Evil Genius with Russell Kane

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 ideological quest put him on our blacklist? Glenn Moore, Susie McCabe and Daniel Foxx are here to find out as they debate: evil or genius.Additional material: Eve Delaney and Christina Riggs Researcher: Christina Riggs Sound Editor: Kate Mac Production Coordinator: Liz Tuohy Executive Producer: Paul SmithThe producer was Sasha Bobak. Evil Genius with Russell Kane is a BBC Studios Audio Production for BBC Sounds.

Sara Pascoe, a witty comedian and writer, joins fellow stand-up John Tothill to dive into the life of P.T. Barnum, the legendary showman. They navigate the thrilling yet dark aspects of Barnum’s career, from creating live curiosities to his infamous publicity stunts. The panel humorously ponders modern-day circus acts and explores Barnum's complex legacy, touching on themes of exploitation and moral ambiguity. Ultimately, they face the question of whether he was a genius or villain, leading to a surprise verdict. Expect laughter and reflection!

Join comedians Rachel Fairburn and Laura Smyth as they dive into the life of Griselda Blanco, the feared ‘Queen of Cocaine.’ They explore her notorious rise in the drug trade, engaging in humorous debates about whether she was a ruthless murderer or the ultimate ‘boss bitch.’ With personal anecdotes, they discuss her early life, violent feuds, and complex legacy. Delve into the moral quandaries surrounding her acts of violence and the unique challenges she faced as a woman in a man’s world. A captivating balance of laughter and serious reflection!

Comedians Jess Fostekew and Eshaan Akbar dive into the complex legacy of Agatha Christie, exploring her status as a literary icon and the darker implications of her writing. They discuss Christie's self-education and the creation of enduring characters like Hercule Poirot. The duo critically reflects on her controversial use of racial stereotypes and the mechanical nature of her plots versus character depth. Ultimately, they grapple with the question of whether Christie is a genius or perpetuates harmful themes, concluding with a thought-provoking verdict.

Maisie Adam, a lively comedian known for her sharp wit, joins the discussion about Al Capone, examining whether he was a villain or a misunderstood genius. They dive into Capone's rise from a troubled youth in Brooklyn to a powerful figure in Chicago's underworld. Maisie highlights his shrewd business acumen in the bootlegging trade and his PR savvy, including controversial soup kitchens. The panel votes on his legacy, sparking a lively debate about morality and myth, with Maisie ultimately branding him as evil amidst the majority ruling of genius.

Evil Genius is back soon with more good, bad, ugly - and very, very funny. Hear it first on BBC Sounds.

Vampire Bats: should we give these misunderstood goth pigeons another shot? Or ghost them for good?Join comedian Russell Kane, zoological correspondent Jules Howard and comedian Rachel Fairburn, as they check out the amazing world of vampire bats - deciding whether they're evil or genius.Additional material by: Eve Delaney and Christina Riggs. Researcher: Catherine Beazley Sound Recordist: Gareth Wood Digital Editor: Jerry Peal Executive Producer: Paul Smith Production Coordinator: Liz Tuohy Producer: Simon NichollsEvil Animals with Russell Kane is a BBC Studios Production for BBC Sounds.

Maggots: should we love these sweet, misunderstood baby flies? Or dread these gruesome creepies?Join comedian Russell Kane, entomologist Erica McAlister and comedian Ola Labib as they check out the remarkable world of maggots.Additional material by: Eve Delaney, Christina Riggs and Catherine Beazley. Researcher: Catherine Beazley Sound Recordist: Gareth Wood Digital Editor: Jerry Peal Executive Producer: Paul Smith Production Coordinator: Liz Tuohy Producer: Simon NichollsEvil Animals with Russell Kane is a BBC Studios Production for BBC Sounds.

Snakes. Are they slithering wronguns or super sleek legends?Join comedian Russell Kane, zoologist Yussef Rafik and comedian Felicity Ward as they deep-dive snakes, looking specifically at the viper to decide if they are Evil or Genius.Additional material by: Eve Delaney, Christina Riggs and Catherine Beazley.Researcher: Catherine Beazley Sound Recordist: Luke Nagy Digital Editor: Jerry Peal Executive Producer: Paul Smith Production Coordinator: Liz Tuohy Producer: Simon NichollsEvil Animals with Russell Kane is a BBC Studios Production for BBC Sounds.

Domestic cats. They divide opinion. But are they really just gorgeous fluffballs or the devil incarnate?Join comedian Russell Kane, zoologist, vet & author Jess French and comedian Jess Fostekew as they deep-dive cats.Additional material by: Eve Delaney, Christina Riggs and Catherine Beazley. Researcher: Catherine Beazley Sound Recordist: Luke Nagy Digital Editor: Jerry Peal Executive Producer: Paul Smith Production Coordinator: Liz Tuohy Producer: Simon NichollsEvil Animals with Russell Kane is a BBC Studios Production for BBC Sounds.