Cunk on Earth is the laugh-out-loud mockumentary we didn’t know we needed. From cavemen to the Cold War, Philomena Cunk interviews renowned experts on the history of humankind, what we can learn from the past, and asks the hard questions, like if there is a Great Roof of China (spoiler: there is not).
The brainchild of Charlie Brooker, Philomena Cunk (Diane Morgan) has graced the small screen since 2013 as the simple-minded reporter tasked with covering current affairs. Her dry humor, rapid-fire jokes, and knack for interviewing the perfect people make this show well-deserving of the BAFTA nomination it received. Don’t worry, even if British humor isn’t your thing, this show will still make you belly-laugh with its ridiculous commentary.
Not only is the comedy top-notch, but the visuals provide add an entirely new layer of comedy. From real archived footage to on-location shoots with Cunk and using Minecraft to demonstrate how buildings used to look, the video editing takes this show from a simple stand-up comedy act to a fully immersive experience.
The only thing better than Morgan’s deadpan delivery of outrageous questions is the earnest way her experts answer them. These brilliant experts are knowledgeable and funny, many of them using the opportunity to sling quips back to Cunk. Professors, lecturers, and senior leadership alike are subjected to Cunk’s tendency to focus on the insignificant or make hilariously inappropriate comparisons, like hieroglyphics being the first emojis or the Russian Empire being like the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Here’s the most unexpected twist of all: we actually learned something. Woven throughout pop culture jokes and incredulous stares, the experts Cunk interviews provide incredible insight into some of the most important eras that shaped life as we know it. Cunk is just over-the-top enough to make it easy to distinguish between fact and exaggeration, never leaving you wondering if what you heard is true or not.
With so much of humankind left to explore, we’re ready for another season of Cunk walking us through the timeline and asking the questions that are on all our minds. Whether she wants to explore more history, dissect current global crises, or experience the more current trends that the world has to offer in food or travel, we would watch Cunk traverse the Earth many times over.
Cunk on Earth has hit the sweet spot of mockumentaries: educational and it keeps us laughing with guests, not at them. The short, punchy episodes are packed with knowledge and jokes, leaving no lulls while you wait for a punchline to land. While we wait for another season of Philomena Cunk’s daft questions, you can find us rewatching this comedy gold again and again.
