' to win!
This podcast is definitely for the Anglophile with Anglophilia . . . or anyone who loves history . . . or anyone who loves listening to two very funny British men chat. You can find Rex Factor for free on iTunes, Podcast Gallery, or Pod Bean.
Happy listening!
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| Rex Factor "contestants" - the Kings and Queens of England |
5 comments:
Let me give you a hint...no one wins. They all die.
Not all. Queen Elizabeth II is still alive and kicking!
She only thinks she's alive. She's just too Damn stubborn to stay down.
I think she just doesn't want her son to be king and is waiting for him to buy the farm first.
You should listen to the play offs first so you have a chance to still vote and then go back to the original podcasts! They are so much fun :-)
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