The Infinite Monkey Cage
Encyclopedia
The Infinite Monkey Cage is a BBC Radio 4
comedy series. Starring physicist Brian Cox
and comedian Robin Ince
, The Independent
described it as a "witty and irreverent look at the world according to science".
The show is into its fifth season.
The programme won a Gold Award in the Best Speech Programme category at the 2011 Sony Radio Awards
.
Series five began on Monday, 21 November 2011 at 16:30.
Each show has some topic up for discussion. (previous topics have included the apocalypse and space travel) Brian Cox and Robin Ince present the show and are always present. There are normally three guests; two of these are scientists with an interest in the topic of discussion. They offer their expert opinion and give information on the subject. The other is a comedian, who takes a less serious view of the subject, often making scientific inaccuracies. Often Robin Ince and the guest comedian act to make the show more accessible by asking the 'stupid' and often obvious questions that the scientists have overlooked or assumed knowledge of.
A feature which appeared in series 3 was the introduction of Matt Parker, the stand up mathematician. He was brought in because neither Robin Ince or Brian Cox (who received a D grade in his A level Maths) have any mathematical knowledge. Parker gives a short set about the topic of discussion from a mathematical standpoint.
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
comedy series. Starring physicist Brian Cox
Brian Cox (physicist)
Brian Edward Cox, OBE , is a British particle physicist, a Royal Society University Research Fellow and a professor at the University of Manchester. He is a member of the High Energy Physics group at the University of Manchester, and works on the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider at...
and comedian Robin Ince
Robin Ince
Robin Ince is an English stand-up comedian, actor and writer. He is best known for presenting the BBC radio show The Infinite Monkey Cage .-Stand-up comedy:...
, The Independent
The Independent
The Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
described it as a "witty and irreverent look at the world according to science".
The show is into its fifth season.
The programme won a Gold Award in the Best Speech Programme category at the 2011 Sony Radio Awards
Sony Radio Academy Awards
The Sony Radio Academy Awards , started in 1983, are some of the most prestigious awards in the British radio industry. They are run by ZAFER Associates in association with the Radio Academy...
.
Series five began on Monday, 21 November 2011 at 16:30.
Each show has some topic up for discussion. (previous topics have included the apocalypse and space travel) Brian Cox and Robin Ince present the show and are always present. There are normally three guests; two of these are scientists with an interest in the topic of discussion. They offer their expert opinion and give information on the subject. The other is a comedian, who takes a less serious view of the subject, often making scientific inaccuracies. Often Robin Ince and the guest comedian act to make the show more accessible by asking the 'stupid' and often obvious questions that the scientists have overlooked or assumed knowledge of.
A feature which appeared in series 3 was the introduction of Matt Parker, the stand up mathematician. He was brought in because neither Robin Ince or Brian Cox (who received a D grade in his A level Maths) have any mathematical knowledge. Parker gives a short set about the topic of discussion from a mathematical standpoint.