FOX and Seth McFarlane are producing a sequel to Sagan's Cosmos

[John Albert]

Seth MacFarlane to do sequel of Carl Sagan's 'Cosmos'; set to debut in 2013

In the weirdest mashup of recent TV history, Fox has signed "American Dad" creator Seth MacFarlane to do a sequel to Carl Sagan's beloved PBS series "Cosmos."

The late Sagan is known and widely respected as one of the most prominent and successful advocates for exploration of the solar system and the cosmos. His TV show was renowned for explaining in layman's terms the science of our complex universe.

MacFarlane is known for animated satire in which characters make inappropriate though often hilarious comments on their friends, family, neighbors and popular culture.

Fox Entertainment President Kevin Reilly says it will be a good match – that MacFarlane will play the science straight, but bring the entertainment element that enabled Sagan to get civilians interested in what could otherwise be dry academic information.

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertai..._carl_sagans_cosmos_set_to_debut_in_2013.html


There aren't words to describe the depth of my ambivalence about this.

On one hand, it's a sequel to Carl Sagan's Cosmos, with Sagan's widow Ana Druyan attached to write and produce.

On the other hand, Seth McFarlane and FOX...

 

[Foster Zygote]

McFarlane is a huge fan of the original Cosmos and science and critical thinking in general. Plus Neil DeGrasse Tyson will be the host. And as Dr. Tyson pointed out, if you think that Fox viewers tend to be ignorant of science, then Fox is the best network for the new Cosmos.

 

[Lowpro]

I'm game for the new series. I've listened to the commentaries for American Dad and Family Guy and Seth Macfarlane is hilarious but also knowledgeable. He's just quick witted and stores a lot of information in his head it's pretty funny and awesome at the same time.

And who doesn't love Neil DeGrasse Tyson? He's inspiring, his voice is recognizable, the only thing that keeps him apart from Sagan is he lacks that certain...humility that Sagan ALWAYS has in his voice. He also likes comic books. They both have this sound of awe and amazement in their voice, but Sagan really made you feel the humility.

 

[Travis]

I'll be interested in seeing it. I missed Cosmos the first time around so I was grateful to see it when it was reaired a few years back.

 

[John Albert]

I've listened to the commentaries for American Dad and Family Guy and Seth Macfarlane is hilarious but also knowledgeable. He's just quick witted and stores a lot of information in his head it's pretty funny and awesome at the same time.

I'm not really a fan. His standup at the Friars Club Roasts has also been consistently cringeworthy.

As long as he doesn't try to be funny, I imagine it'll be OK.

"That reminds me of the time I ran into Edwin Hubble and Britney Spears down at the laundromat..."

:shudder:

And who doesn't love Neil DeGrasse Tyson? He's inspiring, his voice is recognizable, the only thing that keeps him apart from Sagan is he lacks that certain...humility that Sagan ALWAYS has in his voice. He also likes comic books. They both have this sound of awe and amazement in their voice, but Sagan really made you feel the humility.

On the other hand I'm a huge fan of NDGT.

I only wish they'd gotten someone like Bill Nye instead of Seth McFarlane.

 

[Foster Zygote]

I'm not really a fan. His standup at the Friars Club Roasts has also been consistently cringeworthy.

As long as he doesn't try to be funny, I imagine it'll be OK.




:shudder:





On the other hand I'm a huge fan of NDGT.

I only wish they'd gotten someone like Bill Nye instead of Seth McFarlane.

As I understand it, McFarlane was instrumental in getting the project approved by Fox and will be one of the producers, but I don't think he plans on writing the content. He just really wants to see it get made.

 

[John Albert]

If that's the extent of his involvement, then that definitely raises his standing in my eyes.

 

[This is The End]

There's already a thread on this, though it is in a members only sub-forum:

http://www.internationalskeptics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=216099

 

[AdMan]

I think Neil DeGrasse Tyson is pretty great, and I am a fan of some of Seth MacFarlane's work, so I'm betting this could be pretty good. Looking forward to watching it.