I love James Burke... Many years ago back in the 80's my dad was convinced he was dead... we argued back and forth... no internet to check... then one day I was walking past a bookshop looked in... grabbed my dad pointed at James Burke signing one of his books and said "Look He's Not Dead! Now say sorry!" Dad apologied both to Mr Burke and to me. Mr Burke laughed like a drain. He is still a great man.
I'm so glad to know that James Burke is still active and giving the benefit of his insights. PBS aired his first Connections series when I was in high school, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The white suit that he wore in that series was a marvel, too.
Every now and then I watch some of his old clips, and see what's out there that's new, and I'm always delighted to find he's still with us. The man is a treasure.
Just brilliant. I actually remember that. At the time I thought James was so well respected that NASA had timed their launch to his say-so. Because in his programmes, whenever he encountered NASA, they seemed to let him do anything. It was only later that I learned that it was his, and his crew's perfect timing, that enabled that brilliant moment. Kind of takes your breath away.
I remember watching the episode of Connections this scene was from, and just about falling out of my chair when I realized the thing he had connected up to and was walking beside was the Saturn V (von Braun's "thermoflask"). Truly, one of the best science presenters ever. Heard recently that he's hinted at doing one last series of Connections, this time focusing on where things will likely go next. Can't wait to see it.
I remember following all the Apollo missions on the BBC . James Burke made everything so easy to understand and entertaining. Such a shame that there is so little video tape left of his work covering the Apollo flights.
Astounding. I vaguely remember this episode, but watching it now, so many years later...when the Voyager rocket came into view, it brought tears to my eyes. What a moment.
I remember watching James Burke's documentaries when I was young. I understood and devoured every word he said. An amazing teacher. Funnily enough, I don't remember him staring into the distance for 30 seconds at a time, being interrupted by a pointless abstract graphic sequence or being inaudible under excessive background music. JB knew his audience was intelligent and he gave us what we wanted - science facts, no messing about. Why do modern science "documentaries" so often assume that their viewers have the concentration and intelligence of a goldfish?
Because most of them are doing it for profit, so they aim for somewhere below the middle of the bell curve. Bigger audience, and it's cheaper because you don't have to spend time researching and writing.
Imagine being James Burke, or the director or the camera operator responsible for that. Knowing that your planning, scripting and technical ability was successfully combined to make something so amazing and thinking, "You know what, I'm proud of that. I'm glad we made the effort". Imagine being the guy whose only job is to play the clip 45 years later and then leaving the mouse pointer on screen and thinking "Who cares? That will do".
Going to keep the link to this one in my pocket, it's a great little behind-the-story bit. Among other things, the BBC's initial reaction? Priceless! If they only knew people would be talking about that bit several entire decades later.
JB was the first science presenter I ever watched on TV, I was 7 and it was during countdown to Apollo 11. Any of the top kids TV shows of the day took a back seat when this guy was working in front of the camera, an absolute legend.
Liked the various documentaries hosted by Mr. Burke. This one is from the original Connections. One of the statements that he made, 'technology is a support system,' (I think that's correct) is a lesson that is often overlooked.
The Real Thing (1980) episode 2, he did the same type of thing with a rollercoaster at Blackpool, it appeared as he pointed over to the track to then go down a dip. Easier to do with a rollercoaster, still looked good though!
I have been fortunate to have met many famous, powerful people in my career but I have never been as nervous as when I met James Burke. I'm sure he has absolutely no recollection of meeting me as I was a bumbling, nonsensical goof trying to sound smart and failing miserably. One of the more embarrassing moments of my life. Can I get a Mulligan?
@MF Nickster .... Tyson's scientific credentials are excellent. He is good at bringing scientific exploration to people. His self-marketing, however, is a real turnoff.
I love James Burke... Many years ago back in the 80's my dad was convinced he was dead... we argued back and forth... no internet to check... then one day I was walking past a bookshop looked in... grabbed my dad pointed at James Burke signing one of his books and said "Look He's Not Dead! Now say sorry!" Dad apologied both to Mr Burke and to me. Mr Burke laughed like a drain. He is still a great man.
I'm so glad to know that James Burke is still active and giving the benefit of his insights. PBS aired his first Connections series when I was in high school, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The white suit that he wore in that series was a marvel, too.
Every now and then I watch some of his old clips, and see what's out there that's new, and I'm always delighted to find he's still with us. The man is a treasure.
Great story, Julian. Thank you!
@MF Nickster I consider myself lucky. meeting Him and meeting William Shatner!
James Burke was a _bloody brilliant broadcaster_ ,
and this piece to camera *proves* it!
I like how he hasn't slowed down his speech at all in old age. He can narrate with just as much skill as he did in the past.
Yeah, it's fantastic. I heard the exact same guy from a video about landing on the noon in 1979. Inspiring.
Just brilliant. I actually remember that. At the time I thought James was so well respected that NASA had timed their launch to his say-so. Because in his programmes, whenever he encountered NASA, they seemed to let him do anything. It was only later that I learned that it was his, and his crew's perfect timing, that enabled that brilliant moment. Kind of takes your breath away.
Well they could just follow the countdown and time it on that.
It's called planning.
Thank you James Burke , never missed any of your shows back in the 70's .
New connection season is on the way
I remember watching the episode of Connections this scene was from, and just about falling out of my chair when I realized the thing he had connected up to and was walking beside was the Saturn V (von Braun's "thermoflask"). Truly, one of the best science presenters ever.
Heard recently that he's hinted at doing one last series of Connections, this time focusing on where things will likely go next. Can't wait to see it.
I was lucky enough to meet Mr Burke, with my son, who was 11 at the time. Mr Burke was amazing: kind, interesting, generous, engaging...what a man.
I remember following all the Apollo missions on the BBC .
James Burke made everything so easy to understand and entertaining.
Such a shame that there is so little video tape left of his work covering the Apollo flights.
Here you go:
ua-cam.com/video/NTLBBV8zswA/v-deo.html
Astounding. I vaguely remember this episode, but watching it now, so many years later...when the Voyager rocket came into view, it brought tears to my eyes. What a moment.
I've seen that clip (and the whole series) dozens of times and it's always magic.
I never missed an episode back in the day and hoped to watch them again. And now all these years later, I can! God bless Utube!
I remember watching James Burke's documentaries when I was young. I understood and devoured every word he said. An amazing teacher. Funnily enough, I don't remember him staring into the distance for 30 seconds at a time, being interrupted by a pointless abstract graphic sequence or being inaudible under excessive background music. JB knew his audience was intelligent and he gave us what we wanted - science facts, no messing about. Why do modern science "documentaries" so often assume that their viewers have the concentration and intelligence of a goldfish?
Because they know the standard of the average education has fallen greatly, as has the standard time one concentrates on any subject.
Because most of them are doing it for profit, so they aim for somewhere below the middle of the bell curve. Bigger audience, and it's cheaper because you don't have to spend time researching and writing.
Kudos to JB but also, please remember, kudos to the director Mick Jackson and to the PA who did the back-timing whose name I can't remember, alas.
Why was this never broadcast on tv it is amazing he has a voice you never forget an amazing writer and broadcaster
he's a treasure like Attenborough, Sagan, etc.
BRILLIANT!!
I’ve been longing to see Connections.2 for sooo long!
Imagine being James Burke, or the director or the camera operator responsible for that. Knowing that your planning, scripting and technical ability was successfully combined to make something so amazing and thinking, "You know what, I'm proud of that. I'm glad we made the effort".
Imagine being the guy whose only job is to play the clip 45 years later and then leaving the mouse pointer on screen and thinking "Who cares? That will do".
I was 15 in 1977. This man, and some of his colleagues, such as Woollard and LJK Setright, inspired me.
Going to keep the link to this one in my pocket, it's a great little behind-the-story bit. Among other things, the BBC's initial reaction? Priceless! If they only knew people would be talking about that bit several entire decades later.
This video clip still amazes me. The fact that it was one of the Voyager launches is just the icing on the cake.
Burke: one of my heroes
JB was the first science presenter I ever watched on TV, I was 7 and it was during countdown to Apollo 11. Any of the top kids TV shows of the day took a back seat when this guy was working in front of the camera, an absolute legend.
Liked the various documentaries hosted by Mr. Burke. This one is from the original Connections. One of the statements that he made, 'technology is a support system,' (I think that's correct) is a lesson that is often overlooked.
This announcer won’t let James Burke get a word in
"Destination: The Moon...or Moscow. The planets....or Peking." BRILLIANT.
I watched the "Connections" series in the early 80's with my father. Thank you PBS! I had trouble following all of Mr. Burke's connections.
I wish he was back on telly with a series
Your wish may yet be granted. He was writing Connections 21 during the pandemic, which is still supposed to end up as a TV series at some point.
He's superb. Year's ago I worked with his "smarter" brother Clive, another superb guy.
A truly brilliant man.
I watch connections every week. It is fascinating. I still wanna know more about modern connections.
Perhaps he should have let James Burke talk!
Too cool for school!
An interview should be all about the person being interviewed, not the other way around.
Back in the 70’s if Mr Burke had said Smurf’s we real I would have believed him. Even as a child of 9, I knew he was one of the greatest presenters.
It's not a single take though. He discuses the history of rocketry but then there is another clip. That's the money shot.
James Burke, legend!
Here's a good version of that clip:
_"WL - "James Burke - perfectly-timed rocket launch 8/20/1977"_
The Real Thing (1980) episode 2, he did the same type of thing with a rollercoaster at Blackpool, it appeared as he pointed over to the track to then go down a dip. Easier to do with a rollercoaster, still looked good though!
Live tv. Works every day on every channel in the world. It’s called backtime.
How is it James Burke hasn't been knighted? Good Lord, Liz, get on it!
See a 2020 interview with James about a variety of subjects at: ua-cam.com/video/mUb6Sv-rUv0/v-deo.html
Normally self promoting is a big no no for me, but that was well worth the watch. Excellent interview. Thank you.
Did they land on the moon ???????
I have been fortunate to have met many famous, powerful people in my career but I have never been as nervous as when I met James Burke. I'm sure he has absolutely no recollection of meeting me as I was a bumbling, nonsensical goof trying to sound smart and failing miserably. One of the more embarrassing moments of my life. Can I get a Mulligan?
It wasn't a single take, it was pre recorded and edited it's two shots the tracking and then the launch 😂
James Burke is still the standard for explaining how the world works.
Sorry Neil DeGrasse Tyson!
Carl Sagan and James Burke are the Masters.
DeGrasse Tyson isn't even on the list. He's a rock star celebrity wannabe.
@MF Nickster .... Tyson's scientific credentials are excellent. He is good at bringing scientific exploration to people. His self-marketing, however, is a real turnoff.
That moment was not spontaneous, it was several times tried pose, step by step, words by words, sec by sec.
@Catoom Horatio Jeez! I bet you're a barrel of laughs at a party!!
But there was only _one shot_ to get it right.
@@Drchainsaw77 two, voyager one launched about a fortnight later.
Dallas Campbell is the most annoying person after Chris Packham.
He's not even in my top 10. (Neither is Chris Packham, for that matter.)