Steve Roud was Local Studies Librarian for the London Borough of Croydon and served as Honorary Librarian of the Folklore Society for over fifteen years. He has been researching British folklore for over thirty years and is the joint author of the Oxford Dictionary of English Folklore, plus other books on traditional drama and folk song, and the Penguin Guide to the Superstitions of Britain and Ireland, which won the Katharine Briggs Folklore Award in 2004. His publications include London Lore (2008) and The Lore of the Playground (2010). He also compiles the Folk Song Index and the Broadside Index, two internationally acclaimed computer databases of traditional folk and popular song. He lives in Sussex.

Steve Roud

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Brian Cox

Robin Ince

Four more series of the multi-award-winning science/comedy show 
 
Celebrating the wonders of the universe since 2009, The Infinite Monkey Cage combines wit and wisdom to explore scientific concepts in an entertaining, accessible way. In these four series, physicist Brian Cox and comedian Robin Ince are back to 'put a smile on the face of science' (The Independent). They're joined by a wealth of boffins, brainiacs and celebrity science enthusiasts, all keen to share their hard facts, soft theories and bold comic deviations. 
 
Beginning with the end of the universe, they tackle topics including black holes, the human brain, Neanderthals and the science of cooking - and attempt to answer profound philosophical questions such as 'What is life, and how did it start?', 'Is time an illusion?' and ''What is reality?' There's also an astronaut's guide to isolation, featuring Helen Sharman, Chris Hadfield, Nicole Stott and Apollo 9's Rusty Schweickart; a look back at 60 years of chimpanzee research with Jane Goodall; and a history of rock (not in the Rolling Stones sense, but actual rolling stones). 
 
Plus, the duo play Animal Top Trumps to find out whether we should prefer beautiful bats to much-maligned flies; travel deep below the ocean waves to see what lies beneath; discover how trees communicate using the Wood Wide Web; and learn why two brains are definitely better than one... 
 
Among their special guests are Eric Idle, Steve Martin, Matt Lucas, Tim Minchin, Bill Bailey, Mark Gatiss, Steve Jones, Ross Noble, Sara Pascoe, Prof Alice Roberts, Carlo Rovelli, Harold McGee, Dr Janna Levin, Dave Gorman, Brendan Hunt and Katy Brand. 
 
Production credits 
Presented by Brian Cox and Robin Ince 
Producer: Alexandra Feachem 
 
© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

The Infinite Monkey Cage: Series 22-25

Four fantastic series of the multi-award-winning science/comedy show 
 
Brian Cox and Robin Ince return to take a witty, irreverent and unashamedly rational look at the mysteries of the universe in these four series. Joining them for some hot science and flagrant comic nerdery are a panel of eggheads and entertainers, all eager to take a deep dive into topics ranging from cosmic dust to coincidence. 
 
Starting with two shows recorded in Sydney, Australia, exploring southern skies and scary spiders, they go on to invent Infinite Monkey Cluedo and plot the perfect crime; scrutinise the secret life of sharks; peer review Hollywood movies set in space and unwrap the science of Egyptian mummies. Also featured are two battles of the species, as the team ask which is better: bees or wasps, and claw through the evidence to find out if cats are superior to dogs. 
 
In addition, they discover the magical world of mushrooms; discuss the pros and cons of AI; attempt to explain quantum physics and visit CERN&rsquo;s Large Hadron Collider in Geneva in search of the Higgs Boson. And in an out-of-this-world mash-up show, they meet Dara O&rsquo;Briain and Sky at Night presenters Dr Maggie Aderin Pocock, Chris Lintott and Pete Lawrence for some backyard astronomy, as they give us their ultimate guide to studying the stars from the comfort of your own garden. 
 
Other special guests in this collection include Ross Noble, Prof Hannah Fry, Susan Calman, Prof Sue Black, Sally Gunnell, Ed Byrne, Dr Chris van Tulleken, Harry Hill, Steve Backshall, Alan Davies, Marcus du Sautoy, Dave Gorman, Tim Peake, Jo Brand, Russell Kane, Richard Wiseman, Deborah Meaden, David Baddiel and Ben Miller. 
 
Production credits 
Presented by Brian Cox and Robin Ince 
Producers: Caroline Steel, Adrian Washbourne and Melanie Brown 
Executive Producer: Alexandra Feachem 
 
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4, 18 February-25 March 2023 (Series 26), 24 June-5 August 2023 (Series 27), 11 November-23 December 2023 (Series 28), 17 February-23 March 2024 (Series 29) 
 
&copy; 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

The Infinite Monkey Cage: Series 26-29

Brian Cox and Robin Ince present a witty, irreverent look at the world according to science. 
 
The Infinite Monkey Cage has become one of BBC Radio 4’s most popular science based programmes. In each episode physicist Brian Cox and comedian Robin Ince delve into a particular field of science, with the help of guests from the worlds of science, academia and entertainment. 
 
In these 24 episodes the programme looks at topics as diverse as Oceans, Science Mavericks, Parallel Universes, Science v Art, Space Exploration, Brain Science, Creating Life, The Science of Christmas Behaviour, Space Tourism, Death and Risk. 
 
Helping them to discover more are guests including Dave Gorman, Marcus Brigstocke, Andy Hamilton, Alan Moore, Dr Marcus Du Sautoy, Patrick Stewart, Ben Miller, Katy Brand, Professor Matthew Cobb, Simon Singh, Dr Sue Black, Ed Byrne, Mark Gatiss, Steve Jones, Ross Noble, Eric Idle and Graeme Garden.

The Infinite Monkey Cage

Series 6, 7, 8 and 9

Four more series of the multi-award-winning science/comedy show 
 
Brian Cox and Robin Ince are back to take a witty, irreverent look at life, the universe and everything in between in these four engaging series. From the tiniest molecules to the most distant stars, the inquisitive monkeys break down the science to reveal intriguing insights into the world around us and what lies beyond. 
 
Joined by a panel of scientists, experts and celebrity science enthusiasts, they delve into topics ranging from the wonder of trees and the science of board games to hedgehogs, elasticity and the sound of music. They also raid the archives of the Royal Society to uncover some surprising and wacky scientific endeavours, search for alien life at Glastonbury, venture to Bletchley Park to decode cyberwarfare and are put to the test by an audience of curious children in a ‘Beastly Bodies Kids’ Special’ from Cheltenham Science Festival. 
 
Additionally, the duo investigate where babies come from, ask if extinction is really the end, journey to the centre of the earth to unveil the high-pressured world beneath our feet, and embark on a cool adventure to the mysterious realm of ice. And as Saturn and Jupiter are pitted against each other in a planetary face-off, Brian and Robin referee the battle of the gas giants. Who will be awarded the coveted Kuiper Belt? 
 
Among the special guests in these entertaining episodes are Dame Judi Dench, Marcus du Sautoy, Steve Backshall, Adam Kay, Anneka Rice, Dave Gorman, Alan Davies, Pam Ayres, Maggie Aderin-Pocock, Sara Pascoe, Adam Rutherford, Ria Lina, Jo Brand and Brian Eno. 
 
Production credits 
Presented by Brian Cox and Robin Ince 
Produced by Melanie Brown 
Executive Producer: Alexandra Feachem 
Researcher: Olivia Jani 
A BBC Studios Audio production 
 
© 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2025 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

The Infinite Monkey Cage: Series 30-33

Four more series of Brian Cox and Robin Ince’s multi award-winning science/comedy show – including the 100th episode and The Infinite Moonkey Cage, a special hour-long episode celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo moon landings 
 
One of BBC Radio 4’s most popular programmes, The Infinite Monkey Cage sees physicists Robin Ince and Brian Cox taking a witty, irreverent look at the world through scientists’ eyes. Aided by guests from the worlds of science, academia and entertainment, they delve into a variety of topics in a quest to explore the quirks and wonders of the universe. 
 
In these 25 episodes, they celebrate their 100th show with some very special appearances from Monkey Cage alumni including Brian Blessed, Eric Idle and Andy Hamilton; talk cryptography and codebreaking at GCHQ; look at the origin of numbers; and learn how to build a bionic human. There’s also a discussion about dinosaurs; a sleepy look at the science of dreaming; and a Brits in Space special featuring astronauts Tim Peake and Helen Sharman – plus The Infinite Moonkey Cage, a 60-minute episode in which they are joined by some of the key players involved in landing the first men on the moon on July 20th 1969. 
 
Among the many other guests featured in these four series are Neil deGrasse Tyson, Danny Wallace, Shappi Khorsandi, Beardyman, Ed Byrne, Chris Addison, Jo Brand, Rufus Hound, Bridget Christie and Mark Steel. 
 
Producer: Alexandra Feachem

The Infinite Monkey Cage: Series 18-21 plus Apollo Special

BBC Radio Comedy

Brian Cox and Robin Ince present a witty, irreverent look at the world according to science. 
 
The Infinite Monkey Cage has become one of BBC Radio 4’s most popular science-based programmes. In each episode physicist Brian Cox and comedian Robin Ince delve into a particular field of science, with the help of guests from the worlds of science, academia and entertainment. 
 
These 25 episodes feature subjects ranging from music to Frankenstein, from particle physics to the science of sleep, and from astronauts to insects. Also included are the 2016 and 2017 Christmas Special episodes. 
 
Well-known guests featured in this collection include Dave Gorman, Phil Jupitus, Sara Pascoe, Ross Noble, Eric Idle, Noel Fielding, Katy Brand, Mark Gatiss and Dara O'Briain.

The Infinite Monkey Cage: The Complete Series 14-17

The complete series 1-5 of the Sony Award Winning BBC Radio 4 show, The Infinite Monkey Cage, presented by physicist Brian Cox and comedian Robin Ince. 
 
Described by Judges of the Sony Award as; 'A brilliant way of being both innovative and instructive, bringing humour to what some will see as a dull subject. It's listenable, educational and brings a whole new audience to both the subject and the station'. 
 
The duo, assisted by a panel of experts and entertainers, tackle subjects such as biology, cosmology, physics and why Brian’s hair is always so perfect. Guest include Dara O'Brian, Jon Ronson, Stephen Fry and Dave Gorman, amongst many more. The Infinite Monkey Cage is an engaging, entertaining and educational show that puts the fun back into science.

Infinite Monkey Cage

The Complete Series 1-5

Brian Cox and Robin Ince present a witty, irreverent look at the world according to science. 
 
The Infinite Monkey Cage has become one of BBC Radio 4’s most popular science-based programmes. In each episode physicist Brian Cox and comedian Robin Ince delve into a particular field of science, with the help of guests from the worlds of science, academia and entertainment. 
 
These 29 episodes feature subjects ranging from the solar system to war, from UFOs to climate change, and from the mathematics of love to artificial intelligence. This collection also includes two special episodes from December 2015 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Albert Einstein's theory of General Relativity, and the 2014 and 2015 Christmas specials. 
 
Well-known guests featured in this collection include Dave Gorman, Sara Pascoe, Dara O Briain, Alexei Sayle, Ross Noble, Eric Idle, Jo Brand, Lee Mack, Josie Long, Katy Brand and Stephen Fry.

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