# CalMeacham Interviewed on the History Channel **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 1, 2009, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calmeacham-interviewed-on-the-history-channel/504934 "2009-08-01T00:23:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![TheFaerie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c57346/32.png) [@TheFaerie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheFaerie)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2009, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calmeacham-interviewed-on-the-history-channel/504934/121 "2009-09-03T18:03:45Z")
I watched and did the whole “I know of this guy but don’t really know him” thing to my husband. It was very good. I’ve been enjoying the series as a whole. When I was a kid, I liked to read greek myths, but haven’t in a long while. I couldn’t place the Athena cursing a priestess thing from my memory of the basic stories, but from this thread know it’s a more recent invention. The face paint thing puzzled me for a bit too, but I theorized it as representing the players masks in an actual Greek play, kind of a nod to tradition. Very, very cool. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2009, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calmeacham-interviewed-on-the-history-channel/504934/122 "2009-09-03T19:43:23Z")
> [@TheFaerie](#): > > I watched and did the whole “I know of this guy but don’t really know him” thing to my husband. _snip_ LOL - me too. I got my duaghter to watch it with me and I was like “I know one of the guys who’s on here - well I don’t really know him…” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![maladroit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f475e1/32.png) [@maladroit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maladroit)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2009, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calmeacham-interviewed-on-the-history-channel/504934/123 "2009-09-03T19:51:43Z")
First of all, great job Cal. I enjoyed your contribution to the program, and they gave you lots of screen time. As far as the facepaint, the producers have divided up the ‘teams’ visually: the humans get the weird face paint, the evil gods get the white contacts and - I forget who gets the blue contacts, is that the demi-gods or the beneficent gods? If you watch multiple episodes, they’re consistent with these visual cues. I may have mis-named the categories because my memory sucks, but I watched a couple in a row on dvr and stand by my basic theory. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calmeacham-interviewed-on-the-history-channel/504934/124 "2009-09-10T23:50:22Z")
Just finished this - I was out of town for 10 days - and enjoyed it. I too am struck by how very similar the carvings are from all over the world. However, I think it is _more likely_ that **Erich Anton Paul von Däniken** is right and that what we are seeing is proof that actual beings from other planets traveled the world in their space ships contacting all these various cultures… well maybe not. 😛 Congratulations and fine job! ---
**Author:** ![MN\_Maenad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e95f7d/32.png) [@MN\_Maenad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MN_Maenad)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2009, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calmeacham-interviewed-on-the-history-channel/504934/125 "2009-09-11T13:24:09Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > ``` > 5.) They fastened onto the "Medusa was a lovely woman turned into a monster" school told in Ovid's Metamorphoses. Ovid liked this sort of story -- he tells others like it -- but it's not true to the oldest roots of the story. In the oldest versions, medusa is one of three monstrous sisters, just like the Graeae. In fact, they're sisters to the Graeae. But the story of the Once-beautiful Medusa is more tragic, and it lets them wrap up the story with her head going back to her oppressor, Athena. > > ``` This bothered me - they implicated the human Medusa served in the Parthenon in Athens, but that wasn’t built until the 5th century BC, WAY after the Medusa myth started. I’d never even heard the beautiful-women-turned version at all, but I’ve never picked up Ovid, so there you go. I had fun saying to the husband - “Hey! I kind of know that guy!” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2009, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calmeacham-interviewed-on-the-history-channel/504934/126 "2009-09-13T20:44:54Z")
Medusa is showing neext on Saturday September 26 at 8 AM on the History Channel: [http://www.history.com/search.do?action=scheduleSearch&searchText=Clash+of+the+Gods](http://www.history.com/search.do?action=scheduleSearch&searchText=Clash+of+the+Gods) ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calmeacham-interviewed-on-the-history-channel/504934/127 "2009-09-14T01:04:56Z")
I found it interesting that the Greeks used to use the Medusa face as sort of an ancient “Mister Yuck” symbol. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calmeacham-interviewed-on-the-history-channel/504934/128 "2009-09-14T01:59:56Z")
> [@](#): > > I found it interesting that the Greeks used to use the Medusa face as sort of an ancient “Mister Yuck” symbol. It wasn’t just the ancient Greeks – people all over the world used a very similar face for very nearly the same purposes (and I devote quite a bit of my book to just that). The Gorgon face was used as a shield device not only in Greece (and Rome), but also among the Classical Maya, and among the Iatmul of New Guinea. The Gorgon face appears not only on Graeco=Roman Aegis, buton armore in China and MesoAmerica. It shows up on tile antefixes in the Classical Mediterranean, but also in China and Japan. One question I wanted to answer was – “why the same face?” ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calmeacham-interviewed-on-the-history-channel/504934/129 "2009-09-14T02:50:55Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > One question I wanted to answer was – “why the same face?” “Chariots of the Gods.” :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2009, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calmeacham-interviewed-on-the-history-channel/504934/130 "2009-09-17T20:33:31Z")
I still don’t see amny other dates besides the 26th listed, but I had a thought. Until now, I’ve said that I have a _quasi-Bacon_ number of three, since I’ve appeared onstage in two productions with someone who has a Bacon number of 2. Now I have a less-quasi Bacon number. I’ve been on TV with people who have appeared in films with people who have appeared with Kevin Bacon. I think that counts, even though i haven’t been in a movie. The guy who does the makeup and has appeared in several of the Clash of the Gods episodes – Tate Steinseik – has a Bacon Number of 3, giving me a Bacon number of 4. I have to look through the credits and verify that he was in this particular episode – I know that he’s been in two or three others (He’s the Minotaur in _Theseus_) ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2009, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calmeacham-interviewed-on-the-history-channel/504934/131 "2009-09-18T13:28:03Z")
Although the History Channel seems to have disabled the video, I see that it’s up on other video sites, including YouTube. This might not be legal, and I don’t know how long it will last, but here are the YouTube links: Clash of the Gods: Medusa on YouTube: Part 1 [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BoHKVritGA) Part 2: [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVG3SqfgD-I) Part 3: [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymo7b-Eh9Hg) Part 4 [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEN_2-JCsKY) Part 5 [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d69Elpz3KDE) ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2009, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calmeacham-interviewed-on-the-history-channel/504934/132 "2009-09-24T18:04:58Z")
The show will be on this Saturday at 8 AM (why so early?) on the History Channel. It’s also scheduled for two times on Monday, October 5: [http://www.history.com/shows.do?action=detail&episodeId=477242](http://www.history.com/shows.do?action=detail&episodeId=477242) 9 AM and 3 PM ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2009, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calmeacham-interviewed-on-the-history-channel/504934/133 "2009-10-05T12:31:09Z")
Just a bump because the show’s on again in half an hour. Also at 3 PM (or possibly at 2 PM – I’ve found that time listed somewhere as well) I don’t see any other listings for broadcast, but they’ve re-enabled the show on the History Channel site, and it’s playing on YouTube and other sites as well. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2009, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calmeacham-interviewed-on-the-history-channel/504934/134 "2009-10-14T18:11:37Z")
I just found Clash of the Gods on Wikipedia! > **[Clash of the Gods](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clash_of_the_Gods)** > > Clash of the Gods may refer to: No scheduled re-broadcasts of Medusa listed yet. It looks like they took off Columbus Day as a holiday, just like they did with Memorial Day. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2009, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calmeacham-interviewed-on-the-history-channel/504934/135 "2009-10-23T18:47:04Z")
They have, at long last, sent me my copy of the show. I don’t see any scheduled re-broadcasts for the foreseeable future, which seems to be two weeks. I’ll bet they run a marathon on Halloween or Thanksgiving or something. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2009, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calmeacham-interviewed-on-the-history-channel/504934/136 "2009-10-23T19:49:12Z")
Lack of exposure is getting to you, huh? Launch a giant balloon or something. ---
**Author:** ![rivulus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/839c29/32.png) [@rivulus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rivulus)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calmeacham-interviewed-on-the-history-channel/504934/137 "2009-10-29T02:18:33Z")
I just got around to watching the episode on my DVR. > [@CalMeacham](#): > > The artwork defies the written story – Athena isn’t shown guiding his hand. In most depictions the Gorgons are NOT asleep. He’s usually shown without a shield,.not looking into it. If you pare down the number of magical weapons and helpers, I think you have the Story As Told. Look at that panoply of devices as a possible list of Alternate Versions. So, if he is shown without the shield in the artwork, then how did he find her and kill her? I always thought that looking into the shield was the key ingredient to his success. Here’s a fan wank for ya, based on no evidence whatsoever and no knowledge of the body of mythology… anyway, if I had to make up an explanation, I would say that he somehow managed to use that eye he stole. He’s carrying it in the star formation, isn’t he? It’s sort of simultaneously Medusa and the eye. That seems kind of interesting and suggestive. The single eye, in addition to his pre-existing two eyes, also reminds me of the third eye. Did the Greeks have a concept of the third eye? I’m completely blathering, but I’m curious and intrigued. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calmeacham-interviewed-on-the-history-channel/504934/138 "2009-10-29T02:25:58Z")
> [@](#): > > Lack of exposure is getting to you, huh? Launch a giant balloon or something. Only if I can be aboard. > [@](#): > > So, if he is shown without the shield in the artwork, then how did he find her and kill her? I always thought that looking into the shield was the key ingredient to his success. I know – but look at the old artwork. He’s almost never shown looking at her in his shield. In fact, he’s rarely shown with the shield. He’s never shown without his _harpe_, though - his sword. Or his flying sandals. > [@](#): > > Here’s a fan wank for ya, based on no evidence whatsoever and no knowledge of the body of mythology… anyway, if I had to make up an explanation, I would say that he somehow managed to use that eye he stole. He’s carrying it in the star formation, isn’t he? It’s sort of simultaneously Medusa and the eye. That seems kind of interesting and suggestive. It is interesting, and one I’ve never heard before. Maybe you can use it in a story or something. Here’s a modern wrinkle I’ve seen in more than one place – Perseus uses his shield to reflect Medusa’s image back to her, and she turns herself to stone. > [@](#): > > The single eye, in addition to his pre-existing two eyes, also reminds me of the third eye. Did the Greeks have a concept of the third eye? Not as far as I know. > [@](#): > > I’m completely blathering, but I’m curious and intrigued. That’s okay – in the free association of blathering you might hit on something new, or something forgotten. There’s great positive value in blathering. But only if it’s followed up by good detective work. Hare-brained ideas are a dime a dozen, but corroborated hare-brained ideas can be very valuable. ---
**Author:** ![rivulus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/839c29/32.png) [@rivulus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rivulus)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calmeacham-interviewed-on-the-history-channel/504934/139 "2009-10-29T20:04:35Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > I know – but look at the old artwork. He’s almost never shown looking at her in his shield. In fact, he’s rarely shown with the shield. He’s never shown without his _harpe_, though - his sword. Or his flying sandals. OK, but if he doesn’t have a shield, then how does he do it? Are there other recorded versions of the story that shed some light on the artwork? BTW, my 575 page Ph.D. diss. with copious footnotes is my credential that I can, in fact, painstakingly corroborate my ideas. I reserve my blathering and wild speculation for anonymous message boards. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2009, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calmeacham-interviewed-on-the-history-channel/504934/140 "2009-10-29T20:32:07Z")
> [@](#): > > OK, but if he doesn’t have a shield, then how does he do it? Are there other recorded versions of the story that shed some light on the artwork? It’s been a while since I’ve read the originals, but I’m certain that some say that “Athena guided his hand”. For the most part, though, the texts wimp out and have him behead a sleeping Gorgon. The artwork shows him with face averted cutting off Medusa’s head. Some show Hermes nearby, which might suggest that _he_ guided Perseus, but none of them show anybody holding Perseus’ hand while he cuts. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calmeacham-interviewed-on-the-history-channel/504934.md?page=6)