Some wonderful news for birdwatcher and comic book author Christian Cooper: He’s getting his own birdwatching TV show.
National Geographic announced the show, Extraordinary Birder, at the end of last week. It said it would follow Cooper explore the “wild, wonderful and unpredictable world of birds.”
“Whether braving stormy seas in Alaska for puffins, trekking into rainforests in Puerto Rico for parrots, or scaling a bridge in Manhattan for a peregrine falcon, he does whatever it takes to learn about these extraordinary feathered creatures and show us the remarkable world in the sky above,”
Related: Racially profiled gay Central Park birdwatcher opens up about “Karen’s” downfall
Cooper, 59, is an avid birdwatcher who, before May 2020 was best known as a respected comic book author. He was Marvel’s first out, gay writer and editor.
However, that all changed when he took a walk in Central Park and came across a White woman, Amy Cooper (no relation) and her unleashed dog. She was in a wilder part of the park where owners are asked to keep their dogs on the leash to protect birds and other wildlife.
Cooper, who is Black, approached her and spoke to her about violating park rules. In response, Amy Cooper called the police and told them, “I’m in the Ramble. And there is a man, African American — he has a bicycle helmet. He’s recording me and threatening me and my dog.”
Christian videotaped the incident. He was not threatening her in any way.
Amy Cooper, dubbed “Central Park Karen” by many online, was later charged with a third-degree misdemeanor over making the false claim. However, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office later dropped the charge, pointing to a lack of previous convictions on her part and the fact she’d completed five restorative justice sessions.
Christian Cooper later created a DC graphic novel inspired by the incident.
National Geographic has not yet announced a premiere date for Extraordinary Birder.
Heywood Jablowme
Looking forward to this show, he seems nice!
Cam
“”However, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office later dropped the charge, pointing to a lack of previous convictions on her part and the fact she’d completed five restorative justice sessions.””
Yeah, that’s the same DA who dropped cases against Harvey Weinstein and the Trump family after “Donations” from their attorney. Sounds like Amy (Karen) donated to his reelection campaign.
stuffedpuppy
I certainly wouldn’t be surprised…
WayDifferent
You obviously never read about the Studio 54 Jews that Obama “pardoned”. The ignorance of today’s gays is hilarious.
Bosch
Ok before anyone here starts believing WayDifferent’s bullcrap…
When he says “Studio 54 Jews”, he means founder Ian Schrager. Ian Schrager was found guilty of tax evasion, served time and paid a fine. In the 80s.
In 2016, Obama pardoned him for this conviction in the 80s. He did not get his money back, and he did not magically get his prison time revoked four decades later. The pardon was symbolic and had no practical consequences for Schrager.
Tell me, WayDifferent, what was your point, besides being homophobic and antisemitic in the same message?
Kangol2
Christian Cooper isn’t just a committed birder and comics writer, he’s also a longtime LGBTQ activist, going back decades. I’m glad he’s gotten his own show. The racist nutcase woman who made the false accusations against him of course was able to walk away without any real penalties…so typical!
Heywood Jablowme
As is well known, Christian Cooper eventually urged the D.A. to drop the case because he was uncomfortable with the media “piling on” Amy Cooper. (There’s a link to that above.)
Kangol2
Yes, Heywood, I know he urged the DA to drop the case, but the DA could still have pushed for some kind of penalty based on the law. More than a few Black people have died (cf. Emmett Till) based on the crap she pulled.
MISTERJETT
if the victims of these karens would sue them for harassment, it would put a stop to at least some of it, but i don’t recall that ever happening. they have every right to bring lawsuits against the racist, bigoted fools. i would think it would be easy enough to prove when it’s all been recorded on their phones.
Essie
I love these nature documentaries so I look forward to this show. Christian is well-spoken and really smart so he will know what he’s talking about. Around the time the “incident” happened, Christian was in a documentary on, I think, Netflix about Central Park birdwatchers. He was just one of the watchers but he stood out because he was one of the few Black birdwatchers. The doc was interesting and all the birdwatchers were fun people of vastly different ages from teen to very elderly.
WayDifferent
Great. Go to the south side of Chicago or anywhere in Detroit to “watch” anything and lets us know how it went. Lol.
SDR94103
YEAH!!!!
Creamsicle
Yesss. He’s so hot!
trojanboy
What a dude.
Dymension
Here I was thinking he was at the Rambles that morning looking for trade…
johncp56
Thank you he is gay! and beautiful thoughtful,