The Problematic Gaze
Winner - ‘Best History Podcast’ - Independent Podcast Awards 2025
‘Top 30 Podcasts To Listen To Right Now’ - The Radio Times 2025
Direct from PG Towers, join social historian Dr Lee Arnott and TV producer Dave Moor for a lighthearted look at the world of TV, Film and Popular Culture of yesteryear that has since been considered problematic. Each week we focus on a different piece of pop culture, and put it into context by looking at the news events and cultural landscape of the year it was released. Out and proud, Dr Lee and Our Dave present a humorous take on life as LGBTQ+ men of a glorious age, and present a digestible mix of academic social commentary, unflinching life lessons, media analysis, and hot takes on feminism, race, politics and cancel culture.
Episodes
94 episodes
'Morecambe & Wise' from 1971: The Christmas Show That United a Nation
For decades, the Morecambe & Wise Christmas specials were more than just television — they were a seasonal institution. In this episode of The Problematic Gaze, we take a joyful deep-dive into the 1971 Morecamb...
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Season 2
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Episode 96
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56:08
THE PROBLEMATIC GAZETTE: Palladium Pantomimes and Radio Times!
THIS EPISODE CONTAINS SOME BACKGROUND INTERFERENCE! WE BLAME OUR DAVE'S HANGOVER. APOLOGIES, MUST TRY HARDER (OR DRINK LESS)Welcome to The Problematic Gazette, a bonus addition to our main show. Our Dave and Dr Lee chew the fat, read out...
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Season 2
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Episode 95
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27:34
'It’s a Wonderful Life' (1946) Jimmy Stewart and the Shattered American Dream
In this episode of The Problematic Gaze, we take a smart yet light-hearted look at It’s a Wonderful Life from 1946, starring Jimmy Stewart as George Bailey, the man whose shattered dreams somehow become the emotional glue holding...
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Season 2
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Episode 94
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49:08
THE PROBLEMATIC GAZETTE: Listener Letters Corner, Christmas TV, Rowland & Janet,
Welcome to The Problematic Gazette, a bonus addition to our main show. Our Dave and Dr Lee chew the fat, read out Gazer comments and discuss things we've seen, read and heard this week.To watch video versions of our full epis...
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Season 2
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Episode 93
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19:11
Unwrapping Downton Abbey's 2011 Christmas Special. Period drama and the Myth of the Good Aristocrat.
In this festive deep dive, The Problematic Gaze visits the candlelit halls of Downton Abbey to dissect the beloved—and controversial—2011 Christmas Special. From Mary and Matthew’s snow-dusted proposal to the unspoken emotional ...
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Season 2
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Episode 92
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1:02:39
THE PROBLEMATIC GAZETTE: Grange Hill, Collagen and Christmas Markets
Welcome to The Problematic Gazette, a bonus addition to our main show. Our Dave and Dr Lee chew the fat, read out Gazer comments and discuss things we've seen, read and heard this week.To watch video versions of our full epis...
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Season 2
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Episode 91
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13:20
Servalan and the sexual politics of 'Blake’s 7' from 1980. With special guest Toby Hadoke
In this episode of The Problematic Gaze, we’re joined by actor, writer, comedian, and classic TV chronicler Toby Hadoke for a deep dive into Series 3, Episode 10 of the enduring British cult sci-fi phenomenon Blake’s 7 ...
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Season 2
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Episode 90
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1:08:20
FROM THE GAZER VAULT: 'Love Actually' from 2003. Romantic Loveliness or Misogynistic Mess?
Dear Gazers, As Our Dave and Dr Lee are off on holiday there’s no Problematic Gazette this weekend. So instead please enjoy this episode from the Gazer Vault. To ease you into the festive season we focus on the Christmas favourite ‘Love Actuall...
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Season 2
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Episode 89
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56:05
'Benefits Street'. Was 2014 the Year Reality TV Crossed the Line?
In this episode of The Problematic Gaze, we peel back the layers of the notorious 2014 documentary series Benefits Street, zeroing in on its explosive first episode. We explore how the show, the tabloids and even the government fr...
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Season 2
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Episode 88
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49:59
THE PROBLEMATIC GAZETTE Race Across The World, Ariana Grande and All Her Fault
Welcome to The Problematic Gazette, a bonus addition to our main show. Our Dave and Dr Lee chew the fat, read out Gazer comments and discuss things we've seen, read and heard this week.To watch video versions of our full epis...
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Season 2
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Episode 87
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18:01
Racism in the Classroom: Revisiting 'Mind Your Language' from 1979
In this episode of The Problematic Gaze, we step back into 1979 with Series 3, Episode 1 of Mind Your Language — a British sitcom that turned cultural stereotypes into punchlines and classrooms into chaos. Once c...
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Season 2
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Episode 86
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47:55
THE PROBLEMATIC GAZETTE Reform Cancel Christmas and Dr Lee's a True Gentleman!
Our Dave and Dr Lee welcome Gazers to The Problematic Gazette, a bonus addition to our main show. Our Dave and Dr Lee chew the fat, read out Gazer comments and discuss things we've seen, read and heard this week.To watc...
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Season 2
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Episode 85
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16:15
“You’re No So Terrible, Muriel" ABBA and Escape 'Muriel's Wedding' 1995 (UK)
Pack your wedding dress and your ABBA mixtape, darling — this week we’re heading to Porpoise Spit.Muriel’s Wedding made us laugh, cry, and secretly want to walk down the aisle to “I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do.” But beneat...
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Season 2
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Episode 84
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59:14
Welcome To The Problematic Gaze Podcast!
Ever watch an old TV show or film and think, “Could you get away with that today?”Join TV writer Dave Moor and social historian Dr. Lee Arnott as they take a wry, thoughtful and lighthearted look back at six...
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Season 2
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1:37
THE PROBLEMATIC GAZETTE 'Celebrity Traitors', 'Bake Off' and 'Doctor Who' news!!
Fresh from winning 'Best History Podcast' at The Independent Podcast Awards, welcome Gazers to The Problematic Gazette, a bonus addition to our main show. Our Dave and Dr Lee chew the fat, read out Gazer comments and discuss things ...
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Season 2
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Episode 83
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17:51
FROM THE HALLOWEEN VAULT! 😱 'Ghostwatch' BBC TV Drama from 1992. Parky, Pipes and Brown Pants!
👻 To celebrate Spooky Season, here's an episode from the PG Vault for our new Gazers to enjoy! 🎃Join Lee and Dave for a lighthearted look at the world of TV, Film and Popular Culture from yesteryear that has since been considered p...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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51:53
FROM THE HALLOWEEN VAULT! 🐺 'An American Werewolf In London' from 1981. Nurses, Curses and Piccadilly Circus!!!
👻 To celebrate Spooky Season, here's an episode from the PG Vault for our new Gazers to enjoy! 🎃Join Lee and Dave for a lighthearted look at the world of TV, Film and Popular Culture from yesteryear that has since been considered p...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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49:04
FROM THE HALLOWEEN VAULT! 👻 'The Wicker Man' from 1973. Virgins, Vegetation and Fiery Sacrifice
👻 To celebrate Spooky Season, here's an episode from the PG Vault for our new Gazers to enjoy! 🎃Greetings from PG Towers! Join social historian Dr Lee Arnott and TV Producer Dave Moor for a lighthearted look at the world of TV, Fil...
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Season 1
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Episode 46
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50:25
HALLOWEEN SPECIAL 🎃: Slasher Horror and Queer Fear at 'Sleepaway Camp' (1983)
In this special Halloween episode, The Problematic Gaze dives into Robert Hiltzik’s Sleepaway Camp (1983), a cult classic slasher that mixes lakeside gore with one of the most infamous twists in horror history. What begins as ...
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Season 2
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Episode 82
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1:06:15
THE PROBLEMATIC GAZETTE 'Strictly Come Dancing News, In Defence of Millie Gibson and Soft Cell'
Fresh from winning 'Best History Podcast' at The Independent Podcast Awards, welcome Gazers to The Problematic Gazette, a bonus addition to our main show. Our Dave and Dr Lee chew the fat, read out Gazer comments and discuss things ...
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Season 2
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Episode 81
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15:39
The Benny Hill Show from 1975: Comic Genius… or Just a Dirty Old Man?
In this episode of The Problematic Gaze, we hop into the telly TARDIS back to January 8th, 1975 — and land smack in the middle of The Benny Hill Show at the height of its powers: ratings through the roof, international fame, a...
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Season 2
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Episode 80
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50:10
THE PROBLEMATIC GAZETTE 'Riot Women', 'Carry On' and Awards Success!!! 🏆
Fresh from winning 'Best History Podcast' at The Independent Podcast Awards, welcome Gazers to The Problematic Gazette, a bonus addition to our main show. Our Dave and Dr Lee chew the fat, read out Gazer comments and discuss things ...
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Season 2
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Episode 79
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15:44
Winter Is Problematic: Gender, Race, and Ableism in 'Game of Thrones' (2011)
In this episode of The Problematic Gaze, we rewatch the very first episode of Game of Thrones with our eyes wide open — and the rose-colored glasses off. Once hailed as a gritty feminist epic, the show’s legacy now looks a lot...
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Season 2
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Episode 78
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38:03
THE PROBLEMATIC GAZETTE Bonus Episode! Celebrity Traitors, Platonic and Things That Go Bump In The Night!!
Welcome Gazers to The Problematic Gazette, a welcome bonus addition to our main show. Our Dave and Dr Lee chew the fat, read out Gazer comments and discuss things we've seen, read and heard this week.To watch video versions o...
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Season 2
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Episode 77
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19:44
'Are You Being Served?' from 1977 - Class and 'Cat'astrophe: Mrs. Slocombe’s Baby Bombshell
This week on The Problematic Gaze, we dive paws-first into the fur-covered chaos of Are You Being Served?’s infamous 1977 episode “Mrs. Slocombe Expects.” It’s pregnancy panic at Grace Brothers when Mrs. Slocombe’s feli...
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Season 2
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Episode 76
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46:58