Episodes

  • S5, Episode 5: Meeting of the Courts
    Feb 7 2024

    In the final episode of season 5, Errol and Rich discuss the inception and history of the meeting of Rex and Comus, as well as the ball that is televised each Mardi Gras night. Additionally, they cover the meeting of Rex and Zulu each Lundi Gras, and Errol's new book that covers it all.

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    24 mins
  • S5, Episode 4: Major Carnival Anniversaries
    Jan 31 2024

    In 2024, three Carnival krewes are celebrating big milestone anniversaries. In this week's episode, Errol Laborde and Rich Collins dive into the history of the krewes of Carrollton, Mid-City and Okeanos, as well as an important date for Rex.

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    27 mins
  • S5, Episode 3: The Impact of Carnival on the City
    Jan 24 2024

    What impact does the "Greatest Free Show on Earth" have on the city and state? We talk to Tulane University economics professor Toni Weiss about the economic impact Carnival has on the city and her new study that took a deep dive into the financial side of Carnival and provides all the notable numbers. 

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    22 mins
  • S5, Episode 2: Elroy James, President of Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club
    Jan 17 2024

    Since the early 20th Century, the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club has been a prominent figure in Carnival culture. From the meeting of the Courts every Lundi Gras to throwing their famous coconuts each Mardi Gras day, Errol and Elroy tackle all aspects of the krewe both in and outside of the Carnival season.

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    50 mins
  • S5, Episode 1: Barry Kern of Kern Studios
    Jan 10 2024

    In the first episode of Season 5, host Errol Laborde speaks with Barry Kern, CEO and president of Kern Studios. The Kern family has had a long relationship with Carnival in New Orleans since the early 1900's.

    Barry's father Blaine Kern started Kern Studios in 1947 and quickly became the city’s leading parade designer and builder, working with legendary krewes like Rex and Zulu.

    With Barry at the helm, Kern Studios now builds parade floats each year for 18 different Carnival krewes.

    This episode, Barry talks about the history of the company, Carnival 2024 and the extra creations made for businesses all over the world.

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    58 mins
  • S4, Episode 5: Carnival A to Z
    Feb 21 2023

    From Ash Wednesday to super krewes, old-line parades and cabinets full of plastic Mardi Gras cups, for our final episode of 2023 we are looking at Carnival from A to Z. In this super-sized episode, Errol and Rich cover anything and everything Carnival, including a guest interview with The Historic New Orleans Collection's Lydia Blackmore, curator of Decorative Arts, who discusses the history of Carnival ladders. 

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    1 hr and 45 mins
  • S4, Episode 4: The Evolution of Mardi Gras
    Feb 15 2023

    This episode, we go back generations in Carnival history. Historian Errol Laborde takes us from the start of New Orleans Carnival through the evolution that lead to our modern understanding of Carnival celebration. 

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    1 hr
  • S4, Episode 3: The History of King Cakes
    Feb 10 2023

    In this episode, Matt Haines, writer of "The Big Book of King Cakes," shares all his knowledge of the Carnival confection, while breaking down the process of compiling and creating the delicious book. 

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    36 mins