Planet Earth II comes to the USA

February 18, 2017 • 10:00 am

by Matthew Cobb

Readers may remember that in the autumn, we sang the praises of the BBC’s Planet Earth II series, narrated by David Attenborough. It is quite extraordinary. Tonight it comes to BBC America, so US readers will be able to watch it:

You can find the details here. Here’s what Variety magazine had to say:

And, as a taster, here’s one of the most famous scenes, from Episode 1 (I think – they seem to have changed the order) [JAC: I think I posted this snake vs. lizard video before, but it’s memerizing]

https://twitter.com/phil500/status/795704147706146816

21 thoughts on “Planet Earth II comes to the USA”

  2. The snake scene is even more mesmerising in full than the clip showed. Enjoy one of the best series on recent TV.

  4. Matthew – Are you THE Matthew Cobb on the next episode of The Infinite Monkey Cage? From the University of Manchester and the world’s leading expert on the olfactory senses of maggots.

    I already listened to it. The BBC screwed up and released it last Sunday – at least for Itunes downloads. Not sure if they pulled it yet. Everyone else will have to wait until Monday to listen.
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08ff17c

      1. Just make sure Jerry plugs it. Episode is called Making the Invisible Visible. Description –
        Brian Cox and Robin Ince are joined by comedian Katy Brand, Cosmologist Prof Carlos Frenk, and biologist Prof Matthew Cobb to discover how to make the seemingly invisible, visible. They look at how the history and development of the telescope and the microscope have allowed us to look at the impossibly big to the seemingly impossibly small, to gain insight into the history of our universe and the inner workings of the human body. They look at how radio and space telescopes have allowed us to look back in time and “see” the big bang, and understand the age and content of the early universe, and how space telescopes have thrown light on the mysterious substance known as dark matter. They also look at the way microscopes and new biological techniques have allowed us to understand the seemingly invisible processes going on inside our cells. They also ask what, if anything, will always remain invisible to us – are there some processes or concepts that are impossible for us to “see”.

        I think Jerry talking about lions nursing warthogs may give him a slight edge as a TIMC guest. “every warthog you suckle, you are giving up a lion.” Should be the motto of WEIT.

    2. No screw up. The podcasts are released one week ahead of broadcast.

      It’s a shame thar US viewers of Planet Earth II won’t get the shock value of seeing Iguanas v Racer Snakes without warnings. It scared the bejebus out if me.

    1. If folks in USA are, as me, without receipt of the BBC – America upon one’s home television, then one may — eventually — want to check with their local public library or nearby universities’ or colleges’ libraries. For their lending thereof to you. My local, public one does not have II .yet., of course, but so does lend the five discs’, thus 550 minutes’, worth of the BBC’s y2006 Planet Earth I !

      Plus IF your local libraries do not in future themselves own same to lend, then their interlibrary loan procedures likely will so produce for you both the I and II series !

      I have stated it before: QUITE The Life these videographers / photographers have !

      Blue

  7. I will be watching. When I saw the reminder on Holt’s news the other night I checked and found my cable did not include BBCA so I called and quickly fixed that.

  10. I thought the whole thing was gripping, and well up to the best traditions of Attenborough and the Beeb.

    My only slight criticism would be that they focus on the manifold spectacles of nature and sometimes miss opportunities to present the wider context. For example, the first programme is all about islands, yet it contains nothing about the compelling evidence that island life provides in support of evolution. But never mind: just enjoy the show!

    1. If you are in the U.S. and get BBCA, they are currently running old shows all day. Right up to 8 pm this evening when the new series starts. I am sure the BBCA will be running them many more times.

  14. Don’t like the snake scene, beautiful footage but reminds me too much of the lemmings from Walt Disney.

    What annoys me most in planet earth II are the samples (fake noises).

    But David Attenborough’s voice makes up for everything.

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