Mary’s Monday Metazoan: UNCLEAN » « Voltaire must be praying for me

The Infinite Monkey Cage is coming to America (but not Minnesota)

It has been brought to my attention that way too many Americans have no idea what the Infinite Monkey Cage is, and that I have to enlighten you. It is Brian Cox and Robin Ince and a few other guests talking about science and comedy.

There. Job’s done.

Now you’re wondering who Brian Cox and Robin Ince are, because many of you are Americans who want the DNA in their food labeled or think those new-fangled fluorescent light bulbs are part of communist conspiracy to destroy our precious incandescence and put coal miners out of work. Brian Cox is a famous popularizer of astronomy; think Carl Sagan with a British accent and a face that belongs on Tiger Beat. Robin Ince is a slightly cynical comedian who will ask piercing questions and make Cox dance on stage. It’s all amusingly informative.

So now you know. You can learn more by actually listening to their podcast — if you like The Skeptics Guide to the Universe, you ought to be listening to them already.

All right, why am I telling you all this now? Because the Infinite Monkey Cage is making their first ever US tour, and you should go buy tickets. They’re going to be in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco the week of 5 March. Tickets are on sale right now. Buy them. Gooooooo. Find the city closest to you and…hey. Somehow, they forgot to book Morris, Minnesota. Dang it.

Hmmm. I wonder…Chicago is a drivable distance away, and the 7th of March happens to be the first day of our spring break. If all of you buy tickets, I could nudge Robin a bit and suggest that maybe he could reward me for my efforts in spreading the word with a ticket or two…

Even if he’s all miserly, or if I can’t get away that day, you should still go. I should go. Really, it’s worth your time. I promise.

Mary’s Monday Metazoan: UNCLEAN » « Voltaire must be praying for me

Comments

  1. twas brillig (stevem) says

    Brian Cox is a theoretical physicist, who had his own show: The Wonders of the Universe, and previously was the lead in his own rock band. He even made a show for Doctor Who, explaining how Time Travel works, and nothing can exceed the speed of light. [sheesh, my man crush is showing.]
    Cox is also involved in the LHC. He totally outshines Dr. Sagan (with his English accent and all)

  2. chigau (違う) says

    “think Carl Sagan with a British accent and a face that belongs on Tiger Beat”
    omggg
    Someone please make sure that Brian Cox sees that.

  3. Rob Grigjanis says

    Brian Cox is a theoretical physicist, who had his own show: The Wonders of the Universe

    Yeah, that was a nice palate-cleanser after Cosmeticsos.

    Cox is sharp, never seems condescending, his enthusiasm is infectious, and he hasn’t dropped his Manchester accent for the Big Time. Maybe there’s something to thank Coronation Street for after all.

  5. carlie says

    WHY DO I NOT HAVE ALL OF THE MONEY WHYYYYY….

    Well, he was a rock star before finding a really sexy job…

    Coincidentally, I have been mainlining every “Would I lie to you?” episode I can find, and just this morning saw this one in which Brian Cox discusses his band days. It is hilarious and very much worth a watch. (the structure is that each person on Brian’s team is telling a story, and the other team has to guess which one is true)

  8. magistramarla says

    I’ve seen Brian Cox on BBC America. Cute and smart – just the type of guy I like!

  9. says

    Coxie has just done a series for the Beeb called The Human Universe which was shown last month; he was reshooting some segments for the US showing this week, which will be called The Alien Universe, apparently, for marketing reasons.

    I was at the recording for one of the IMC shows here in Cheltenham a couple or so years back, one of the ones with Alan Moore, great fun. I forget, PZ, was that the Science Festival you were here? (Might have been more than a couple of years, come to think of it….)

  12. SqueakyVoice says

    …nnnng!……

    …must resist urge….aaarg…

    to type joke….

    …

    about PZ spending his Spring Break….

    …driving to Chicago. ..

    to see Cox…

  15. twas brillig (stevem) says

    Apparently there is an Actor in Britain with the identical name: Brian Cox. BBCA always was careful to call the IMC Cox, Professor Brian Cox. I was shocked when I saw Top Gear was going to have Brian Cox, and I thought Rockin’ Physicist Cox will be the hoot on such a show, but it was a much older Actor, named Brian Cox. It became clear to me why one of the rules of the SAG (Screen Actors Guild) is to have a unique stage name. Why Michael Fox is always Michael J Fox.