This Job is History

Wondery

Where the oddest jobs from the past meet a comedian from the present… and it’s awkward! On this weekly show, Chris Parnell (SNL, Rick and Morty) welcomes guests who have held some of human history’s most unexpected and downright bizarre jobs: funeral clowns, garden hermits, VHS clerks, and everything in between. With the help of his tireless producer, Chris hears from the essential workers from decades and centuries past. Because before there were actual medical doctors, there were barber surgeons. And before there was Instacart, there were milkmen. Wondery’s This Job Is History is a funny, absurd, and informative look into how time can change the way we live and work.

Binge all episodes of This Job is History exclusively and ad-free by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/this-job-is-history/ now.

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Our Editor's Take

This Job is History is a funny podcast about real but obsolete professions. Host Chris Parnell made his name in TV comedy. Listeners may know his voice from roles on Family Guy and Archer. He has also acted in movies like Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.

On This Job is History, Chris "interviews" those who previously held such jobs. Some of them may be understandable and familiar to modern listeners. Being a video store VHS clerk isn't that far in the ancient past, after all. The same goes for being a milkman. Those jobs are understandable, even if they involve a lot of rewinding and carrying bottles. Even the obsolete role of a telegraph operator can make sense to a podcast listener.

But what about a factory lector? Back when Cuban cigars had to be hand-rolled, a factory lector told stories to entertain the workers. Such a job was like being an early podcaster in a way. The This Job is History podcast host asks the lector what his job was like. Other bizarre professions include alchemists, sin-eaters, and funeral clowns. Chris asks a funeral clown how it feels to make jokes at a memorial service.

Sometimes, the comedy podcast discusses a more modern career. Linda, the podcast producer, interviews a real person for this. It's former MTV VJ Dave Holmes. The two look back at Total Request Live and what it was like to introduce music videos.

This Job is History is funny, of course. But it's also educational and thoughtful. It tells viewers about past professions and lives they may not have heard of before. Chris has a great voice and is an excellent storyteller. Listeners may laugh and learn with this weekly podcast.

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Introducing: This Job is History

Introducing: This Job is History

Where the oddest jobs from the past meet a comedian from the present… and it’s awkward! On this weekly show, Chris Parnell (SNL, Rick and Morty) welcomes guests who have held some of human history’s most unexpected and downright bizarre jobs: funeral clowns, garden hermits, VHS clerks, and everything in between. With the help of his tireless producer, Chris hears from the essential workers from decades and centuries past. Because before there were actual medical doctors, there were barber surgeons. And before there was Instacart, there were milkmen. Wondery’s This Job Is History is a funny, absurd, and informative look into how time can change the way we live and work.You can binge all episodes of This Job Is History exclusively and ad-free on Wondery+. Find Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episodes

Introducing: This Job is History

Introducing: This Job is History

Where the oddest jobs from the past meet a comedian from the present… and it’s awkward! On this weekly show, Chris Parnell (SNL, Rick and Morty) welcomes guests who have held some of human history’s most unexpected and downright bizarre jobs: funeral clowns, garden hermits, VHS clerks, and everything in between. With the help of his tireless producer, Chris hears from the essential workers from decades and centuries past. Because before there were actual medical doctors, there were barber surgeons. And before there was Instacart, there were milkmen. Wondery’s This Job Is History is a funny, absurd, and informative look into how time can change the way we live and work.You can binge all episodes of This Job Is History exclusively and ad-free on Wondery+. Find Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Funeral Clown: “To Die Laughing” | 1

Funeral Clown: “To Die Laughing” | 1

What is it like to tell jokes at a Roman emperor’s funeral? Chris Parnell interviews a real Funeral Clown from 82 CE, a job that sometimes captured the hearts of funeral goers… and sometimes ended in certain death. And Chris wonders if this is a job tailor-made for his talents.You can binge all episodes of This Job Is History exclusively and ad-free on Wondery+. Find Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

VHS Clerk: “VH-YES!” | 2

VHS Clerk: “VH-YES!” | 2

Before algorithms told us what movies to watch, the local video store clerk served as our 80s and 90s cinema sommelier. Chris interviews a favorite icon of the Spice World Age. They’ll talk about everything from Speed to Speed 2: Cruise Control, and revisit the lost art of recommending the perfect Friday night flick.You can binge all episodes of This Job Is History exclusively and ad-free on Wondery+. Find Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sin Eater: “Sin-cerely Yours” | 3

Sin Eater: “Sin-cerely Yours” | 3

Wrath. Envy. Pride. For some, these are cardinal sins. For a professional Sin Eater in 1700s England, it’s what’s for dinner. Chris interviews a woman whose job it is to gobble down evil deeds so people may find safe passage into heaven. Talk about giving new meaning to the term soul food!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Garden Hermit: “Only the Lonely” | 4

Garden Hermit: “Only the Lonely” | 4

What looks like a hermit, talks like a hermit, but is actually a salaried employee of the rich? A 1700s Garden Hermit, of course. In this episode, Chris gains real wisdom from a fake hermit whose job is to act like an all-knowing mystical sage who just so happens to live in some rich dude’s backyard.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Factory Lector: “Read The Room” | 5

Factory Lector: “Read The Room” | 5

How did factory workers in the 1920s pass the time while rolling cigars? Chris is on a mission to prove his creative genius as he interviews a man from 1925 Florida who proves that the key to making the perfect Cuban cigar isn’t in the tobacco, it’s in the art of storytelling. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Barber Surgeon: “Men of the Clot” | 6

Barber Surgeon: “Men of the Clot” | 6

A shave, haircut, and an amputation. That’s all in a day’s work if you’re a 1690s Barber Surgeon. Chris struggles not to squirm as today’s guest covers everything from battlefield hack-jobs, whiskey as a painkiller, and of course – the secret to a great haircut.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Milkman: “Udder Tragedy” | 7

Milkman: “Udder Tragedy” | 7

Milk. Eggs. Cheese. It’s all in a day’s delivery for the 1950’s milkman. But most people don’t know this sunny occupation had a dark side. In today’s episode, Chris uncovers the truth about the “Milk Mafia” and owns up to a secret he’s harbored since childhood.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Telegraph Operator: “Woman on a Wire” | 8

Telegraph Operator: “Woman on a Wire” | 8

Before eggplant emojis and cat gifs, the Telegraph Operator decoded DM’s one letter at a time. It’s old west meets new tech as Chris and his guest cover everything from call signs to heartbreak and all that happens “on the wire.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Resurrectionist: "Grave Mistakes" | 9

Resurrectionist: "Grave Mistakes" | 9

Grave robbing. Body snatching. Call it what you want but selling corpses for cash was a lucrative business in 19th century England. Chris struggles to keep it together as he learns the morbid details of what it takes to be the very best in the corpse stealing businessSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

WW2 Pigeoneer: “Waiting in the Wings” | 10

WW2 Pigeoneer: “Waiting in the Wings” | 10

Messenger pigeons carried crucial communications that saved untold lives during World War 2. But before they soared into battle, these winged warriors needed to be trained. In today’s episode, Chris learns about these unsung heroes and faces a childhood fear of his own.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alchemist: “All That Glitters” | 11

Alchemist: “All That Glitters” | 11

Secret societies. Forbidden experiments. For thousands of years, Alchemists have tinkered in the shadows to crack the code to immortality. In today’s episode, Chris demystifies this dark science and gains insight into a surprising 17th century figure who longed to find the Philosopher's Stone.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Phone Booth Repair Woman: “Last Call” | 12

Phone Booth Repair Woman: “Last Call” | 12

Before there was a cell phone in every pocket, there was a pay phone on every corner. And someone had to repair every coin jam and faulty wire, but who? Enter the Phone Booth Repair person. Chris’ guest today hails from 1970s New York and shares their secrets on keeping the City that Never Sleeps connected. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Master of the Revels: "Party Like It’s 1673" | 13

Master of the Revels: "Party Like It’s 1673" | 13

Bear wrestling. Horse dancing. Women on stilts. If you’re throwing a party for the King of England, these are a must. Chris speaks with a 1600s Master of the Revels who exposes all the theatrics, drama, and back-door deals that go into throwing a royally good party.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“So You Wanna Be a VJ?” with Dave Holmes | 14

“So You Wanna Be a VJ?” with Dave Holmes | 14

Before music apps curated personalized playlists for us, the MTV VJ was our trusted guide in the world of new tunes. In this episode, Linda takes the hosting reins from Chris and interviews real-life former MTV VJ, Dave Holmes. They cover everything from the birth of music television, Dave’s favorite TRL moments, and of course – frosted tips and the late 90s boy band explosion.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.