
Evil Genius with Russell Kane
It’s good, bad, ugly - and very very funny. Changing the way we see heroes and villains in history.
Latest episodes

Nov 13, 2024 • 37min
J. Edgar Hoover
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 make him evil… or genius? Laura Smyth, Josh Jones and Johnny Cochrane expose the king of the FBI.Producer: Sasha Bobak
Evil Genius with Russell Kane is a BBC Studios Production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

Nov 6, 2024 • 40min
Anne Boleyn
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 and Stephen Bailey join Russell to debate her life.Producer: Sasha Bobak
Evil Genius with Russell Kane is a BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds

Oct 30, 2024 • 41min
Rasputin
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 nickname?Producer: Sasha Bobak
Evil Genius with Russell Kane is a BBC Studios production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds

Apr 4, 2024 • 47min
George Harrison
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 a BBC Audio Bristol production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds

Mar 28, 2024 • 48min
Princess Margaret
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 allow to tap cigarette ash into their palm.Producer Sally Heaven
Evil Genius with Russell Kane is a BBC Audio Bristol production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds

Mar 21, 2024 • 46min
Karl Lagerfeld
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
Evil Genius with Russell Kane is a BBC Audio Bristol production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds

Mar 14, 2024 • 44min
Ronald Reagan
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 Heaven
Evil Genius with Russell Kane is a BBC Audio Bristol production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds

Mar 7, 2024 • 45min
Marie Antoinette
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 Genius with Russell Kane is a BBC Audio Bristol production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds

Feb 29, 2024 • 47min
Homer Simpson
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 like?Producer Sally Heaven
Evil Genius with Russell Kane is a BBC Audio Bristol production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds

Feb 22, 2024 • 43min
Jerry Springer
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's shirt?Producer Sally Heaven.Evil Genius with Russell Kane is a BBC Audio Bristol production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds