Animal Nonsense
The real world is full of the most remarkable, exciting, bizarre, ferocious and occasionally adorable animals - relax and enter their realm alongside real best friends the actor Jess Blake and the musician David Robinson.
The Mighty Crow Escape Room
In episode 57, Jess explains to David about a mighty crow escape room. They really are so intelligent.
Halloween. Ravens, Crows and Traitors.
On our Halloween special, Jess explores ravens and crows in real detail. We also talk about the BBC show 'Traitors' (no spoilers) + what Johnny Depp character did David dress up as one year?
Rocky Balboa + his animals
In episode 55, David reports to Jess on seeing the real Sylvester Stallone and explores the role animals play in the 'Rocky' movies. We talk about his dog Butkus and his red-eared slider terrapins. Extensive 'Rocky' impersonations occur.
David In Quarantine
In episode 54, David is in quarantine after picking up a bug. This is the first episode that David and Jess have recorded and not been in the same room. It is really odd.
The Animals of Ireland
In episode 52, we explore the animals of Ireland. David talks about the original MGM lion coming from Dublin Zoo. Also, the reason why St Patrick did not really banish the snakes. David impersonates Terry Wogan and we play the 'Animal Song Contest'. It's really fun.
Food For Thought
In episode 52, Jess and David delve into the fascinating world of farm animals. Can pigs play video games? How do chickens see a rainbow? And how does Veronika the cow use tools?
Relaxation
In episode 51, David talks about how animals help us relax... also, how their noise might have the opposite effect on him. He remembers how the animal noises of the New Forest reminded him of the musical 'Oliver'. David and Jess also plays a game where we must evacuate animals from a department store. It's really fun.
The Odyssey (+ The Animals)
In episode 50, Jess introduces David to the animals who feature in the enormous hit film 'The Odyssey'.
Victorious Festival
In episode 49, David and Jess remember performing at 'Victorious Festival' in Portsmouth. David remembers meeting a fox who understood David's weather-beaten and food covered demeanour. We also explore animals who thrive in really tough living conditions. It's really fun.
National Animals
In episode 48, Jess responds to a 'Reach Out' question... 'Does every country have a national animal?'... It's a real exploration. If you want to 'Reach Out'. You can email us on [email protected].
Report From Blackpool
In episode 47, David reports back to Jess on the recent experiences he had performing in Blackpool. Meet his new animal nemesis. Learn how in 1891, noise stopped people from noticing enormous circus animals who were on the road near to them and learn why donkeys are hard to photograph.
Monkey World
On episode 46, David tells Jess what he learned at Monkey World in Dorset. He wrote a poem to help identify the different primates and we learn about how you can avoid animal exploitation.
The Snow Leopard
In episode 45, Jess announces she'd rather be in an enclosure with a snow leopard than any other big cat, and reveals their really interesting world. She also explores recent efforts being made to make peace between the snow leopards and the farmers.
Revenge and Movie Music
In episode 44, David regales Jess with tales of a noisy audience member who misidentified every animal at an outdoors movie music concert. We explore revenge in the animal kingdom.
Collective Nouns for Groups of Animals
In episode 43, Jess leads David through a rollercoaster ride of collective nouns for animals. It really is fun.
The Animal Gods of Ancient Egypt
In episode 42, Jess must escape Ancient Egypt by making friends with the Gods (all of whom have animal heads). It is the most adventurous episode so far.
School's Out For Summer
In episode 41, David remembers an episode of the BBC school drama 'Waterloo Road' that involves a pig. There is no evidence a pig was ever on the show. Jess talks about a urinating toad that her and her sister recall differently, and we play 'Animal Parents' Evening'.
Barcelona
In episode 40, we hear about Jess' recent holiday to Barcelona. She returns with two presents for David and regales him with stories of sea cucumbers in buckets and the green parakeets. We also play 'Rate My Nest'.
Paul and Linda McCartney
In episode 39, we explore the romantic story of Paul and Linda McCartney, and learn about the role that animals have played in their lives.
Heatwave
On episode 38, David uncovers the word 'splooting' to describe an animal stretching out their surface area to cool down in a heatwave. Jess auditions potential animal roommates, and David remembers 'Are You Being Served?'.
Happy Father's Day
On episode 37, we are over the moon to report we have had 1500 listeners. Jess puts the spotlight on a handful of notable animal fathers including the giant waterbug, the male seahorse and the Emperor Penguin holding a new egg on their foot.
The World Cup Rescuing Dog
On episode 36, Jess' dog predicts the winner of the next two England World Cup matches. David remembers the story of Pickles, the dog who rescued the World Cup in 1966.
Happy Birthday David
In episode 35, Jess wishes David a happy birthday and explores the life expectancy of various creatures in the animal kingdom. We also have a new round of 'Real or Fake'.
Jess' New Mystery Pet
In episode 34, Jess reports on the most recent movements of her garden friend Sheryl the crow. David reveals to Jess that she has been nominated for a BBC Radio Solent 'Make A Difference' award. Jess blindfolds David and introduces him to her new and rather exciting mystery pets.
Real Dog on Saturday Night Live
In episode 33, Jess and David talk about going to a recording of 'Saturday Night Live UK'. It was hosted by Aimee Lou Wood - and the monologue featured a real dog. Everything SNL + animal related is explored.
Shakespeare's Animals
In this episode, David reveals the origin of the quill pen and we respond to a 'reach out' question about how moonlight affects animals. David and Jess talk about real animals that feature in Shakespeare's plays. David learns about how a bodily function of bees almost caused international warfare.
David Attenborough's 100th Birthday
In this episode, Jess and David wish David Attenborough a happy 100th birthday by remembering his remarkable career in broadcasting.
Game Of Thrones: The Wolves Of Westeros
In this episode, Jess explores her love of 'Game Of Thrones' especially the 'Wolves of Westeros'. Jess refers to super predators, diowolves and Dolly the Sheep. David reveals the most mysterious part of 'Scooby Doo'.
Judge Jess
In this episode, David offers a retraction for his mistaken giraffe remark and exonerates Jess. He talks about meeting 1960's 'Blue Peter' hosts and remembers the real event where Valerie Singleton took a lion to the shops. We play 'Judge Jess' where she presides over arguments from the animal world. Jess reads out a poem David wrote thanking our listeners from every country.
Meeting the Boomtown Rat... Bob Geldof
In this episode, we help a listener remove geckos from their home. David reveals how nervous he was meeting his hero Bob Geldof and the 50th anniversary Boomtown Rats concert at the Hammersmith Odeon that featured the entire audience wearing latex rat masks. David is really frightened of rats.
Animals of Disney
In this episode, Jess reports back on her recent visit to Disneyland Paris. She reveals the earlier and lesser known animals that emerged from Walt Disney before he hit big with Mickey Mouse and with real aplomb, Jess will make you rethink how cartoon animals do not follow the relative size rules of the real world.
Happy Easter
In this episode, David gives Jess' dog an Easter basket. We respond to a 'Reach Out' listener question from Andrew. David explores extinct animals that were rediscovered alive and well, and he remembers Northern entertainer George Formby in a newly written song 'The Rabbit'.
April Fool
The 'Animal Nonsense' April Fool's Day episode... Jess explains how her friend's dog outfoxed everyone, and reveals the most remarkable escape attempts ever made by animals from zoos around the globe. It's really fun.
Red Nose Day
In this episode, we raise awareness of 'Red Nose Day' - for 'Podcastathon'. A movement where thousands of podcasts around the globe record a special episode about one charity. Jess and David play, 'How well do they smell?', and we learn how baby elephants use their trunks. David also reveals that some reindeers do have red noses.
Mother's Day Special
In this episode, Jess gives a round of a applause to some of the best/most interesting mothers in the animal kingdom. She explores orangutans, elephants, burying beetles, the octopus, polar bears, and hummingbirds. Happy Mother's day to everyone.
Mystery Animal 1
In this episode, we learn that Jess' daughter received a cuddy toy from a friend representing one particular animal. David examines the toy and is not able to identify the animal, but Jess reveals she guessed correctly on her first attempt. David asserts that no-else on earth would ever have guessed that animal or even heard of it. Might you guess right?
The Remarkable Brain of the Pigeon
In this episode, David explores the remarkable brain of the pigeon. After a riveting train ride to York and observing a pigeon nearby, he unearths astonishing facts about them including their history of espionage, renown as art connoisseurs and ability to identify their own reflection.
Valentines Special: Part 2
Jess talks about the the different oxytocin 'love hormone' levels in cats and dogs. We learn that meerkats are sociable. David raises the odd method giraffes have for knowing the moment is right for romance.
Valentines Special: Part 1
On this Valentine special, Jess explores monogamy in the animal kingdom and also has a look at the romantic dance of the seahorse. Jess tells David about French angel fish and rather more frighteningly how black vultures deal with a philandering male.
Superbowl vs Puppybowl
Super Bowl LX is taking place at Levi's Stadium in California and might well be the most watched TV event of the year. David talks about the 'Puppy Bowl' that is on 'Animal Planet' every year. Jess remembers a 1990s animal-related TV quiz show and we play a new game 'Attack and Defence'.