Evil Genius with Russell Kane

Latest Episodes:

Series 13: Pavarotti Sep 23, 2026

Show notes

Luciano Pavarotti may be the most famous opera singer who ever lived - but his antics off-stage strike a less than gorgeous note for Russell Kane and guests Ed Night, Alexandra Haddow, and Maia Tassallini. The opera icon certainly knew how to use his Magic Flute. But is that really enough to say he should be banished to history? Should the diva who sang Nessun Dorma really be Nessun Dormant? Ft. Timothee Chalamet and the Geordie Shore Reunion.

Additional material: Christina Riggs and Katie Sayer Researcher: Christina Riggs Recording Engineer: Dom Boucher Sound Editor: Kate Mac Production Coordinator: Liz Tuohy Executive Producer: Paul Smith

The producer was Katie Sayer. Evil Genius with Russell Kane is a BBC Studios production for BBC Sounds.

Series 13: Stephen Hawking Sep 16, 2026

Show notes

Russell Kane gets physical with Dan Tiernan, Ola Labib and Rajiv Karia as they try to work out whether Stephen Hawking was evil, or a genius. His breakthroughs in quantum physics changed our understanding of the universe - but his contribution to files, both scientific and other, have the panel in a bit of a black hole.

Additional material: Lorna Reader and Katie Sayer Researcher: Lorna Reader Recording Engineer: Dom Boucher Sound Editor: Kate Mac Production Coordinator: Liz Tuohy Executive Producer: Paul Smith

The producer was Katie Sayer. Evil Genius with Russell Kane is a BBC Studios production for BBC Sounds.

Series 13: Jilly Cooper Sep 09, 2026

Show notes

Russell Kane is bullied by Bella Hull, Rosie Holt and Katie Norris, with occasional discussion of Jilly Cooper. Was the sexed-up scribe evil, or a genius? Is it weird to throw an orgy with your brother? Will Russell leave the studio alive? All this and more.

The producer was Katie Sayer. Evil Genius with Russell Kane is a BBC Studios production for BBC Sounds.

Series 13: The Humans are Taking Over Sep 01, 2026

Show notes

Russell Kane returns to reassess history's heroes and villains - and this series, those heroes and villains include Jilly Cooper, Stephen Hawking, Pavarotti, the Marquis de Sade, L Ron Hubbard, Sean Connery, Catherine de Medici, Chuck Berry and Princess Diana...

Comedians across the series include Bella Hull, Rosie Holt, Katie Norris, Dan Tiernan, Horatio Gould, Ola Labib, Rajiv Karia, Kate Cheka, Kazeem Jamal, Ian Smith, Hasan Al Habib, Stephen Bailey - and Russell's real life wife, Lindsey Kane.

Hosted by Russell Kane Researchers: Miriam O'Byrne, Christina Riggs, Lorna Reader Sound Recordist: Dom Boucher Production Coordinator: Liz Tuohy Executive Producer: Paul Smith Producer: Katie Sayer

Evil Genius with Russell Kane is a BBC Studios production for BBC Sounds.

Evil Animals, Series 3: Meerkats Aug 26, 2026

Show notes

Joining comedian Russell Kane to decide whether Meerkats are evil or genius are Merit Researcher at the Natural History Museum, Dr. Natalie Cooper and and comedian Susie McCabe.

Written by: Eve Delaney & Ruth Huskisson Additional material by: Catherine Beazley & Angela Channell Researcher: Catherine Beazley Sound Recordist: Gareth Wood Digital Editor: Jerry Peal Production Coordinator: Liz Tuohy Executive Producer: Paul Smith Producer: Simon Nicholls