Parallel Worlds, Parallel Lives BBC Four documentary about Eels founder Mark Everett and his father

By bandweblogs on Nov 16, 2007 in Albums, Bands, Music, New Releases, Press Releases | Tags: BBC, BBC Four, Cds, Documentaries, Eels, Hugh Everett III, Mark Oliver Everett, Music, Musicians, Parallel Universes, Parallel Worlds, Quantum Mechanics, TV

Eels - Mark Everett

Parallel Worlds, Parallel Lives follows the lead singer of US rock band Eels, Mark Oliver Everett (E), on his journey of discovery across America to learn about the father he never knew, Hugh Everett III, the quantum mechanic. The BBC Four one hour documentary will premiere on Monday, November 26, 2007 at 9:00pm (GMT).

This year is the 50th anniversary of Hugh Everett’s most important contribution to science – a controversial theory of quantum mechanics that predicts the existence of Parallel Universes, one of the most fantastic scientific predictions ever to have been conceived.

Hugh wrote the theory as a young PhD student at Princeton University, but for 20 years it remained largely ignored by the scientific community. Faced with derision and rejection, Everett abandoned academia and forged a career in the American defence industry. It was only at the end of his life, that his visionary work began to be taken seriously.

Hugh died of a heart attack in his home in 1982 where his body was found by 19 year old son Mark. Even though they had lived in the same house, the two of them were alienated and Mark knew nothing about his father’s work.

“My father never, ever said anything to me about his theories. I was in the same house with him for at least 18 years but he was a total stranger to me. He was in his own parallel universe. He was a physical presence, like the furniture, sitting there jotting down crazy notations at the dining room table night after night. I think he was deeply disappointed that he knew he was a genius but the rest of the world didn’t know it.” – Mark Everett.

In this intelligent and imaginative film, the wry and charismatic Mark takes a journey back into his father’s life, meeting his old college pals, family friends and colleagues and takes a crash course in the weird world of quantum mechanics in order to understand his father’s mind blowing theory.

Parallel Worlds, Parallel Lives 1×60
Produced by Specialist Factual, BBC Scotland
Filmed, Produced and Directed by Louise Lockwood
26 November 2007

In other Eels news:

Eels are set to celebrate their 10-year anniversary with the release of their first ‘best of’ and ‘rarities’ collections, ‘Meet The EELS: Essential EELS Vol. 1, 1996-2006 (CD+DVD)’, and ‘Eels Useless Trinkets: B-Sides, Soundtracks, Rarities and Unreleased 1996-2006 (2CD+DVD)’ out on 21 January 2008.

Eels Official Website

More Music: myspace.com/JennyMayMusic

Jenny May / Band Weblogs on Twitter

Search for music: Amazon.com | amazon.co.uk

8 Comment(s)
By Chris on Nov 27, 2007 | Reply

Very moved by the doc you made for your Dad.

Thanks very much.
By bandweblogs on Nov 27, 2007 | Reply

The documentary was quite interesting. I’m even more curious now about Hugh Everett’s theories. The use of E’s music (the Eels) and clips of him performing live throughout was also very good.
By STEFAN on Dec 24, 2007 | Reply

ME I THINK IT IS GREAT WHAT YOUR DOING, FOR YOUR FATHER. I AGREE THAT HE WAS DEEPLY SEPERATED FROM YOU. I REMEMBER YOUR RELATIONSHIP W/ HIM. HOPE ALL IS WELL. KEEP IN TOUCH. SS
By patrick gallagher on Jan 30, 2008 | Reply

i really enjoyed the documetary about your father. i found the song about your father very moving. its funny how we never know our fathers till they have passed on but not our fault theirs but hopefully we can learn from their mistakes. WELL DONE
By Chris Kolbach on Feb 14, 2008 | Reply

I really obtained my own “parallel” experience from watching this documentary:

I was informed and fascinated on one hand . . .

whereby alongside that,

I was also moved to tears at times, over the beautiful humanity that came across in the humble manner in which you undertook your journery.

I hope you found what you were looking for (it looks like you did).

You obviously can be very proud of your father, and you should be proud of yourself.

Thank you.
By Big Steve on Apr 22, 2008 | Reply

E, what a great film! I was gutted when I missed it airing on Tv, and remarked upon this to a friend shortly before going to see you play at Sheffield City Hall. How lucky was I that you ran the film as your support act, and not only was it great, but the gig was utterly brilliant. Please pass on my regards to Chet, I hope his hair has settled down!
By nan on Jun 12, 2009 | Reply

I’m looking for the Eels album title that includes on it the song about Mark Everett’s father. Anyone know which album it is on, or at least the song title? Thanks
By Jabalong on Aug 16, 2009 | Reply

Listening to the lyrics in the show, here are the songs featured in Parallel Worlds, Parallel, Lives:

Trouble With Dreams
Things The Grandchildren Should Know
Railroad Man
Beautiful Freak
Rotten World Blues
Packing Blankets
Things The Grandchildren Should Know [Again]