Is Horrible Histories Series 6 Any Good?

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Horrible Histories Series 6 - Quick Review by Nathan Brooks

What feels like years ago now, I posted a little thing about a Horrible Histories play that I, unfortunately, went to see. In that post, I ranted for a bit about how disappointed I was, as

well as attempting to make a point about expectations. If you want to read it (although I can't imagine why), you can click here.

Anyway, I mentioned in that post about how much I loved the TV show, and fortunately for me they've made a new series of it. The first episode, a Magna Carta special, aired a couple of weeks ago and I thought I'd write a quick review on it. So, here we go.

What I Like

This is a new series, a very new series. One of the new things is the new formula. Instead of having multiple different sketches based off of many different moments in History, there are multiple different sketches based off of one famous (or infamous) Historical figure. I personally quite like this new formula, I guess just because it gives the series a different feel to it.

What's even better is that each episode is going to have a different comedian playing the certain Historical figure the episode is based on. This episode had Ben Miller playing King John and a future episode is going to have Rowan Atkinson playing Henry VIII.

Basically, I really feel that this new formula has the potential to be something great and I'm excited to see how it goes in future episodes.

What I Dislike

You know how I said this was a very new series, well it's not just the formula. They've also got a new cast. "Really Nathan, you dislike it just because of the new cast? That's not a legitimate criticism!" You're right, it isn't really.
There are moments in this first episode that I would've found funny if the old cast did them, yet when the new cast did them, it just didn't feel the same. It just seemed to me as if they were trying too hard to be like the original cast.
I do think, however, that this is more an issue with me rather than with the show itself. The sketches were funny (especially one about the Saracen leader Saladin) so there aren't any genuine criticisms I can make.

What I Think
I'm pretty certain it will be just as good as the previous series. There were no actual issues with the first episode other than my refusal to accept this new cast and I do really like the new formula. Hopefully I should be able to get over the cast change and once I have, be able to really enjoy this new series.

Overall: 8/10

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