Life - Discovery Channel

[HAL 9000]

Wait..what?

Oprah is replacing David Attenborough? I associate her with The Secret, Anti-vaxers, and other such pseudo-science. It would be a surprise to hear her front a programme about Evolution unless they have made some major changes to the focus of the programme.

This is like having Woody Allen replace John Madden as commentator for the Super Bowl.

[Dorothy Wood]

Originally Posted by HAL 9000

Wait..what?

Oprah is replacing David Attenborough? I associate her with The Secret, Anti-vaxers, and other such pseudo-science. It would be a surprise to hear her front a programme about Evolution unless they have made some major changes to the focus of the programme.

This is like having Woody Allen replace John Madden as commentator for the Super Bowl.

Oprah is the narrator for the american version of Life. Sigourney Weaver is the narrator for the american version of Planet Earth. (although, like I said, I have the Attenborough version, so I don't know how good or bad Weaver's narration is).

I'm guessing they had americans do the american version because of pronunciation differences? or perhaps there are different terms for things? the only difference I noticed so far was that David Attenborough pronounces "glacier" as GLA-see-ay instead of GLAY-sher.

[paul jones]

you NEED David Attenborough to narrate LIFE

it would not be the dame without him! AAAAAGH!

anyway,brilliant series everyone needs to watch for fuckin REAL!

[Adam]

Attenborough is a scientist - of sorts; he has done his time, study and research. Replacing with actors is too hollywood for my liking.

Surely americans can get over the british accent and the different way we say things? Rest of the world tolerate american sayings and spellings for ease. I know you guys here can because you're (mostly) intelligent, educated (to a standard) human (mostly) beings.

Sorry to rant, but the repackaging these brilliant pieces of television I think loses something.

Attenborough is one of my heroes, what I don't have on DVD I've downloaded his collection (about 20GB I'd guesstimate). If anyone is curious of checking out the same, PM me and I'll nudge you in the right direction.

[Dorothy Wood]

Originally Posted by Adam

Attenborough is a scientist - of sorts; he has done his time, study and research. Replacing with actors is too hollywood for my liking.

Surely americans can get over the british accent and the different way we say things? Rest of the world tolerate american sayings and spellings for ease. I know you guys here can because you're (mostly) intelligent, educated (to a standard) human (mostly) beings.

Sorry to rant, but the repackaging these brilliant pieces of television I think loses something.

Attenborough is one of my heroes, what I don't have on DVD I've downloaded his collection (about 20GB I'd guesstimate). If anyone is curious of checking out the same, PM me and I'll nudge you in the right direction.

from wiki:

Actress and conservationist Sigourney Weaver was brought in to replace David Attenborough as narrator, as it was thought her familiarity to American audiences would attract more viewers.

nobody really asked for it, and I don't think it was completely necessary. Sigourney Weaver seems like a good egg, I don't mind that she did the american version. But choosing Oprah for Life seems like they're trying too hard.

[checkyourprez]

Originally Posted by Adam

Attenborough is a scientist - of sorts; he has done his time, study and research. Replacing with actors is too hollywood for my liking.

Surely americans can get over the british accent and the different way we say things? Rest of the world tolerate american sayings and spellings for ease. I know you guys here can because you're (mostly) intelligent, educated (to a standard) human (mostly) beings.

Sorry to rant, but the repackaging these brilliant pieces of television I think loses something.

Attenborough is one of my heroes, what I don't have on DVD I've downloaded his collection (about 20GB I'd guesstimate). If anyone is curious of checking out the same, PM me and I'll nudge you in the right direction.

i would prefer the brit as it makes it sound classier.



but oprah (and signory for PE) do a good enough job. they keep it rather monitone so they dont detract from what your watching. you know its them, but you get lost in their voice after a while and just hear the words instead of the voice, if that make sense.

[HAL 9000]

Originally Posted by Dorothy Wood

Oprah is the narrator for the american version of Life. Sigourney Weaver is the narrator for the american version of Planet Earth. (although, like I said, I have the Attenborough version, so I don't know how good or bad Weaver's narration is).

I'm guessing they had americans do the american version because of pronunciation differences? or perhaps there are different terms for things? the only difference I noticed so far was that David Attenborough pronounces "glacier" as GLA-see-ay instead of GLAY-sher.

I can understand bringing in an American accent, my concern would be that celebrity narrators would bring with them a load of political backage that would require editorial changes. The various Attenborough fronted bbc series are fundamentally about evolution. Can Oprah speak about evolution without damaging her pseudoscience rep? I hope so, but also would not be surprised if the message of the programmes got changed. Hopefully I am being overly cynical.

[Adam]

Oooh, they should get Glenn Beck to do the Darwin Tree of Life one.