Brian Cox - a challenge to TV Orthodoxy

[mattc]

Sorry, but only clips are still on the iPlayer:

Huw Wheldon Lecture 2010: Science - a challenge to TV Orthodoxy

BBC - BBC Two Programmes - Royal Television Society Lecture, Huw Wheldon Lecture 2010: Science - a challenge to TV Orthodoxy

I thought this was really good, and very accessible. The rationalists here will be amused by this bit (referring to his Solar System prog):

In the film I said Astrology was "a load of rubbish" and the BBC asked for a statement about this after some criticism so I said "I apologise to the astrology community for not making myself clear, I should have said that this new age drivel is undermining the very fabric of our civilisation".

That wasn't issued by the BBC complaints department.

!

(He does seem to put "regular" religious faith above the "new age" category, which I think is fair.)


I'd also recommend the Joy of Statistics thing on the BBC last week - entertaining without too much dumbing down.

[Bledlow]

Good for Brian!

[spesh]

In the film I said Astrology was "a load of rubbish" and the BBC asked for a statement about this after some criticism so I said "I apologise to the astrology community for not making myself clear, I should have said that this new age drivel is undermining the very fabric of our civilisation".

That wasn't issued by the BBC complaints department.

ROFL

1st Announcer: "The BBC would like to apologise for the apology quoted above, and we regret the fact that it does not far enough.

Brian Cox wishes to apologise for describing Astrology as "new age drivel", and has issued a further clarification of his remarks, stating that he meant to say that Astrology was a fine example of supreme bullsh..."

2nd Announcer - in a rapid interruption: " The BBC would like to apologise for the apology for an apology..."

repeat ad inf.

[pcolbeck]

I like a man who calls a spade a bloody shovel..

[Exit Stage Left]

He's a funny looking bloke, he's apparently boyish, but has surprisingly big features and only looks so slim because he is very tall. The  haircut and apparent use of lipstick only gets weirder as he ages. The hands like shovels are another odd feature. It all combines to make him look a bit alien when he stands next to an ordinary human. Checkout the video, it's all most disconcerting.

[mattc]

It all combines to make him look a bit alien when he stands next to an ordinary human.

I wondered how he knew so much about space - you could be onto something ...

[border-rider]

He's a funny looking bloke, he's apparently boyish, but has surprisingly big features and only looks so slim because he is very tall. The  haircut and apparent use of lipstick only gets weirder as he ages. The hands like shovels are another odd feature.

Classic 70s glam-rock appearance then - jobbing roofer  in lipstick & feather boa

[Exit Stage Left]

He's a funny looking bloke, he's apparently boyish, but has surprisingly big features and only looks so slim because he is very tall. The  haircut and apparent use of lipstick only gets weirder as he ages. The hands like shovels are another odd feature.

Classic 70s glam-rock appearance then - jobbing roofer  in lipstick & feather boa

Sounds more like Morrisey to me.

It opens up the possibility of the first post-doctoral Rock Band, Brian Cox on Keyboards, Brian May on Guitar, who's on Bass and Drums.

[border-rider]

If you're sticking to astronomers/astrophysicists it could be a bit limited.  Open it up to any postdoc and I'm sure it's possible (honorary degrees excepted)

[mattc]

Am I allowed Feynman on bongos?

[Cudzoziemiec]

Sounds interesting but, alas, "not available in my area."

[Exit Stage Left]

If you're sticking to astronomers/astrophysicists it could be a bit limited.  

If we start from a low base, then <a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/dIj-6fr2SlI&rel=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/dIj-6fr2SlI&rel=1</a>

[LindaG]

He's a funny looking bloke, he's apparently boyish, but has surprisingly big features and only looks so slim because he is very tall. The  haircut and apparent use of lipstick only gets weirder as he ages. The hands like shovels are another odd feature. It all combines to make him look a bit alien when he stands next to an ordinary human. Checkout the video, it's all most disconcerting.

What, really?

I totally would.

[Exit Stage Left]

He's a funny looking bloke, he's apparently boyish, but has surprisingly big features and only looks so slim because he is very tall. The  haircut and apparent use of lipstick only gets weirder as he ages. The hands like shovels are another odd feature. It all combines to make him look a bit alien when he stands next to an ordinary human. Checkout the video, it's all most disconcerting.

What, really?

I totally would.

That's because he looks like Derek Nimmo in all Gas and Gaiters.

[rower40]

I like a man who calls a spade a bloody shovel..

And it's only bloody because of the splattering of astrologists' blood caked all over the SHUVEL after he's beaten them about the head with it.

Reminds me of a 3rd-hand story on R4 yesterday morning:
5-minute debate slot between a bishop and Richard Dawkins; bishop speaks first, and uses up 4m30 of the total time available.  When Dawkins is finally allowed to get a word in, he opens with "You only let him go first because he's got an imaginary friend!".

[Bledlow]

Am I allowed Feynman on bongos?

Not a Brian. And dead, which is generally reckoned to make playing bongos difficult.