We were absolutely thrilled to learn that the Science Channel is currently re-broadcasting the entire Cosmos series. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the series, Carl Sagan guides the viewer through thirteen one-hour episodes exploring an incredible variety of topics in science and human knowledge. But these ain't your daddy's Cosmos — this time around, the series has actually been remastered and new images and special effects have been added. From what we understand, though, Sagan's segments and his voiceovers have all been kept intact.

From the Science Channel web site:

In 1980, the landmark series Cosmos premiered on public television. Since then, it is estimated that more than a billion people around the planet have seen it.

This year, the 25th anniversary of the series' debut, the Science Channel brings the Emmy and Peabody Award-winning Cosmos back, digitally remastered and with enhanced computer graphics.

Cosmos chronicles the evolution of the planet and efforts to find our place in the universe. Each of the 13 episodes focuses on a specific aspect of the nature of life, consciousness, the universe and time. Topics include the origin of life on Earth (and perhaps elsewhere), the nature of consciousness, and the birth and death of stars.

Cosmos instructs the viewer in clear and straightforward terms on subjects like cosmology, evolution, neurology, and others, and covers various pseudo-scientific beliefs (such as creationism and astrology). Through it all, Sagan manages to confer, in intriguing but easy to understand language, what science is all about.

We never saw the entire original Cosmos series back in 1980, so we were giddy to learn that we could watch the series now. From our relative newcomer's perspective, the enhanced special effects and the use of the latest images that simply weren't available in 1980 actually seem to improve the experience (as opposed to, say, Star Wars, which suffered terribly from Lucas' after-the-fact meddling). It is also incredible to us that, twenty-five years later, almost all of what Carl Sagan had to say still rings true today. For those of you who watched the original series and who have had a chance to check out the new version, please let us know what you think.

For our part, this is a series that we fully intend to save for a long time (ah, TiVo!) so that we — and those in the next generation — can watch, learn, and be inspired.

A new episode is shown every Tuesday night at 9PM ET, with repeats throughout the late night. Currently, only the first three episodes have aired, so there's plenty of time to catch the remaining ten. Check it out!

;o)

I saw the original airings as a 25 year old and loved it. Nothing like it on TV at the time (nor much like it since).

Billions and billions and billions....

I hoped it hasn't aged poorly, like CHIPS.

So far, one episode in, we've been pretty impressed by how relevant it still is.

Er, the new Cosmos, that is. Not CHiPs.

1980 TV schedule (US): Mork & Mindy, Dukes Of Hazzard, The Love Boat, BJ & The Bear, CHiPS, Fantasy Island... I am so embarrassed for my generation. Cable TV was mostly movie reruns and news.

That's what Cosmos contrasted with.

I don't really have a specific memory of watching it, besides loving it, and I strongly suspect I was herbaceously enhanced throughout.

I must admit that I am a "Cosmos" virgin, but look forward to checking it out this Tuesday. I've never heard of the show until now-----I'm not really a "science kinda guy" per se, but as I get older, I grow more intolerant of bullshit. That's my attraction to this site. The 2% site makes too much sense and I found that reading through the score has helped to articulate my opinions on most of the issues covered.
I am, however, an expert on 80's television. I've watched many slow motion freeway accidents on CHiPs with Jiffy Pop in one hand and a returnable bottle of orange Crush in the other. The show started going downhill when John was replaced by pretty boy Bobby.... You know, the handsome and charming male character role introduced in a show's twilight in a feeble attempt to prolong the show's shelf life. Surprising in a way since that role is usually reserved for Ted McGinley (see Happy Days, Married With Children, Dynasty, recurring roles on the Love Boat etc. etc..) When you see Ted McGinley pop up on a show, you know that you're witnessing the show's "jump the shark moment" (see Happy Days).

I dunno if I was alive when the first one came out (I'm only 25 now, Grendel) but it's awesome the second time through.

I agree that it's relevance is astounding, but some of the info is a bit dated...but that's to be expected...

Sagan passed away when I was only 15. Too young to appreciate his brilliance.

If you fuckers want to feel old, I'll give a short list of people who passed on before I was old enough to grasp their brilliance:

Freddy Mercury
Stevie Ray Vaughn
Carl Sagan
Stephen Jay Gould

BTW y'all ain' really fuckers:)

Grendel = Fucker.