After a number of limited success pilot series, the BBC believe they have finally “cracked” the formula and today started filming their new documentary series “The Wonders of Brian Cox”. At a press conference announcing the series a spokesperson explained “through the various pilot series we developed the formula, finding that less and less actual content was needed and what viewers really wanted was just film of Brian looking ponderous and clever in exotic locations. And even the earlier series which did feature some content were full of errors so the whole factual aspect never really worked anyway”.
Budgets for the new series an expected to break all previous BBC records, though it is thought that the cost of air travel and exotic hotels is the min determining factor.
However, all has not been easy in planning for the series. As researchers sought out exotic locations, so the timescales and costs escalated. And on visiting each location, so other places were found that could justify a visit were found, even if only for a brief shot of Brian. One researcher on a visit to check out locations on a Caribbean Island noticed some fabulous clouds, realised they would form an ideal backdrop a profile shot of Brian, added the site to the film schedule yet “on the day” Brian and the film crew had to wait 2 months in 5 star luxury for just a “quite similar” cloud formation to appear. The BBC pointed out that such problems are not uncommon when making these types of program.
