Josh Widdicombe's Archive of Pop Culture

Video Nasties, Mary Whitehouse and Censorship (Part 1)

July 18, 2026·41 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

Britain in the early 1980s. A nation gripped by fear.Not of war. Not of crime.But of what was lurking... on the video shelf.Cheap horror films. Violent exploitation movies. Unregulated VHS tapes passed from hand to hand…They became known by one unforgettable name......the Video Nasties.At the centre of the storm stood one woman - Mary WhitehouseTo some she was a campaigner. A Champion. A moral crusader.To others a puritanical, self-appointed moral guardian…She argued Britain was losing its moral compass...Her critics argued Britain was losing something else...It’s freedom.The debate raged over who decides what we're allowed to watch?And when does protecting society become controlling it?Police raids… banned films… media-fuelled moral panic…This is the story of a cultural battle that changed British censorship forever.This is Video Nasties: Mary Whitehouse and the Battle Over Censorship.All episodes for this series are available to listen to now if you go to;⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://museumofpopculture.supportingcast.fm/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠And join the Archive of Pop Culture ⁠⁠⁠⁠fan club.⁠⁠⁠⁠If you want to get in touch with the show...Email: museumofpopculturepod@gmail.comInstagram: archiveofpopculture_podPlease subscribe, leave a review, and spread the word if nostalgic pop culture is your cup of tea!!A ⁠⁠⁠⁠Keep It Light Media⁠⁠⁠⁠ Production(Copyright 2026)

Podzilla Summary coming soon

Sign up to get notified when the full AI-powered summary is ready.

Get Free Summaries →

Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.

Listen to This Episode

Get summaries like this every morning.

Free AI-powered recaps of Josh Widdicombe's Archive of Pop Culture and your other favorite podcasts, delivered to your inbox.

Get Free Summaries →

Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.