Sky at Night: Who best to take over from Patrick Moore

James Harris (es) wrote in message
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"James Harris" wrote in message
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Patrick Moore is a bit of an institution but can't go on forever. I
wondered what other people think of who would be best to replace him
as lead presenter of The Sky at Night.

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Paul Abel

Paul is too excitable. For me, it seems that everything he says is too
hurried. I think although he and Pete Lawrence often present together Paul
usually cramps Pete's more measured style.

Brian Cox

Good at explaining things. Uses good analogies. But I cannot get to like
him
as a presenter. Not sure why. Maybe he's overexposed but it's more than
that. Maybe it's the perpetual smile. I don't know. Anyway, I wouldn't
want
to see him take over The Sky at Night too.

Michele Dougherty

When I've seen her Michelle has come across very well. I like her
enthusiasm
and realism. She has a lot of detailed knowledge. As a woman I think she
shows greater humility than some of her male counterparts and, as such,
could be good at appearing to lead the audience along with her in new
discoveries rather than telling them things. I haven't seem her present
direct to the camera , though, so the jury is still out.

Pete Lawrence

Pete is a very good presenter. I like his pace and the way he explains
things. Of those in the regular crop I think he would be the best to
follow
Patrick.

Chris Lintott

Chris is good technically and has the ability to present to the camera
confidently. He seems to be the one being groomed to take over from
Patrick
and is a good age to do so. The problem I have with Chris is he seems a
bit
arrogant. I find his manner a little more than self-assured and verging on
conceited. If he changed and started to show a lot more more humility and
appreciation I would see him differently but at the moment I wouldn't want
to see him take over.

Brian May

Surprisingly, Brian shows maybe too much humility. One has to respect
someone who has been successful as a singer and songwriter but also has
the
technical knowledge of physics and astronomy to talk knowledgeably as a
guest on The Sky at Night. It's hard to explain why but I don't think he
would be right as main presenter. He it maybe too quiet which, for a rock
star, is unexpected! I'm not sure he would want the job.

Chris North

I have been quite impressed with Chris North. He knows his stuff and seems
much more user-friendly that Chris Lintott. Comparing the two I would much
rather get rid of Lintott.

John Zarnecki

John would make an excellent presenter. He knows his stuff and is very
easy
to listen to. He seems to be getting on a bit and busy with other
committments. There's also a slight detachment there in his manner. Not
sure
how well he would present direct to camera.

Are there any others I have missed who should be considered?

Here are some whom others have suggested:

Heather Couper

I don't know her.

Helen Czerski

I saw her presenting something on TV. First thoughts: nice to look at (at
least initially) but after a while I found her annoying for some reason. I
can't remember why now. Maybe she seemed too cocky.

Dara O'Briain

He's OK I suppose but I find myself turning off when I see him. I know
that's not very scientific! I don't think his enthusiasm is there for this
kind of work. I cannot in any way see him following Patrick. To put him in
the role would be like dumbing-down a remaining bastion of the
old-fashioned
science programme.

Here are two others I've thought of since:

* Aubrey Manning

He would have made a great choice. His knowledge of science coupled with
his
humility and his ability to show an almost childlike wonder at the
discoveries of others in his series Earth Story was a model for good
presentation skills. Just checked Wikipedia and he is probably getting too
old now, though.

* Adam Hart-Davis

I didn't think of Adam initially but now I have I think he would make an
excellent presenter of TSAN. I don't think he is an astronomer per se but
is
a scientist and is able to present to the camera very clearly and
enthusiastically. He's also somewhat in the old-fashioned mould that
Patrick
comes from. As such I can see him taking over from Patrick and making a
great job of it. My one reservation is I've never heard him talking about
astronomy so I don't know how much he knows of the subject. I think the
role
needs someone who is a good presenter but also has enough knowledge of the
subject to personally lead the viewer into interesting areas rather than
going where a producer has decided to go.

James




Dr Lucie Green, solar observer expect, turned up with the Pete Lawrence in
the land of the midnight sun, most recent S@N ToV programme