Question: What do you get when you combine a world renowned astrophysicist with Hollywood heavyweights? It’s a trick question because I know you know that I’m talking about StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson on the National Geographic Channel. Fellow nerdy ladies and gentlemen, you can’t get nerdier than StarTalk.
The Premise
StarTalk, which is basically a late night science themed talk show, is based on Neil deGrasse Tyson’s popular radio astronomy show of the same name. Each episode features an interview with guest celebrities in which host deGrasse Tyson and the weekly celebrities exchange ideas about the scientific impact of a specific cultural phenomenon. Neil deGrasse Tyson and his weekly co-hosts take turns discussing the pre-taped interview in front of a live studio audience at the American Museum of Natural History’s Rose Center for Earth and Space, where he currently serves as Director of the Hayden Planetarium. Bill Nye the Science Guy even makes guest appearances just in case you were questioning how hard core science this show is.
Essentially, we’re talking uber nerdy here, as if the mere mention of science superstar Neil deGrasse Tyson didn’t quite tip you off. And, if you’re familiar with any of deGrasse Tyson’s previous works, i.e. Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey, then you also know that he is known for being a “popularizer of science.” Bridging the gap between science and pop culture is kind of his thing. In other words, he wants us all to be nerds, or at the very least embrace science a bit more. What a wonderful world.
The Celebrity Interviews
When it first premiered on National Geographic on April 20th, StarTalk didn’t hold back. The very first interview featured on the late night talk show was with none other than Star Trek alum George Takei aka Mr. Sulu. So, it was only fitting that the entire first episode revolved around the world of science and technology that embodied Star Trek, including a discussion of how Gene Roddenberry’s cultural phenomenon impacted science fiction. It only goes up from there, folks.
The second episode of StarTalk features director/producer/screenwriter Christopher Nolan, most recently known for directing the science fiction thriller Interstellar and, of course, the last Batman movie trilogy. The episodes that follow include interviews with Dan Savage, Arianna Huffington, Richard Dawkins, Jimmy Carter, Chris Hadfield, and Biz Stone, which brings us up to date. Nerd alert: On the next episode, deGrasse Tyson interviews Charles Bolden, the former astronaut and the 12thAdministrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Check out this clip of the first episode with George Takei. You’re welcome.
StarTalk with host Neil deGrasse Tyson airs Mondays at 11:00pm EST on National Geographic. You can also catch up on previously aired episodes on Hulu Plus.