Astronomy / Space The sky at night - possible cancellation

Sir.Tj

The Moderator who shall not be Blamed....
Volunteer Moderator
Sir.Tj
Speaking in a Non-Moderator capacity here.

I just heard the BBC might cancel the Sky at night!

It would be a total disgrace if this happens.

The monthly astronomy programme was famously presented by Sir Patrick Moore from its first episode in April 1957 until January 2013, following Sir Patrick's death in December 2012 aged 89.


He presented a total of 721 episodes, missing only one filming during July
2004 after he suffered severe food poisoning. Subsequently, the show is the longest-running TV series with the same presenter in the world.


Sir Patrick reported on NASA's Apollo moon missions during 1969 and the UK's total solar eclipse in 1999.
Click to expand...


There's a petition on change.org if anyone want to sign.
 

psykokow

psykokow
i had already signed....

They also thinking about revamping it in someway.. but they're damned if they do and damned if they don't..

The problem is what replaces it?? Some crappy quizino thing?
 

Cosmos

C
I don't reckon the current format of the show works well. There are too many chiefs and it seems disjointed. It would be terrible to see it go so I will sign the petition for sure, lets hope the programme improves.

But following Patrick Moore can't be an easy task. I think I could host the show better than it is at present, scientists dont always make the best presenters. Patrick was an amateur astronomer but a great presenter, its worth bearing that in mind.
 
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Cody

Cody
Very difficult to follow Sir Patrick - but Phil Plait (aka The Bad Astronomer) would be cool, I reckon.
 

Listeri69

Listeri69
I think Brian May would be good but Jon Culshaw the impressionist would also be a good choice. Thing is it does need a re-vamp from its current format. They didn't really make good choices in the people they brought in at all. chris is far too wooden. the two astronomers are not bad but they are not showmen. they need someone who is capable of conducting the interviews like patrick did getting the scientists to disclose their science in a way the public can understand. I had a feeling the BBC were going to look at this show very soon after Patrick died. The thing is it would be an absolute shame to see it go.
 

MacArthur

M
Signed, :mad:. It would be unforgiveable to axe this show. It is only half an hour a month, considering the pap that saturates most of the TV schedule they should be making more of this not killing off the greatest show on Earth. How about a second monthly show that does a more detailed follow up with a featured scientist or space mission.

The presentation may not be quite the same without Patrick Moore, but the material is inexhaustable, the format cannot get tired. Patrick was a big personality but the star of this show is . . .er . . .the stars. Chris Lintott and co may not have the same charm but who remembers Gary Linekers early days as MOTD anchor, utterly cringeworthy presenting, but like the Sky at Night, MOTD is a show people love for the subject matter and the spectacle. Who introduces it is less important, and if the talk of axing it isn't about that then why now?

EDIT:petition reached its goal while I was typing this, it was ~8000 short 5 minutes ago, the show must go on:)
 
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JazHaz

J
I just got off the phone from my Dad who has been watching the Sky At Night since the early 1960's. He's going to sign the petition too, plus I wouldn't be surprised if he contacts the BBC directly having worked for them for many years until he retired.
 

MikeSnos

MikeSnos
When you heard the BBC was thinking of cancelling 'The Sky at Night'... was your thought the same as mine... 'What!? Are you nuts, it costs next to nothing and you want to axe it and retain Eastenders which costs a fortune and has reached its nadir'...

Signed the petitiion and posted on FB as well.... Post it everyone... Persuade, encourage, chivvy and even blackmail, if it comes to it, your friends to sign!
 

roryscarlett

roryscarlett
Cancel 'The Sky At Night'? Why don't the BBC just go the whole hog? Exhume Patrick's grave and punch-up his corpse a little. What a disgrace! That poor man spent what, 50 years pouring his heart and soul into that programme. He educated the (largely ignorant and uninterested) public in an entertaining way that held your attention and got you interested. He was a great broadcaster.

I do agree however the current format does not work well. There are too many people involved with no real 'front man'. The two astronomers are knowledgeable but a little square! I guess Chris Linnot is the nearest thing to a presenter but he is an academic and not a great presenter. Poor guy sounds like he has a perpetual cold as well! I like Lucie Green, she is far more likeable but the sad truth is they need a male lead (sad fact of TV and the subject matter) that is not an academic and is entertaining.

Colshaw? Mmmm I don't know. Having seen him on the show he doesn't really seem very entertaining? His shows are good and his impressions are great, but as a presenter? No.

Dara O'Brein does well with Star Gazing live and Science club. In fact Science club as a format works very well. Perhaps they could adopt aspects of that? The mix of his amateur interest and the academics knowledge is good. The demonstrations are a good way to keep people interested. People like shiny things and stuff that goes bang!

I'd like to hear DB's views. The show must have given him inspiration back in the 80's?!?

Cancellation though, the BBC should be ashamed of themselves. Sky at Night must cost about £5 a month to produce. How much do they pour into the turds that float around the bowl every week? I shudder to contemplate!
 

Thargon

Thargon
I'm very sad to hear of this, and I'm gonna go sign the petition too. I agree with the comments above, especially since the current format does seem to lose leadership from lack of a single presenter. How you would replace Sir Patrick Moore is a big question though!

Petition needs another 5000 signatures it seems!
 
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