SETI bioastro: Carl Sagan's Cosmos 25th anniversary rebroadcast on The Science Channel Sept. 27

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Here is the Science Channel Web site on the Cosmos rebroadcast:

http://science.discovery.com/convergence/cosmos/cosmos.html

I wonder how many people with cable actually get this channel yet?

My comments here are on the Science Channel Web page preview sections of the
series.

I can't believe they did the "Billions and Billions" bit on the main page.
As Sagan said many times, he didn't say it, Johnny Carson used to do it in
Tonight Show spoofs on him. Oh yes, Sagan did write it once in his last
book, Billions and Billions (1997), but he never said it in Cosmos.

The videos with the original and new imagery: I see no pressing reason why
the series needed to be updated right in the episodes themselves. I no
longer watch my tapes of Cosmos to get the latest astronomy information. I
think Sagan did a good enough job in that area that most of the information
he presents is timeless.

A few exceptions: His discussion on quasars, but if I need the latest
theories on those objects, I can find it on the Internet in a matter of
minutes at the most. The same with his later episode on the theory of the
Universe closing back in on itself in the Big Crunch. His episode on SETI
mentions only radio searches, but I loved the part on how hierglyphics were
deciphered. And some may find Sagan's warnings of nuclear destruction from
the Cold War quaint, but is the world any better off today?

The new data and images should have been kept separate. I want to see the
original program that I recall and enjoyed. Plus with the clips they have
you have to sit through a 30-second ad for each one!

I honestly felt that the new images added little and were not of the same
quality as the original artwork and special effects. I am actually grateful
that they didn't have "modern" computer graphics technology when Cosmos
first came out. I think too many science programs over rely on it today -
this and their often quick cuts to the next scene take away from the content
trying to be taught. It was nice to have Sagan be there on camera explaining
things with physical models. Old school is right! If I just want fancy
visual effects, I'll go watch Star Wars.

I am very glad that Cosmos is being reshown on television, though I am
surprised it isn't being done by PBS. If they wanted to draw in viewers and
funding, I guarantee that would have been one way to do it. And I reiterate
that the series should have been left as it was originally shown in 1980,
with any new material shown afterwards.

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