BBC Television programmes permalink
Spy in the Huddle
This discussion has been closed.
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Message 1.
Posted by Chezzie (U1159267) on Saturday, 9th February 2013
From what I have seen on Breakfast this morning Spy in the Huddle looks great, I know it is mean but I can't help laughing when they fall over, how they stay upright and walk on the ice anyway is a mystery to me. Of course the cynics will say that we have seen it all before but I don't think so. It does seem a shame that it will be shown on Monday evening at 21.00 I would have thought that it is family viewing and very educational for youngsters. I am very much looking forward to it.
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Message 2
Posted by man-in-the-moon (U3655413) on Saturday, 9th February 2013
The programme looks very interesting.Penguins,what's not to like?
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Message 3
Posted by Guv-nor (U7476305) ** on Sunday, 10th February 2013
Fortunately Penguins - Spy in the Huddle gets a repeat, for most, on Sunday.
Mon 11 Feb 2013 21:00 BBC One
Sun 17 Feb 2013 17:05 BBC One (except Scotland, Wales)
www.bbc.co.uk/progra... -
Message 4
Posted by Bethgem (U14263559) on Monday, 11th February 2013
I am looking forward to this. The trailers have been well placed everywhere so no-one should be in any doubt about the quality of the programme.
I have read Alison Graham's comments in the Radio Times and so I am warned beforehand about there being too much drama, oh, and there is some jokey music (?). I will try and ignore it, as she suggests, in order to see what seems like an award winning three part documentary, the like of which the BBC is renowned. We should all be very grateful.
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Message 5
Posted by Rosemary (U7231409) on Monday, 11th February 2013
I am very much looking forward to it. Yes, so am I. I love penguins. I can't help wondering how they're going to react to the robot penguin with the camera in it, though!
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Message 6
Posted by the_cleaner (U3423083) on Monday, 11th February 2013
I am looking forward to this. The trailers have been well placed everywhere so no-one should be in any doubt about the quality of the programme.
I have read Alison Graham's comments in the Radio Times and so I am warned beforehand about there being too much drama, oh, and there is some jokey music (?). I will try and ignore it, as she suggests, in order to see what seems like an award winning three part documentary, the like of which the BBC is renowned. We should all be very grateful.
" Alison Graham's comments in the Radio Times and so I am warned beforehand about there being too much drama, oh, and there is some jokey music "
That's what's put me off this, plus, haven't we seen, all there is to be seen of Penguins, they must have a great PR company behind them.
More Giant Otters of the Amazon for me.
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Message 7
Posted by Bethgem (U14263559) on Monday, 11th February 2013
Oh, you do say!
Just have a look, eh? You might be pleasantly surprised. -
Message 8
Posted by the_cleaner (U3423083) on Monday, 11th February 2013
Oh, you do say!
Just have a look, eh? You might be pleasantly surprised. I don't think so....gut feeling.
Otters for me...www.bbc.co.uk/progra... -
Message 9
Posted by GaryB007 (U3895241) on Monday, 11th February 2013
It was so promising.....then the whistling started.
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Message 10
Posted by Rosemary (U7231409) on Monday, 11th February 2013
Funny, touching - stupendous photography. Wonderful programme; so glad there are two parts yet to come!
I did feel sorry for HumboldtCam when it was mugged by a jealous female, though! -
Message 11
Posted by Myles4291 (U14634500) on Monday, 11th February 2013
Brilliant...brilliant...brilliant! Well done BBC!
Informative and entertaining in equal measures. Lovely camera work, fab narration by David Tennant...and an awesome sound track to enhance the whole show.
Thank you BBC. -
Message 12
Posted by Hazel (U14508588) on Monday, 11th February 2013
Brilliant...brilliant...brilliant! Well done BBC!
Informative and entertaining in equal measures. Lovely camera work, fab narration by David Tennant...and an awesome sound track to enhance the whole show.
Thank you BBC. Hear Hear! -
Message 13
Posted by TomcatRed (U8418886) on Monday, 11th February 2013
I was very disappointed.
Yes there were some amazing imagery but why do we need to keep seeing shots of the 'penguin cams'?
To me it spoils the programme, ruining the 'illusion' that we are there amungst the penguins.
As a lot of you know I usually wholeheartedly support background music but the 'comic' music and 'boings' when the penguins fall over is just pathetic. -
Message 14
Posted by margies (U14748929) on Monday, 11th February 2013
Brilliant...brilliant...brilliant! Well done BBC!
Informative and entertaining in equal measures. Lovely camera work, fab narration by David Tennant...and an awesome sound track to enhance the whole show.
Thank you BBC. Wow! It was brilliant. The rockhoppers are wonderful -
Message 15
Posted by GaryB007 (U3895241) on Monday, 11th February 2013
I was very disappointed.
Yes there were some amazing imagery but why do we need to keep seeing shots of the 'penguin cams'?
To me it spoils the programme, ruining the 'illusion' that we are there amungst the penguins.
As a lot of you know I usually wholeheartedly support background music but the 'comic' music and 'boings' when the penguins fall over is just pathetic.
I almost fell off my chair when I read that! TCR against BGM. Whatever is the world coming to? I thought there was as much chance of that as the Pope resigning. Oh, wait a minute...
I agree though. Some excellent camera work from the "normal" cameras was ruined by the BGM and weird effects, and the constant shots of the penguin cams. The normal cameras seemed to get perfectly good shots, so the penguin cams didn't really seem to serve much purpose.
The jokey nature of the commentary got a bit wearing after a while too. they seemed to want to make it a penguin based sitcom. I almost expected canned laughter at one point.
Some excellent visuals, ruined by poor production. -
Message 16
Posted by Rosebudxanadu (U15495098) on Tuesday, 12th February 2013
I was very disappointed.
Yes there were some amazing imagery but why do we need to keep seeing shots of the 'penguin cams'?
To me it spoils the programme, ruining the 'illusion' that we are there amungst the penguins.
As a lot of you know I usually wholeheartedly support background music but the 'comic' music and 'boings' when the penguins fall over is just pathetic.
I almost fell off my chair when I read that! TCR against BGM. Whatever is the world coming to? I thought there was as much chance of that as the Pope resigning. Oh, wait a minute...
I agree though. Some excellent camera work from the "normal" cameras was ruined by the BGM and weird effects, and the constant shots of the penguin cams. The normal cameras seemed to get perfectly good shots, so the penguin cams didn't really seem to serve much purpose.
The jokey nature of the commentary got a bit wearing after a while too. they seemed to want to make it a penguin based sitcom. I almost expected canned laughter at one point.
Some excellent visuals, ruined by poor production. Yes I agree! Excellent 'normal' camera shots. Didn’t see the point of the ‘Spies in the Huddle’ We saw more OF them than we saw FROM them.
David Tennant’s narration was just awful & the BGM too intrusive and silly. Perfect for 5 year olds!
Those Rockhopper penguins saved the programme they were just amazing.
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Message 17
Posted by tireecoll (U3120935) on Tuesday, 12th February 2013
I find the negative comments on here rather depressing. I do think some of you need to lioghten up a little.
Remember the words informative, educational and entertaining. This show had all three. The music fitted in to what we were seeing.
The Penguin Cams were part of the story. -
Message 18
Posted by Rosemary (U7231409) on Tuesday, 12th February 2013
I find the negative comments on here rather depressing. I do think some of you need to lioghten up a little.
Remember the words informative, educational and entertaining. This show had all three. The music fitted in to what we were seeing.
The Penguin Cams were part of the story. Amen to that, tireecoll! -
Message 19
Posted by saffiewalks (U11222674) on Tuesday, 12th February 2013
Nothing to do with those who disagree with you needing to "lioghten up a little".
These three breeds of penquins have received coverage in the past. Nothing really new here to long time viewers of wildlife programmes and the Pen cams became the story IMO, instead of a means of gaining additional intimate footage. We didn't keep getting shown the rock cam when they did this with elephants and lions.
I agree with others, the giant otters were far more interesting to me.
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Message 20
Posted by Guv-nor (U7476305) ** on Tuesday, 12th February 2013
Those Rockhopper penguins saved the programme they were just amazing.
Have to agree, they were a good part of the programme. -
Message 21
Posted by cjp1979 (U9972316) on Tuesday, 12th February 2013
I enjoyed this a lot. Very much followed the format of the previous spycam films so there was nothing about the light-hearted style of the programme that should have been a surprise. The Humboldts haven't been filmed much in the wild and the scene in the cave with the vampire bats was pretty cool. Kudos to whoever designed and built the penguin cams, looking forward to parts 2 and 3.
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Message 22
Posted by technologist (U1259929) on Tuesday, 12th February 2013
The answer is John Downer - the Producer of the series
see http://jdp.co.uk/ for more on his work!!!
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Message 23
Posted by GeometryMan (U12739007) on Tuesday, 12th February 2013
This was better than I expected.
The Emperors were very familiar from previous David Attenborough programmes (and the "Happy Feet" films!) but I learnt quite a bit about the other species.
David Tennant's narration was fine, but I agree there was a bit too much about the various cams rather than by them.
As for the bgm - I thought although a bit daft in nature, there was actually less of it than in many wildlife productions nowadays. -
Message 24
Posted by Sandstrom (U14413284) on Tuesday, 12th February 2013
Wasn't "Happy Feet" a cartoon?
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Message 25
Posted by GeometryMan (U12739007) on Tuesday, 12th February 2013
Wasn't "Happy Feet" a cartoon?
Yes! - that was a tongue-in-cheek reference.
However the penguins and other creatures were accurately drawn to look, and in some respects behave, like the real things.
There was a Happy Feet 2, but as is often the case, less good than the original. -
Message 26
Posted by TomcatRed (U8418886) on Tuesday, 12th February 2013
Interesting, I don't think I could disagree with that more strongly.
This was MUCH worse than I hoped it would be, David Tennant's narration was awful and the BGM was farcical.
I wanted a serious documentary showing us NEW footage of the behaviour of penguins that only the 'spy cams' could obtain and I didn't get ANY of that unfortunately. -
Message 27
Posted by signonymous (U14407751) on Tuesday, 12th February 2013
Are they any penguin colonies left in the wild which don't have resident TV camera crews embedded?
The animatronics was an obvious gimmick which yielded variable results in the first episode but programme saved by the much more impressively animated penguin stars.
There must be a lot of footage which doesn't make it to the final cut of "landmark" BBC wildlife series but which can be cobbled together to form perfectly good mini-series. Is this one such example? -
Message 28
Posted by TomcatRed (U8418886) on Tuesday, 12th February 2013
Oops forgot to include the post I was replying to.
This was better than I expected.
The Emperors were very familiar from previous David Attenborough programmes (and the "Happy Feet" films!) but I learnt quite a bit about the other species.
David Tennant's narration was fine, but I agree there was a bit too much about the various cams rather than by them.
As for the bgm - I thought although a bit daft in nature, there was actually less of it than in many wildlife productions nowadays.
Interesting, I don't think I could disagree with that more strongly.
This was MUCH worse than I hoped it would be, David Tennant's narration was awful and the BGM was farcical.
I wanted a serious documentary showing us NEW footage of the behaviour of penguins that only the 'spy cams' could obtain and I didn't get ANY of that unfortunately. -
Message 29
Posted by GeometryMan (U12739007) on Tuesday, 12th February 2013
Oops forgot to include the post I was replying to.
This was better than I expected.
The Emperors were very familiar from previous David Attenborough programmes (and the "Happy Feet" films!) but I learnt quite a bit about the other species.
David Tennant's narration was fine, but I agree there was a bit too much about the various cams rather than by them.
As for the bgm - I thought although a bit daft in nature, there was actually less of it than in many wildlife productions nowadays.
Interesting, I don't think I could disagree with that more strongly.
This was MUCH worse than I hoped it would be, David Tennant's narration was awful and the BGM was farcical.
I wanted a serious documentary showing us NEW footage of the behaviour of penguins that only the 'spy cams' could obtain and I didn't get ANY of that unfortunately.
From Alison Graham's write up in the RT, I wasn't expecting anything at all serious.
And yet there was quite an educational element to it. If you knew it all before, you have the advantage of me. -
Message 30
Posted by GeometryMan (U12739007) on Tuesday, 12th February 2013
There must be a lot of footage which doesn't make it to the final cut of "landmark" BBC wildlife series but which can be cobbled together to form perfectly good mini-series. Is this one such example?
I don't know about this one, but I think "Nature's Microworlds" is such a series. -
Message 31
Posted by TomcatRed (U8418886) on Tuesday, 12th February 2013
I have never, and will never, buy the RT and so hadn't read Alison Graham's write up.
I had however seen an interview with the creators of the 'spy cams' and had hoped that the programme would be a serious look at peguin behaviour showing footage that had never been filmed before.
Like I said I don't think there was enough 'new' footage obtained from the 'spy cams' and we saw more shots *OF* the spy cams than from them and the tone of the programme was farcical. -
Message 32
Posted by Myles4291 (U14634500) on Tuesday, 12th February 2013
BGM?
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Message 33
Posted by GeometryMan (U12739007) on Tuesday, 12th February 2013
I have never, and will never, buy the RT and so hadn't read Alison Graham's write up.
I had however seen an interview with the creators of the 'spy cams' and had hoped that the programme would be a serious look at peguin behaviour showing footage that had never been filmed before.
Like I said I don't think there was enough 'new' footage obtained from the 'spy cams' and we saw more shots *OF* the spy cams than from them and the tone of the programme was farcical.
Looks like it's all a question of managing our expectations.
You were expecting a serious documentary and were disappointed.
I was expecting rubbish and was pleasantly surprised.
I don't have strong feelings about the bgm, except my preference would be for none of it in any documentary. I accept that's not going to happen. We'll have to disagree over David Tennant. -
Message 34
Posted by TomcatRed (U8418886) on Tuesday, 12th February 2013
BGM? Background music Myles4291.
Lots of people seem to hate it, I normally support it but I found this programme was, to a large extent, spoilt by the 'comic' nature of the music chosen. -
Message 35
Posted by sesley (U4024157) on Tuesday, 12th February 2013
Brilliant. Loved the slappy fight. Watched it on iplayer.must watch more next week. David Tennents voice is lovely as well.
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Message 36
Posted by TomcatRed (U8418886) on Tuesday, 12th February 2013
Don't get me wrong, having 'comic' sections can work well withing a serious nature programme but this was too comic and for too long.
I mean I LOVED the section where the line of King penguins was brought to a halt by the crack in the ice and it looked for all the world like they were saying 'no' by shaking their heads and then the ones further back seem to be slapping the ones in front to get them to 'go for it'
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Message 37
Posted by Chezzie (U1159267) on Tuesday, 12th February 2013
I loved the comic music because I thought some of the penguins actions were comical, I thoroughly enjoyed the programme and had some good giggles as well as learning a few things about the different breeds of penguins.
BTW how does anybody know what was filmed by cameramen and what was filmed by the spy cams? -
Message 38
Posted by TomcatRed (U8418886) on Tuesday, 12th February 2013
I loved the comic music because I thought some of the penguins actions were comical, This is just my point though, the actions of the penguins was 'comcal' enough on its own, to add the 'comic' music was a step too far for me.
I know many people feel the same way about sad scenes being sad enough without sad music etc but I don't feel the same way about that. -
Message 39
Posted by TomcatRed (U8418886) on Tuesday, 12th February 2013
This is just my point though, the actions of the penguins was 'comcal' enough on its own, to add the 'comic' music was a step too far for me. Again I say don't get me wrong, there are programmes showing animals doing comical things and such music on those type of programmes is ideal but, for me, this reduced this programme down to the level of such light hearted offerings and I didn't want this to be like that.
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Message 40
Posted by TomcatRed (U8418886) on Tuesday, 12th February 2013
BTW how does anybody know what was filmed by cameramen and what was filmed by the spy cams? Two ways:-
Firstly the whole point of the spy cams was to get in amongst the penguins in a way that a camera operator couldn't, so the shots with penguins all around tend to be, all though not exclusively, from the spy cam.
Secondly anyone who knows anything about cameras and lenses can tell a wide angle lens, such as those used in the spy cams, from a telephoto lens a mile off (pun intended). -
Message 41
Posted by signonymous (U14407751) on Tuesday, 12th February 2013
BTW how does anybody know what was filmed by cameramen and what was filmed by the spy cams?
The spy cam footage was really badly exposed. Always difficult when you're filming dark subjects against bright skies or frothing waves I suspect. -
Message 42
Posted by margies (U14748929) on Tuesday, 12th February 2013
Oops forgot to include the post I was replying to.
This was better than I expected.
The Emperors were very familiar from previous David Attenborough programmes (and the "Happy Feet" films!) but I learnt quite a bit about the other species.
David Tennant's narration was fine, but I agree there was a bit too much about the various cams rather than by them.
As for the bgm - I thought although a bit daft in nature, there was actually less of it than in many wildlife productions nowadays.
Interesting, I don't think I could disagree with that more strongly.
This was MUCH worse than I hoped it would be, David Tennant's narration was awful and the BGM was farcical.
I wanted a serious documentary showing us NEW footage of the behaviour of penguins that only the 'spy cams' could obtain and I didn't get ANY of that unfortunately. I disagree totally with you. Filming was good, music was good, David Tennant was good at narrating like he usually is. The programme was excellent, it was funny in parts although unintentially like the rockhoppers falling off rocks. I had no idea they climbed rocky cliffs - what stars. I had seen programmes previously about emperors but this added to them. I certainly didn't know that penguins lived in the Atacama dessert. The poor humboldts have to get passed sea lions and boobys and then encountering vampire bats - more stars. So this programme delivered education and entertainment. What more do you want in a wildlife programme? -
Message 43
Posted by Chezzie (U1159267) on Wednesday, 13th February 2013
I agree, I didn't know that Penguins lived in Peru either, and I bet I am not the only one. As far as the spy cams go I am sure that they saved the cameramen from hours of sitting in sub-zero conditions and I think some will be surprised that the long range and wide angled shots were also from spy cams.
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Message 44
Posted by supernanauna (U5159866) on Wednesday, 13th February 2013
I loved it - I agree that the narration was a bit childish at times and the music was unnecessary in spots - but I haven't laughed so much in a long time.
The slapping match between the two females had me in stitches and the poor rockhoppers trying and trying and trying - it was brilliant stuff!
And I was so glad that the lone Emperor who got left behind finally managed to catch up.
It was nice for a change to have a wildlife programme with no blood and guts - I know it happens, but it makes a change to have a programme without it.
I wasn't interested in which shots were done by the spy cams and which weren't - I just sat back and enjoyed a very good and funny programme. -
Message 45
Posted by saffiewalks (U11222674) on Wednesday, 13th February 2013
I am very glad that these poor creatures struggling to survive provide so much amusement - after all what are they on the earth for if not to make superior human beings split their sides?
Doubt whether the rock hoppers found being repeatedly dashed against hard rocks found it very amusing. -
Message 46
Posted by swillott (U13835085) on Wednesday, 13th February 2013
"The programme was excellent, it was funny in parts although unintentially like the rockhoppers falling off rocks. I had no idea they climbed rocky cliffs - what stars."
Our RAF Sea King helicopters of 1564 Flight in the Falklands are referred to as "The Rock Hopper Chopper Squadron" -
Message 47
Posted by Rosemary (U7231409) on Wednesday, 13th February 2013
I am very glad that these poor creatures struggling to survive provide so much amusement - after all what are they on the earth for if not to make superior human beings split their sides?
Doubt whether the rock hoppers found being repeatedly dashed against hard rocks found it very amusing. It didn't stop them trying again and again and again though, did it?
Oh well. I will make sure that I watch the next episode with a thoroughly serious expression - or better yet, write to the Nature Unit demanding that their camera crew dive in and save the rockhoppers, dry them off and send them for trauma counselling.
As for being superior - frankly, those penguins strike me as being a lot more intelligent than many human beings ... including me!
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Message 48
Posted by Chezzie (U1159267) on Wednesday, 13th February 2013
I can't promise to watch without laughing but I may be able to provide some counseling.
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Message 49
Posted by saffiewalks (U11222674) on Wednesday, 13th February 2013
Only silly people require trauma counselling. Nature just gets on with things hence the Rocxk Hoppers trying again and again.
Enjoy your amusement at the misfortunes of other crreatures. -
Message 50
Posted by cjp1979 (U9972316) on Wednesday, 13th February 2013
I laughed at the comical moments, and winced at the scenes of the penguins being dashed against the rocks. You see, it's possible to have more than one emotional response to a TV show.
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