Evil Genius with Russell Kane

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 t...

Was Kim Philby the ultimate mastermind, who had governments eating out of the palm of his hand and could charm his way out of the hottest waters? Or do the deaths and suffering that occurred in his id...

Roll up, roll up... plenty to see here. P.T. Barnum was, in so many ways, The Greatest Showman. But his success as a circus pioneer came at a great ghastly cost to many. Sara Pascoe, John Tothill and ...

Was Agatha Christie a creative legend, who dominated an entire genre and continues to captivate a global audience? Or does her choice of language, titles and storylines reveal a much more sinister, da...

Was Al Capone a brutal villain who took no prisoners? Or a Robin Hood type figure who seized an opportunity in a tale of rags to riches? Jack Skipper, Maisie Adam and Daliso Chaponda are tasked with f...

Was Lady Macbeth a cold-hearted killer or a grieving mother? Did she manipulate her husband or help him achieve his goals? Or was she simply in a very toxic relationship? Laura Smyth, Josh Jones and J...

Oliver Cromwell is a highly controversial figure, not least because he banned Christmas (fun sponge alert). Our guests Kerry Godliman, Helen Bauer and Glenn Moore evaluate his powerful reign, argue ov...

Jim Morrison was a rock icon, a tortured poet and a leather-trouser addict. His outrageous performances on stage and dangerous behaviour behind closed doors cause quite the stir for guests Rachel Parr...

Marlene Dietrich was undoubtedly an icon - with an impressive string of films, lovers and mic-drop quotes. Her work in the Second World War was inspiring but her relationship with her husband and daug...

The 'Prince of Darkness' Miles Davis was a jazz revolutionary with a famously husky voice and a passion for fashion. Musical genius? Yes. Deeply flawed character? Yes. Blew his own trumpet? Big time. ...

Former First Lady of Argentina, Eva Perón, was idolised by her nation and is still worshipped to this day. Our guests Kerry Godliman, Glenn Moore and Helen Bauer expose her skeletons in the closet, qu...

Simone de Beauvoir was one of the first thinkers to call the concept of gender 'total bollocks' (not quite her words). Her feminist work was groundbreaking and shocking in equal measure.In this episod...

John Edgar Hoover was an American icon who revolutionised crime-fighting and transformed the FBI into the powerhouse it is today. But do his problematic views, enormous vanity and controlling approach...

Was Anne Boleyn a cold-hearted killer or a badass feminist? What saucy activity did she allegedly import from France? And was this iconic queen the ultimate gay icon? Rachel Parris, Daliso Chaponda an...

How did an illiterate peasant from Siberia find himself dining with an Emperor? Did Rasputin really have magical healing powers or was he a cunning fraud? And what exactly earned him his shocking nick...

Daliso Chaponda, Catherine Bohart and Rachel Parris explore the enigma of the Quiet Beatle. Deeply spiritual hippie or deeply selfish hippiecrite? Producer: Beth O’Dea Evil Genius with Russell Kane is...

Geoff Norcott, Felicity Ward and Sophie Duker debate - wearing a crown, or going down? Taking in Geoff's hatred of dressing gowns, how it's a difficult time to be an ugly Ryan, and who the panel would...

Kerry Godliman, Darren Harriott and Helen Bauer spill the tea on the Chanel fashion guru. He might have been the greatest designer of his generation but was he the greatest human? Producer: Beth O’Dea...

Grainne Maguire, Athena Kugblenu and Robin Morgan decide, Reagan? Or wrong 'un? Plus, could we replace a leader with an actual puppet, like Ed the Duck? And other important questions.Producer Sally He...

Rachel Parris, Daliso Chaponda and Catherine Bohart on the original drama queen. Was the Last Queen of France just a spoiled child with huge hair who didn't know any better? Producer: Beth O’Dea Evil ...

Sophie Duker, Felicity Ward and Geoff Norcott decide whether the yellow patriarch is Duff Beer or just duff. Also, what do Geoff Norcott and Homer have in common, and what would a Gen Z Homer sound li...

Desiree Burch, Josh Jones and Sara Barron - will their final thought on the chat show host be evil? Or genius? Plus, why does Desiree have Jerry Springer dolls? And what did Jeremy Kyle say about Josh...

Stevie Martin, Johnny Cochrane and Maisie Adam deconstruct the Swedish furniture king and his eccentric billionaire lifestyle. Producer: Beth O’Dea Evil Genius with Russell Kane is a BBC Audio Bristol...

Helen Bauer, Darren Harriott and Kerry Godliman take on the infamous gangster double act. Ronnie and Reggie ruled the East End of London in the 1960s and became genuine criminal celebrities. Producer ...

Robin Morgan, Gráinne Maguire and Athena Kugblenu ask: you OK, hun? Was Attila all that bad? Is a spike up the bum really the worst way to go, which is the best Hun gadget, and why is Gráinne such a f...

Desiree Burch, Sara Barron and Josh Jones provide more laughs than Liz had husbands. That's seven, by the way. Or eight if you count Richard Burton twice.Producer Sally Heaven.Evil Genius with Russell...

Maisie Adam, Stevie Martin and Johnny Cochrane prise open the coffin to assess the undead legend in the cold light of day. Superhero powers, seductive charm and also looks great in a cape. Genius, sur...

Kerry Godliman, Esther Manito and Rhys James decide – Starman or laughing gnome?Producer Sally Heaven...

Maisie Adam, Ania Magliano and Marlon Davis wonder what was goin' on with the soul singer....

Kerry Godliman, Esther Manito and Rhys James debate - was the Egyptian a pain in the asp?...

Sara Barron, Helen Bauer and Darren Harriott on the man who's credited with finding North America. But never actually got there. And firmly believed the world to be breast-shaped. Producer: Beth O’Dea...

Thanyia Moore, Pierre Novellie and Lauren Pattison ask if the country star did in fact walk the line. Producer Beth O'Dea Evil Genius with Russell Kane is a BBC Audio Bristol production for BBC Radio ...

Felicity Ward, Ria Lina and Peter Rethinasamy decide: is the campaigner prophet or prude?...

Darren Harriott, Helen Bauer and Sara Barron on the weird and wonderful founder of pop art. And for the first time, one of the panellists falls violently in love with the subject during the recording ...

Maisie Adam, Marlon Davis and Ania Magliano's decision will be an offer he can't refuse....

Rachel Fairburn, Johnny Cochrane and Stevie Martin slice up the Bat Out Of Hell singer. Was he right in saying "no superstar will ever look like me again"? Producer: Beth O’Dea Evil Genius with Russel...

Felicity Ward, Ria Lina and Peter Rethinasamy decide if Lee deserves a one-inch punch...

Thanyia Moore, Lauren Pattison and Pierre Novellie are on a quest for the man who created the Ring. Is he more Sauron or Gandalf? Producer Beth O'Dea. Evil Genius with Russell Kane is a BBC Audio Bri...

Stevie Martin, Rachel Fairburn and Johnny Cochrane ask how super the superhero really is. Is the caped crusader the sexiest superhero of all? Or a weirdo in a cave who makes it all worse, actually? P...

Sikisa, Sarah Callaghan and Ivo Graham dig the dirt on Tomb Raider, Lara Croft...

Athena Kugblenu, Lou Sanders and Nathan Caton decide: Evilgate or Geniusgate?...

Gráinne Maguire, Harriet Braine and Hal Cruttenden paint a not-so-pretty picture of the Mexican artist.This episode was recorded before the Russian invasion of Ukraine....

Sophie Duker, Rhys James and Evelyn Mok analyse the father of psychoanalysis...

Gráinne Maguire, Harriet Braine and Hal Cruttenden beat up beat poet Allen Ginsberg....

Esther Manito, Robin Morgan and Sarah Mills discuss whether the warrior was actually woke...

Lou Sanders, Nathan Caton and Athena Kugblenu decide whether they're hypnotized by Biggie...

Sikisa, Sarah Callaghan and Ivo Graham take a look at the man behind the Apollo missions....

Sophie Duker, Rhys James and Evelyn Mok decide if Virginia is more Woolf or puppy dog....

Johnny Cochrane, Thanyia Moore and Olga Koch knock down the man behind the big statues controversy - should statues of evil geniuses from history stay up? Producer Beth O'Dea...

Robin Morgan, Esther Manito & Sarah Mills on the Virgin Queen. Pure evil or pure genius?...