Not such Muppets now: the UK’s favourite screen scientists announced
Embargoed until 00.01 Monday 6 September 2004
Their experiments rarely go right and usually result in serious injury for one of them, but Muppets scientist Dr Bunsen Honeydew and his assistant Beaker have been voted the UK’s favourite screen scientists. The vote, held by bbc.co.uk/cult and the BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science), saw the eccentric pair beat off competition from, amongst others, Mr Spock, Dr Strangelove and Dana Scully.
Commenting on his friends Beaker and Honeydew, Kermit the Frog said: “They have spread the message that science is not just for short round-headed bald guys and their orange-haired goggle-eyed sidekicks. It's also for people like you and frogs like me.”
The results of the vote were announced at the start of the BA Festival of Science, which runs from 4-11 September in Exeter. The theme of this year’s Festival is the responsibility of being a scientist.
“I’m not sure that Dr Honeydew is quite the role model we would be looking at for a responsible scientist,” said Dame Julia Higgins, President of the BA. “His treatment of his faithful assistant Beaker is rather alarming, though admittedly also rather amusing.”
However, Kermit the Frog was at least relieved on one point. “As an amphibian, I'm happy to report that they don't do dissections,” he said, “unless you count the countless times that Beaker has been blown to bits.”
Almost 43,000 people took part in the vote to find the nation’s favourite screen scientist. In descending order the results were as follows:
1. Beaker and Dr Honeydew (The Muppets) – 33%
2. Mr Spock (Star Trek) – 15%
3. The Doctor (Doctor Who) – 13%
4. Q (James Bond) – 9%
5. Dr Emmett Brown (Back to the Future) – 8%
6. Dana Scully (The X Files) – 8%
7. Dr Strangelove – 5%
8. Frank ’N’ Furter (Rocky Horror Picture Show) – 4%
9. Dr Evil (Austin Powers) – 4%
10. Dr Frankenstein – 1%
“We were astounded by the number of people voting for their favourite screen scientist,” said James Goss, Content Producer, Cult on bbc.co.uk. “The results show the enduring popularity of all the characters involved, and in particular the wide appeal of The Muppets.”
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Craig Brierley, Press Officer, the BA
Tel: 020 7019 4947
Email: craig.brierley@the-ba.net
Chris Charlton, BBC New Media Publicity
Tel: 020 7557 3280
Email: chris.charlton@bbc.co.uk
Note for editors
1. The BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science) is the UK's nationwide, open membership organisation dedicated to connecting science with people, so that science and its applications become accessible to all. The BA aims to promote openness about science in society and to engage and inspire people directly with science and technology and their implications. Established in 1831, the BA organises major initiatives across the UK, including the annual BA Festival of Science, National Science Week, programmes of regional and local events, and an extensive programme for young people in schools and colleges. For more information about the BA, please visit www.the-ba.net.
2. The BA Festival of Science is the UK’s longest-established science festival, attracting over 300 speakers and has been taking place since 1831. The BA Festival of Science 2004 takes place from 4-11 September at the University of Exeter. For further information, visit www.the-ba.net/festivalofscience
Their experiments rarely go right and usually result in serious injury for one of them, but Muppets scientist Dr Bunsen Honeydew and his assistant Beaker have been voted the UK’s favourite screen scientists. The vote, held by bbc.co.uk/cult and the BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science), saw the eccentric pair beat off competition from, amongst others, Mr Spock, Dr Strangelove and Dana Scully.
Commenting on his friends Beaker and Honeydew, Kermit the Frog said: “They have spread the message that science is not just for short round-headed bald guys and their orange-haired goggle-eyed sidekicks. It's also for people like you and frogs like me.”
The results of the vote were announced at the start of the BA Festival of Science, which runs from 4-11 September in Exeter. The theme of this year’s Festival is the responsibility of being a scientist.
“I’m not sure that Dr Honeydew is quite the role model we would be looking at for a responsible scientist,” said Dame Julia Higgins, President of the BA. “His treatment of his faithful assistant Beaker is rather alarming, though admittedly also rather amusing.”
However, Kermit the Frog was at least relieved on one point. “As an amphibian, I'm happy to report that they don't do dissections,” he said, “unless you count the countless times that Beaker has been blown to bits.”
Almost 43,000 people took part in the vote to find the nation’s favourite screen scientist. In descending order the results were as follows:
1. Beaker and Dr Honeydew (The Muppets) – 33%
2. Mr Spock (Star Trek) – 15%
3. The Doctor (Doctor Who) – 13%
4. Q (James Bond) – 9%
5. Dr Emmett Brown (Back to the Future) – 8%
6. Dana Scully (The X Files) – 8%
7. Dr Strangelove – 5%
8. Frank ’N’ Furter (Rocky Horror Picture Show) – 4%
9. Dr Evil (Austin Powers) – 4%
10. Dr Frankenstein – 1%
“We were astounded by the number of people voting for their favourite screen scientist,” said James Goss, Content Producer, Cult on bbc.co.uk. “The results show the enduring popularity of all the characters involved, and in particular the wide appeal of The Muppets.”
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Craig Brierley, Press Officer, the BA
Tel: 020 7019 4947
Email: craig.brierley@the-ba.net
Chris Charlton, BBC New Media Publicity
Tel: 020 7557 3280
Email: chris.charlton@bbc.co.uk
Note for editors
1. The BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science) is the UK's nationwide, open membership organisation dedicated to connecting science with people, so that science and its applications become accessible to all. The BA aims to promote openness about science in society and to engage and inspire people directly with science and technology and their implications. Established in 1831, the BA organises major initiatives across the UK, including the annual BA Festival of Science, National Science Week, programmes of regional and local events, and an extensive programme for young people in schools and colleges. For more information about the BA, please visit www.the-ba.net.
2. The BA Festival of Science is the UK’s longest-established science festival, attracting over 300 speakers and has been taking place since 1831. The BA Festival of Science 2004 takes place from 4-11 September at the University of Exeter. For further information, visit www.the-ba.net/festivalofscience
