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Frankly, science literacy is probably the last term anyone would use to describe Fox鈥檚 primetime programming. Yet, here is the network home of 鈥淔amily Guy,鈥� touting 鈥淐osmos: A Spacetime Odyssey,鈥� its remake of the most definitive science TV series ever, Carl Sagan's 1980 鈥淐osmos, A Personal Journey鈥� on PBS

The series is actually executive produced by Seth MacFarlane of 鈥淔amily Guy鈥� fame, in partnership with Ann Druyan, Mr. Sagan鈥檚 widow聽and a co-writer of the original "Cosmos" series. "Cosmos," the sequel, will also air on National Geographic, beginning Monday. But the real question is: Can this concept, originally headlined by science鈥檚 first rock star in a largely pre-cable universe (only 23 percent of homes even had cable back then) make a dent in today鈥檚 media universe, where as Sagan might say, there are 鈥渂illions and billions鈥� of options?

Some early returns are in: 8.5 million viewers across 10 channels tuned in for the debut, according to the Wrap. Fox is projecting that more than 40 million viewers worldwide will have seen the debut of the new series by week's end

The series debuted with a few things in its favor. Let鈥檚 see. The president of the United States, Barack Obama, stepped in to give a surprise introduction when the series debuted Sunday. And the unprecedented, multiplatform blitz strategy helped spread the word. In addition to re-airing on Nat Geo, the show launched on Fox and 10 sister cable channels simultaneously.

While some might think the very notion of TV is too retro in a world going increasingly mobile, this kind of extravagant, special-effects-heavy programming needs to be seen on the big home screen, says Fordham University professor Paul Levinson, author of 鈥淣ew New Media.鈥�

"Television is the ideal place for a relaunch of the Sagan 'Cosmos' series,鈥� he says via e-mail, because it鈥檚 the biggest screen in the home and is easily seen by the family or friends at the same time.

鈥淭he 'Cosmos,' as a subject, requires a screen bigger than the phone, tablet, or laptop, and its profundity makes it a perfect subject for group viewing and discussion, which can take place any time of night or day thanks to DVRs,鈥� he notes. As we go about our busy lives down here on Earth, he adds, 鈥渋t is more important than ever that we get a sense of the larger universe in which we are situated, and how that relates to our past and our future."

The scientific community has welcomed the show, praising host Neil deGrasse Tyson. 鈥淭he new 'Cosmos' show is great,鈥� writes Villanova University astronomy professor Edward Guinan from Philadelphia. Mr. Tyson has a great talent for explaining difficult science concepts, such as 鈥渄ark energy and matter,鈥� in clear and interesting ways, he notes. 鈥淗e also has a great sense of humor that will enliven the show.鈥�

Across campus, Villanova Communication Instructor Derek Arnold notes that the show faces formidable competition. Not just from many other entertainment alternatives, but a vast universe of nature and science programming as well, on everything from the Science Channel to a multitude of Discovery and PBS shows, to name a few.

However, he points out that Tyson may be the ideal successor to Sagan. 鈥淥ne of my sons [who is 15] sees him as his favorite public figure,鈥� he says via e-mail.聽 Tyson can energize viewers with his delivery and also serve as a popular spokesperson for science in general, he says.

Just as Sagan was a pop culture figure, appearing on " 'The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson,' so Tyson has made himself a fixture on such late-night destinations as 鈥�'The Daily Show,' 鈥� says Robert Thompson, founder of the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture in Syracuse, N.Y.

鈥淗e pointed out to the host Jon Stewart that the turning world in his opening credits was going the wrong direction,鈥� he says with a laugh. He also famously posited a list of scientifically incorrect faux pas committed in the movie, 鈥淕ravity,鈥� which included the fact that Sandra Bullock鈥檚 hair would have been loosely flying, rather than the utterly controlled mane that appeared in the movie.

More than being well-adapted to the media environment of today, Tyson helps feed a critical science literacy into popular culture, Professor Thompson adds.

Sagan鈥檚 show tapped into a pop culture obsession with extraterrestrial life, notes Thompson, pointing to such films as 鈥淓.T.鈥� and 鈥淐lose Encounters of the Third Kind.鈥�

The new show introduces heady topics such as string theory and parallel universes, 鈥渨hich are real scientific topics, making their way into water-cooler chats.鈥�

There are very few important geopolitical decisions these days that do not have a science component, he says, 鈥渂ut we remain a nation that is science and math phobic, so anything that helps feed real science into the public dialogue is a good thing.鈥�

Not all scientists were thrilled with the content, however. John Janovy, professor emeritus of biological sciences at University of Nebraska, Lincoln found it 鈥渁 little bit shallow and non-engaging.鈥� Mainly, he says via e-mail, 鈥渂ecause I did not see the essential structure of science, namely a question followed by an attempt to answer it, as part of the narrative.鈥�

And what does PBS, the rightful progenitor, make of a mainstream cable broadcast network recreating its most-watched science show ever?

鈥淭he new 'Cosmos' certainly points back to the power and importance of the original,鈥� says Beth Hoppe, PBS chief programming executive.聽 And, she adds, 鈥渨e are always happy to see good science content, even if it鈥檚 on other channels.鈥�