History's Greatest of All Time with Peyton Manning – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

History's Greatest of All Time with Peyton Manning

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2023

62%

WISE Score

6.1

IMDb

Peyton Manning counts down history's greatest stuff—stadiums, inventors, daredevils—with expert panels and dad-joke energy.

6.1/10

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History's Greatest of All Time with Peyton Manning

show

TV-PG, 2023

62%

WISE Score

6.1

IMDb

Peyton Manning counts down history's greatest stuff—stadiums, inventors, daredevils—with expert panels and dad-joke energy.

6.1

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6.1/10

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Screenwise Verdict

This is History Channel does Buzzfeed listicles, but in the best possible way. Peyton Manning brings genuine charm to what could be a dry countdown format, and the show delivers real educational content about historical achievements without dumbing it down too much.

The problem? It's just not that exciting. The format is predictable, the pacing is leisurely, and while kids will learn things, they're not going to be glued to the screen. It's the kind of show that's perfect for a rainy Sunday afternoon when you want something educational on in the background, but it's not appointment television.

The 6.5 IMDb rating tells you what you need to know: it's fine. Solid. Inoffensive. Educational enough to feel good about, entertaining enough to not be homework. But if your kid isn't already interested in history or list-based content, this probably won't convert them.

Age Fit

Best for ages 10-14 who are curious about history and don't mind a slower-paced, educational format. Younger kids may lose interest in the talking-head expert segments, while older teens will likely find it too basic and formulaic unless they're already big history buffs or Peyton Manning fans.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Peyton Manning brings a pleasant, self-deprecating hosting style to a format that celebrates achievement without manufactured drama. The show focuses on historical figures, inventions, and accomplishments, modeling respect for excellence. No toxicity, no mean-spirited competition—just straightforward countdown content with a genial former quarterback guiding the way.

Imaginative

This is a countdown show with expert panels ranking historical achievements. It's informative but follows a predictable list format that doesn't invite much creative thinking or exploration. The criteria (stats, innovation, legacy) provide some analytical framework, but the execution is more 'edutainment trivia' than imaginative storytelling. It presents facts rather than sparking curiosity or inviting kids to build their own ideas.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates it for age 10+, and IMDb parent guides show minimal concerns. It's a History Channel documentary-style show about stadiums, inventors, generals, and similar topics—no gore, no sexual content, no scary surprises. The subject matter (like 'greatest generals') could include war references, but the format is analytical and celebratory rather than graphic. Kids mode is available on Disney+. Very safe for family viewing.

Enriching

The show delivers genuine educational content about historical figures, inventions, and achievements, with 100 experts weighing in on criteria like innovation and legacy. That's solid. But the countdown format and celebrity-host wrapper mean it's more 'fun facts' than deep learning. Kids will pick up trivia and maybe spark interest in a topic, but it's not building critical thinking skills or offering meaningful takeaways beyond 'here are cool things from history.' Entertaining enough to keep attention, educational enough to feel productive.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely educational content about historical achievements, presented in an accessible countdown format
Peyton Manning is likeable and self-deprecating, making the host segments easy to watch
100 experts provide perspective using stats, innovation, and legacy as criteria—gives kids a framework for evaluating greatness
Safe, wholesome family viewing with no content concerns
Might spark interest in history topics kids wouldn't otherwise explore

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What to Watch For

The countdown format can feel repetitive and predictable—this isn't edge-of-your-seat television
Some topics (like 'greatest generals') involve war and military history, though presented analytically rather than graphically
Kids expecting high-energy entertainment may find the pacing slow and the format a bit dry
It's more trivia than deep dive—you'll get fun facts but not necessarily critical thinking

Conversation Starters

"If you could make a 'greatest of all time' list for anything, what would you choose and who would be #1?"
"Do you think the experts got the rankings right? What would you change?"
"What makes someone or something 'the greatest'—is it stats, innovation, or legacy? Which matters most to you?"
"Which person or invention from the show do you want to learn more about?"

Deep Dive

Peyton Manning has essentially become the nation’s favorite substitute teacher. He’s charming, he’s got that self-deprecating "aw shucks" energy, and he’s clearly having a blast arguing about things that don't really matter in the grand scheme of his day job. History's Greatest of All Time takes the exact energy of a Sunday morning NFL pre-game show and applies it to things like the greatest inventor or the greatest general.

It works because it treats history like a bracket.

The Sports-Radio-ification of History

Most history shows try to tell a story. This show tries to win an argument. By bringing in 100 experts and forcing them to use a specific scoring system—Stats, Innovation, and Legacy—the show turns historical figures into trading cards. It’s a smart move for kids who might find a standard documentary about Henry Ford or George Patton a little dry.

If your kid is the type who spends hours debating whether LeBron is better than Jordan, they’ll recognize the rhythm here immediately. It’s less about the deep "why" of history and more about the "who’s better" of history. This makes it incredibly easy to jump into any episode without needing to know a single thing about the topic beforehand. It’s built for the attention-span of a generation raised on YouTube listicles.

The Framework is the Secret Sauce

The most useful thing about the show isn't the trivia; it’s the criteria. By breaking "greatness" down into those three buckets—Stats, Innovation, and Legacy—Manning is giving kids a mental toolkit for critical thinking.

Stats: The raw numbers. How big was the stadium? How many patents did they have?
Innovation: Did they change the game? Did they do something nobody else thought of?
Legacy: Does it still matter today?

Watching an episode and then asking your kid to apply those three buckets to something they actually care about—like their favorite video game or athlete—is where the real value lies. It moves the conversation past "it's just cool" and into something more analytical.

When to Skip It

Let’s be real about that 6.5 IMDb score. This is a "background" show. It’s perfect for when you’re folding laundry or when the kids are winding down after dinner. It is not high-stakes drama. If your kid is looking for fast-paced intensity or a narrative they can get lost in, they might find the talking-head segments a bit stale.

The show also plays it very safe. You aren't going to get controversial takes or deep dives into the darker sides of these historical figures. It’s the History Channel version of a "Greatest Hits" album. It’s a great starter for history buffs, but it’s not the main course. If you want something that sparks a "wait, did that really happen?" reaction, this is it. If you want something that will keep them glued to the couch for a weekend binge, you might want to look elsewhere.

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