Episode 2 of History's Greatest Myths explores how popular culture, entertainment and the all-consuming nature of fame are a feature of our daily lives. And from the lives of storytellers, both artistic and scientific, fertile myths may grow.
From the myth of the moon landing, to the untimely deaths of Elvis’ and Walt Disney. From the true author of Shakespeare’s works through to unraveling the myth of the Moral Panics of each generation. From delving into cinema’s founding myth to probing whether Orson Wells’ “War of the Worlds broadcast” was the first truly successful fake news broadcast. We explore how humans are obsessed with creating new realities if the ones offered are too difficult to believe.
Beyond our fascination with celebrity, telling stories is at the core of who we are. And at times, myths with their unfettered plot twists and turns, make the most seductive stories of all.