Off Script with Chris & Robbie

It's the end of an era! Off Script's final show celebrates six unforgettable years with the best moments of the show. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is the story of Dan Saunders - the Australian bartender who found an ATM "glitch" and went on to blow... $1.6million! Off Script tracked down the man himself to hear this remarkable story in his own words. The loophole, his five months of partying and what eventually became of him.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can you guess which Off Script team member is always on 8% phone battery? We go behind the scenes on one of the craziest movies ever conceived, and (back by popular demand) we take a second bite of the 'band name origin' cherry.Were you hit by the Modi viral WhatsApp in Dubai? Not everyone in the studio was.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The “How To” podcast you never asked for: how to create a winning opening scene for your movie, how to prank like a boss, and how to survive a zombie apocalypse in Dubai.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We can imagine it's very hard to make friends when you're the drummer for one of the biggest bands in the world in the 1960s but we still cannot endorse welcoming a cult into your home. Also, no matter how much you know about the real Cleopatra, the story behind Elizabeth Taylor's 1963 portrayal is wonderfully salacious, strap yourself in for a very off script Off Script!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It turns out the origin story of your favourite (well some people's favourite) 90s band names isn't as romantic or creative as you might have thought. We also take a look at this year's Academy Awards' Best Director a man who places importance on collaborating and will not tolerate UGG boots!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Robbie answers a question you never ever pondered, Sonal gives Amelia Earhart the “How They Made It” treatment and we celebrate one of the best sequels ever.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's rare that a guest in the studio knocks Sonal, Chris and Robbie off their feet, so to have two at the same time do it is pretty special. Martin and Sylar popped in to speak to the gang about their show 'Evening of Wonders' at the Theatre by QE2. Robbie delves into the speech that made Barack Obama, and Producer Rog brings on all the nostalgia with a look at the rise and fall of the 80s power ballad.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 Robbie, Sonal and Chris get excited about another Reality TV Show having a Dubai revival. They reflect on the life and times of the man behind the book behind the first ever blockbuster - Jaws. They feature some of the best (some would say worst) break up letters, and get ready for some brilliantly cutting writing, and Robbie rolls out Fact or Fiction again, can he hoodwink super sleuths Chris and Sonal this week?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sonal, Robbie and Rog debut a brand new Off Script feature! "In The News" is a hard-hitting take on the stories dominating the headlines, the first item on the agenda is the ubiquitous Stanley Cup. TikTok has a language of its own and Sonal gives it a go. In '5 things in 5 minutes' Robbie takes slightly longer than 5 minutes to detail 5 recording artists that have given Donald Trump a big no-no about using their music.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris, Sonal and Robbie find out how Sam Mendes crafted the war epic 1917 - in just one take.  We unpack the story of DB Cooper as the net closes on one of history's most notorious thieves - in the long awaited return of Off Script Mysteries. In honour of her visit to Expo City Dubai Sonal takes a look at the life and career of Jane Goodall who revolutionized both our understanding of our closest relative - and of the natural world itself.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When we found out that potatoes could be downgraded from their status as vegetables (and let's be honest they are easily in the top 3 of best vegetables) Robbie decided to look further into the public demotions of inanimate objects. Producer Rog shatters everything Chris thought he knew about the Vikings in "5 Things in 5 minutes" and Robbie puts his bluffing skills to the test again in a second round of "Fact or Fiction".See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You will be shocked to hear that a shocking film turns 25 years old this year, Robbie peeps behind the scary curtain at how they made it, and in the process of doing so, how they revolutionized the horror genre. Producer Rog finds out how Bernard Arnault 'the other' richest man in the world made his way to that title and how he manages to remain relatively anonymous. Plus in an Off Script first, after years of trying, Robbie finally manages to shoe horn philosophy onto the show with a retrospective look at the work of Alan Watts, stay with us, he's fascinating - Alan, not Robbie!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the studio we have two men with incredible mental capacity, not Chris and Robbie, Melik Duyar (Memory expert and the founder of MEMORIAD Mental Olympics) and Chris Jacob (CEO, Sparkler Minds and MEMORIAD ambassador) - their brain power will blow your mind. Meanwhile Robbie road tests two of his new Off Script 2024 features: 'Figures Of Speech' and '5 Things In 5 Minutes' which will tell you almost everything you need to know about a subject you didn't realise you needed to know everything about.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FINALLY!  It's rare as a blue moon, but the stars have aligned and Chris Robbie and Sonal are back in the studio with their usual nonsense, including a new feature run out "True Or False", a look at some of the greatest (or worst) car crash interviews of all time and we discuss the most Dubai thing you've ever seen.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite Sonal's attempts to make him feel old an remind him he's a hypopcrite, Robbie went home with a huge grin on his face today after a James Bond discussion turned into a surprising rallying cry for him to run for office. We have no idea where that could happen, and we hope it never does. Is slapping James Bond with a trigger warning a step too far?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to the very first Off Script podcast of 2024 and a happy new year to you! Sonal and our resident new dad Robbie Greenfield are back in the studio together.   Our first big interview of 2024 is with author, traveller, barrister, professor of law, part-time judge and former vet Charles Foster to find out what it's like to live as a badger. And in his first rant of the year Robbie has looked at the strange emptiness of gift buying if you happen to be a member of the super rich elite.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's that time of the year again, but without Sonal and Robbie it's up to Chris and Rog to arbitrarily dish out their very self-reflective end of the year awards in Off Script's fourth annual Scripties. Categories: WORD OF THE YEAROFF SCRIPT GUEST OF THE YEARMOST OFF SCRIPT GUEST OF THE YEARBIGGEST U-TURN OF THE YEAROFF SCRIPT TALKING POINT OF THE YEAROFF SCRIPT MOMENT OF THE YEAR2023 VILLAIN OF THE YEARG.O.A.T (greatest of all twenty twenty four!)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie is an adventurer, entrepreneur, multiple world record-holder, he was part of the team completing the first man-powered crossing of the treacherous Drake Passage and part of a team that rowed across the Indian Ocean from Australia to Africa. He's also launched a revolutionary water brand after mixing his drinking water with sea water during an expedition. We were spell bound by Jamie's stories in our brief moment with in the studio with him, we have asked him to come back to tell more of his story, so let this podcast be a teaser for that future chat!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joining us live ahead of her participation at Dubai Active, a lady whose fitness prowess has garnered her 16 million Instagram Followers - for context, the UAE population is 9 million! Kayla has made fitness her business, and it's a business that she sold and bought backfor a staggering fee! In this truly fascinating chat we talk about her journey, how she managed to set herself apart in the saturated fitness market, and the biggest lies that the fitness industry tells us.  For more information about the Dubai Active, and for the latest news, updates and tickets please visit, dubaiactiveshow.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The former Manchester United assistant boss sits down with Chris McHardy to look back on his time at the club both as a player and coach. How did he and the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson get the best out of Ronaldo, Rooney et al, and how do you manage the fragile egos of today's modern players? Mike tackles those questions and gives his verdict on the current United side labouring under Erik ten Hag. Not one to be missed!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Would you visit Antarctica if it was a cushy trip instead of a life threatening slog??  Patrick Woodhead, is a climber and explorer who runs an Antarctic adventure expeditions company like no other - White Desert.  He joins Robbie and Sonal live to talk about his Antarctic "hotel" where you can enjoy gourmet meals, sit in a sauna with a view of a glacier and sip drinks by a roaring fireplace, while you go on some of the most unique adventures on the planet.  How he got there and his hopes for the venture are a captivating listen.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the midst of the 2023 Cricket World Cup royalty of the game Muttiah Muralitharan, affectionately known as "Murali" joins Off Script live in the studio.  A Sri Lankan cricket great, a coach, businessman and a member of the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.  Integral in the Sri Lankan World Cup win back in 1996, a record breaking 800 Test wickets - and 534 in One Day Cricket - no player has taken more, and no guest has lit up the Off Script studio quite like Murali.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Where do we start to describe our guest?  How about: Victor Vescovo is the first person to climb Mount Everest, explore the bottom of the ocean, and visit space.   Sonal and Chris sat down with this multiple world-record breaking, bottom of the ocean specialist, who's been as deep and as high on the earth's surface as any other human being. He's also achieved the Explorers Grand Slam and been into Earth orbit on a Blue Origin flight. In this bumper pod he talks about all that and much more - including the company he is involved with hoping to bring animals back from extinction.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special episode, Off Script Extra Time welcomes Australian cricket legend Adam Gilchrist into studio for a look back on his glorious career with the Baggy Green.  During this in-depth chat, the man who won three straight ICC World Cups reflects on being part of a team that achieved cricketing domination for over a decade. Chris and Robbie quiz him on the matches, the team-mates and the moments that stand out. And we get the real story on what his fellow Aussies said to him when he famously walked in the World Cup semi-final.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Strap yourselves in, this is one heck of a ride.  Chris talks to semi-pro cyclist Damian Groves who hit international headlines after his fleet of bicycles worth over 160,000 aed were all stolen and he was forced to take matters into his own hands to get them back.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A trailblazer joins Off Script in the studio. Emirati entrepreneur Budreya Faisal founded the region's first athlete brand development agency right here in Dubai back in 2009 - Ghost Concept. Her latest venture is Banaat F.C. A football club seeking to serve as the benchmark of Arab football representation, championing Emirati talent and placing Arab women at the forefront of football. Their mantra? Rise. Represent. Reclaim.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One man, a myriad of dream jobs! Jonathan Taplin, currently works in academia -- but his CV includes being Bob Dylan and the Band's tour manager, and producing Martin Scorsese's Mean Streets, he talks to Sonal about all that, and so much more.  Read Jonathan's work "The Magic Years: Scenes from a Rock and Roll Life" and "The End of Reality: How 4 Billionaires Are Selling a Fantasy Future of the Metaverse, Mars and Crypto".See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stand-up legend Bill Burr is bringing his definitive brand of comedy to the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi and in this unsurprisingly rambling chat, we cover everything from cancel culture to championship 'pile-ons' ruining American sport. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Part 2 of Robbie's interview with retired Navy Seal, BASE Jumper, speaker and podcast host Andy Stumpf. Following on from the brilliant first part, we now focus on Andy's experience of war, of getting shot, and his "retirement" - which included becoming a BASE jumper and Wing Suit jumper.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Imagine seeing the MMA fights you want to see as part of a structured season with a global strategy to get the best MMA proponents in the world and give them the exposure they deserve. That's what PFL CEO Peter Murray described to Robbie and Matt Fortune - and you can understand their enthusiasm for the plan. PFL is the second largest MMA organization in the world and with plans to expand into the region and the announcement of big name signings like Francis Ngannou and Jake Paul, there's no stopping their exciting plans.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A studio full of MLB legends...and Kash Shaikh, CEO/Chairman and major investor of Baseball United. Robbie is joined live in studio by Félix Hernández, Nick Swisher, and Adrián Beltré Pérez, the newly announced owners of franchises bringing baseball to the region - and it sounds like the most exciting sporting development in the UAE for a long time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friend of the show and one of 'Brothers N Oars', a team of four best friends that have completed a 4,500km rowing challenge across the pacific in just over 39 days. Paris Norriss joined Sonal and Robbie live from his resting place in Hawaii to talk about the trials and tribulations on the road to becoming one of only 82 people to have completed this incredible feat.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Retired Navy Seal Officer Andy Stumpf has been both a recruit and instructor for one of the hardest aptitude tests on the planet: the infamous BUD/s training program, known in the US Military as 'Hell Week'.  In part one of his conversation with Robbie he talks about coming through that process and how it prepared him for combat.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Making A Murderer was a Netflix smash hit back in 2015.  Eight years on, where does Manitowoc County, Wisconsin's Steven Avery find himself?   Kathleen Zellner - one of America's most prominent wrongful conviction attorneys took on Steven's case back in 2016. She is steadfast in her belief of Steven's innocence and is working tirelessly to have his murder conviction overturned.  Chris McHardy spent over an hour in frank, honest and sensational conversation with her.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You may not remember the name but you might recognize the voice. Ted Williams was thrust into the limelight when a video of him pan-handling at a Ohio stop-sign and sharing his gift of a "Golden Voice" went viral.  Well that was back in 2011 and his story didn't end there.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scientist, physician and serial entrepreneur David Bach joins Robbie to explain how the $15 billion Neuroperformance industry is on the cusp of an extraordinary breakthrough when it comes to harnessing the true power of our mental capacity.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sonal talks to the former legal director of intelligence agencies MI5 and MI6, who is now turning his experience to write thrilling spy novels. This fascinating conversation covers his journey into the world of intelligence, some of his most memorable moments with the agencies, and the question we all want to ask: how close to the real world of sleuthing does Hollywood get it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alex Messenger continues our proud tradition of featuring guests who have improbably survived attacks by wild animals! he's a a Minnesota-based, author, marketer and photographer who, at seventeen, was mauled by a grizzly bear - and lived to tell the tale.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The most popular google search question for the groundbreaking 4 part Netflix film Chimp Empire is "Is Chimp Empire real or CGI?".  Robbie didn't ask the man behind the show that, but he did have a fascinating conversation with  Director James Reed that who is building a reputation for taking natural history film making to never-before reached heights.   James, whose previous film, My Octopus Teacher, won a host of international awards Including Best Documentary Feature at the 2021 Academy Awards, makes a welcome return to Off Script and we expect similar accolades and  for his latest - it's sensational. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lynne Cox is a legendary long-distance open-water swimmer.  She's held multiple world records and was the first person to swim the freezing waters of the Bering Strait in 1987 - which got the attention of both the Kremlin and the White House.  Her accolades are actually too many to mention, so Sonal focused on just a few incredible highlights in this fascinating chat.  Including a wildlife encounter that Lynne could well be the only person in history to ever experience.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Manchester United legend Dwight Yorke joins Chris and Robbie in studio to discuss life in the dugout, his "success" down under with Macarthur FC, his big Middle East aspirations and why old team-mate Gary Neville is "ridiculous" to make Arsenal title claim. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.