Catalyst (TV program)

Last updated

Catalyst
GenreScience
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
No. of series20
Production
Executive producerAidan Laverty
ProducersPenny Palmer, Ingrid Arnott, [1] Geraldine McKenna, Paul Schneller, Matthew Lovering, Adam Collins, Karen Appathurai [1]
EditorsVaughan Smith, Andrew Glover, Meredith Hopes, Rowan Tucker-Evans, Chris Spurr, Lile Judickas [1]
Camera setupKevin May, Ron Ekkle [1]
Running time30 minutes (2001–2016)
60 minutes (2017–present)
Original release
Network ABC Television
Release9 August 2001 (2001-08-09) –
present
Related

Catalyst is an Australian science journalism television program broadcast by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). The program is currently the only science show on primetime television in Australia. Launched in 2001, it replaced Quantum (TV series) which had ceased the previous year. Catalyst was regularly broadcast on ABC TV at 8:30 pm on Tuesdays and repeated at 6:00 pm on Sundays.

Contents

Overview

The show broadcasts stories on scientific themes, and in particular significant recent developments and discoveries. It focuses primarily on stories relevant to Australia, but the series covers international developments as well. It attempts to convey information in a way that is not only accurate but also interesting and informative to the general population, often discussing the ethical, political and other implications of scientific discoveries and research as well as the discoveries themselves.

The show's website describes it as follows: [2]

"Catalyst, Australia's flagship weekly science program, showcases Australian and global science discoveries that impact us all.

At Catalyst we know that scientific discovery and the use of scientific knowledge is a dynamic force that can inspire and activate us.

With our exciting mix of science genres viewers are exposed to extraordinary topics, empowering us all to improve our lives through a better understanding of how science shapes our world."

Each week Catalyst brings you stories from Australia and around the world.

Our passion to meet scientists at the forefront of discovery is matched by our fascination with science breakthroughs however big or small.

Science changes all our lives.

For better or worse, we are committed to showing you what our future holds.

Prime examples of Catalyst featured segments include "Corporate Psychopaths", [3] "The Truth About Vitamins", [4] and "Smell and Schizophrenia". [5]

The show originally was broadcast in a 30-minute format. Following a series of controversies and an internal review of the program, the ABC announced in November 2016 that Catalyst would shift to a 60-minute format starting in 2017. [6]

The new format utilises out-of-house experts in their respective fields, presenting 60-minute in depth documentaries. Episodes have included "The Great Australian Bee Challenge", [7] "Bionic Revolution", [8] "Feeding Australia" [9] and "The Secret To Making Better Decisions". [10]

Staff

Over Catalyst's history, staff have included:

Presenters and reporters


Researchers

Controversy

A series of episodes ("Heart of the Matter", parts 1 and 2) broadcast in October 2013 which questioned the link between saturated fat, cholesterol and heart disease, as well as the widespread use of anti-cholesterol drugs known as statins, came under criticism from doctors and the National Heart Foundation of Australia. [11] The foundation estimates that in the wake of those episodes up to 55,000 patients may have stopped taking their medication, leading to a potential increase in heart attacks and strokes over the next five years. [12] In May 2014 the ABC removed both episodes from its website, [13] after an internal review found that the second episode (but not the first) involved one breach of ABC standards on impartiality and there was a problem of omission of important information. [14]

"Wi-Fried?", an episode broadcast in February 2016 featuring American epidemiologist Devra Davis, courted further controversy by claiming that electromagnetic radiation emitted by devices such as mobile phones lead to an increased risk of brain cancer in heavy users, contrary to the mainstream view that exposure to such emissions is largely safe. [15] The show faced criticism from local experts, viewers and scientists disputing the episode's claims, with public health professor Simon Chapman stating that "this is not the first time Catalyst have aired a questionable episode, and there really needs to be a review of their editorial process". [16] An investigation by the ABC's independent Audience and Consumer Affairs Unit found that the episode breached editorial policies standards on accuracy and impartiality, later leading to the withdrawal of the episode from the ABC website. [17] The controversy led to the temporary suspension of reporter Dr. Maryanne Demasi from the show and is the second time since Heart of the Matter, Parts 1 and 2 to have breached editorial standards. [18] It also led to the ABC reviewing the future strategy and direction of the program, leading to format changes for the following series. [19]

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Kath & Kim</i> Australian comedy television series

Kath & Kim is an Australian sitcom created by Jane Turner and Gina Riley, who portray the title characters of Kath Day-Knight, a cheery, middle-aged suburban mother, and Kim, her self-indulgent daughter. The cast also includes Glenn Robbins, Peter Rowsthorn and Magda Szubanski as, respectively, Kath's metrosexual boyfriend Kel Knight, Kim's henpecked husband Brett Craig, and her lonely "second-best friend" Sharon Strzelecki. The series is set in Fountain Lakes, a fictional suburb of Melbourne, Victoria.

<i>Countdown</i> (Australian TV program) Australian music television series

Countdown was a weekly Australian music television program that was broadcast by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation from 8 November 1974 until 19 July 1987. It was created by Executive Producer Michael Shrimpton, producer/director Robbie Weekes and record producer and music journalist Ian "Molly" Meldrum. Countdown was produced at the studios of the ABC in the Melbourne suburb of Ripponlea. It was screened Sunday night from 6:00pm to 7:00.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karl Kruszelnicki</span> Australian science communicator

Karl Sven Woytek Sas Konkovitch Matthew Kruszelnicki, often referred to as "Dr Karl", is an Australian science communicator and populariser, who is known as an author and a science commentator on Australian radio, television, and podcasts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Television in Australia</span> Overview of television in Australia

Television in Australia began experimentally as early as 1929 in Melbourne with radio stations 3DB and 3UZ, and 2UE in Sydney, using the Radiovision system by Gilbert Miles and Donald McDonald, and later from other locations, such as Brisbane in 1934.

<i>Beyond Tomorrow</i> (TV series) Australian TV series or program

Beyond Tomorrow is an Australian television series produced by Beyond Television Productions. It began airing in 1981 as Towards 2000, then in 1985 was renamed Beyond 2000, a name the show kept until its cancellation in 1999. It then started airing again in 2005 with the name Beyond Tomorrow.

BackBerner was an Australian political satire sketch comedy television series, broadcast on and produced by ABC TV with Crackerjack Productions. The program was hosted by stand-up comic Peter Berner and noted Australian character actor Louise Siversen. The series aired from 19 August 1999 to 14 November 2002.

<i>Insiders</i> (Australian TV program) Australian TV series or program

Insiders is an Australian news and talk television program produced by ABC News, and hosted by David Speers, airing at 9am Sunday mornings on ABC TV, ABC News and on demand via ABC iview.

Darren & Brose are Darren Chau and Brose Avard, two Australia-based comedy writers and performers who first met while studying media at La Trobe University. Chau had been working with the comedy ensemble Chop-Socky, while Avard had been producing and broadcasting on several Melbourne radio stations. They co-founded the Latrobe Media Group and produced comedy shows for the Melbourne Fringe Festival, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Channel 31 and Network Ten's ONE.

Gardening Australia is an Australian lifestyle television program which suggests and promotes organic and environmentally friendly ways of gardening. It is created by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and airs on ABC TV, as of 2021 in an hour-long weekly show each Friday evening.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ABC Me</span> Australian television channel

ABC Me is an Australian English language children's free-to-air television channel owned by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. It was officially launched by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on 4 December 2009 as ABC3.

Maryanne Demasi is an Australian investigative journalist and presenter best known for her controversial work with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) Catalyst television program. Demasi challenges the scientific consensus on cholesterol, saturated fat and statins. She has argued that high-blood cholesterol and high saturated fat consumption do not cause or increase risk of cardiovascular disease and that cholesterol-reducing drugs such as statins are ineffective. These claims have been criticized by medical experts as dangerous and misleading.

<i>The Night Air</i> (radio program) Australian radio program, 2002–2013

The Night Air was a weekly ABC Radio National program that remixed a variety of media around different themes. The show was broadcast nationally across Australia from 2002 to 2013 and is partly available as a podcast.

Stargazing Live is a British live television programme on astronomy that was broadcast yearly on BBC Two over three nights every winter from 2011 to 2017. The series was primarily presented by scientist Brian Cox and comedian and amateur astronomer Dara Ó Briain with support from TV presenter and biochemist Liz Bonnin and astronomer Mark Thompson. For the first six series, the show was broadcast from Jodrell Bank Observatory in Cheshire, and featured live links from scientific facilities in locations such as Hawaii, South Africa, and Norway. The seventh series in 2017 was broadcast from Siding Spring Observatory in Australia, and a special episode filmed at Kennedy Space Center was broadcast in July 2019 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission.

<i>The Checkout</i> Australian consumer affairs show

The Checkout is an Australian consumer affairs television series. The show's first series of 10 episodes premiered on 21 March 2013 on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) television station ABC TV. A second series consisting of 16 episodes commenced airing on 20 February 2014. On 9 April 2015, a third series consisting of 12 episodes began airing. The series was renewed for a fourth series, which began airing on 7 April 2016 consisting of 12 episodes. The series returned for a fifth series, airing twelve episodes between 6 April 2017 and 29 June 2017. The Checkout, with a new look, logo, opening theme and art, still retaining original cast and segments, returned for a sixth season on 30 January 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brad McKay (doctor)</span> Australian medical doctor and TV presenter

Brad McKay is a New Zealand born Australian doctor, science communicator and author. He is best known for his television series Embarrassing Bodies Down Under, which was broadcast in 2013. He is also a regular guest on numerous Australian television and radio programs including Today.

The Weekly with Charlie Pickering is an Australian news satire series on the ABC. The series premiered on 22 April 2015, featuring Charlie Pickering as host with Tom Gleeson, Adam Briggs and Judith Lucy in the cast who joined the show in 2019, replacing Kitty Flanagan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aseem Malhotra</span> British cardiologist and writer

Aseem Malhotra is a controversial British cardiologist, health campaigner, author, and, contrary to public health consensus, an anti-mRNA vaccine activist. He contends that people should reduce sugar in their diet, adopt a low-carb and high-fat diet, and reduce their use of prescription drugs. He was the first science director of Action on Sugar in 2014, was listed as one of The Sunday Times 500 most influential people in 2016, and was twice recognized as one of the top fifty black and minority ethnic community member pioneers in the UK's National Health Service by the Health Service Journal. Malhotra is co-author of a book called The Pioppi Diet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Willis (science communicator)</span>

Paul M. A. Willis is an Australian palaeontologist, science communicator and former Director of the Royal Institution of Australia (RiAus).

Nikki Stamp is an Australian cardiothoracic surgeon, writer and TV presenter.

Robert J. DuBroff is an American cardiologist who works in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He has challenged the lipid hypothesis and has disputed the efficiency of statin therapy. Dubroff also disputes the current saturated fat guidelines.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "About Catalyst". Catalyst. Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved 18 June 2009.
  2. ↑ "At Catalyst we know that science is a dynamic force for change", ABC website.
  3. ↑ "Corporate Psychopaths". Catalyst. ABC TV Science. 5 May 2005. Retrieved 5 February 2008.
  4. ↑ "The Truth About Vitamins". Catalyst. ABC TV Science. 24 March 2005. Retrieved 5 February 2008.
  5. ↑ "Smell and Schizophrenia". Catalyst. ABC TV Science. 6 May 2004. Retrieved 5 February 2008.
  6. ↑ "Catalyst staff to go in ABC revamp". TV Tonight. 4 November 2016. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  7. ↑ "Catalyst: The Great Australian Bee Challenge - Part One - ABC TV Science". www.abc.net.au. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
  8. ↑ "Catalyst: Bionic Revolution - ABC TV Science". www.abc.net.au. 23 October 2018. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
  9. ↑ "Catalyst: Feeding Australia: Foods of tomorrow - ABC TV Science". www.abc.net.au. 14 August 2018. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
  10. ↑ "Catalyst: The Secret To Making Better Decisions - ABC TV Science". www.abc.net.au. 30 January 2018. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
  11. ↑ "Catalyst challenges the mainstream". Media Watch. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 11 July 2018.
  12. ↑ "Catalyst fallout: Heart Foundation warns patients stopping anti-cholesterol drugs, statins". ABC News. 10 December 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  13. ↑ "ABC will take down two controversial Catalyst episodes on heart disease". Theage.com.au. 12 May 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
  14. ↑ "Catalyst 'Heart of the Matter' Investigation Report" (PDF). abc.net.au. 12 May 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
  15. ↑ "Experts hit out at claims Wi-Fi devices cause cancer". News.com.au. 17 February 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
  16. ↑ "ABC Catalyst program linking mobile phones to brain cancer 'should never have aired'". The Guardian. 17 February 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
  17. ↑ Armitage, Catherine (18 February 2016). "ABC's Catalyst criticised for linking Wi-Fi with brain tumours" . Retrieved 16 August 2016.
  18. ↑ Lallo, Michael (7 July 2016). "Wi-Fried and statins: Catalyst fails its viewers with bad science journalism" . Retrieved 16 August 2016.
  19. ↑ "ABC show's Catalyst presenter Dr Maryanne suspended after review of 'Wi-Fried' story on Wi-Fi". news.com.au. 6 July 2016. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.