Gransnet forums

TV, radio, film, Arts

Brian Cox - A Night with the Stars

(14 Posts)
yogagran Sun 18-Dec-11 22:23:19

I've just spent an hour watching Brian Cox talking from the lecture theatre of the Royal Institution about "a journey through some of the most challenging concepts in physics".
Sadly I didn't understand more than approximately 5% of what he was talking about but I think he's a most fascinating and charismatic man and I didn't nod off once!
I'm just so envious of those who understood what he was saying envy & confused

gracesmum Sun 18-Dec-11 23:06:49

Easy on the eye too. I am sure if he had been around in my teens I would have persevered with my physics lessons!wink

Annobel Sun 18-Dec-11 23:10:11

I hope it's repeated because I only picked up the last ten minutes and although I intended to record it, had inevitably forgotten to do that.

Carol Sun 18-Dec-11 23:18:29

I saw it, too - he helped me to understand how stars can implode and I've started to become more interested in quantum theory since he appeared on the scene and made physics popular again.

NannaAnna Mon 19-Dec-11 01:03:13

He's lovely, and a real Peter Pan (looks nowhere near his age). I think that comes from having such a passion for his subject. Brilliant that he is making quantum physics a l'il bit funky!

raggygranny Mon 19-Dec-11 12:01:35

I was hooked by his delivery (and him!) but hardly understood a word. Didn't even do GCE physics so am not even at Sarah Millican's level.

Seventimesfive Mon 19-Dec-11 15:04:58

I really loved this programme and I didn't do any physics at school! While he was talking I thought I understood at least parts of it, but I don't think I could explain it to anyone else. It has left me with a sense of wonder at the complexity and interconnectedness of everything in the Universe. Maybe I need to add Quantum Physics to my list of things to explore and learn about in 1212!

geekygran Sun 01-Jan-12 10:57:24

A 'treat' for Brian Cox fans grin

www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCtK0E50OLc&feature=related

Mishap Sun 01-Jan-12 13:45:53

There is a book called something like "How to teach your dog quantum physics" - worth a look if you want to keep up with the delicious Brian.
Did anyone hear him on Desert Island Discs? - he seems a nice guy, but I didn't like his choice of music!

Seventimesfive Sun 01-Jan-12 14:55:15

Loved the fact that his parents were rather disappointed that he went to University rather than continue with his musical career! They soon came round to it however!

gettingonabit Sun 01-Jan-12 18:18:34

I seem to be the only one who doesn't "get" Brian Cox. His programmes are full of flashy lights, impenetrable theories and close-ups of his improbably sumptious trout-pout lips and horsey gnashers. Nice bum, I suppose, but nothing to write home about, in my humble opinion. And he's so GIRLY! Not in a camp way, but just sort of emasculated, don't you think?

I just think it's one of those programmes which showcase the (not inconsiderable) talents of the presenter, rather than the subject matter.

Bring back Patrick Moore!!

bagitha Sun 01-Jan-12 19:21:13

He doesn't really appeal to me either gettingonabit. Nothing against him (sure he's a nice guy and all that) and I'm glad he's making physics popular and has whatever his appeal is for other people but, well, nah. But then I found Charlotte Uhlenbroek a bit annoying too. Too much showmanship in both of them perhaps?

nanachrissy Mon 02-Jan-12 21:14:33

I find that more and more programmes seem to be about showcasing the presenters and letting them talk,talk,talk, instead of imparting information about the subject matter. angry
Fiona Bruce comes to mind.

gettingonabit Tue 03-Jan-12 17:24:52

I was going to say exactly the same thing, nanachrissy. Not long ago, there was n't a programme on the box that didn't have Alice Roberts in it, and it didn't matter what the subject was, either. There was Alice Roberts trekking across the Sahara, Alice Roberts swimming in a river, Alice Roberts preparing for a bath art-deco-style, Alice bloody Roberts pummelling dough.

I can't remember a thing about the programmes!