Evil Genius with Russell Kane

BBC

4.0 (281)
COMEDY
UPDATED WEEKLY

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

JAN 14 • SUBSCRIBER EARLY ACCESS

Hulk Hogan

Hulk Hogan was undeniably a star and cultural icon. But beneath his rock hard brand lies scandal, abuse and shocking values. Sara Pascoe, Gbemi Oladipo and John Tothill must weigh up the evidence before deciding: evil or genius. Additional material: Eve Delaney and Christina Riggs Researcher: Christina Riggs Sound Editor: Kate Mac Production Coordinator: Liz Tuohy Executive Producer: Paul Smith The producer was Sasha Bobak. Evil Genius with Russell Kane is a BBC Studios Audio Production for BBC Sounds.

37 min
JAN 7 • SUBSCRIBER EARLY ACCESS

Mata Hari

Mata Hari’s life was full of reinventions, deception and drama. But was she a smart woman, making the best of a sticky situation? Or was she a traitorous enchantress who manipulated her way to the top? Daliso Chaponda, Maisie Adam and Jack Skipper are forced to vote: evil or genius. Additional material: Eve Delaney and Christina Riggs Researcher: Christina Riggs Sound Editor: Kate Mac Production Coordinator: Liz Tuohy Executive Producer: Paul Smith The producer was Sasha Bobak. Evil Genius with Russell Kane is a BBC Studios Audio Production for BBC Sounds.

33 min
1D AGO

Richard Wagner

Undoubtedly a pioneer in his field, Wagner made music that continues to inspire composers today. But his personal views make it difficult to separate the art from the artist. Unfortunately for our panellists - Peter Rethinasamy, Laura Smyth and Rachel Fairburn - they have no choice but to decide: evil or genius. Additional material: Eve Delaney and Christina Riggs Researcher: Miriam O’Byrne Sound Editor: Kate Mac Production Coordinator: Liz Tuohy Executive Producer: Paul Smith The producer was Sasha Bobak. Evil Genius with Russell Kane is a BBC Studios Audio Production for BBC Sounds.

30 min
12/24/2025

Francis Bacon

Francis Bacon was a pioneer in his field, whose deeply moving art sold for millions. But his private life reveals a coldness that will make it difficult for Jess Fostekew, Fatiha El-Ghorri and Eshaan Akbar to decide: evil or genius? Additional material: Eve Delaney and Christina Riggs Researcher: Christina Riggs Sound Editor: Kate Mac Production Coordinator: Liz Tuohy Executive Producer: Paul Smith The producer was Sasha Bobak. Evil Genius with Russell Kane is a BBC Studios Audio Production for BBC Sounds.

33 min
12/17/2025

Mary Tudor

‘Bloody Mary’ is most famous for burning hundreds of people at the stake for their religious beliefs. Sounding pretty evil so far. But she defied all of the odds against her to become queen, fight for what she believed in, and overcome a toxic childhood. Ria Lina, Pierre Novellie and Catherine Bohart must weigh up whether she was more evil or genius. Additional material: Eve Delaney and Christina Riggs Researcher: Miriam O’Byrne Sound Editor: Kate Mac Production Coordinator: Liz Tuohy Executive Producer: Paul Smith The producer was Sasha Bobak. Evil Genius with Russell Kane is a BBC Studios Audio Production for BBC Sounds.

33 min
12/10/2025

Serge Gainsbourg

Was Serge Gainsbourg a cultural French icon, who pushed the boundaries of music and inspired generations of musicians? Or did he push his ‘artistic license’ into a frankly freaky place? Catherine Bohart, Ria Lina and Pierre Novellie debate his legacy in order to decide whether he was evil or genius. Additional material: Eve Delaney and Christina Riggs Researcher: Miriam O’Byrne Sound Editor: Kate Mac Production Coordinator: Liz Tuohy Executive Producer: Paul Smith The producer was Sasha Bobak. Evil Genius with Russell Kane is a BBC Studios Audio Production for BBC Sounds.

33 min
12/03/2025

Peter Stringfellow

Peter Stringfellow birthed modern nightclubs and we have a lot of partying to thank him for. But do his questionable values, exploitation and personal hiccups make him more evil than genius? Josh Jones, Rachel Fairburn and Chantel Nash are live in Sheffield to find out. Additional material: Eve Delaney and Christina Riggs Researcher: Christina Riggs Sound Editor: Kate Mac Production Coordinator: Liz Tuohy Executive Producer: Paul Smith The producer was Sasha Bobak. Evil Genius with Russell Kane is a BBC Studios Audio Production for BBC Sounds.

39 min
11/26/2025

Kim Philby

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 Smith The producer was Sasha Bobak. Evil Genius with Russell Kane is a BBC Studios Audio Production for BBC Sounds.

37 min

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Russell Kane

Host
Laura Smyth

Guest
Jules Howard

Guest
Ola Labib

Guest
Erica McAlister

Guest

4

out of 5

281 Ratings

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10/02/2025

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Comedy that makes me think

09/08/2024

Mrs.Phares

This is honestly one of my favorite podcasts. Just like any kind of comedy, this isn’t a show that would suit just anyone’s taste. The host isn’t a historian; he’s a comedian. The panel is guided through a discussion on a historical figure with a handful of salient points along the way. At the end, panelists vote whether the person’s contributions make him or her more evil or genius. It is clearly intended to be brief. For an in-depth biography, one would look for a history podcast. For a laugh, one would look for a comedy podcast. I really enjoy this one!
Mindless Drivel Presented by Idiots

07/27/2025

Mac an tSionnaigh

Love the premise of the show. Was hoping it to be akin to RTE podcast Speaking ill of the Dead which is tremendous. Unfortunately it’s mindless drivel presented by C-listers who barely have enough gray matter to sustain life itself. Should be a 5 Live show. Failing that if it was revamped with smarter comedians and drop the inane comments then maybe….
Nonsense

07/26/2025

Dlr1960

Dont bother