Horrible Histories Catch up, Series 8: 7. Moon Mayhem on CBBC

Horrible Histories

Series 8: 7. Moon Mayhem

Comedian and space nerd Dara O Briain joins Rattus as guest host for a special show that marks the anniversary of the 1969 moon landings.\n\nFor generations, we have looked to the stars and wondered as to the mysteries they contain, and have even used them as a form of celestial advisor, as shown when one Babylonian king bestows his crown upon a peasant because the heavens have foretold that 'the king would die' - so as long as the current king doesn’t happen to be the actual king when the death happens, then surely all would be well?!\n\nCopernicus, Galileo and Newton are on hand with a floor-filler about their more scientific thoughts on the heavens and the universe and, in Historical Educating, 17th-century philosopher and supply teacher John Wilkins tells his class about their upcoming field trip, during which they will ride a flying chariot to the moon, so that they can meet the people that live there.\n\nWe see the first manned rocket-powered flight, which occurred much earlier than you think it probably did and was an ill-advised (from a health and safety perspective at least) stunt at a celebration for a sultan.\n\nThe Space Race proper gets under way in the 1950s, as America and Soviet Russia fight it out to be the first to harness that rocket power, and use it to get their people into space. We see Soviet Russia’s fearsome Sputnik satellite (the first to reach space), and the even more scary Ivan Ivanovich - a mannequin that actually floated in space while reciting a recipe for Borscht. Owing to this Russian success, the Americans panic and enlist the help of Sophie and Sebastian to come up with some ideas as to how they can take the lead in the Space Race - suggestions include 'space pool', so it’s fair to say that results are mixed, at best.\n\nWe also discover that Yuri Gagarin’s dad was less than impressed with his son being the first man in space, and meet America’s solution to finally getting ahead in the race, and getting a man on the moon: a 'computer' called Katherine Johnson.\n\nFinally, we learn that the Apollo 10 crew faced the horror of someone’s poo floating around in the cockpit, and the episode ends with a swinging tune from JFK and Khrushchev about 'flying to the moon'.

Source: CBBC

Most recent episodes of Horrible Histories

Horrible Histories

Series 2: Episode 3

12-10-2026

CBBC

All episodes

Horrible Histories

Series 2: Episode 2

A pirate captain regrets stealing a herd of seasick cows, a Georgian sportsman invents a whole new way of boxing, King Charles II raps about his party lifestyle, and the Georgia ...

12-10-2026

CBBC

All episodes

Horrible Histories

Series 3 - Episode 5

Historical sketch show. A Welsh prince from the Middle Ages has a very stupid death, and Queen Cleopatra sings about her femme fatale reputation.

12-10-2026

CBBC

All episodes

Horrible Histories

Series 7: 13. Savage Song Special

Horrible Histories presents a collection of some of history's finest songs, as Rattus attempts to put together his own festival (the delightfully named Glastonsmelly). From sing ...

11-10-2026

CBBC

All episodes

Horrible Histories

Series 2: Episode 1

09-10-2026

CBBC

All episodes

Horrible Histories

Series 3 - Episode 4

Historical sketch show. A modern detective tries to solve a series of murders in Emperor Caligula's house, King George IV meets his dead relatives and other historical high jinks.

09-10-2026

CBBC

All episodes

Horrible Histories

Series 1: Episode 13

08-10-2026

CBBC

All episodes

Horrible Histories

Series 1: Episode 12

08-10-2026

CBBC

All episodes

Horrible Histories

Series 3 - Episode 3

Historical sketch show. A confused World War I soldier spends his first day in the trenches and the Welsh women of Fishguard defeat a French invasion without even trying.

08-10-2026

CBBC

All episodes