Elis James and John Robins
Episodes
#138 - The Isolation Tapes: Perilous Pickles
03 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 th...
#137 - Market Stall Magic, Destructive Shuttlecocks and First Time Flukes
26 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 p...
#136 - The Isolation Tapes: Mr Rotovator
24 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
#135 - 40 Cats, Conwy Crossbars and Detective James
19 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today, discussion turns to Elis becoming a hypothetical Hollywood superstar, John's professional diligence, and the pitfalls of the phonetic alphabet.
#134 - The Isolation Tapes: Elis James’ Circuit Digs
17 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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” Valent...
#133 - Patriotic Milk, Oche Orators and Scores On The Pause
12 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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...
#132 - The Isolation Tapes: John’s Pipe Vigil
10 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dismantling a buggy. An emergency phone call. A 20kg low-alcohol lager delivery. Just three of the high-octane interruptions that threatened to derail...
#131 - Bleeding Coins, Llantrisant Burns and Chargeable Spitfires
05 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On today's show, Elis really gets behind his lifelong love of diesel, John bores a coin expert to death by talking about coins, and we all enjoy a Mad...
#130 - The Isolation Tapes: The Naked Coin Collector
03 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
#129 - Redd Pepper, Killer Calamities, and Amusing Muse Musings
29 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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,...
#128 - The Isolation Tapes: Ode to the 90s and 00s
27 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 yout...
#127 - 'I Have Lost Output'
22 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 low...
#126 - The Isolation Tapes: Soft John
19 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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. Als...
#125 - Dictionary Fawners, Mean Averages and a Penchant for Purple
15 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Week two under the new tri-simulcast regime, and the boys are flying as they broadcast from their respective lounges and open wardrobes. Ulcer obliter...
#124 – The Isolation Tapes: Between Wonnacott and Gooch
14 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The boys are encapsulating two different aspects of the UK population's gamut of lockdown problems.In Casa del James the issues are of the practical h...
#123 - The Isolation Tapes: Booze Banishment & Beauty Sleep
12 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The lads return to keep you company throughout Lockdown 3. It's non-stop non-action in the Robins and James households, but they're full of public ser...
#122 - Glitchy Daleks, Sky High Plaques and Domestic Printing
08 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In what was most certainly a radio first (it probably wasn't), Elis, John and Producer tri-simulcast from Bucks, South London and Salford as the chaps...
#121 - Elis and John's New Year's Day Nuggets
01 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Elis and John look back over their favourite show moments from 2020. Including a day that John describes as 'the great betrayal,' a tense Made Up Game...
#120 - Elis and John's Christmas #Content
25 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Hitting digital terrestrial airwaves on Christmas Morning, Elis and John bring you a very special show jam-packed with Christmas Content. Expect prese...
#119 - Brian May, Plaque Chat and Poetreh
18 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Elis and John chat to Queen legend, Brian May! Or, to rephrase, John chats to Brian May while Elis patiently listens. Elsewhere, some secondary school...
#118 - Overstated Groins, Toddler Tax and Bums
11 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A show derailed by backsides, Elis and John try to keep up with a flurry of correspondence focused solely on celebrity derrières and how many we’ve...
#117 - Sackable Tardiness, Naked Nicholas Witchell and Bare Naked Shame
04 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
After arriving 12 minutes late for today’s show preparation, this may well be Elis’s final show on 5 Live, as John makes it his number one priorit...
#116 - The Isolashion Tapes: Canadian Caners
02 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As we bid adieu to the current series of Isolation Tapes, the team enjoy a couple of looseners as Elis and John partake in a very tense game of 'Flagu...
#115 - Jayne Torvill, Petrol Pandemonium and Broadsheet Snogs
27 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Once again proving why this show isn't part of the BBC's news quota, Elis and John discuss what modern petrol gauges represent, how you practised kiss...
#114 - The Isolation Tapes: 'We're not actually putting this out, are we?'
25 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Elis and John return for another instalment of The Isolation Tapes as John takes on the greatest challenge of his life - naming every country in the w...
#113 - Razz Ennui, Bedside Spanners and the BBC Away Day
20 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Elis and John return with more accessible anecdotal content, intricately designed to actively engage with the BBC's much-sought-after under-35 demogra...
#112 - The Isolation Tapes: Knee ops and jockstraps
18 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The chaps return for more isolated 'waffle' (John's words) as Dave delivers a blow-by-blow account of his recent vasectomy, John weighs up his career ...
#111 - Loocations, Tricky Tech and Unproducable Agreements
13 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, it’s the build up to 'the snip' for Producer Dave, John demonstrates just how blummin' easy the rules of golf are to follow, and Elis off...
#110 - The Isolation Tapes: The band are back apart
11 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
With tighter restrictions in place across parts of the UK, Elis, John & Producer Dave once again come together from their respective abodes to off...
#109 - Old Man Elis, Elis is 40 and Elis’s Fifth Decade
06 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s show, John is keen to remind everyone that Elis is much older than he is, our Unsung Hero is a bike-riding bread-wielding icon, and despi...
#108 - Big Food, Vigorous Crushes and Tech Shame
30 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A busy show with surprises around every corner, Elis and John are joined by a somewhat morbid Unsung Hero, worldwide geography proves vital for today’...
#107 - Synonymphonies, Eternal Eyesight and Dave's Accessible Poetry
23 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
It was a jam packed show with Elis and John! We spoke to the inventor of the Rubik's Cube, discussed the times you met a celebrity and were oblivious ...
#106 - Laughable Hair, Aggy Anchovies and 5-Minute Snogs
16 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Join Elis and John for an Unsung Hero living life in the fast lane, a very sexy anecdote around Elis's discovery of the magnificent BBC Sounds, and a ...
#105 - Wake Up Sheeple and Smell The Beef!
09 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
John talks us through his wine Hall of Fame, Elis takes full advantage of his 'home advantage' in Made up Games, and the wonderful Kerry Godliman pops...
#104 - Gateway Golf, Mag Fame and Frequent Invigoration
02 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In a rare reversal of moods, John was the one with the pep in his step today, whereas Elis was stressed through having 'a lot on'. Nevertheless, it wa...
#103 - Freedom You Can Trust, Synonyms and John's Canadian Brain
25 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The chaps are joined by an Unsung Hero that Elis falls in love with, John offers more wayward opinions disguised loosely as facts (this time around th...
#102 - Cistern Fear, Tommy Tabasco and Geo-Political Balance
18 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Elis and John find unexpected joy in dealing in stone cold fact, Neil Diamond divides listener opinion and homemade guac comes in for a real hammering...
#101 - Feudal Britain, Bookshop Shame and Overwhelming Sounds
11 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s Unsung Hero is right up John’s golfing street, Elis gets edgy with 14th century Britain, and it transpires Tuffers is living everyone’s ...
#100 - Salty Balance, WAFTAs and Upside Down Agreements
04 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s centurion episode, Elis and John ask about the times you’ve broken into your own property, the debate rages around mineral water, and J...
#99 - Micro Pigs, Rude Rugby and Le Great Yarmouth
28 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
With backroom production staff dropping like flies, show vibes were a little looser than usual today. Still, what is live radio if backs aren't firmly...
#98 - Viral Quiche, The Love of Lyndhurst and Haterz Gonna Hate
21 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
After a week away, Elis is back and he’s brimming with award-winning ideas. Elsewhere, the chaps pitch new sport 'Catch' to the Director of Sport at...
#97 - Lou Sanders, Herts Holidays and John’s Greedy Palms
14 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
With Elis holidaying in Berkhamsted, the wonderful Lou Sanders joined John on the show today! Will she do Elis proud in today’s Made Up Game? Can sh...
#96 - Erotic Traffic, Half Cut Barbers and Catch
07 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Elis and John are joined by a fantastic Unsung Hero who adorned a record-breaking album cover from the mid noughties, today's Shame Well is excruciati...
#95 - Van Life, D:Ream Black Holes and Bare TMS
31 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today, Elis and John are joined by intimacy coordinator Ita O'Brien as today's Unsung Hero, another Made Up Game is thrown into disarray, and Elis ent...
#94 - Projects, Patios and A Horse Walks Into A Bar
24 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week with Elis James and John Robins, Q Magazine editor Ted Kessler is on the show to talk about the sad demise of the publication, we ask for ta...
#93 - Bravo Sierra, Upside Down Ducks and Edible Ailments
17 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Join Elis and John for new feature Ask John, nearly new feature Edgy Elis, and very old feature Made Up Games. Plus, today’s topic is all about ‘w...
#92 - Skirting Boards, Edgy Elis and Squeaky Bonnie Tyler
10 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What better way to return to live radio for the first time in months than by talking to Royal Mail’s Stamp Strategy Manager. Aside from this huge e...
#91 - The Isolation Tapes: 177,000 miles on the nose
08 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As lockdown continues to ease, Elis and John conclude The Isolation Tapes with a socially distant rendezvous.
#90 - Dead Pigeons, 50-Metre Walks and the Love of Lindt
03 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Join Elis and John for a big interview with Jason Manford, a special culinary surprise for John, and a fantastic guest in former comedian Teresa Coyne...
#89 - The Isolation Tapes: How has our podcast become this?
01 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
John helps Elis figure out what his new hobby should be and Producer Jess and Elis are gob smacked with John's toaster fact.
#88 - Base Gravy, French Shame and Dave's Big Joke
26 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Elis James and John Robins are back with fellow comedian and author Jen Brister on to talk about what it's like surviving in lockdown once your whole ...
#87 - The Isolation Tapes: Chris Packham’s Rabbit Affray
24 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
It's a roller coaster of an episode! Beer shopping stresses, cycling across America, Chris Packham joins us, sexy virtual reality running and defrosti...
#86 - Well Dimensions, Crap Mountains and Dave's Hot Meat
19 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The boys are joined by rising star Arlo Parks and Charlatans frontman Tim Burgess to talk about virtual online gigs, listening parties and 'being the ...
#85 - The Isolation Tapes: Hares and Rabbits - The Conclusion
17 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
After countless emails and lengthy discussions, Elis and John finally have the answer to the ongoing question - would a hare and rabbit be friends?
#84 - Richard Osman, Sexy Silence and John's Rubbish Book
12 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Elis and John are joined by the presenter and novelist Richard Osman. Records are broken in Made Up Games, James Cracknell enters the Shame Well, and ...
#83 - The Isolation Tapes: Life is a Roller Coaster of Vibes
10 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Elis and John discuss how John would fit into a boyband and Producer Dave gives us a great tip if you're struggling to get to sleep.
#82 - Alice Bands, Matt Forde and John's Annual Thicko Tax
05 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, John tries to fix a laptop with a golf tee, Elis showcases a completely pointless skill, and guest Matt Forde explains what it was like to ...
#81 - The very best of the #BonusContent (with Sarah Millican)
04 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As Elis and John attempted to fulfil their contractual obligation of delivering an ambitious number of podcasts in a matter of weeks, friend of the sh...
#80 - The Big Birthday Bonanza
29 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Elis and John celebrate one year on BBC Radio 5 Live with some amazing surprise guests that render both presenters speechless.
#79 - The Isolation Tapes: Yoga Pranks
28 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We've heard all about John's yoga journey but this week we hear about Elis' experience. John gives us an update on their overly ambitious contractual ...
#78 - The Isolation Tapes: A rare case of nostalgitis
26 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In today's Isolation Tape, Elis feigns illness to justify his recent performances and John reads more of your emails.
#77 - Basics, Basics, Fundamentals
22 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In no real change to usual proceedings, John isn't happy with this week's Made Up Game, Jon Richardson says hello from his home made pub to talk about...
#76 - The Isolation Tapes: The Judgemental DIY Guy
21 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Elis tells us about a story that tugged at his heart strings and a listener's email leads them to talking about, your friend and mine, the service sta...
#75 - The Isolation Tapes: Pedantic Notes
19 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
John tells us about something annoying he found on his car, Producer Dave talks boozy jogging and a listener sends in a great story about Liam Gallagh...
#74 - Soggy Flares, Suzi Ruffell and Snoop Dogg's Sideline
15 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, John takes up Yoga, the Falklands / Faroes controversy continues to rage, and the brilliant Suzi Ruffell pops by - virtually - for a chat.
#73 - The Isolation Tapes: Half Man Half Biscuit
14 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
John talks us through his new musical discovery, we discover a new way to spice up our daily walks and a listener provides us with a conundrum which l...
The Isolation Tapes: Canageddon
12 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The boys have started watching the TV show 'Normal People' and have some thoughts on the steamy scenes. Plus, they reminisce about those house parties...
#71 - Edible Loveplay, Adorable Sneezing and Sarah Millican
08 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Bringing the laughs over a passable video conferencing system and some shaky broadband, Elis and John are joined by the wonderful Sarah Millican.
#70 - The Isolation Tapes: John's Lockdown Birthday
06 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
It's John's Lockdown Birthday! We give him a little surprise and discuss his new-found fashion sense.
#69 - Elis doesn't know where the Falkland Islands are
01 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The chaps are joined by special guests Josh Widdicombe and Rob Beckett, Elis tries to bribe Producer Dave over a catastrophic geographical faux pas, a...
#68 - The Isolation Tapes: 50,000 Johns and Lou Sanders
30 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Elis and John discuss their dream festival line-up and we're joined by Lou Sanders!
#67 - The Isolation Tapes: Movie Blunders: The Movie
28 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Elis and John read out some emails from frontline workers and things getting heated between them when discussing Elton John.
#66 - The Isolation Tapes: Backstreet Bakers
27 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As we enter our sixth week in lockdown, Elis and John read your emails and thoughts turn to what we'll do when the lockdown is lifted.
#65 - Brummie Shakespeare and James Acaster
24 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Elis and John are here to provide some much needed laughs. James Acaster joins us to talk about his lockdown experience and podcast series Perfect Sou...
#64 - The Isolation Tapes: A Mechanical Hug
22 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week thoughts turn to Velcro walls and we get an email from friend of the show Sarah Millican.
#63 - The Isolation Tapes: Blank Canvas Robins
20 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Elis and John read out your emails, discuss virtual dating and your friend and mine... the tree.
#62 - Better than The Ashes
17 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Elis James and John Robins fill your Friday afternoons with big laughs and top quality #content. Producer Dave tells us about welcoming his twins into...
#61 - The Isolation Tapes: Having A Big Cry
15 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Elis and John read out your emails, thoughts turn to having a big cry and there's an update with John's hay fever journey.
#60 - The Isolation Tapes: Johnny Two Sheds
13 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Elis, John and Producer Dave read through your emails and discuss shed consolidation and John's new exercise regime.
#59 - Hands Hands Hands
10 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Elis and John bring you more fun from a safe social distance. Elis crumbles under pressure, John talks us through his meticulous PR campaign strategy,...
#58 - The Isolation Tapes: Crying in the Urinals
09 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As Elis, John and Producer Dave start to really settle into their lockdown life they get an email which ruffles some feathers.
#57 - The Isolation Tapes: Little Lord Fauntleroy's Blue Tick Wallpaper
07 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As social distancing continues, Elis, John and Producer Dave's thoughts turn to lockdown facial hair and which internet browser James Bond would use.
#56 - Isolation Vents, Exciting Mortgage Emails and John Deacon Masks
03 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Broadcasting from their respective homes, Elis and John use a couple of USB mics, a serviceable internet connection and some top quality video confere...
#55 - The Isolation Tapes: James Dean didn’t get hay fever, did he?
01 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As we all settle into our new environs and routines, Elis, John and Producer Dave discuss gone off wine, superfluous soil and parsnips going through p...
#54 - The Isolation Tapes: Crows and Crohn's
29 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As the social distancing continues Elis and John bring some relief from their 'Isolation Pods' from the three corners of the UK. Well, Stockport, Crys...
#53 - Hull4Heroes, Merkel's House Party and 800 kilos of Soil
27 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As we all remain socially distant, Elis and John bring you another fantastic Unsung Hero that pulls on all the heartstrings, John's had a golf course ...
#52 - The Isolation Tapes: Clever old Dagda
25 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As Elis, John and Producer Dave continue to remain socially distant, thoughts inevitably turn to pubs, darts and strategically placed awards. #elisand...
#51 - The Isolation Tapes: Clock on, clock off
24 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Recorded across the UK in Crystal Palace (Elis), Amersham (John) and Stockport (Producer Dave), enjoy the first instalment of Elis and John’s Isolat...
#50 - Clean Gin, The Good Deed Feed and Keegan's Great Speech
22 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Recorded in three bedrooms in Crystal Palace, Amersham and Stockport, Elis, John and Producer Dave try their best to offer some light relief in these ...
#49 - The Driving Range (Bonus #content)
18 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
He’s tackled crazy golf, but with the expert coaching skills of John, can Elis hit a proper ball with a proper club at the driving range?
#48 - Tasty Sanitisers, Mistaken Drug Mules and Eating Eggs Forever
13 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
With the Cheltenham Gold Cup taking them off the air for a week, Elis and John bring you a special ‘podcast-only’ version of their usual Friday af...
#47 - Board Games (Bonus #content)
11 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
To fulfil their contractual obligation, Elis James and John Robins are releasing a number of bonus podcasts - this time we visit a board games cafe.
#46a - Retired Golf Pros, Snooker Cues and West Country Larkin
06 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to a loose and lively edition of Elis James and John Robins. Today, we learn that Elis is enjoying a midlife crisis, John can't transfer large...
#46b - Retired Golf Pros, Snooker Cues and West Country Larkin
06 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to a loose and lively edition of Elis James and John Robins. Today, we learn that Elis is enjoying a midlife crisis, John can't transfer large...
#45 - Producer Dave’s Guide to Manchester (Bonus #Content)
04 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Elis and John continue to rattle through their obligatory bonus podcasts with a somewhat underwhelming guided tour of Manchester from Producer Dave.
#44 - Blunderstorms, Cryptic Crosswords and John's 2012 Rebrand
28 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
You join us in the midst of a Twitter storm, as a video clip of Elis kicking a ball at a 7-year old's groin threatens to spread like wildfire. Luckily...
#43 - Chesham United Commentary (Bonus #Content)
26 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
So as not to renege on their contract, Elis James and John Robins don their sheepskin coats and head to north west London to commentate on Chesham Uni...
#42 - Quiz Controversies, Cake Drawing and The Dan Walker Masterclass
21 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Live and loose from Salford this week, Elis and John bring you another belter of a show as today's Made Up Game ruffles a few feathers, the boys discu...
#41 - Escape Room (Bonus #content)
19 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
To fulfil their contractual obligation, Elis James and John Robins are releasing a number of bonus podcasts - after a lot of stress, we present to you...
#40 - Harry Potter Jobsworths, Alex Horne and The Want of Prince
14 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The big four-oh sees John embarrassed by his full-time fiancée on Valentine's Day, comedian Alex Horne jumps on the Chesham bandwagon and our Unsung ...