Historians on Housewives
Historians on Housewives is a podcast that explores Bravo reality TV shows through a historical lens. Hosted by Kacey Calahane, Jessica Millward, and Max Speare, each episode connects current events and pop culture moments from shows like The Real Housewives to broader historical contexts. The podcast offers a unique blend of entertainment and education, making history accessible and engaging for fans of reality television.
Episodes
"I may be short, but good things come in small packages" w/ Olivia Stowell
In which the Historians talk about the role of trauma on the Real Housewives, race and identity on Top Chef, ethnography on social media, the most iconic BravoTV moments, and much, much more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
"Into the Archives: The Great British Bake-Off"
In which the Historians launch a new show - Into the Archives - and discuss the Great British Bake-Off, and histories of settler colonialism, early modern medicine and humoralism, and food. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
"It's not productivity, it's spite fueled by Swig" w/ Dr. Cristina Rosetti
In which the Historians talk Sister Wives and learn about polygamy, First Wives, Warren Jeffs and the FLDS, and much much more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
To Be Continued... Next Week
In which sickness falls upon the Historians and Max once again has to pick up the slack and break some bad news. Tune in next week! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
“They say if you’re the smartest person in the room you’re in the wrong room. And I’m ALWAYS in the wrong room" w/ Dr. Jennifer McCutchen
In which the Historians discuss the Creek's and Cherokees’ gunpowder trades during the Revolutionary War, contextualize the Creek Confederacy and Native interests and alliances during the war, analyze the role of gunpower as a gendered commodity and what that meant for Native American women’s power in shaping regional and and global market structures, converse about the matriarchal social structu
New Season Teaser
In which the Historians promote the new season and other fun stuff on the horizon for HonH. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
“I may look like a tired teenage boy, but trust me: I’m an aging gay man inside" w/ Dr. Suzanna Krivulskaya
In which the Historians learn about how to think about scandal and the relationship between sexuality and Evangelical and Pentecostal religion in nineteenth and twentieth-century America, and how RHOP and RHOSLC can help us understand cheating and sexuality in these church communities. Recommended ReadingSuzanna Krivulskaya, “A History of Sex Abuse in the Protestant Imagination,” The Revealer, Mar
"If you’re going to curse me out, at least ask a god to turn my bowels to water on a cursed tablet” with Carly Silver
In which the Historians discuss public history, the Bronze Age Mari and curse tablets in Roman Britain, the connections between soap operas with Bravo shows like Vanderpump Rules and RHOBH, contemplate Real Housewives' curses on each other, what Jax Taylor has to do with a legal record from 3,000 years ago, paralleling Yolanda's treatment of the Hadid sisters with imperial alliances of the Bronze
“I’m that misbehaving Nasty Wench, writing and creating history, making the good wives and patriarchs anxious” with Dr. Kristalyn Shefveland
“I’m that misbehaving Nasty Wench, writing and creating history, making the good wives and patriarchs anxious” with Dr. Kristalyn ShefvelandThe personal legacies of Kathleen Brown, William Byrd ancestry, tips for scholars and graduate students researching in the archive, Walt Disney’s failed Slavery-themed theme park, ethnic foldaways in Indiana, discussing how reality television can be used
“I might study television, but I write my own scripts,” with Dr. Kate Flach
In which the Historians discuss connections between lynching photography and the power of television, the racial politics of Bravo touching on current events and hypocrisies in reality television storylines, historical contexts for cultural liberalism and its limits, Max takes over the Bonko Party game, and we all come to grips with the end of a really long semester, and much, much more!Recommende
"They say that taste is subjective, but I'm the subject and my taste is impeccable!" with Dr. Allison Tait
In which the Historians discuss family law, poverty law, and divorce law and how they come up on the Real Housewives, “high-wealth families” legal regulations around high-wealth exceptionalism, the Girardi divorce, the differences between trusts and estates and much, much more!Further ReadingsAllison Tate, Home of the Dispossessed, Michigan Journal of Gender & Law (2022). Allison Tate, In
“I don’t just watch reality television, I analyze it” with Dr. Mary Klann
In which the historians discuss the long history of Native sovereignty and the encroachment of state and federal government onto Native lands, issues of sovereignty, wardship and citizenship for Indigenous people, and how issues of Native identity are represented on the Real Housewives of New York, Potomac, and Atlanta, as well as much, much more!For the article we reference in this episode, see:
"Just like my polygamist Utah ancestors, I deny all knowledge of these six wives” with Dr. Brett Rushforth and Dr. Allison Madar
In which the Historians kick off season 3 by discussing Season 1 of RHOSLC, reminisce about what it was like taking classes with Coach and Jen Shah, what it means to be the perfect Mormon woman and wife, being divorced and LDS, debate fast food preferences and learn a dark secret about Utah fast food, Bret takes us on an ethnographic journey to LVP's Vanderpump Gardens, and much, much more! Hosted
"I may not be a girl, but I sure as hell fight like one" with David Yontef
In which the Historians discuss the ongoing Erika Jayne scandal, celebrity culture and the production of reality tv, the art of interviewing Housewives, and much, much more! Image courtesy
"Blackademia's Flavor Flav Is Here Y'all!!!" w/ Adam McNeil (Side B)
In which the Historians pick up where they left up… with a Bonko Party Game Break, unpack Porsha’s infamous underground railroad comment, build on more connections between the Real Housewives and Black women’s understanding of freedom and liberty in the Revolutionary Era, allege some wild things about Patty Stanger’s Millionaire Matchmaker, and much, much, more!
"Blackademia's Flavor Flav Is Here Y'all!!!" w/ Adam McNeil (Side A)
In which the Historians discuss the historiography of enslaved women and the importance of slavery scholarship circa 2004, gab about Flavor of Love and the Real World, the origins of the JMIL-McNeil crossover, Adam’s fabulous New Books in African American Studies podcast, shoutout Mumia, and much, much more!
“I bring class to the class struggle” w/ Dr. Sean Gallagher (Side B)
In which the Historians start off with a Bonko Party game break before segueing into a discussion comparing the musicals 1776 and Hamilton, the experiences of enslaved people in Virginia's Chiswell Lead Mines, Loyalism in the Revolution, whether the American Revolution was indeed revolutionary, Star Trek, and much, much more!
“I bring class to the class struggle” w/ Dr. Sean Gallagher (Side A)
Sean Gallagher is a historian of enslaved people and state slaveholding in the American Revolution. He will be starting a postdoc at the David Center for the American Revolution at the American Philosophical Society in Fall 2021. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
“Life & Evolution Happens!” w/ Dr. Sowande’ Mustakeem (Side B)
In which the Historians discuss how our guest got into reality television and Bravo, play two games, hear a pitch on cord-cutting, discuss the CosmicDoc, spirituality and ghosts on RHOD, and much, much more!
“Life & Evolution Happens!” w/ Dr. Sowande’ Mustakeem (Side A)
In which the Historians discuss enslavement at sea, the metaphysical presence of the ghosts of the enslaved, spirit channelling and Tyler Henry, Sowande’ Mustakeem’s band Amalghemy, and much, much more!
“A spoonful of sugar won't help this medicine go down”: Heather Dubrow’s gong, Back Cupping, and the many Dr. Moons of Bravo
In which the Historians conclude their interview with the Dr. Oz of Historians on Housewives, Dr. Emily Baum. They discuss all things traditional Chinese medicine, it’s regional influence in the United States, researching and writing history in the time of Covid-19, what the hell Aaron Phypers was saying he does at that dinner party, reiki healing on reality TV, and much, much more!
“A spoonful of sugar won't help this medicine go down”: US-China Relations, Acupuncture Anesthesia, and the Reinvention of Chinese Medicine w/ Dr. Emily Baum Pt. 1
In which the Historians talk about the history of traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), how Chinese medicine became popular in the US, how Chinese medicine became so popular with wealthier women, and much, much more!
“I didn't say "middle-aged." I said "Middle Ages”: Bucca di Beppo, Housewife Feminists and Farcical Househusbands w/ Noah Guynn Part 2
In which the historians discuss medieval source material, dig more into a fight between the RHOA husbands in Mexico, debate whether or not the Real Housewives is a feminist franchise, and allege wildly about Dorit and PK’s newest venture into the world of restaurants and fine Italian cuisine.
"I didn't say "middle-aged." I said "Middle Ages'": Medieval France, Farcical Plays and Nene's Laptop w/ Dr. Noah Guynn Pt. 1
In which the Historians learn about Medieval France and the unique genre of French farce then play a game that puts your ears to the test, literally and figuratively, plus much, much more!
“Everybody knows a shady grad student knows how to read, and how to READ, I see it both”: RHONJ, Segregation and Race in New Jersey w/ Gwendolyn Fowler Pt. 2
In which the Historians continue their discussion with Gwendolyn Fowler about all things RHONJ, RHOBH, segregation in New Jersey, the women of the Welfare Rights Movement, and play Allegedly with RHOP!
“Everybody knows a shady grad student knows how to read, and how to READ, I see it both”: RHONJ, Segregation and Race in New Jersey w/ Gwendolyn Fowler
In which the Historians discuss pandemic life, first forays into reality tv, RHONJ and representation, segregation in Bergen county, and take a Bonko party game break. Image courtesy
Historians Confessions, Journey to the Everglades, and the Epstein-Housewife Connections Part II w/ Jason Herbert
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
“Stop the Car, I’ve Gotta Move that Turtle”: Movie Nights, Seminole Cowboys, and the Importance of Cattle Raising in Florida w/ Jason Herbert Part I
In which the Historians kick off season 2 and sit down with Jason Herbert to discuss Historians at the Movies (#HATM), his work as an ethnographer for the Seminole Tribe, the politics of turtle moving in Florida, test our knowledge of movies, food and wine, and dabble in Top Chef.
Season 1 Finale: The Bravocon Episode w/ Dr. Martina Baldwin and Dr. Jen Edwards
On the season 1 finale of HonH, the Historians are joined by two listener favorites to talk about their 2019 Bravocon experience.
“Travel to Ghana for the year of return? My soul never left”: The Politics of Travel to Africa, Housewives Holding Babies, and the Year of Return w/ Dr. Jessica Millward
In which one of the Historians own is in the hot seat discussing recent travels to Ghana, compare the RHOA women’s vacation to South Africa, Bravo depictions of Africa, explore Charity Folks and other Black women’s historic routes to freedom, converse about teaching and research methods that use the Bravo cannon, play the hardest Bonko Party yet, and much, much more!#1619project #KarinWulf #Omohu
“I don’t play the victim, I help empower them!“: Survival Stories, Leaving Abusive Relationships and the Reality TV Politics of Intimate Partner Violence w/ Rosie Jones
In which the Historians learn about how issues surrounding Intimate Partner Violence are reflected on BravoTV, discuss dynamics of internalizing abuse and the manifold ways IPV arises on the shows and in domestic relationships, design a Yacht day, and much, much more!
“Thanks to Historians on Housewives, there’s no shame in my Bravo game”: Bravo Patriarchs, Housewife Mistresses, and the Legacies of Unfree Labor in Early America w/ Dr. Allison Madar
In which the Historians learn about a Housewives connection in Chicago, discuss workplace power relations, surveillance, and employer policing on Below Deck and Below Deck Med, Flipping Out, and Vanderpump Rules, discuss some parallel and dissimilar treatment of unfree people in early America, play a round of ‘Foul on the Play’ and much, much more!
“I may study chocolate, but get on my bad side and I’m not so sweet”: Hershey Chocolate, US Capitalism and the Myth of the Self-Made Housewife w/ Dr. Catherine Koonar
In which the Historians learn from Dr. Catherine Koonar about US capitalism, consumption, and food based on her research of chocolate and the Hershey company, the myth of the “self-made” man, and its relation to The Real Housewives, comparing Milton Hershey’s larger-than-life brand to Andy Cohen, Ramona, Bethenny, and Vicki play high-low with the Housewives’ reported net worth, use&
“I might be wrong, but I seriously doubt it”: fertility, identity and The Fantasy of Reality w/ Dr. Rachel E. Silverman
In which the Historians discuss representations and depictions of fertility and infertility in popular culture, BravoTV and in real life; learn about women's health practices, particularly well-women's exams; discuss Dr. Silverman’s edited volume titled The Fantasy of Reality: Critical Essays on The Real Housewives (2015), play a new game called “Cheeseburger in Paradise, and much, much more!
“Three Kids Under Thirty? How About Three Degrees Before Thirty”: Race, Empire and Sonja Morgan w/ Haley Shrorer
The Historians talk about the importance of fashion and material culture for denoting race and ethnicity, class, and religious associations in colonial Spain, the accuracy of RHOD’s portrayal of Dallas culture, debate the possibility of a Housewives cage match, discuss the importance of material culture, learn about how materiality and attire alter individual behavior both on Bravo and within the
“Come sit with me, I have time for all your nonsense”: RHONJ Feminism, John Legend, and the Politics of Immigration w/ Dr. Kumi Silva
In which the Historians respond to John Legend being named sexiest man alive, discuss the ways that Bravo shows relationship to feminism, how the Guidice’s experiences with incarceration, immigration, and deportation take on a different tone than what we might see at the border, the now infamous Andy Cohen interview with Teresa and Joe after his deportation, and much, much more!
Happy New Year!
HonH is taking this week off, but we’ll be back with an all new episode on January 15. For more HonH content, head over to Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram updates and opinions about the latest shows on BravoTV and Bravoleberties. Happy Holidays! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
“I teach for a living, but I read as a hobby”: The Business of Reality TV, Santa Clause Andy Cohen and the #HonH Holiday Special with Dr. Martina Baldwin
In which the Historians break out their textured jingle-bell sweaters for a special in-studio holiday edition of HonH to discuss the history of Santa Clause, put to rest the eternal question of whether Coto de Caza is the sticks, learn the long and storied history of BravoTV as well as about critical media literacy, the (lack of) guilty pleasures in watching reality television, hear about what int
“Don’t try to fool me, I’m a historian and I know how to dig up the facts”: Housewife Politics, First Ladies, and the Reality-TV Presidency w/ Dr. Nicole Ansolver
In which the Historians talk about BravoTV in the classroom, play politics with the Housewives, discuss the art of leveling criticism when someone’s got to go, the connections between BravoTV and the First Ladies, compare CSPAN notes, learn about how women inform male-centered presidential histories, grapple with some of the implications of a reality star president with Housewife supporters and de
“Don’t let the elbow patches fool you, I watch a lot of television”: Dennis the Hot Dog King, #FergusonSyllabus, and franchise culture in Black America with Dr. Marcia Chatelain
In which the Historians discuss the ways that elite reality stars think about money, learn about the #FergusonSyllabus, interrogate the ways that Bravo discusses issues pertaining to race and racism in America, converse over Bethenny Frankel’s disaster relief work, learn about how people indicate their social class based on their consumption patterns, think critically about the connections be
“Be Careful What You Say, I Might Write About It In The Future”: The Armenian Genocide, Oral Testimony, and The Politics of Memory w/ Nora Lessersohn
In which the Historians learn about the Armenian Genocide, some of the implications and politics of genocide denial, how testimonials on the Housewives franchises can be great tools for understanding Lifewriting Theory, learn how shared grief helps shape community identity within the Armenian-American community, dig into the Kardiashians’ personal histories with the American Genocide, learn about
“You’re Gonna Have to Work to Pass This Jen-Ed, and that’s Jen-Ed with a ‘J’!”: Shannon in the Woods, The Nuns of Saint Croix, and the Medieval Roots of the Housewives with Dr. Jennifer Edwards
In which the Historians learn about the many connections between Medieval Europe and Bravo including the similarities between Roman sumptuary laws and the Housewives, comparisons between Erika Jayne’s glam squad and Lancelot preparing for battle, why a chair spread disease, the ways that a Thuringian princess and Frankish queen, Saint Radegund, was like LVP, Jill Zarin, Karen Huger and other
Episode 5: “Some People Think I’m Mean, F—- Them”: Peter Pan Syndrome, Extended Adolescence, and Comparatives in Toxic Masculinity w/ Dr. Emily Ryalls
In which the Historians compare the men of Vanderpump Rules and Southern Charm, the privilege of extended adolescence, toxic masculinity, Bullying, feminist and LGBTQ+ representations on Bravo, Reiki therapy, guess “Who ‘Probably’ Did It,” the importance of female friendships to the project of feminism, and much much more!
Episode 4: “When in Doubt, Take a Page from One of My Books”: #HonH Year Zero, Book Publishing, and the Apology Economy w/ Dawn Durante
In which the Historians talk about the #HonH origin story, conferences, speculate about who isn’t Andy Cohen’s favorite housewife, the Suffrage Centennial, learn about what goes into making books, gab about Housewives’ product lines, and Dawn educates the Historians about the Housewives’ “apology economy.”
Episode 3: “I’ve Got a Ph.D. in Shade and Tea”: Creating Community, the Politics of Party Planning, and the Eco-Systems of Fashion w/ Dr. Tanisha C. Ford
In which the Historians interview Dr. Tanisha C. Ford about the parallels between Karen Hueger and Molly Moon, the role of fashion in creating community and Project Runway, the politics of hosting parties, why clothes are so important to everyone’s day-to-day lives, why Million Dollar Listing LA is better than Million Dollar Listing New York, the eco-system of fashion, and much much more!
Episode 2: "Don't Start None, There Won't Be None": Gentrification, Segregation, and RHOP w/ Dr. Tikia K. Hamilton
This episode the Historians on Housewives are joined by Tikia K. Hamilton to discuss her work on the history of school segregation in D.C., play Historians Hot Take: Lightning Round, explore the politics on RHOA and RHOP, and speculate about why Kim Fields produced a bounty hunters’ funeral.
Episode 1: The Pilot
The Historians introduce themselves, play a game, and discuss the legacies of slavery and the family histories on Bravo's Southern Charm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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