BBC viewers confessed that they ‘switched off’ new nature documentary The Americas after David Attenborough was ‘snubbed’.
The new nature show, which premiered on American channel NBC last month, first landed on the Beeb on March 2.
The Americas – which was made by the creators of The Blue Planet and Frozen Planet – has already aired four of the 10 episodes.
The show is narrated by Hollywood legend Tom Hanks, 68, but there is one aspect of the show in particular that people have a lot to say about it.
One brutally said on Twitter: ‘Tom Hanks narrating a nature programme on the BBC. Not for me…’
Meanwhile a second wrote: ‘Not impressed with narration by Tom Hanks. Obvious script reading. It [needs] someone with inbuilt knowledge of the subject. We need an Attenborough AI #theamericas.’
BBC viewers confessed that they ‘switched off’ the new nature documentary The Americas – hosted by Tom Hanks (pictured – after a shocking David Attenborough ‘snub’
The new nature show, which premiered on American channel NBC last month, landed on the Beeb on March 2 – and comes from the creators of David’s shows Blue Planet and Frozen Planet
Another took a swipe by saying: ‘Watching #TheAmericas and Tom Hanks proving it’s not who narrates these programmes it’s the pH๏τography that makes them great.’
A fourth questioned: ‘Erm excuse me BBC why has Tom Hanks replaced our David? Not the same #TheAmericas #bbc #attenborough.’
A fifth said: ‘Tom Hanks thinks he’s narrating a kids’ program. David Attenborough would have elevated this ten fold. #theamericas.’
‘Something very uncanny valley about The Americas. Everything looks cartoony and Tom Hanks narration is terrible,’ a sixth tweeted.
A seventh added: ‘I’m sorry but Tom Hanks narrating #TheAmericas is not a patch on the magnificent #DavidAttenborough.’
However, others took to the social media platform to share the love.
One said: ‘I am LOVING this beautiful show and especially Tom Hanks narration!’
The show is narrated by Hollywood legend Tom Hanks , 68 – but many are upset that David isn’t the voice of the programme
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Another chimed in: ‘#TheAmericas narrated by Tom Hanks is so, so amazing.’
‘#TheAmericas first episode was stunning, great narration by Tom Hanks. Beautiful work,’ a third wrote.
Talking about why he decided to take the role, Tom said: ‘When the opportunity arose to be the voice of The Americas, I said: “I think I’ve lived for that opportunity.”
‘I knew that I would be learning an awful lot. I wanted to be on the front line.
‘I feel lucky to be a part of this extraordinary project – of capturing something that is so real that is it’s irrefutable to anybody who watches it.
‘And it’s just glorious to be a part of that.
‘Mike Gunton said “Tom was the obvious person to do it. And I’ll tell you why because, and I think it’s been proved now we’ve done it, is that these shows are not just told.
‘”If they work really well, the audience have an experience where they don’t lean back on it.
Many viewers rushed to share their thoughts on Tom Hanks as the voice over for the new nature show
‘”They lean forward, they’re involved, and the intensity of the stories, if you get them right, they’re very visceral.
‘”They’re very empathetic. They should get under your skin. And the skill of being able to weave the different emotions that the animals feel and relate to without it being too anthropomorphic.
‘”But making it feel relatable is really, really hard. And I just knew Tom would be able to do it, and indeed he did.
‘”And it’s critical because some of these stories are quite intense, and people kind of need their hands held sometimes. ‘It’s going to be okay,’ or actually, ‘this is really weird,’ or ‘this is really beautiful,’ and be able to lead people and to set up the tone because it is dramatic.
‘”To be able to tick all those boxes is incredibly hard thing to do. And Tom did it.”‘
The Americas airs on BBC One is available to stream on iPlayer.
