YES, SCIENCE IS A JOKE

Not all theories in science come with a catchy name. The ‘infinite monkey theorem’ does, with a sideways glance at William Shakespeare. Here’s what it claims: A monkey hitting keys at random on a typewriter for an infinite amount of time will almost surely type a given text, such as the complete works of Shakespeare. (Its depictions often show chimpanzees instead of monkeys. Not nice to our cousins!) It’s most unlikely, but mathematically, the chances are not zero.

Hence, the name ‘The Infinite Monkey Cage’ for the popular radio show on BBC4, which is back with a new season—its 19th. An expanded version goes out as a popular podcast. And just like the theorem, the programme seeks the impossible: make science fun. It does, actually. And that’s down to the personalities of the anchor duo. Robin Ince is a stand-up comedian with impressive vocal talents and a special interest in science. Brian Cox was a keyboard player in the rock band ‘Dare’ before he became a professor of particle physics; the likes of David Attenborough and Patrick Moore have called him the future of science programming at the BBC.

In each episode, Ince and Cox invite three panelists. Two are scientists with specialisation in the subject under discussion in that episode. The third is a comedian who has a special interest (and faculty) in that subject. All pandemonium breaks loose from the outset. There is a live audience in the studio, so the laughter is not from a can. The five characters are pretty much always having a go at each other, so there is no dearth of drama. And before you know it, you are taken into the depths of scientific research.

The guest panelists include some of the most famous names in science. The comedians include Eric Idle of the legendary surreal comedy outfit Monty Python’s Flying Circus and Stephen Fry.