Jean-Michel Cousteau: Ocean Adventures

[Footslogger]

I'm watching the series with interest to see where it all goes.

I met and dove with Jean Michel in the BVI (1987 - 1988) when the Cousteau Society ran the "Project Ocean Seach" expeditions. Got to know him, Don Santee, Scott Frier and many other staff members pretty well during that period. All great guys but all with their own agendas.

It really bothered me to see the in-fighting for control when JYC died but I guess that was inevitable given the history. None of us will ever know all the details so it really doesn't do much good to cat call from the distance.

What's most importand to me now is that he (Jean Michel) is back "out there" and bringing the underwater world to the household television audience once again. I grew up watching the Cousteau adventures along with the Mike Nelson series and without that influence I'm not sure this skinny legged old boy from Ohio would have ever discovered SCUBA.

'Slogger

 

[salimbag]

Absolutely! I'm not sure my previous post relayed how delighted I was with the series! I'm an Iowa boy myself and the whole Cousteau experience as a youth pretty much set me on my career path.

 

[Guba]

I enjoyed the programs. As several posters already noted, there was little in the way of "real" science to the mission, but that's not bad or to be criticized at all. I felt the main thrust of the expedition was to highlight scientific endeavors that were already well established, but perhaps in need of support and awareness within the public at large. How better to attract attention and garner support for these worthy causes than exposing them through association with one of the most notable names in underwater exploration? Is this shameless namedropping masquerading as "scientific exploration"? Perhaps, but if it is, then I think it is totally worthwhile namedropping. After all, had JMC not been associated with the project, would networks have picked the programs up? Would we, as divers, have the opportunity to view them and discuss what they were doing?
As a scientist and educator, I know that effectiveness in finding solutions to the problems plaguing the oceans is dependent upon awareness among the general population...not just the few of us who have the opportunity to see the splendor and wonder of the aquatic world. These programs can do a great deal to raise that awareness.

 

[drbill]

Jean-Michel, on the other hand, had little interest in all this. He was not especially close with his father. He pursued a degree in architecture, and was concerned more with administration. His interest in the oceans was limited to involvement in a ritzy eco-resort. (For which he was accused of profiteering and some questionable environemntal dealings.) This is not to be critical of JMC, just to ascertain his character. His initiation of this new TV series came as a surprise to those who have followed the Cousteaus over the decades.

Actually Jean-Michel had a definite interest in marine issues well before he rejoined TCS following Philippe's death. I worked with JMC during the 70's on several programs. He wasn't into the big media presentations that his father and brother did. He seemed to prefer smaller gatherings where he could interact one-on-one with the people who attended. He was (and still is) very personable. I was with him on Catalina the day his brother died in Portugal.

I ran into each of them occasionally some decades ago, and the men were very different. Jacques, while pensive, driven and affable, was very uncomfortable, even inarticulate, on camera. Jean Michel was reserved to the point of being stilted - it was like talking to an accountant. Very bad on camera. Philippe, however, was comfortable on camera, friendly and intelligent, with a little impatient streak that could make him a bit irrascible.

So JMC's emergence with a good series at this late stage in his life was a welcome surprise!

Who knows what motivates people?

Although I worked for JYC, I never met him face-to-face. I have known JMC for 30 years now. Of course my relationship has been as a consultant, staff member and friend. I've never found him to be reserved or stilted. He was always warm and available for the participants in the programs he offered and to the public during the filming of the documentaries I worked on.

I don't see JMC "emerging" at this point other than into the use of documentary film making. He has worked for decades in the area of marine education. Most of those programs are international in scope and do not draw the same public attention that a TV documentary broadcast on PBS does. That is the only difference I see.

I think JMC has a very sincere motivation to educate people and get them to take responsibility for the marine environment. I wouldn't have worked with him off-and-on through the past 30 years if I didn't believe that.

 

[Footslogger]

Actually Jean-Michel had a definite interest in marine issues well before he rejoined TCS following Philippe's death. I worked with Jim during the 70's on several programs.
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So ...you probably know Dick Murphy then ?? He added some scientific legitimacy to what Cousteau was trying to do over the years. Haven't seen him for a while now but we've knocked down a few brewski's in Marina Del Ray from time to time.

'Slogger

 

[drbill]

So ...you probably know Dick Murphy then ?? He added some scientific legitimacy to what Cousteau was trying to do over the years. Haven't seen him for a while now but we've knocked down a few brewski's in Marina Del Ray from time to time.

'Slogger

You bet I know Murph (I prefer Murf... kind of like Smurf). In fact, I may know him too well for his own good! I've got tales I could tell, but never here! I met him in 1974 two years before I met JMC and have remained in fairly close contact through the years.

Worked with Murf and JMC on the old Project Ocean Search Catalina programs and attended his pink trailer warming party back in the 70's; worked with the two of them, Pam Stacey, Don Santee and others in the filming of a 2-hour "Rediscovery of the World" episode for TBS; got the two of them involved as board members for the Catalina Conservancy when I was vice president; and have tipped many a beer and unknown beverages with them.

Murf is up in redwood country now and still surfing (should we call him Murf the Surf?).

 

[Footslogger]

You bet I know Murph (I prefer Murf... kind of like Smurf). In fact, I may know him too well for his own good! I've got tales I could tell, but never here! I met him in 1974 two years before I met JMC and have remained in fairly close contact through the years.
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Well ...truth be told, I can't imagine calling him anything but "Murph" either (at least to face or among mutual friends.

I'm sure I don't have quite as many stories as you but I have enough to keep me laughing when they come to mind. One thing for sure ...the BVI will never be the same again.

I haven't been in contact with him lately. I got a bug in my bonnet to hike the Appalachain Trail in 2003, just about the time that JMC and he were staring some new things. I wanted to be involved but by that time I had committed to the hike. Murph understood and said ..."take your walk and then get in touch with us". Long story short, I took my walk in the woods (2,180 miles in 6 monhts) but didn't follow up yet with either of them. I just recently sent out a few e-mails in an attempt to reconnect.

If you happen to bump into Murph, pass along my greetings and tell him to check his e-mail.

'Slogger

(By the way ...neither he or nor JMC know me as 'Slogger - - that moniker came from my hiking friends)