Evil Genius with Russell Kane

Comedian Russell Kane dishes the dirt on Wasps. Are Wasps malicious menaces or misunderstood marvels? Helping Russell decide whether Wasps are evil or genius are Professor of Behavioural Ecology at UCL, Seirian Sumner and comedian Lindsey Santoro. Written by: Eve Delaney & Ruth Huskisson Additional material by: Catherine Beazley & Angela Channell Researcher: Catherine Beazley Sound Recordi...

Russell Kane is back with the feral sibling of Evil Genius. We're spilling the beans on Koalas. Are they Adorable Aussie icons or shit-eating nightmares? Helping Russell decide whether Koalas are evil or genius are comedian Felicity Ward and zoologist Lucy Cooke. Written by: Eve Delaney & Ruth Huskisson Additional material by: Angela Channell & Catherine Beazley Researcher: Catherine Beazl...

He’s one of the most famous criminals in British history, but was railway enthusiast Ronnie Biggs really just a petty crook who fell on his feet? From his 36 years on the run, to his brief stint as a punk icon, Louise Young, Limahl Germain and Peter Rethinasamy must decide whether the man who put the ‘Great’ into ‘Great Train Robbery’ was evil, or genius. Additional material: Miriam O’Byrne, Angel...

A teenage nerd with anger management issues, Joan of Arc has been immortalised as a figure of resistance across the generations. But was the Maid of Orleans really just a pick-me girl with a dodgy haircut? Ola Labib, Edd Hedges and Lily Phillips must decide whether Joan of Arc was a virgin martyr, or a virgin loser. Additional material: Christina Riggs, Angela Channell and Katie Sayer Researcher:...

He’s the most famous composer there’s ever been; a child prodigy who produced more than 600 works in his short life. But was the ‘miracle of Vienna’ really anything more than just a manchild with a scat fetish? Kate Cheka, Stephen Bailey and Steve Bugeja must decide whether the ‘boy genius’ was actually more ‘boy evil’, via water sports and magic flutes. Additional material: Miriam O’Byrne and Kat...

She’s the face that launched a thousand ships - but is Helen of Troy anything more than just a pick-me girl with an army of cucks? Lily Phillips, Ola Labib and Edd Hedges consider bestiality, incest, and Power Rangers, to try and assess whether the hottest woman in history leaves them cold. Additional material: Miriam O’Byrne, Angela Channell and Katie Sayer Researcher: Miriam O’Byrne Recording En...

Evil Animals is back with a whole new menagerie of beasts. Comedian Russell Kane and his panel will debate whether Koalas, Wasps, Tortoises, Vultures, Orcas, Meerkats, Ants, Rats and Chimpanzees are evil or genius. Across the series, Russell will be joined by leading experts including: zoology correspondent Jules Howard, zoologist Lucy Cooke, Professor of Behavioural Ecology Seirian Sumner, Merit...

He’s the most famous writer of all time; but before his reign of terror over the GCSE syllabus, William ‘Shag-speare’ was an upcoming playwright with humble beginnings in Stratford-upon-Avon. But was he more evil, or genius? Did he put the ‘knob’ into Two Noble Kinsmen, or just the ‘mid’ into Midsummer Night’s Dream? It’s up to Stephen Bailey, Kate Cheka and Steve Bugeja to decide whether the Bard...

A socialite in shoulder pads or the real power behind the throne? It’s up to Limahl Germain, Louise Young and Peter Rethinasamy to decide if Nancy Reagan was a typical tradwife or a Machiavellian manipulator, via goths, psychics, and bananas in the bedroom Additional material: Miriam O’Byrne, Angela Channell and Katie Sayer Researcher: Miriam O’Byrne Recording Engineer: Dom Boucher Sound Editor: K...

The poster boy for yearning, F. Scott Fitzgerald came to epitomise the American dream. But is the author of The Great Gatsby really so great after all? Pierre Novellie, Rachel Fairburn and Slim dive between the covers and find some red flags in the roaring twenties. Additional material: Miriam O’Byrne and Katie Sayer Researcher: Miriam O’Byrne Recording Engineer: Dom Boucher Sound Editor: Kate Mac...

The original pin-up, Brigitte Bardot enchanted audiences in France and around the world. But in later life, was her concern with rights - both “animal” and “far” - at odds with her liberated image? Via Playboy, farting on trains, and optimistically flashing an areola, Lindsey Santoro, Hasan Al Habib, and Alexandra Haddow must decide - was Brigitte Bardot evil, or a genius? Additional material: Chr...

To fast food fans, he’s a deity. To chickens, he’s public enemy number one. But there’s more to Colonel Sanders than just that secret blend of 11 herbs and spices. Josh Jones, Laura Smyth and chef Ruby Bhogal take a deep dive into the Colonel’s life - and find gunfights, court cases, and an unexpected detour into gynaecology. Was Colonel Sanders evil or a genius? Additional material: Christina Rig...

It’s one of the most famous missing persons cases of all time, and has baffled detectives for over 50 years. So will Russell Kane and co fare any better at getting to the truth about Lord Lucan? Rachel Fairburn, Pierre Novellie and Slim help in the hunt for the missing aristocrat, via luxuriant moustaches, northern tea and soggy biscuit. Additional material: Miriam O’Byrne and Katie Sayer Research...

Satirist, socialite, and Bright Young Thing Nancy Mitford led a life that was almost as scandalous as the contents of one of her novels. But was she just an art-deco Kardashian with a talent for typing and a complicated family? Or did her way with words disguise a deeper ruthlessness within? Laura Smyth, Josh Jones, and Sunday Times Fiction Editor Laura Hackett are tasked with diving between the c...

The Godfather of heavy metal, a legendary reality star and Birmingham’s favourite son - Ozzy Osbourne certainly has the makings of a genius. But was there something darker lurking beneath the leather trench coat? Lindsey Santoro, Hasan Al Habib, and Alexandra Haddow are tasked with examining whether the Prince of Darkness lives up to his name. Additional material: Christina Riggs, Ruth Husko and K...

Join comedian Russell Kane as he and his guests deep dive those fluffy marine mammals – sea otters. They may look cute and cuddly, but with their strong teeth and powerful bite, there’s more to them than meets the eye. Helping Russell decide whether sea otters are evil or genius are comedian, writer and actress Laura Smyth and Dr. Natalie Cooper, Merit Researcher at the Natural History Museum. Add...

Join comedian Russell Kane as he and his guests spill the beans on spiders. Consistently ranked amongst the most creepy and crawly, we ask are spiders abusive arachnids or kooky cuties? Helping Russell decide whether spiders are evil or genius are top comedian Josh Jones and leading entomologist & England Manager for Buglife, Dr. Karim Vahed. Additional material by: Eve Delaney, Ruth Huskisson...

Join comedian Russell Kane as he and his guests deep dive our seaside favourite – the Herring Gull. Is this bird a Flapping Felon or a proper paid-up member of the Coastal Carb Clean-up Crew? Helping Russell decide whether Herring Gulls are evil or genius are comedian Jordan Gray and scientist Holly Dominique. Additional material by: Eve Delaney, Ruth Huskisson & Christina Riggs Researcher: Ca...

Join comedian Russell Kane as he and his guests spill the beans on sharks. Is this apex predator a Fin-credible Hulk or deep-sea demon? Helping Russell decide whether sharks are evil or genius are comedian Susie McCabe and zoologist Billy Heaney. Additional material by: Eve Delaney, Ruth Huskisson & Christina Riggs Researcher: Catherine Beazley Sound Recordist: Gareth Wood Digital Editor: Jerr...

Comedian Russell Kane lifts the lid on mosquitoes and asks... are they buzz kills or buzz buddies? Helping Russell decide whether mosquitoes are evil or genius are Dr. Erica McAlister – Principal Curator of Diptera at the Natural History Museum and comedian Desiree Burch. Additional material by: Eve Delaney, Ruth Huskisson & Christina Riggs Researcher: Catherine Beazley Sound Recordist: Gareth...

Join comedian Russell Kane as he digs the dirt on penguins. Are penguins whimsical waddlers or cold-hearted sex pests? Helping Russell decide whether penguins are evil or genius are comedian Felicity Ward and zoologist Lucy Cooke. Additional material by: Eve Delaney, Ruth Huskisson & Christina Riggs Researcher: Catherine Beazley Sound Recordist: Gareth Wood Digital Editor: Jerry Peal Productio...

Comedian Russell Kane gets to the bottom of dogs (no, not that bottom). Are dogs – aka Hairy Styles – the Goodest Bois or Barkitects of Chaos? Helping Russell decide whether dogs are cute marvels or four-legged psychopaths are comedian Lucy Porter and zoologist Jules Howard. Additional material by: Eve Delaney, Ruth Huskisson & Christina Riggs Researcher: Catherine Beazley Sound Recordist: Gar...

Hulk Hogan was undeniably a star and cultural icon. But beneath his rock hard brand lies scandal, abuse and shocking values. Sara Pascoe, Gbemi Oladipo and John Tothill must weigh up the evidence before deciding: evil or genius. Additional material: Eve Delaney and Christina Riggs Researcher: Christina Riggs Sound Editor: Kate Mac Production Coordinator: Liz Tuohy Executive Producer: Paul Smith Th...

Mata Hari’s life was full of reinventions, deception and drama. But was she a smart woman, making the best of a sticky situation? Or was she a traitorous enchantress who manipulated her way to the top? Daliso Chaponda, Maisie Adam and Jack Skipper are forced to vote: evil or genius. Additional material: Eve Delaney and Christina Riggs Researcher: Christina Riggs Sound Editor: Kate Mac Production C...

Undoubtedly a pioneer in his field, Wagner made music that continues to inspire composers today. But his personal views make it difficult to separate the art from the artist. Unfortunately for our panellists - Peter Rethinasamy, Laura Smyth and Rachel Fairburn - they have no choice but to decide: evil or genius. Additional material: Eve Delaney and Christina Riggs Researcher: Miriam O’Byrne Sound...