Credit where credit is due

[charmbrights]

I don't think much of most of the BBC's science output, and especially the "need" for an ignoramus commedian in every programme.

However, the BBC4 programme last evening "Brian Cox: Space, Time & Videotape" was, for most of the time, excellent. Admittedly Brian Blessed was in the studio, and provided the comic element, but Brian Cox and Alice Roberts managed to ignore him completely for long periods.

After a clip of Apollo 13 splashdown and another of Brian Blessed thowing up I almost switched off but at about 11½ minutes the bast part started.

Among the clips of truly great men who were included were:
Jacob Bronowski a Polish-Jewish British mathematician, biologist, philosopher, historian of science;
Nobel laureate Richard Feynman an American theoretical physicist known for his work in the path integral formulation of quantum mechanics, the theory of quantum electrodynamics, and the physics of the superfluidity of supercooled liquid helium, as well as in particle physics;
Carl Sagan an American astronomer, cosmologist, astrophysicist, astrobiologist, author, science popularizer, and science communicator; and last, but by no means least
Sir Patrick Moore an English amateur astronomer who attained prominent status in that field as a writer, researcher, radio commentator and television presenter.

These clips were interesting of themselves, but more interesting still was the fact that Cox and Roberts agreed that the BBC would not let such programmes be broadcast today, because of the need for "balance". Dr. Roberts cited as an example that she could not broadcast a programme on evolution without giving at least some time to the Creationist theory.

Following these excellent items there were a few minutes of clips of Brian Blessed playing stupid parts in bad sci-fi films. Even this did bear out his statement that all of science fiction is about species who are basically humans in funny hats. Nobody in the industry has the slightest idea how to portray any life form which is not essentially earth species-like.

The final section was extolling the virtues of James Burke and his contribution to the popularisation of science.

It is up fpr the next 4 weeks on the iPlayer.


The only thing I thought was missing was a clip of Eric Laithwaite's Christmas lectures for children.

[Teddy Bear]

Glad you enjoyed it Charm.
I too cannot stand Brian Blessed and his interpretation of humour and acting. Even the commercial in which is voice is used is highly annoying.
Cox seems to be following in Attenborough's footsteps inasmuch as he will fly thousands of miles to film a scene that is not really important to the thread of the documentary. In any event there certainly would be archive film available of that area where neither Cox or Attenborough have to be seen in the clip to aid in understanding their point. They both then have the hypocrisy and arrogance to lecture us on how our carbon footprint is damaging the planet.

Turns me right off anything else they have to say.

[charmbrights]

I must be getting soft in my old age - I liked another science programme.

Last nights Sky at Night special on the Rosetta Mission to land on a comet was not dumbed down and did not have either a commedian or Brian Cox on it. Chris Lintoff was excellent, balancing the level between childish and abstruse beautifully. Dr. Maggie Aderin-Pocock might even have been appropriate for this edition of "Sky at Night" as her doctorate is in Mechanical Engineering, and she managed to keep her (sometimes) overwhelming enthusiasm in check. From the BBC point of view she ticked some important boxes - at Darmstadt she was one of the very few women gender diverse persons and almost the only black face person of colour.

[steevo]

I don't mean to change your point of emphasis but this entire story of great accomplishment has peeved me. At least the BBC didn't pull a feminazi. Dr. Matt Taylor who helped land the space ship on the comet discussed his team’s accomplishments on television, but he committed the most grevious sin. He was wearing a shirt made by a female friend depicting cartoons of scantily clad women.

He started the session: "This is going to be a very long day but a very exciting day. I think everyone should enjoy it because we're making history."

Two days later he was in a tearful confession. I don't care if you landed a spacecraft on a comet, your shirt is sexist and ostracizing