With episodes of just twenty minutes, "History of Swear Words" has been a useful filler show for us. Don't quite want to go to bed just yet, how about a "Swear Words" show... perfect.
Nicholas Cage hosts the show where lexicographers and various other talking heads explain the etymology and usage of various swear words. Mostly the show takes the form of straight to camera delivery, but there is some crude animation, use of timelines, chapter headings and clips from movies all helping to tell the story.
Cage is an interesting choice to host the show. He is game for most things and he's great at swearing - though occasionally it's not hard to tell that this was a day's work and his heart is not necessarily in it. I liked the three historians explaining about the origins of the word, and how the usage and meaning has changed over the centuries - I felt they added to the show. Less successful are the various comedians who contribute. I genuinely don't think that any of their contributions made me laugh, even the ones from people I recognised. They occasionally had the guest spot on, such as Isiah Whitlock Jr for the episode about 'Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeettt' - although the skit they made him do again, wasn't very funny.
I don't want to make it sound like I disliked it - it's such a thin premise and the episodes are so fleeting that there really isn't that much to form an opinion on one way or the other. I'd watch more, if they can think of another six swearwords to do, but again only to fill time around stuff I actually want to watch.
