Sue Perkins: Nature Table

Summary

Sue Perkins presents the 'Show and Tell' series that celebrates the natural world in alll its weird and wonderful eccentricity

The world of wildlife is full of surprising and magical quirks - and Sue Perkins - comedian, broadcaster and Just a Minute host - is on a mission to discover them all. In this fantastic series, recorded at ZSL London Zoo and the Eden Project, she's joined by a diverse group of comedians and natural history experts for some entertaining sessions of 'Show and Tell'.

Her special guests all bring along their amazing objects from the wild world and the stories that go with them - sparking lively, enlightening and hilarious discussion. There are also fun games and challenges, and in the episodes not recorded during lockdown, we hear from members of the public and staff as they share their own intriguing items, fascinating facts and amusing anecdotes.

Among the celebrities taking part are zoologists Lucy Cooke and Billy Heaney, naturalist Nick Baker, actress Sally Phillips, and comedians Dave Gorman, Felicity Ward, Jessica Fostekew, Lucy Porter, Sindhu Vee, Desiree Burch, Josie Long and Shaparak Khorsandi. Their show and tell delights include a porcupine's spine, the jaw of a tiger shark, the fossilised eardrum of a whale, a beaver's anal gland, the feather of a lesbian albatross - and a head of broccoli from Tesco... And in an extended Christmas Special, actor Stephen Mangan helps Sue make sense of the gifts brought to her by presenters Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan and ethnobotanist James Wong - including reindeers, robins, turtle doves, holly and partridges.

Find out why geckos have dispensed with the patriarchy, why menopausal orcas are so aspirational, why male redback spiders somersault during mating, how ergot could have caused the Salem Witch Trials, how the giant water lily changed the face of modern architecture - and more. You'll learn about our planet's astonishing flora and fauna, while at the same time having a giggle - so gather round the nature table and prepare to be amazed...

Production credits
Presented by Sue Perkins
Written by Catherine Brinkworth, Kat Sadler, Jon Hunter, Jenny Laville and Nicky Roberts
Music by Ben Mirin
Sound Recordist & Editor: Jerry Peal
Additional sounds provided by The Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Produced by Simon Nicholls

© 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.