Discovery Channel Shows Us a Beautiful, Challenging, Bizarre, Fascinating, and Diverse “life”

This month, Discovery Channel celebrates 25 years of satisfying the curious, the interested, and those thirsty to know about every inch of this planet and universe.  I remember when Discovery Channel first launched (barely), but one thing I do recall, is that my parents, who, as educators with multiple advanced degrees and who raised me from childhood to love devouring books versus burning my eyes out on television (unless it was on PBS, of course), were thrilled with the concept of the Discovery Channel by John Hendricks (who by the way, was in the early stages of this venture at the same time Jim Kimsey was starting a tiny thing called America Online-they used end up on the same flight to New York City together).  Yes, I remember their approving nod of this new educational tool.  That and my mother always responding when I told her I was “bored” at home: “An intelligent person is never bored, Pamela.”  (to which I would smart back to her, “I’m not intelligent!”)

There was no better way of ringing its new year than by launching life, a brand new 11-part series which takes a fascinating closeup view of nature in a way you can’t even imagine.  If you loved Planet Earth (which I did), then this life will blow your mind away.  It took over 4 years (over 3,000 hours of filming), an extensive, talented, brave, patient crew, footage from every continent (on land, in the water, and in the air), and advanced state-of-the-art high definition filming techniques.  Narrated by Oprah Winfrey, who when she previewed some footage, actually contacted Discovery Channel to request to do the voice over, this series will have your mouth agape at the rare slow motion action, strange species, and hunting, surviving, and reproducing behavior.  You may be on the edge of your seat, you may be biting your nails, you may even squirm with nature’s oddness and raw intensity.  Oprah voice provides a soothing personal tone which is similar to a mother gently telling her child a bedtime story.  As you recall in like fashion, actor Sigourney Weaver lent her melodious voice to Planet Earth.

Guests of the 25th Anniversary event with a screening of the first in the series “Challenges of Life” included ambassadors, dignitaries, business leaders, media and many small children.  We were treated to a cocktail reception at the beautiful Mellon Auditorium, followed by a greeting from David Zaslav (President & CEO, Discovery Communications), Peter Liguori (COO, Discovery Communications), and Mr. W. Clark Bunting (President & GM Discovery Channel & President Science Channel).  They kindly remarked on the path that Discovery has paved in providing millions upon millions worldwide with non-fiction information in the realms of nature, health, science, food, green living, technology, history, future, and more.  Discovery Channel is even joining forces with the United Nations this year in the International Year of Biodiversity initiative.

But the climax really occurred when the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra conducted by Mark Watters, took to the stage and with excellent precision, accompanied the screening with live music.  It was just unbelievably powerful.

To show Discovery’s continued green efforts, those who handed back their name tags, were presented with a life tee shirt which I think I shall wear proudly in Miami this weekend, particularly the evening of the 21st, which marks the 1st night in the 11-part series.

Enjoy the trailer below. Thank you to the kind folks at Discovery Channel and Communications (Elizabeth Hillman and team and David Leavy) and to FingerPrintDC for the invitation. Congratulations on 25 years and looking forward to the next 25 …. I can’t even guess what shall be next…

Pictured above: David Leavy & Elizabeth Hillman; Ken Harvey, Bailey, Winston Lord; Barbara Martin & Jayne Sandman Dufour; David Zaslav

Discovery Channel 25th Anniversary & screening of "life"

Sunday, March 21st 8pm EST “Challenges of Life” premiers on the Discovery Channel: