I do watch the old guy occasionally. For some reason I like him. Not sure why, maybe it's because he's sincere and honest. Even when he's wrong.
He's already predicted it before (1994 or 1995), but this time he's sure he's got the right equation. And if he's wrong and picks another date further in the future, well that's the word of God.....
What all the clergy of all the religions haven't figured out is that there's really only ONE religion out there, the religion of God. And what we call a Religious Faith (such as Judaism, Christianity, Islam, etc.), is just one chapter, one revelation, in the Book of God. All speak God's word for humanity. As civilization advances and becomes more mature, new prophets are sent with new messages that build on the old. Thus we have Abraham, Moses, and then Jesus, each adding more information. Muslims would add Muhammad to that list, and the Bahai's would add their prophets.
Isn't it interesting that NONE of the major prophets has ever denounced his predecessor. Each prophet has ony offered the kindest words of praise and reverence. None have ever said to forget that guy who came last time, that he's got it all wrong. That alone is good reason to believe that it's all real. That the prophets are indeed sent from God to deliver his advise for humanity at each stage of the advancement of civilization.