CBBC'sHorrible Histories: The Stone Age Report, May 2009

CBBC’sHorrible Histories: The Stone Age Report, May 2009

#Form, Structure, and Style

  • Written in a televised report style, presented by a fictitious reporter from the Stone Age.
  • Humor is used as an educational tool to engage young audiences.
  • Hilariously brutal mock-up of a modern news report, complete with news anchor, field reporter and ‘expert’ interviews.
  • Presentational devices used include costumes, props, and special effects to add to the comedic impact.
  • Repetitions and catchphrases are used to secure memory retention of key facts.

#Language and Imagery

  • Mock tone of a news reporter adopted to present historical information.
  • Use of modern day vernacular to create a familiar and humorous context.
  • The language is farcical and playful, whilst remaining informative.
  • The use of slapstick comedy in the physical actions of characters, exaggerates the harsh realities of the Stone Age.
  • The juxtaposition of Stone Age living conditions and modern day comforts is presented through the visual imagery.

#Themes

  • The series uses humor to explore the painful truths of history, here that Stone Age life was brutal.
  • Clashes between the past and the present, with the present often winning, provide ongoing comic contradiction.
  • Its major theme is the absurdity of life in the Stone Age as compared to the present day.
  • The educational value is wrapped in high comedy, giving fact-filled history lessons alongside hearty laughs.

#Intended Audience and Impact

  • The program targets a younger audience but has comedic elements for all ages.
  • Uses comedy as an effective strategy to engage and educate young viewers about history.
  • Despite the comedic tone, the report provides a solid grounding in historical facts.
  • The final impact is both a hilarious parody of television news reporting and an insightful introduction to aspects of Stone Age life.