Who else just discovered Planet Earth?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

I know I'm late to this party....

I've seen a lot of great nature programs...

But nothing, absolutely nothing, touches this for quality...

See these programs, and have your view of our home forever changed...

[MonkeyFunk]

1. I watched my first episode last night

'The Jungle'

I have to say, that I was a bit disappointed. I'd heard so much about this series and really had high hopes.

Of course, the photography was fantastic, and the things they caught on film were very very impressive. But I thought the whole show was lacking a certain narrative arc that could've made it better.

It was "Here's something cool". Then "Oh, here's something else that's cool".

I would've liked to have seen it all tied together a bit more tightly.

I think Blue Planet and The Life of Birds are examples of fantastic nature documentaries that not only had amazing footage, but also told a story.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. My dear MonkeyFunk....

Yeah, I hear you about the narrative arc....

More tightly tied together would have been cool...

I expect they had tough choices to make, though...

But for sure you can't beat the photography! We're getting it in HD, and it is to die for...

:hi:

[MonkeyFunk]

5. Yeah, I wish I could get it in HD

But if you really love that stuff, I highly recommend Blue Planet - it's available on DVD, and is probably the best nature series I've ever seen.

[darkstar]

3. Well, snide self-deprecating "space cadet" remarks aside

I don't get the show. I'd love to, however. Read so much good stuff about it.

Good to see your warm blue cali avatar on this mean, mean day.

:hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. My dear darkstar!

Oh, thank you for the kind words, sweetie....:hug:

I think it's a very safe bet that it'll be available on DVD before too long...

It is just breathtaking, believe you me...

Nice to see you tonight, too....:pals:

[Zookeeper]

6. We "discovered" it on Sunday!

It was mesmerizing to watch. And it made for some nice family time, too.

(Hi, Peggy!) :hi:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

8. My dear Zookeeper!

My husband has been watching it for some time, and he finally persuaded me to watch it too!

Very nice family time for us as well...

:hi: back atcha!

[hickman]

7. Remember in the early 80's Carl Sagan on PBS?

One of his shows he was saying something like "picture entering our solar system" He described passing by Pluto, Neptune, etc. Describing each as he goes by. Then he says something like "and then you find a blue jewel". I never looked at earth the same after that.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

9. My dear hickman!

I do remember Carl Sagan!

It was mind-altering, to say the least...

Amazing stuff...

Nice to see you tonight, sweetie...

Hope your son is well!

:hug:

[hickman]

10. Thank you, Kevin is well.

Also finally taking care of himself. He still looks like "a rag and a bone and a hank of hair" but this too will pass hopefully. Be well Peg, and thank you again.

[Nicole]

11. I haven't seen it yet.

I'll look for it now. You make it sound intriguing.

:hi:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

19. My dear Nicole!

You will not be sorry!

I was completely blown away....

As a sometime photographer, I wanted to be there taking pictures too!

:hi:

[Beausoir]

12. I'm too much of a wuss. There is so much killing in it. I have to turn it off.

I'm goofy that way. The photography is breathtaking.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

22. My dear Beausoir...

Yeah, the killing is a part of it...

That's how nature is....

But I agree about the photography!

:hi:

[Skinner]

13. Amazing eye candy.

I have watched some of it, and have found the visuals to be spectacular. I will continue to watch it for exactly this reason.

I can't help feeling that it misses a number of opportunities to educate about evolution or global warming or other "big picture" stuff. It seems awfully thin on this type of context. But I must admit it is a stunning presentation. I have never seen anything like it.

[Shakespeare]

20. Some of them have; the one on the arctic....

....was heartbreaking in showing what climate change is doing to the polar bear population.

It's one of the most stunning things I've ever seen on TV (or any screen, for that matter).

[CaliforniaPeggy]

23. My dear Skinner!

How lovely to see you today......

I hear what you're saying about the lack of education....

But somehow I don't miss that aspect...

I think it's enough just to revel in the unspoiled beauties of our planet...

Maybe they thought a heavy environmental message would turn people off?

Anyway...glad you're having a chance to see them...

Thanks for coming by!

:hi:

[slj0101]

14. Amazing.

"Jungles" and "Shallow Seas" have to be my favorites so far. Those birds of paradise were downright stunning.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

24. My dear slj0101!

It is an amazing series, isn't it?

It continuously blows my mind!

:bounce: :bounce:

[Gen. Jack D. Ripper]

15. I've been watching it and recording it on my DVR

It's a great series, beautiful photography. It's very moving and inspirational.

As for the narration. I have one problem so far and that is they are often highlighting their own moments of achievement. Every time a segment comes on that is a nature film first, they let you know about it. Not to take anything away from them, their work and dedication is amazing, but it detracts from the feeling of being completely immersed when you're occasionally reminded about feats of modern documentary making.

That being said, everything else is fantastic. If you're looking for a nature documentary that is wordy and preachy, this isn't it. They took a minimalist approach in that regard, so to highlight the real draw of the series: the visual presentation. I really think their goal was to show people the planet Earth, not to lecture them on it. I think that's a wonderful idea, most people are going to be moved more profoundly by stunning images of the world they have likely never seen, than by an overly complicated (for the layperson, anyway) essay on natural selection. Besides, I think this series will open the eyes of a lot of people and get a lot of us interested in learning more about natural history.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

25. My dear Col Jack D Ripper!

I actually don't mind their telling me when they pull off a "first" in their work....

They have achieved some amazing footage!

And I do agree about their goal....to show the planet, rather than to lecture...

Let the material stand by itself, and people will come to see it without being hit over the head with any messages...

:hi:

[Hugin]

16. Dang, CaliforniaPeggy... Where have you been?

:rofl:

I've been enjoying it too. :)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

28. My dear Prag!

Where've I been? Why, sweetie.....right here...

I'm glad you're enjoying it as well....... :hug:

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

17. The answer is Duran Duran:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-recskrzunI

[CaliforniaPeggy]

30. My dear Commie Pinko Dirtbag!

Oooh, Duran Duran!

I haven't heard that one in forevah!

Thanks for the link, sweetie!

:hug:

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

39. For some reason the thought of you dancing to that tune with a nostalgic gaze amuses me to no end nt

[bigwillq]

18. I have watched a few episodes

I love it!

:hi:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

31. My dear bigwillq!

Isn't it great?

I love it too!

:hi:

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

21. We are recording them all, but haven't viewed them yet

Bullwinkle925 was just raving about them to me yesterday. I can't wait to watch them!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

32. My dear DeposeTheBoyKing!

My husband's been recording them too.......

And watching them as time permits...

I just started watching them with him, and wished I'd been watching all along too!

They are stunning!

:hug:

[LSK]

26. when and what channel is this one?

[alarimer]

27. Discovery Channel Sunday nights

with repeats on the Science Channel the next night. I think it's an 11-part series so it is almost over (I think) but no doubt they will repeat it often.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

34. My dear alarimer!

Oh, thank you for that info!

I have no idea when it's on....my husband looked it up and programmed our Tivo to get it...

We watch it at our leisure...

This series has all the makings of an instant classic...

:hi:

[InvisibleTouch]

29. On DVD April 24th:

http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Earth-Complete-David-Attenborough/dp/B000MR9D5E/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-5512430-4778318?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1176829495&sr=8-1

According to the Amazon review, the original narrator was David Attenborough (with lots of documentary experience!), but the voice-overs were replaced by Sigourney Weaver for an American audience. Those who have seen both, like the Attenborough version much better, and that's what's on the DVD, according to the description.

I don't have cable, but I've heard so many good things about this series. My finances need to recover a bit before I go on another Amazon splurge, but it's definitely on my list.

[Shakespeare]

33. This series has put me in the "yes" column for buying a good HD TV.

I've been putting off getting a plasma HD, but I really, really want to see this series in HD when it comes on on DVD. It's THAT good.

[InvisibleTouch]

35. Honestly I don't think I could tell the difference...

...but I grew up with VHS, and currently have network TV reception so bad that I'm lucky to be able to tell one character on a show from another. Anything that looks clear, I will be happy with, at this point. :)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

36. My dear Shakespeare!

It is just outstanding on the high-def TV!

We bought a Sony high-def a couple of years ago, and now we watch everything we can that's broadcast that way!

You will not believe how sharp, clear and glorious the pictures are!

:hi:

[Gen. Jack D. Ripper]

40. I just got a new HDTV, I can tell you, it's worth it

it's remarkable. Our TV isn't terrible large, but it wasn't terribly expensive either. It's a Samsung CRT that can display up to 1080i. It's sweet.

[grace0418]

37. It's gorgeous and amazing.

I will be purchasing the dvd when it become available.

It makes me so sad to watch it though. We have so much incredible beauty on this planet and we are destroying it.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

38. My dear grace0418...

It is gorgeous and amazing!

I feel more encouraged now, though...

Apparently we aren't destroying things as much as I'd thought...

:hug: