Dear Mr Dixon — Patrick Moore writes a letter

Dear Mr. Dixon,

As 2007 nears its end, I thought I must write to express my appreciation of your skilful and courteous scheduling of THE SKY AT NIGHT since you took over these duties.

Of course one programme was delayed last year because you forgot all about it and left it out altogether, but after all, why should you know about us – we are merely the longest –running science programme in the world, and I am unique in having organised and presented it twice a month without a break for the last half-century – ever since April 1957, so that there was no reason for you to note us. Quite understandable. You were at your very best earlier this year, when the programme was joined by Dr.Piers Sellers, the British astronaut, who had just come down from the International Space Station, and made a special effort to take part. Scheduling the programme for three o`clock in the morning was a real stroke of thoughtful planning, and showed how highly you rate our participation in the greatest of all scientific ventures as compared with soap operas, quizzes and cooking hints. This was subsequently confirmed soon afterwards, when we went on at 2 a.m. following a repeat of a particularly unpleasant American film. I hope we were enjoyed by both the viewers who were still tuned in.

I also applaud your playing dice with the repeats originally meant for 7.30 on BBC2 on the Monday following the BBC1 viewing. Shuttling them around higgledy-piggledy, or totally omitting them, means that half the prospective viewers give up in despair, but of course I know that these little problems are unavoidable.

I do have one recommendation. We are planning a programme about the exploration of Mars. If you really put your mind to it, surely you can find us a slot at, say, 5 am following a film about incest or drug addiction? Please consider it.

I always have around twenty letters a week about the scheduling, but naturally it is a pleasure to answer them. Keep up the good work!

Yours sincerely

PS. Do please forgive me if I don`t send you a Christmas card this year.

“If you really put your mind to it, surely you can find us a slot at, say, 5 am following a film about incest or drug addiction?”

LOL! Genius!

He’s got a point though. When was the last time you saw a program like Tomorrows World or Horizon dealing with scientific matters? When Sir Patrick pops his clogs I’m betting The Sky at Night will dissappear, or be replaced with ‘Celebrity I’m an Astonaut Dancing with the Stars Factor’. Which’ll be shit.