One of the great advantages of a crowded streaming market is that no idea is too wild. All of these many platforms need original content. And they don’t have to appease the FCC. So the possibilities for what you can create are more wide open than ever. If you can dream it, you can film it. Even if it was a fever dream, which might have been the inspiration for a new Netflix series. It stars one of Hollywood’s most unique stars covering a taboo topic that is ripe for both fun and genuine explorations. And you better f***ing believe we’re tuning in for the Nicolas Cage-hosted History of Swear Words.
From the official Netflix synopsis:
“An education in expletives: the history lesson you didn’t know you needed. History of Swear Words, hosted by Nicolas Cage, is a loud and proudly profane series that explores the origins, pop culture—usage, science and cultural impact of curse words. Through interviews with experts in etymology, pop culture, historians and entertainers, the six-episode series dives into the origins of ‘F**k,’ ‘Sh*t,’ ‘B*tch,’ ‘D**k,’ ‘Pu**y,’ and ‘Damn.'”
That trailer is enough. We don’t need to know anything else about this show. Honestly, the title alone would have sufficed. But the rest of the series sounds pretty great too.
Produced by Funny Or Die and B17 Entertainment, the show will also feature appearances from comedians and performers like Joel Kim Booster, DeRay Davis, Open Mike Eagle, Nikki Glaser, Patti Harrison, London Hughes, Jim Jefferies, Zainab Johnson, Nick Offerman, Sarah Silverman, Baron Vaughn, and Isiah Whitlock Jr.
But the show will also offer up plenty of experts to give the history of each word. You know, to keep this s**t classy. That will include Benjamin Bergen (PhD, Cognitive Scientist, Author of What The F), Anne Charity Hudley (PhD, Linguist and Educator), Mireille Miller-Young (PhD, Professor of Feminist Studies), Elvis Mitchell (Film Critic/Host of The Treatment on KCRW), Melissa Mohr (PhD, Author of Holy Sh*t: A Brief History of Swearing), and Kory Stamper (Lexicographer, Author of Word By Word).
Netflix
Each of the season’s (hopefully the first of many) episodes will run for roughly 20 minutes. And Nic Cage will be there to lead all of them. Like the best fever dream ever come to life. What a glorious f***ing time in television’s history. Nicolas Cage’s History Of Swear Words premieres January 5, 2021.
Originally published on December 22, 2020.
