From PBS|Science :: Watch and Weigh In Here’s the experiment: Throughout January, PBS will broadcast three new science programs. Only one program will become a regular science series on PBS. We want you to help us decide. Watch the programs on your PBS station or, beginning January 1st, visit the companion sites below to watch each pilot show. Then tell us what you think! * Wired Science, airs Wednesday, January 3 * Science Investigators, airs Wednesday, January 10 * 22nd Century, airs Wednesday, January 17 Edutainment at its finest. I am currently reviewing all the programs on the PBS website and will be reserving judgment until I view the complete episode for each program. I will tell you this, however, I crave science content- woosh and flash do little for me.

Comments

bruce42
Sun, 01/21/2007 - 13:00
Analysis
"Wired Science" benefits from the backing of an established and resourceful technology magazine. While certainly interesting, it was not science. It was well-produced reporting on people doing science and developing technology. Is this a bad thing? No. Definitely not. Good-quality, pro-science programming that engages the viewer is essential. "Science Investigators" is a WGBH production and while it is in-house, WGBH has a long history of producing PBS programming and the experience shows. This show once again is primarily science journalism, but it more often crosses the line between reporting on and engaging in science. All in-all it is very similar to "Wired Science". "22 Century" is twitchy - graphic intensive, camera angles and shots change rapidly. The production seems geared for a crowd trained on the hyper-active programs offered by Bill Nye the Science Guy, for example, but the the actual content is not paced to keep up with the twitchy production. It just doesn't work very well. Then there are little skits between the lecture segments that I suppose are meant to present ethical or scientific debate in a generally approachable manner but come off contrived and juvenile. My choice? It's a toss-up between "Wired Science" and "Science Investigators". I'm leaning toward "Science Investigators". I subscribe to Wired Magazine so "SI" offers something new and different (for me, anyway), and I appreciate the interactive approach they use to connect people to the science and tech they "investigate".
--- "You fool! You fell victim to one of the classic blunders! The most famous is never get involved in a land war in Asia, but only slightly less well-known is this: never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line!