The Fundamentals of RealityBrian Cox and Robin Ince are joined by Nobel prize-winning physicist Frank Wilczek, cosmologist Janna Levin, and comedians Eric Idle and Sara Pascoe to look at what physics has revealed about the reality of our universe. From Einstein's equations more than 100 years ago through to the amazing discoveries we've made in the last few years about black holes and gravitational waves, the universe we think we see is not necessarily the true fundamental reality that physics has uncovered. What is real and what is not? All will be revealed.Producer: Alexandra Feachem

Comedy icon Eric Idle, part of Monty Python's legacy and creator of Spamalot, joins comedians Eugene Cordero, Negin Farsad, and writer Shane O'Neill for a laughter-filled discussion. They tackle modern relationship quirks and societal trends while sharing hilarious anecdotes about fictional cereals and Elvis Presley. Idle reflects on his comedic journey and engages listeners with limericks and quizzes, blending wit and playfulness throughout the conversation. The group also humorously critiques cultural quirks and explores the oddities of everyday life.

Join comedy legend Eric Idle, a founding member of Monty Python, as he discusses his new book, 'The Spamalot Diaries,' and reflects on how laughter helps navigate life's challenges. Comedian Ricky Velez dives into the political implications of Trump's potential pardons for himself and allies, sparking a lively conversation on presidential clemency. Troy Iwata sheds light on the GOP's fixation on masculinity and how it influences voter dynamics. Together, they mix humor with sharp political analysis, offering a delightful take on serious topics.

Should anything be off-limits in comedy? Kara and Nayeema discuss this question, and the recent Dave Chappelle SNL monologue, before Kara’s interview with our guest today: writer-comedian Eric Idle who is an OG in the craft. When he and his fellow sketch artists launched Monty Python on the BBC in 1969, it was unclear whether anyone would even watch. Now there are generations of Python fans. Today, Idle talks about what made Monty Python unique and how they pushed the line and the social conversation with their unique brand of humor. Both avid Twitterers, Kara and Idle also discuss their frustrations with Elon Musk (he’s a noted fan of Monty Python, though Idle is not a fan of Musk). And Idle describes how his recent bout with pancreatic cancer has made him a more accepting person. You can find Kara and Nayeema on Twitter @karaswisher and @nayeema.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brian Cox and Robin Ince are joined by Monty Python's Eric Idle, and cosmologists Dr Netta Engelhardt and Dr Janna Levin as they tackle one of the biggest challenges in cosmology. What happens when you throw something (Robin!) into a black hole? Is the information about Robin lost forever, or is there a chance, sometime in the far future, a super intelligent alien civilisation could piece back some key information to discover proof he ever existed? Are Robin and his cardigans lost for all eternity? Executive Producer: Alexandra Feachem