Monday 11 June 2007

Springwatch


Let's have a breather from all this excitement about credits, and coloured coats, and the like, and take a moment to sing the praises of Springwatch (BBC2). You'd be surprised how addictive and enthralling this nightly programme is; that is, unless you've fallen under its charms already.

Bill Oddie may be just (just) the right side of irritating, but I do quite like his lack of televisual slickness. You imagine he'd be acting the way he does, whether a camera were on him or no. Kate Humble does a good job as the indulgent niece, bringing him back on track; and Simon King is one of those old-school experts who's ended up on camera due to his knowledge and enthusiasm, rather than because he 'wants to be a presenter'. They're a good mix, and this is the kind of programme, or, in terms of its encouragement of the viewer to get involved, event that the BBC does really well.

Whether it's charting whether the baby barn owls have eaten one of their siblings, or spying on the golden eagle nest, or learning about the lifecycle of bees, or watching Bill make his 'shushing' noise to attract birds, or just drinking in the beautiful views of the island of Islay, the nightly hour really is a tonic for the cares and pressures of life - or for the rest of your televisual viewing. I really urge you, if you've the slightest interest, or even if you haven't, to give it a go. You might learn something too. It's the Fruit'n'Fibre before the salt and fat of Big Brother (or the sugar rush of Britain's Got Talent - more of than anon), and that sounds like a balanced diet to me.

See also: here!

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