Elis James and John Robins - podcast cover

Elis James and John Robins

BBC Radio 5 Livewww.bbc.co.uk

Join terrestrial radio's most unproduceable presenters Elis James and John Robins for big laughs and top quality #content. Hilarious, warm and unashamedly ashamed, let their award-winning chemistry get you over the finish line of the working week.

Email: [email protected] #elisandjohn

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Episodes

#153 - Fussy Fridges, Petroleum Pioneers and Bad Blowing

Today's Made Up Game has actual real-life props, Elis's 'funny voices' feature gets creepy, and John excuses himself from a Zoom call to go and have a cry on his bathroom floor. All the usual stuff, really. Enjoy!

Apr 30, 20211 hr 21 min

#152 - Hobmas Eve, Muted Weddings and BMI BS

After a tense start to proceedings because John couldn't successfully login to the BBC text system, things improved as the afternoon progressed with a fantastic 'funny voice' from Elis, a superb modern day Shame Well, and some startling health-based revelations from the company heart rate machine on the third floor of New Broadcasting House.

Apr 23, 20211 hr 28 min

#151 - Ridiculous Sting, Maud The Goat and Craven's Bingo

For the first time since 2020, James and Robins were back together in the studio, bringing relevant #content to the masses while looking each other square in the eye. The nod and winks were back, the spark of creativity was alive and well, and the sexual tension was once again through the roof. Although for balance, it must be reported that social distancing was observed at all times (ie. no snogging).

Apr 16, 20211 hr 26 min

#150 - The Isolation Tapes: Fin.

After more than 12 months of lockdown #content it's finally the big day (not Elis's sister's birthday). The boys bid farewell to The Isolation Tapes in the only way they know how: by heading to the pub. And despite not having a drink together for over a year, it's only fitting that the conversation leads to hot topics such as life insurance policies and the weather.

Apr 14, 20211 hr 13 min

#149 - Kevin and the Bean… and Dave (Bonus #content)

Something a bit different today due to a change to the 5 Live schedule. John reveals his PRAM problems, Elis dreams about having a single idea, and Producer Dave finds out his twins share a birthday with one of the greatest left-backs of all time (spoiler: it’s not Neil Ashton).

Apr 10, 20211 hr 4 min

#148 - The Isolation Tapes: Dave’s Sexy Friends

In what will hopefully be the last episode from true isolation (they’ll be making the most of the pub garden for next week’s final Isolation Tape) the guys discuss the Papa Doble, John/Elis turning 40/41, and Producer Dave's over-indulgent Easter break.

Apr 07, 202157 min

#147 - May Day, Hard Hats and Mediocre Britain

Aside from one slip of the tongue that is barely noticeable and a few messy interruptions here and there (proof if proof be need be that no one listens to Producer Dave), in and amongst the rough were some dazzling diamonds - namely a superb Unsung Hero, a top drawer Shame Well and a guest appearance from John’s best friend Brian May.

Apr 02, 20211 hr 32 min

#146 - The Isolation Tapes: Primed and Exfoliated

John & Elis keep getting told by friends' wives that they all fancy Producer Dave. However, John (38) has now seen Old Man Robins staring back in the mirror. But as a 21st century, boundary breaking man he's here to fight age and stereotypes with the power of tinted moisturiser and concealer.

Mar 31, 202154 min

#144 - The Isolation Tapes: We All Have Opinions

This week the guys ponder “how far do you need to run before it stops getting sexy?”, and are lucky enough to once again be joined by the world record holder of the 8 mile run (Producer Dave).

Mar 24, 202153 min

#143 - Insane Domains, Effusive Adrian and Futuristic Newsletters

Blink and you'll miss today's show, as the horses running around in circles meant the content juggernaut of Elis James and John Robins was reduced to just a one hour offering. But fear not! We make up the time by reading out a list of the many World Championship successes of the Soviet Union's Men's Ice Hockey team, chronologically and in full. Public Service Broadcasting is alive and well.

Mar 19, 20211 hr 17 min

#142 - The Isolation Tapes: Life Is First Boredom, Then Fear

Vintage stuff from Elis, John and Producer Dave today with all frequencies of the electromagnetic #content spectrum touched upon; namely John’s "bag of death", Elis’s aversion to improv warm-up games, and Dave’s upcoming jury duty.

Mar 17, 20211 hr

#141 - Feline Apertures, Big Toothpaste and Radio Robins

Today's Made Up Game features a heady and nostalgic mix of Mark Goodier, Ultra Naté and Dina Carroll, we're interrupted with pleasant award-winning news, and there's some dubious advice offered up around the use of WD40 on your car windscreen, which should act as a timely reminder to never ever take what's said on this show as gospel. EVER. Enjoy.

Mar 12, 20211 hr 19 min

#140 - The Isolation Tapes: Elis's Sister's Birthday

Set a reminder for April 12th. Not because pub gardens reopen, but because it’s Elis’s sister's birthday and he’s on a one man mission to make sure the whole world knows about it. Also, if anyone from the team at Desert Island Discs is listening then do get in touch; John has all his songs chosen, he’s just finalising his luxury item (is a full sized pub allowed?).

Mar 10, 202146 min

#139 - Foreign Trees, Elusive Elis and Two Dozen Spices

After John finished a pen (a feat Elis claimed could never be achieved), graphologist Tracey took it upon herself to analyse the lads' handwriting. Her findings were eerily accurate. Elsewhere, we chat to the textbook definition of an Unsung Hero, Elis decides he doesn't need his microphone anymore, and John cries at his car's mileage again.

Mar 05, 20211 hr 19 min

#138 - The Isolation Tapes: Perilous Pickles

Hypothetically, if you were dared to eat a deathly chilli pickle would you continue to eat the whole jar at your own behest? No? Well John did, and the words 'reaping' and 'sowing' now spring to mind.

Mar 03, 202145 min

#137 - Market Stall Magic, Destructive Shuttlecocks and First Time Flukes

As Elis and John continue to bring A-grade content to the masses from their respective homes, it's now widely accepted that the internet issues that plague Elis's connectivity are actually providing him with a fraught edge that you just can't replicate in the safe and secure surroundings of New Broadcasting House. So, although we lose our Welsh counterpart every once in a while, when we ARE hearing him loud and clear, well, what an incredible talent we have on our hands.

Feb 26, 20211 hr 17 min

#136 - The Isolation Tapes: Mr Rotovator

The lads discuss if Elis has what it takes to play League 1 football, if John could scale El Capitan (after six cans and with no extra training), and if Dave should do his gardening topless or bottomless.

Feb 24, 202141 min

#134 - The Isolation Tapes: Elis James’ Circuit Digs

Love is well and truly in the air this week as Elis flirts with the idea of becoming an archaeologist, and the boys discuss Dave’s “blue” Valentine's Day card (it has nothing to do with Manchester City).

Feb 17, 202139 min

#133 - Patriotic Milk, Oche Orators and Scores On The Pause

This week, we find out whether Elis's snoring is crippling his love life, we have a strong contender for the best Made Up Game of the year so far, and much to the dismay of his Celtic co-host, John questions the integrity of BBC Wales.

Feb 12, 20211 hr 29 min

#132 - The Isolation Tapes: John’s Pipe Vigil

Dismantling a buggy. An emergency phone call. A 20kg low-alcohol lager delivery. Just three of the high-octane interruptions that threatened to derail this week's episode. Naked numismatists also make an appearance. Which is nice.

Feb 10, 202146 min

#130 - The Isolation Tapes: The Naked Coin Collector

Elis and John discuss selling out (their stance is far less militant than Fugazi's). Also, are you struggling to get rid of your Christmas tree? Just wait for someone "knocking about" to come and collect it.

Feb 03, 202148 min

#129 - Redd Pepper, Killer Calamities, and Amusing Muse Musings

A semblance of order was thankfully restored to on air proceedings as Producer Dave's hand remained firm and steady on the 5 Live tiller. If anything, this week's gaffs came courtesy of Messrs James and Robins as their musical credentials were thrown into disrepute during a brilliant Made Up Game. Elsewhere, John flexes his tax muscles with the HMRC and Elis astounds us with some top notch equine improv. Giddy up.

Jan 29, 20211 hr 32 min

#128 - The Isolation Tapes: Ode to the 90s and 00s

There's an awful lot of love for the past today. Specifically for the decade when music finished (the 90s), student gigs and the days of misspent youth, as both Elis and John dream of returning to university.

Jan 27, 202151 min

#127 - 'I Have Lost Output'

As slick, competent broadcasts go, today's show won't be bothering any end-of-year award ceremonies. With cut audio and overlooked emails just two lowlights of the programme, it's fair to say Producer Dave will have his head in his hands for some time. Still, good news about the fantastic Made Up Game.

Jan 22, 20211 hr 26 min

#126 - The Isolation Tapes: Soft John

A busy hunk of pure intense chat this week, with seamless traversing of the timeless topics of the CIA, smells and getting kicked in the knackers. Also expect sweet tales of fatherhood and Elis laying into John for frankly little discernible reason.

Jan 19, 202144 min

#125 - Dictionary Fawners, Mean Averages and a Penchant for Purple

Week two under the new tri-simulcast regime, and the boys are flying as they broadcast from their respective lounges and open wardrobes. Ulcer obliteration, homeschooling hacks and the plight of the education system all get a run out in what will certainly go down as a 'top-50' level show. Enjoy!

Jan 15, 20211 hr 19 min
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