Catastrophe

[Susie]

This programme charts five natural disasters which occured during our planet's evolution. It is on Channel Four on Monday nights at 9pm (the second part has just been shown). Does anyone else watch it?

I've just caught the end of the second programme and find it smashing, it is perfectly pitched to keep the interest of anyone who is a beginner in this subject.

[svenrufus]

I saw the first one, and couldn't bring myself to watch any more - Tony Robinson grated on me after about 15 minutes, then I had to contend with the endless repetition of statements about how if it hadn't happened, we wouldn't be here - yes I know, you've already told me, 12 times. Please stop. More repetition after they have forked out for some flashy CGI, they are not going to miss the chance to show it again, and again. They must have shown a planet colliding with the Earth forming the moon about 10 times or more.

It should have been really interesting, and actually, to be fair it was, but in terms of being able to enjoy it, it was marred by shabby and sensationalist production values. I didn't check, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was made in association with the Discovery Channel - ie dumbed down for future sales and transmission in the American market.

A shame, a wasted chance, but ultimately a waste of my time. What took an hour to wathc, was actually about 10 minutes of content.

[Susie]

You make some good points, particularly regarding the repetition but this seems to be a problem with so many programmes on telly.

However, I am watching this now and I still find it an enjoyable series overall.