Evil Genius with Russell Kane

BBC Sounds

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

History

Simone de Beauvoir
Simone de Beauvoir was one of the first thinkers to call the concept of gender 'total bollocks' (not quite her words). Her feminist work was groundbreaking and shocking in equal measure.In this episode, guests Phil Wang, Lindsey Santoro and Katie Norris put on their philosopher hats to examine her fascinating life and answer the big questions: Is polyamory like sharing your favourite spoon? Are ugly people deeper thinkers? Why did Russell get fake tan on his new born baby? Was Simone de Beauvoir evil... or genius?Producer: Sasha Bobak Evil Genius with Russell Kane is a BBC Studios Production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.
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33:14
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.
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36:43
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
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39:33
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
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41:04
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
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47:23