Classic National Geographic Programs & Top 10 Celebrity-Marathon Recommended Shows

Travel Center / Taipei Report

At the end of 2012, National Geographic Channel selected ten outstanding programs of various genres from hundreds of brilliant documentary films, inviting celebrities Zhang Zhaozhi, Dee Hsu, Winston Wen, Chung Chung, Ko Chen-tung, Angela Chang, Rene Liu, Lucy Liu, Tsai Chan-De, and Tang Zhizhong to each recommend one. These selected programs will be aired on National Geographic Channel every weeknight at 9 PM starting today until the 28th. On December 31st, a special marathon will begin at 2 PM, featuring all ten shows back-to-back for an uninterrupted 10-hour broadcast.


▲ Ten outstanding programs of various genres, each recommended by a celebrity. (Photo / From National Geographic Channel Facebook)

Additionally, National Geographic Channel is hosting an online audience vote for the “2012 TOP 10 I LIKE.” The voting is currently underway, and based on current results, Taiwanese netizens show a preference for documentaries focusing on lifestyle topics. Among them, the Taiwan-themed documentary “Falling in Love with Real Taiwan: Electric-God Taisui” currently leads by a wide margin with 53% of the votes, followed by “Ultimate Factories: Coca-Cola” and “Scam City: Prague.” The voting ends on December 31st, so fans of National Geographic Channel can continue to support their favorite shows online. For more details about the voting activity, visit: www.fictw.com.

Top 10 shows loved by celebrities. As December 21st—the date of the Mayan apocalypse prophecy—approaches, the ever-creative Rene Liu recommends National Geographic’s “Doomsday Preppers: More Bullets, More Better.” Rene Liu said that this year’s widespread discussion about the Mayan doomsday prophecy made her particularly drawn to this series by National Geographic. Especially seeing how some Americans have gone crazy, organizing themselves thoroughly to prepare for the end of the world—some even stockpiling 20 years’ worth of food and plant seeds—it’s truly astonishing.

“Car vs. Car: Chevrolet Corvette,” is recommended by Taiwan car modification expert and judge Zhang Zhaozhi. “Ultimate Factories: Coca-Cola” is endorsed by sweetie Dee Hsu. Following her father, Stanley Tung, who first hosted the National Geographic documentary “Hong Kong Sees the World: Roast Meat Mastery,” Dee Hsu is also collaborating with National Geographic—both father and daughter's featured subjects revolve around food.

  
▲ (From left to right) Zhang Zhaozhi, Winston Wen, and Ko Chen-tung also have their own favorite recommended programs. (Photo / From National Geographic Channel Facebook)

As for the popular war history program “Battlefield: Black Soldiers in WWII,” it’s a favorite of Tang Congsheng. The gentle and intellectual heartthrob Winston Wen recommends the historical-cultural program “Unearthing the Samurai Graveyard: Kamakura’s Japanese Warriors.” He finds the scientific forensics used in the documentary to speculate on Japan’s wartime history both enlightening and rich in knowledge.

Ko Chen-tung, who is also a devout follower of Taoism, finds special meaning in National Geographic’s first deep-dive into Taiwan’s folk beliefs—“Falling in Love with Real Taiwan: Electric-God Taisui.” This documentary showcases Taiwan’s grassroots spirit through electric-God Taisui performances and portrays how this unique culture has become part of Taiwan’s international charm. It is also the first time a religious event is filmed to reflect the lifestyles of Taiwanese people and how they are influenced by it, which he finds deeply significant.


▲ Angela Chang recommends “Battle in the Big Blue: Weekend Warriors.” (Photo / From National Geographic Channel Facebook)


▲ “Battlefield: Black Soldiers in WWII” is Tang Congsheng’s favorite. (Photo / From National Geographic Channel Facebook)


▲ Tang Zhizhong strongly recommends “Ultimate Factories: Pagani Supercar” after watching its thrilling production process. (Photo / Provided by National Geographic Channel)


▲ Lucy Liu especially recommends “Scam City: Prague.” (Photo / Provided by National Geographic Channel)

Mezzo-soprano diva Angela Chang, when recommending “Battle in the Big Blue: Weekend Warriors,” especially mentioned that due to the global decline in bluefin tuna numbers, strict fishing regulations have been enforced. Fishermen who operate within these rules engage in a battle of wits with the elusive bluefin tuna—an endeavor fraught with untold hardships and tremendous risk.

Additionally, frequent traveler Lucy Liu highly recommends “Scam City: Prague.” In beautiful cities, seemingly helpful drivers or attractive, friendly women could actually be part of tourist scam rings. This information is especially useful for female travelers who prefer independent travel.

 
▲ Tsai Chan-De and Rene Liu also have their classic program recommendations. (Photo / Provided by National Geographic Channel)

Tsai Chan-De strongly recommends National Geographic’s wildlife series—“The Hunt: Cheetah,” where viewers see survival of the fittest as a fundamental principle in nature. She expresses gratitude that civilized human interactions allow her to maintain an optimistic outlook on life.

Tang Zhizhong, a car enthusiast, strongly recommends “Ultimate Factories: Pagani Supercar” after watching its exciting production process. He says only a premium channel like National Geographic allows global audiences to glimpse the inside of a top-tier supercar factory. Starting at 2:00 PM on December 31st, a 10-hour non-stop marathon will celebrate the arrival of the new year 2013 together with Taiwanese audiences.