The Problematic Gaze

David Moor and Lee Arnott

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 12 HR AGO

    'Don’t Tell Him, Pike!’ Dad’s Army (1973)

    Few British sitcoms are as warmly remembered as Dad’s Army, and “The Deadly Attachment” — originally transmitted in 1973 — remains one of its most beloved episodes. In this episode of The Problematic Gaze, we return to Walmington-on-Sea as the Home Guard are tasked with guarding a German U-boat crew. While we do explore some problematic elements through a modern lens, we also talk about what Dad’s Army gets right, why its characters and catchphrases — including the iconic “Don’t tell him, Pike!” — still resonate, and how its gentle satire, performances, and wartime humour helped make it a classic worth revisiting with affection and thoughtful context. Click here to follow us on all our socials Don't forget to hit that FOLLOW button to get every episode of The Problematic Gaze downloaded and ready to listen! Please leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts. They really help to spread the word of The Problematic Gaze.    And if our fellow Gazers want to comment on what they've heard in our episodes, or to suggest future topics, please email us at theproblematicgaze@gmail.com. We love hearing from you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    49 min

  2. 4 DAYS AGO · BONUS

    THE PROBLEMATIC GAZETTE: The Beckhams, Traitors and the ABBA effect

    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. In this week's Gazette we dive head first into the Beckham's feud scandal, get excited for the Traitors final, and recount tales of wildlife massacres in the countryside! Click here to follow us on all our socials Don't forget to hit that FOLLOW button to get every episode of The Problematic Gaze downloaded and ready to listen! Please leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts. They really help to spread the word of The Problematic Gaze.    And if our fellow Gazers want to comment on what they've heard in our episodes, or to suggest future topics, please email us at theproblematicgaze@gmail.com. We love hearing from you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    27 min

  3. TRAILER

    Welcome to The Problematic Gaze Podcast

    Welcome to The Problematic Gaze! We're Dave and Dr Lee. Find out more about who we are and what we're about. If you love TV and Film and want to find out more about what life was like when they were released, then we're the podcast for you! A blend of critique, history and culture. We're lighthearted, fun, and never take ourselves too seriously! We hope you enjoy our show! Click here to follow us on all our socials Don't forget to hit that FOLLOW button to get every episode of The Problematic Gaze downloaded and ready to listen! Please leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts. They really help to spread the word of The Problematic Gaze.    And if our fellow Gazers want to comment on what they've heard in our episodes, or to suggest future topics, please email us at theproblematicgaze@gmail.com. We love hearing from you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 min

  4. 20 JAN

    'The Word" from 1993. Youth TV and the Death of Subtlety

    This week on The Problematic Gaze, we bravely press play on 'The Word ', a UK live youth magazine show from Friday 19th November 1993 — a time when TV was live, loud, and deeply unconcerned with tomorrow’s headlines. Featuring a young Dave Chapelle, Reeves and Mortimer, the death of River Phoenix and Pulp. Once hailed as edgy, anarchic brilliance, The Word promised that anything could happen… and frequently did. Watching it now is a mix of nostalgia, disbelief, and the strong urge to say “they really let this go out live?” From laddish banter to awkward moments everyone pretends were ironic, we revisit the chaos with fresh eyes and a healthy sense of humour. Was it shocking? Yes. Ground-breaking? Sometimes. Comfortable viewing in 2026? Absolutely not. Join us as we laugh, cringe, and gently interrogate one of 90s TV’s most infamous Friday nights — because nothing says “youth culture” like a format that feels like a social experiment gone slightly wrong. Click here to watch the episode of 'The Word' discussed in this podcast. Click here to follow us on all our socials Don't forget to hit that FOLLOW button to get every episode of The Problematic Gaze downloaded and ready to listen! Please leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts. They really help to spread the word of The Problematic Gaze.    And if our fellow Gazers want to comment on what they've heard in our episodes, or to suggest future topics, please email us at theproblematicgaze@gmail.com. We love hearing from you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    59 min

  5. 16 JAN · BONUS

    THE PROBLEMATIC GAZETTE: Traitors, Pluribus and Run Away

    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. Click here to follow us on all our socials Don't forget to hit that FOLLOW button to get every episode of The Problematic Gaze downloaded and ready to listen! Please leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts. They really help to spread the word of The Problematic Gaze.    And if our fellow Gazers want to comment on what they've heard in our episodes, or to suggest future topics, please email us at theproblematicgaze@gmail.com. We love hearing from you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    23 min

  6. 13 JAN

    Dirty Dancing (1987): When Feminism, Horniness, and Class Politics Collide

    Dirty Dancing (1987) is remembered as a feminist awakening, a sexual coming-of-age story, and one of the most beloved romances in pop culture history—but how does it hold up when we really look at it? In this episode of The Problematic Gaze, we revisit the summer of ’63 through an ’87 lens, unpacking age gaps, power dynamics, class politics, reproductive rights, and the film’s complicated ideas about masculinity and desire. Is Dirty Dancing quietly radical, deeply troubling, or somehow both at once? Nobody puts this rewatch in a corner. Click here to follow us on all our socials Don't forget to hit that FOLLOW button to get every episode of The Problematic Gaze downloaded and ready to listen! Please leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts. They really help to spread the word of The Problematic Gaze.    And if our fellow Gazers want to comment on what they've heard in our episodes, or to suggest future topics, please email us at theproblematicgaze@gmail.com. We love hearing from you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    52 min

  7. 6 JAN

    FROM THE GAZER VAULT: 'Grease' Movie Musical from 1978. T-Birds, Pink Ladies, Sex and Slut Shaming

    Dr Lee and Dave are having the week off! Before our next week's episode on 'Dirty Dancing', here's an episode from last year for our Gazers new and old 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,  Film and Popular Culture from yesteryear that has since been considered problematic. This week we cast our Gaze over high school musical 'Grease' from 1978. The Travolta phenomenon steps up a gear and Olivia Newton John hops aboard. Many a teen girls and gays favourite. Euphoric, innocent fun? Or perhaps a darker representation of teens, cultural morals and gender roles. Also, Dr Lee bursts Dave's 'fake it till you make it bubble'. And just who is the Sandra Dee, and who is the Rizzo in this friendship. You can watch Grease on many media formats in the UK and across the globe! Click here to follow us on all our socials Please leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts. They really help to spread the word of The Problematic Gaze. And if our fellow Gazers want to comment on what they've heard in our episodes, or to suggest future topics, please email us at theproblematicgaze@gmail.com. We love hearing from you! Click here to follow us on all our socials Don't forget to hit that FOLLOW button to get every episode of The Problematic Gaze downloaded and ready to listen! Please leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts. They really help to spread the word of The Problematic Gaze.    And if our fellow Gazers want to comment on what they've heard in our episodes, or to suggest future topics, please email us at theproblematicgaze@gmail.com. We love hearing from you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 11m

  8. 2 JAN · BONUS

    THE PROBLEMATIC GAZETTE: Gazer Letters and 2025 retrospective!

    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 episodes check out The Problematic Gaze YouTube channel here! Click here to follow us on all our socials Please leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts. They really help to spread the word of The Problematic Gaze.   And if our fellow Gazers want to comment on what they've heard in our episodes, or to suggest future topics, please email us at theproblematicgaze@gmail.com. We love hearing from you! Click here to follow us on all our socials Don't forget to hit that FOLLOW button to get every episode of The Problematic Gaze downloaded and ready to listen! Please leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts. They really help to spread the word of The Problematic Gaze.    And if our fellow Gazers want to comment on what they've heard in our episodes, or to suggest future topics, please email us at theproblematicgaze@gmail.com. We love hearing from you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    32 min
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Trailer

About

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    David Moor and Lee Arnott
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    103
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Problematic Gaze
  • Show Website
    The Problematic Gaze

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