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2 • April 20 - 26, 2014 TVWeek By Jacqueline Spendlove TV Media W ith so many movies and TV shows being rebooted these days, one wonders if originality is dwindling in the entertainment industry. Fox, however, is currently airing a follow-up that definitely warrants its second time in the sun. "Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey" is a scien- tific documentary offshoot of the 1980 Emmy- winning series "Cosmos: A Personal Voyage," which was presented by astronomer, astrophysi- cist and cosmologist Carl Sagan. The new series premiered March 9, with a new episode airing Sunday, April 20, on Fox. "Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey" got off to a strong start with roughly 8.5 million view- ers tuning in for the premiere. No doubt this is largely due to the immense popularity of its predecessor. The original "Cosmos," which aired on PBS, is widely recognized as a major milestone for science-based television, with its use of cutting-edge special effects and its appeal to all audiences — not just those with scientific leanings. Seen by more than 500 million people across more than 60 countries, it remains one of the network's highest-rated programs. Fox's version will loosely follow the format of "A Personal Voyage," with 13 episodes, a similar storytelling approach and certain recognizable elements, such as the "Spaceship of the Imagi- nation" and the "Cosmic Calendar." It explores the foundation of science, covering such topics as the scope of time, beginning with the Big Bang; natural selection and evolution; astron- omy and astrology; the nature of the speed of light, gravity, black holes and more. Science-based content aside, the series aims to interest just about anyone. As Ann Druyan, Sagan's widow and a co-creator of both series, explains in an interview with Canada.com: "We weren't trying to preach to the converted. We wanted to evoke in people, even those people who might be hostile to science, a sense of wonder. ... If you have a beating heart, you will respond to 'Cosmos.' " While the two series do share certain aspects, "A Spacetime Odyssey" also contains many unique and revamped elements, including spectacular computer-generated graphics and updated information that includes the past 34 years' scientific discoveries and advancements. "The ambition and scope of 'A Spacetime Od- yssey' is unlike anything seen before," writes Alex Strachan for Canada.com, "including the original Cosmos, which Druyan and [host Neil deGrasse] Tyson have vowed not to emulate or repeat." As for the man presenting the program, Sagan left behind some very large shoes to fill. His con- tributions to the world of science are extensive and include more than 600 published scientific papers and more than 20 books penned. Taking up the "Cosmos" torch now is as- trophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. Tyson's own career path has been heavily inspired by Sagan, whom he described in a 2004 interview with Daniel Simon as "very inspirational and a most powerful influence. Dr. Sagan was as great as the universe, an effective mentor." Judging by his résumé, Tyson is about as apt a replacement for Sagan as you can find. Currently the director of the Hayden Planetarium and a re- search associate in astrophysics at the American Museum of Natural History, Tyson also hosted PBS's science program "Nova ScienceNOW" and has been a frequent guest on "The Daily Show," "The Colbert Report" and "Jeopardy!" His inter- est in astronomy having taken hold when he was nine, he began giving lectures on the subject as young as 15 and was editor-in-chief of his high school's "Physical Science Journal." As a student, Tyson was lucky enough to meet his idol, who in turn took him on a tour of Sagan's workplace as they discussed science — that conversation affected the younger man in more ways the one. A heavy snow fell as Tyson was heading for the last bus home, and Sagan offered that, should the storm keep the bus from arriving, Tyson was welcome to spend the night at his home. "It was then that I realized," Tyson recalls in the Canada.com interview, "not only did I know I wanted to become an astronomer, but I now knew the kind of man I wanted to be." Little did he know back then just how much like his mentor he would turn out to be. It's not hard to see how Tyson and Druyan's names are linked to "A Spacetime Odyssey," but some might be surprised to see funny man Seth MacFarlane's name crop up as an executive producer for the series. The man behind "Family Guy," "American Dad" and "Ted" (2012) was, in fact, instrumental in bringing "A Spacetime Odyssey" to broadcast. Though the series is a notable departure for MacFarlane, it was his pas- sion for the subject matter — and his financial investment — that helped make it happen. Cover Story Neil deGrasse Tyson as seen in "Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey" It's in the stars: Fox revamps 'Cosmos' for a new generation D - Danville V - Veedersburg H - Hoopeston O - Oakwood V - Veedersburg Ca - Cayuga Co - Covington W - Westville Communities listed Med Plus 1/16 pg A/Crossroads Church 1/32 pg

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