The Infinite Monkey Cage (Series 21 and onwards)
Series 21
1. Science of Laughter
Covering the science of laughter - why humans laugh, what makes us laugh and whether it is a unique trait to humans.
Guests: Frank Skinner, Sophie Scott, Richard Wiseman
2. Conspiracy Theories
A look at conspiracy theories such as Flat Earth believers and moon landing denial, and why fiction is easier to believe than fact.
Guests: Shazia Mirza, David Robert Grimes, Karen Douglas
3. Coral Reefs
A show that covers coral reefs and the delicate balance they live in, which is under threat as the ocean's warm due to climate change.
Guests: Marcus Brigstocke, Callum Roberts, Dr Heather Koldeway
4. Fire
Fire has played a key role within the evolution of life on Earth, and the ability to control it may not just be for humans only.
Guests: Ed Byrne, Niamh Nic Daeid, Adam Rutherford
5. Quantum Worlds
The panel discuss all things quantum, from Schroedinger's feline thought experiment to the idea of multiple universes.
Guests: Katy Brand, Sean Carroll, Jim Al-khalili
6. UFO Special
This episode takes a look at the genuine scientific efforts which are looking for extraterrestrial life in the universe.
Guests: Lucy Beaumont, Maggie Aderin-Pocock, Tim O'Brien, Dallas Campbell
Series 22
1. The End of the Universe
The panel take an upbeat look at how the end of the universe may occur and what may happen as that time approaches.
Guests: Steve Martin, Eric Idle, Katie Mack, Brian Greene
2. Black Holes
A look at the world of black holes and what effects they have, from holograms to spaghettification.
Guests: Matt Lucas, Sean Carroll, Janna Levin
3. Space Archaelogy
Investigating the science around space archaelogy, and the technology used such as satellites and lasers, and the discoveries made.
Guests: Sara Pascoe, Alice Roberts, Sarah Parcak
4. An Astronaut's Guide to Isolation
The panel discusses tips on surviving isolation in space, as the future of space travel including a trip to Mars will test human abilities.
Guests: Helen Sharman, Chris Hadfield, Nicole Stott, Rusty Schweickart
5. The Sun
This episode discusses the history of the Sun, and its effect on life as well as how likely other stars in the universe are to host life.
Guests: Lucie Green, Steve Jones, Tim Minchin
6. When the Monkeys Met the Chimps
A look at what has been discovered in the past sixty years since Jane Goodall discovered the chimpanzees of Gombe.
Guests: Jane Goodall, Bill Bailey, Cat Hobaiter
7. Does Time Exist?
The panel talk about whether time actually exists in the laws of physics, and the impact if it doesn't.
Guests: Mark Gatiss, Carlo Rovelli, Fay Dowker
8. The Human Brain
An exploration of the human brain, and how the organ allows us to be human as well as a look at how the brain changes.
Guests: Conan O'Brien, David Eagleman, Gina Rippon
9. What is Life?
The group discuss the biggest question of all: what is life and how did it come to start on Earth?
Guests: Jo Brand, Ross Noble, Paul Nurse, Aoife Mclysaght
Series 23
1. In Praise of Flies
A discussion about flies and what the situation on Earth would be like without them, including whether life would exist at all.
Guests: David Baddiel, Erica McAlister, Matthew Cobb
2. Under Our Night Sky
This episode looks at how humans relationship with the night sky has changed throughout history.
Guests: Jon Culshaw, Lisa Harvey-Smith, Tim Peake, Start Clark
3. Neanderthals
The panel discuss Neanderthals: their discovery, history, relationship with humans, and the differences, or not, between humans and Neanderthals.
Guests: Alan Davies, Rebecca Wragg Sykes, Tori Herridge
4. The Science of Cooking
Talking about the science of cooking, with Harold McGee's book on the topic launching a craze for molecular gastronomy.
Guests: Katy Brand, Grace Dent, Mark Miodownik, Harold McGee
5. The Fundamentals of Reality
Physics has revealed a number of things about the reality of our universe, from Einstein's equations to gravitational waves to black holes.
Guests: Frank Wilczek, Janna Levin, Eric Idle, Sara Pascoe
6. A History of Rock
The group talk about rocks: what they reveal about the history of the Earth, and the creatures which walked the planet in years past.
Guests: Ross Noble, Susie Maidment, Chris Jackson
Series 24
1. Bats v Flies
The panel discusses two of the least-lovable animals - bats and flies - and present the idea that they should be loved and not loathed.
Guests: Kate Jones, Erica McAlister, Dave Gorman
2. Exploring the Deep
Undercovering the mysteries of the deep ocean, the group discuss the discoveries of previous expeditions and what questions may be solved in the future.
Guests: Tim Minchin, Diva Amon, Jon Copley
3. The Wood Wide Web
Plants and trees can communicate, though mystery remains as to what information they are exchanging, while the discovery has changed our understanding.
Guests: Brendan Hunt, Suzanne Simard, Mark Spencer
4. Black Holes
The panel contemplate what happens once an object is consumed by a black hole and whether information can be restored or if it is lost forever.
Guests: Eric Idle, Dr Netta Engelhardt, Dr Janna Levin
5. Astronauts
A discussion about the emotional response of looking back at Earth and the importance of realising our place in the vastness of space.
Guests: Nicole Stott, Chris Hadfield, Carolyn Porco, Katy Brand
6. Brains
Humans are social creatures as the group posit why two brains are better than one, and how we learn from others we come into contact with.
Guests: Alan Davies, Uta Frith, Sophie Scott
7. How to Teach Maths
Maths can either lead to a life-long love or hate of numbers, as the discussion questions whether everyone can get to grips with algebra.
Guests: Sara Pascoe, Hannah Fry, Matt Parker, David Spiegelhalter
Series 25
1. What Have We Learned from Covid?
Guests: Sarah Gilbert, Dan Davis, Chris Van Tulleken
2. Exploring Our Solar System
Guests: Conan O'Brien, Katie Stack Morgan, Kevin Hand
3. Hunting for Exoplanets
Guests: Jessie Christiansen, Tiffany Kataria, Sean Carroll
4. Can We Cure Ageing?
Guests: Sarah Kendall, Linda Partridge, Andrew Steele
5. The Age of Conspiracy?
Guests: David Baddiel, Karen Douglas, Matthew Cobb, Timotheus Vermeulen
6. The Deep Space Network
Guests: Mark Cheung, Alan Duffy, Brian Schmidt, Alice Foster
7. Why Does Wine Taste Good?
Guests: Tim Minchin, Brian Schmidt, Mango Parker, Patricia Williamson