The Return of CosmosThree decades ago, Carl Sagan's Cosmos found a way to describe the fundamental nature of the universe in a way that was not only informative but personally engaging.
The genius of Cosmos, the 13-part documentary series that aired on PBS in 1980, was that its primary function was not to be bristling with instantly forgettable factoids or to sensationalize astrophysics, but to provide a medium for viewers to explore the nature of the reality of which we are a part. In his "ship of the imagination," using state-of-the-art but unintrusive graphics to tour the galaxies, the avuncular Sagan acted as guide and mentor to 700 million viewers worldwide, from kids like me who found a reason to lean forward toward the screen even for a show that was real, to adults of all walks of life.
And in two years' time, Cosmos will return--in prime-time, on Fox, thanks to the clout of the producer behind it, self-described science geek Seth MacFarlane, who's also working with Fox on a Flintstones reboot for a debut around the same time.
The new version is planned as another 13-episode journey called Cosmos: A Space-Time Odyssey, to be hosted by respected astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. National Geographic Channel is co-producing and will air a same-night encore.
This isn't just about bringing back another old show. MacFarlane is motivated in particular by the fall-off in the quality, quantity, and enthusiasm of science education, especially at the secondary level. A greater awareness of the possibilities of science is becoming urgently needed.
"Never more than at this moment in the modern era have we needed a profound reminder of the colossally important and exciting role that science, space exploration and the human quest for knowledge must continue to play in our development as a species," MacFarlane said. "We should be vigorously exploring the solar system by now, and who better to inspire us to get there than Ann Druyan, Steven Soter, Neil deGrasse Tyson and, of course, Carl Sagan."
"Carl believed that science belongs to all of us," said Druyan, an astrophysicist herself and Sagan's widow. "He wanted to convey the thrill of its cosmic perspective to the widest possible audience. I wish I could tell Carl what Seth's leadership on this new Cosmos has made possible. Besides, I know how much they would have liked each other."
This could either be awesome or catastrophic.
If MacFarlane remains true to his vision and has a loose leash it has the potential to be amazing, if Fox make him their bitch it will be a fucking abortion.
Topic: The Return of Cosmos