Philomena Cunk is back with a spoof documentary series that homes in on the pyramids, the Great Wall and philosophy. It’s impeccably surreal and occasionally genuinely insightful
After educating the nation with Cunk on Britain, Philomena Cunk has broadened her horizons. Now, the presenter offers a six-part documentary on the bigger picture. Forget the history of these fair isles – here she is with Cunk on Earth (BBC Two). The eager-to-learn presenter, played by an astonishingly straight-faced Diane Morgan, has set her sights on the entirety of human civilisation, from prehistoric times to the present day. As always, she mocks docs, speaks to leading academics and wanders around looking at things, which may or may not be the things she is talking about.
In the first episode, Cunk tackles the origins and early history of man, or “human man” as she puts it. This is perfect because it gives her an excuse to talk to leading classicists and academics, who mostly reveal themselves to be admirably game and excellent value. She starts with cave art, and moves forward briskly, through farming, maths, writing, the pyramids, ancient Greece, philosophy, China and the Roman empire. I am not sure what this says about the gaps in my historical knowledge, but as well as laughing myself silly, I learn a few things, too. Did everyone know that the Great Wall of China cannot be seen from space? They did? Ah. As you were.
