Small Screen Science

Explore the unusual and unexpected science behind your favourite TV shows, with Karen Collins and Emma Brisdion. From the forensic pathology in Silent Witness to the science of attraction that underpins Love Island. smallscreenscience.co.uk (http://Www.smallscreenscience.co.uk)

Episodes

Small Screen Science Trailer

May 1, 2020 • 48 secs

From the forensic pathology behind Silent Witness to the science of attraction that flirts through Love Island, we look at the science behind some of the UK's favourite TV shows. Hosted and produced by Emma Brisdion and Karen Collins. If you enjoy the podcast please leave us a review (five stars would be perfect, thanks) as it really helps new listeners find the podcast. For more, read our science blog and find out what else we ...

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1.1: The Great British Bake Off (Soggy Bottom Science)

May 12, 2020 • 36 mins

From using maths to bake the perfect pie to exploring the science of food acoustics, our first episode looks at the Great British Bake Off. We explore the science behind baking a victoria sponge or sourdough loaf, speak to 2017 Bake Off contestant Yan Tsou about using maths when creating pies and we join food acoustics specialist Dr Megan Povey to find out how the crunching and crackling sounds of crisps and chocolate play a big ro...

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1.2: Silent Witness (Crime Scene Science)

May 19, 2020 • 38 mins

Is there a better-loved British crime drama? Silent Witness has been running since 1996, season 23 aired in 2020, and it’s also one of Emma and Karen’s favourite shows. In this episode, we speak to one of the scientific advisors for the show, Dr Stuart Hamilton, who is a forensic pathologist and helps make sure all the science in the show is fact-checked. Who better to ask about all the gory details of an autopsy, and how you can e...

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1.3: Strictly Come Dancing (Salsa Science)

May 26, 2020 • 34 mins

In this week's episode on Strictly Come Dancing, we start by waltzing on over to London to explore a dance science laboratory at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, where Professor Emma Redding explains to us a little more about the field of Dance Science. Then we speak to Katie Goates from Parkinson’s UK, to find out how dance is being used to slow the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Hosted and produced by ...

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1.4: Love Island (Six Pack Science)

June 2, 2020 • 40 mins

We've been mugged right off and watched the latest series of Love Island, all in the name of SCIENCE. Why do we fancy people? Can we learn anything from reality TV or is it just trash? And how can we win Love Island using Science? We explore the science behind attraction and what physiological changes happen in our bodies when we meet someone who's our 'type on paper'. We're also joined on the episode by two experts in reality TV,...

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1.5: Dracula (Blood-Sucking Science)

June 16, 2020 • 33 mins

VELCOME to Blood-Sucking Science, where we explore the science surrounding Dracula! How do vampire bats find prey and survive by drinking blood? Why do we love watching horror films and vampire shows? And CAN science disprove the existence of the vampires we get in legends? We speak to vampire bat expert Daniel Streicker from the University of Glasgow, and friend of the podcast Dr Brendan Rooney, to run us through the psychology o...

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1.6: Line of Duty (Blues & Two’s Science)

June 23, 2020 • 35 mins

Our series ends with a BANG as well take a look at forensic ballistics and the ethics of policing with Line of Duty! Ever wondered if you would hear the gun firing before the bullet hit you? Is it possible to trace the bullet back to the gun that fired it? What is rifling and how do guns fire? All this and more on this season’s finale. We speak to Allyson MacVean OBE about the code of ethics that the police use to tackle internal...

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2.1: Blue Planet II (Blue-Chip Science)

October 20, 2020 • 42 mins

To kick off the second season of Small Screen Science, we’re diving into the wonderful world of natural history documentaries, with Blue Planet II! Perhaps the most influential nature documentary series of all time, the ‘Blue Planet II effect’ has made people more aware of our impact on the environment. We chat to Simon Watt about the most endangered ‘mingers’ and why ugly animals get such a raw deal in conservation. Look out for ...

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2.2: The Walking Dead (Zombie Apocalypse Science)

October 26, 2020 • 48 mins

Our guests for this episode help us explore the evidence of zombie fears and folklore in our own history by looking at human burials, and exploring how viruses and pandemics can spread through a global population. (Sounds familiar these days, right?) Hosted and produced by Emma Brisdion and Karen Collins. Support us on Patreon and get access to heaps of bonus content every month: https://www.patreon.com/smallscreenscience If you...

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2.3: Most Haunted (Spooktacular Science)

November 2, 2020 • 52 mins

When you’re talking about the paranormal and the science behind ghosts ‘who ya gonna call?’ Well it turns out that would be Chris French - our ghostbusting expert this week is the Professor behind the ‘Haunt’ project; an attempt to build a haunted room. Tune in to discover what we found when we visited Shepton Mallet Prison, the UK’s oldest and most haunted prison, in search of ghosts… Plus, we discuss the science behind magic ...

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2.4: Breaking Bad (Walter White Science)

November 9, 2020 • 40 mins

Have you ever wondered whether the meth labs created are accurate? Or if you could REALLY dissolve a body in a bath of acid? Well, then this is the episode for you! We might be a far cry from a home-made meth lab in a caravan in the desert, but we’re speaking to someone much closer to the Breaking Bad action in this episode - we’re joined by amazing Prof. Donna J Nelson, the scientific advisor to the show! Hosted and produced by ...

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2.5: Stranger Things (Upside-Down Science)

November 16, 2020 • 39 mins

From trying to understand how parallel universes might work to asking 'Why do we love a good conspiracy theory?' and looking for creatures that act like the Demogorgon, we're on a curiosity voyage through the science of The Upside Down. Hosted and produced by Emma Brisdion and Karen Collins. Support us on Patreon and get access to heaps of bonus content every month: https://www.patreon.com/smallscreenscience If you enjoyed the ...

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2.6: The Great Pottery Throwdown (Kiln-Fired Science)

November 24, 2020 • 42 mins

This week we try our hand at one of the oldest crafts in the world, and talk to people who know much more about ceramics than we do! We learn how to make pottery with Kim at Blue Leaf Ceramics and chat to the President of the European Ceramic Society. Did you know Johnny Vegas has a piece of pottery at the V & A museum? Did you know ceramics are used in space exploration and jet engines? Why are some pots terracotta and others w...

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Series 3 Trailer

May 25, 2021 • 28 secs

🎧 Why do we just LOVE a sitcom? Can you tell if someone is a psychopath from their eyebrows? Is there such thing as aliens? Was sex in the Regency period as steamy as Bridgerton portrays? All this and MORE in the next series of Small Screen Science Podcast, where we explore the science of Bridgerton, Brooklyn 99, Killing Eve, Great British Sewing Bee, Red Dwarf and Chernobyl... starting next Tuesday! Subscribe to S...

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3.1: Bridgerton (Corset-ripping Science)

June 1, 2021 • 47 mins

Dearest Listeners. The ton are abuzz with the latest on-dit, indeed Small Screen Science has officially returned for a third season. The incomparable Lady Brisdion and Lady Collins welcome you to the first show of the new season.

Yes, that’s right! We kick off the latest season of Small Screen Science by investigating corsets, sex and health in the early 19th century, all through the lens of the Netflix regency smash hit Bridgerton...

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3.2: Brooklyn 99 (Cool cool cool cool coooool Science)

June 8, 2021 • 42 mins

'Title of your sex tape?' This week we're exploring the science behind one of our all time favourite sitcoms: the hilarious police drama set in NYC, Brooklyn 99! Hosted and produced by Emma Brisdion and Karen Collins. If you enjoyed the episode please leave us a review (five stars would be perfect, thanks) as it really helps new listeners find the podcast. Don't forget to follow us on social media! You can find us on Instagr...

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3.3: Great British Sewing Bee (Super-Stitch Science)

June 15, 2021 • 49 mins

This week we are donning our best garms to discuss the science of clothes and the perils of fast fashion, all through the lens of the charming show that is The Great British Sewing Bee!

We’re bursting at the seams to talk to you about all the latest inventions designed to help reduce the impact of fashion on the environment. We take a look at fast fashion, recyclable shoes and how polyester affects sperm production (no really!)

We ...

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3.4: Killing Eve (LIVE from Cardiff Science Festival)

June 22, 2021 • 48 mins

Could you really kill someone with perfume or a hair pin? Can psychology explain why Villanelle is good assassin? And how does espionage actually work? From the psychology of psychopaths to the secrets of spy craft, join us as we explore the science behind the hit BBC spy drama, Killing Eve.

This episode was recorded live as part of Cardiff Science Festival. We guarantee you'll never look at your eyebrows the same way again!

Don't...

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3.5: Red Dwarf (Smeghead Science)

June 29, 2021 • 48 mins

This week we are delving into the science behind the classic British Sci-Fi sitcom Red Dwarf. How did Cat evolve from Lister’s pregnant domestic cat Frankenstein? What does sustainable space travel look like? Are we any closer to a holographic AI Rimmer? And what is a red dwarf anyway?

We are joined by Royal Observatory astronomer Jake Foster to discuss all things space science, including sustainable space travel, aliens and navig...

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3.6: Chernobyl (Bees, Bras and Banana Science)

July 6, 2021 • 49 mins

We end season 3 with a bang of apocalypse proportions, the hit TV show Chernobyl. What were the consequences of that fateful day in 1986? How accurate was the portrayal of the nuclear disaster in the TV show Chernobyl? And what has that got to do with bees, bras and bananas?

The atom is a humbling thing. We investigate the impact of the explosion of the local environment, both then and now and debunk common myths about radioactivit...

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Small Screen Science

Episodes

.css-14f5ked{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:2;overflow:hidden;}Small Screen Science Trailer

.css-r6mb8g{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:1;overflow:hidden;}1.1: The Great British Bake Off (Soggy Bottom Science)

1.2: Silent Witness (Crime Scene Science)

1.3: Strictly Come Dancing (Salsa Science)

1.4: Love Island (Six Pack Science)

1.5: Dracula (Blood-Sucking Science)

1.6: Line of Duty (Blues & Two’s Science)

2.1: Blue Planet II (Blue-Chip Science)

2.2: The Walking Dead (Zombie Apocalypse Science)

2.3: Most Haunted (Spooktacular Science)

2.4: Breaking Bad (Walter White Science)

2.5: Stranger Things (Upside-Down Science)

2.6: The Great Pottery Throwdown (Kiln-Fired Science)

Series 3 Trailer

3.1: Bridgerton (Corset-ripping Science)

3.2: Brooklyn 99 (Cool cool cool cool coooool Science)

3.3: Great British Sewing Bee (Super-Stitch Science)

3.4: Killing Eve (LIVE from Cardiff Science Festival)

3.5: Red Dwarf (Smeghead Science)

3.6: Chernobyl (Bees, Bras and Banana Science)

Popular Podcasts

Small Screen Science Trailer

1.1: The Great British Bake Off (Soggy Bottom Science)