Some science shows... and their brilliant visuals.

A friend of mine commented that she did not know of any good science programmes, and even if there were any, she expressed doubt about the abundance of visuals. I admired her concern, of course, but then I was also stunned that she would think the latter. The universe is the playground of the scientist: whatever need be explained on TV, the visuals are everywhere we look!

Nonetheless, here is a list of science programmes that I've enjoyed watching - both for the excellent narration and beautiful imagery that all of them proffered and proffer.

1. Presented by Brian Cox, a physicist who was the sexiest man alive according to People magazine in 2009 (a rare honour, no doubt), Wonders of the Universe is a 2011 series produced by the BBC, Discovery Channel and Science Channel. First broadcast by the well-funded commercial-free BBC Two channel, the series has four episodes, each of which analyses a wonderful aspect of the universe and presents a wonder central to the theme. In the order they were broadcast, they are time, elements, gravitation and the unique properties of light. Archives are available here.
   


2. In support of the Out of Africa Theory is Dr Alicia May Roberts, with a curious arsenal of specializations: osteoarchaeology, anthropology, paleopathology, and anatomy. Her show, called The Incredible Human Journey, tracks and explains the evidence on support of early human migrations out of Africa and the subsequent distribution of people around the globe. The show was first broadcast on BBC television in 2009, and includes scenes shot on location from each of the continents it travels to. Overall, it's a five-episode documentary with each episode catering to one continent. Dr Roberts has appeared on other programmes such as Coast, Don't Die Young, Time Team, and Digging for Britain. Archives are available here.
   


3. What list of science programmes is complete without those of the legendary Jacques Cousteau?! A production of his titled The Underwater Odyssey of Commander Cousteau is my favourite: with the unremitting French accent and great humour of his, the show explored the oceans, reefs, underwater plateaus and seabeds, and other occupants of a world without sun. Unfortunately, I'm unable to track down the archives of this show. To make up for that, here's an interview of René Heuzey, the cameraman on the TUOFCC.
   


4. Another show I really admire isn't exactly a show as much as select clips chosen by Sir David Attenborough from the BBC Archives. A famed environmentalist, Sir Attenborough had an illustrious career in television lasting for more than half a century. His joy of watching wildlife was not only infectious but also pandemic: the amount of research he put into each episode of the nine-part Life series won him the everlasting respect of the scientific community, and the 253-episode Wildlife on One garnered a weekly viewership of eight to ten million.

I'll stop the list here for two reasons: first, I haven't had time to watch more, and second, if you start to watch these programmes, you will not have time to  watch more. As for those looking for more programmes, I suggest a detour to the BBC Science & Nature TV and Radio Programme Index. They have a host of other wonderful shows that are, in my opinion, a must watch.