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Artwork for Evil Genius

Evil Genius with Russell Kane

BBC Sounds
Ronald Reagan
Jerry Springer
AIDS Crisis
Elizabeth Taylor
Marie Antoinette
Karl Lagerfeld
Attila the Hun
Princess Margaret
The Beatles
Hunnish Warfare
Western Roman Empire
Reality Television
Revolution
Iran-Contra Affair
Cold War
BBC Radio 4
Beatlemania
John Lennon
Paul Mccartney
Hollywood

It’s good, bad, ugly - and very very funny. Changing the way we see heroes and villains in history.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes160Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistoryComedy

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Artwork for Evil Genius

Latest Episodes

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 wo... more

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 ... more

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... more

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 t... more

Key Facts

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Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Natalie Cooper
Merit Researcher at the Natural History Museum
Natural History Museum
Episode: Evil Animals - Sea Otters
Laura Smyth
Comedian
Stand-up comedian
Episode: Evil Animals - Sea Otters
Karim Vahed
Top entomologist
University of London (implied)
Episode: Evil Animals - Spiders
Josh Jones
Comedian
Independent
Episode: Evil Animals - Spiders
Holly Dominique
Top scientist and gull expert from Cornwall
Episode: Evil Animals - Herring Gulls
Jordan Gray
Essex comedian and singer
Episode: Evil Animals - Herring Gulls
Susie McCabe
Comedian
Not specified
Episode: Evil Animals - Sharks
Billy Heaney
Top zoologist and broadcaster
University/Media appearances
Episode: Evil Animals - Sharks
Lucy Cooke
Top zoologist and author known for exploring animal behavior and evolution.
Episode: Evil Animals - Penguins

Host

Russell Kane
Host of the show; pervasive presence across episodes with a sharp, comedic take on controversial or surprising topics.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 5.1k ratings
  • Gets better and better

    Such a funny and enlightening show and Russell is so quick, he takes me by surprise every week. Was skeptical about the animal episodes but now I’m really into them! Genuinely fascinating and always a good laugh. Keep going team!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BarryPilling
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Evil and Genius!

    I love the show! Having to make a choice whether someone is evil or genius is interesting. How the 3 facts are laid out is great. The comedians are very funny. Russell is a great host too!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    J-9 Duffy
    United States2 months ago
  • Very Funny and Full of Fun Facts!

    I love taking a break from True Crime with Mr. Kane and company. Ridiculous AND informative!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    hobo347
    United States3 months ago
  • Stopped listening to the transphobic BBC

    I am unfollowing all BBC podcasts in protest of their decision to force Robin Ince from the Infinite Monkey Cage podcast for his support of transgender individuals.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    markpa
    United States3 months ago
  • Evily Genius

    Russell Kanes it once again!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TK 1138
    United Kingdom4 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The debates are funny, with strong panel dynamics and clear arguments.
Some episodes face criticism for perceived imbalance or production issues.
Humor and facts balance well; the show is entertaining and enlightening.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#55
United Kingdom/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#106
Australia/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#142
France/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#227
Italy/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#41
Poland/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#75
New Zealand/Comedy

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Evil Animals - Spiders
Q: Are spiders evil or genius?
The guests argue spiders are genius overall, presenting evidence of cooperation, parental care, and remarkable silk properties that showcase their complexity beyond fear and myth.
Mary Tudor
Q: What are your thoughts on Mary Tudor, evil or genius?
The discussion leads to a consensus labeling Mary as evil due to her violent actions and persecution of Protestants, highlighting the complexity of judging historical figures based on their circumstances.
Evil Animals - Maggots
Q: Have you always been fascinated by insects, even as a kid?
Yes, I was collecting fleas and observing maggots from a very young age, which was unusual but has led to a career in entomology.
Evil Animals - Maggots
Q: What has been your biggest moment of personal evolution?
Discovering that I can get paid to talk about maggots has been a significant moment of personal evolution for me.
Marilyn Monroe
Q: Marilyn Monroe, Evil or Genius, Tony first.
It's a difficult one, this one, really, because for a long time, I was thinking, no, Genius, I'm going to come down on Genius.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Evil Genius

What is Evil Genius about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A sharp, humorous exploration of famous figures and historical moments through a mix of science-minded discussion and comedy. Episodes blend oddball facts, cultural context, and lively banter as a host and rotating guests weigh genius against evil, then crown a verdict. The show often dives into biology, psychology, and cultural impact, all while keeping the tone playful and accessible. Noteworthy are its easygoing yet incisive debates, frequent guest experts, and a willingness to tackle controversial figures with both skepticism and humor, making it appealing to listeners who want learning wrapped in entertainment.

Overall, it stands out for pairing accessible scientific insight with strong comedic timing, creating a format that's educati... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Evil Genius?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Evil Genius:

1. You're Dead to Me
2. The Infinite Monkey Cage
3. Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4
4. Comedy of the Week
5. No Such Thing As A Fish

How many episodes of Evil Genius are there?

Evil Genius launched 8 years ago and published 160 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Evil Genius?

Recent guests on Evil Genius include:

1. Natalie Cooper
2. Laura Smyth
3. Karim Vahed
4. Josh Jones
5. Holly Dominique
6. Jordan Gray
7. Susie McCabe
8. Billy Heaney

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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