StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson — Season 1
About this season
Host Neil deGrasse Tyson brings together celebrities, scientists and comedians to explore a variety of cosmic topics and collide pop culture with science in a way that late-night television has never seen before. Weekly topics range from popular science fiction, space travel, extraterrestrial life, the Big Bang, to the future of Earth and the environment. Tyson is an astrophysicist with a gifted ability to connect with everyone, inspiring us all to to "keep looking up."
Episodes (10)
1. George Takei
8.0Aired 20 April 2015 • 60 min
Discussing how the scenarios in “Star Trek” relate to moral and social issues of today with actor George Takei.
2. Christopher Nolan
8.0Aired 27 April 2015 • 60 min
Discussing how director Christopher Nolan translates his love of science to his films; with theoretical cosmologist Dr. Janna Levin and comic Eugene Mirman.
3. Dan Savage
7.0Aired 4 May 2015 • 60 min
Activist, author and journalist Dan Savage joins Dr. Tyson to discuss what love means in today’s society. Anthropologist Helen Fisher and comedian Chuck Nice add their insight to the conversation.
4. Arianna Huffington
7.0Aired 11 May 2015 • 60 min
Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson and Arianna Huffington, co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post, explore Living in the Information Age. The two discuss how technology influences the rate and ways in which we communicate. Journalist Jeff Jarvis and comedian Chuck Nice add their insight.
5. Richard Dawkins
7.0Aired 18 May 2015 • 60 min
StarTalk tackles a burning question: Can Science and Religion Coexist? Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson and evolutionary biologist and ethologist Richard Dawkins debate whether science and religion can truly coexist in today’s society. Jesuit clergyman James Martin and comedian Eugene Mirman weigh in.
6. Jimmy Carter
8.0Aired 25 May 2015 • 60 min
Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson and President Jimmy Carter examine the topic of Pulling the Plug on Pestilence. The duo discuss the importance of and progress toward ending fatal epidemic diseases. Mark Siddall, curator of the division of invertebrate zoology at the American Museum of Natural History, and comedian Chuck Nice share their views on this matter.
7. Chris Hadfield
8.0Aired 1 June 2015 • 60 min
Social Media-Savvy Astronauts are taking over the cosmos. Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chris Hadfield, the first Canadian astronaut to walk in space, discuss social media milestones in space, and its usage among today’s astronauts. Former astronaut Dr. Mike Massimo and comedian Eugene Mirman comment on this growing trend.
8. Biz Stone
8.0Aired 8 June 2015 • 60 min
Dr. Tyson explores The Impact of Twitter on Society as he sits down with Biz Stone, co-founder of Twitter and co-founder/CEO of Super.me. The two discuss how the social media phenomenon has affected the way we communicate in today’s world. Sharing their experience and opinions are Dr. Alondra Nelson, professor of sociology at Columbia University; Clive Thompson, journalist; and Eugene Mirman, comedian.
9. Charles Bolden/NASA
8.0Aired 15 June 2015 • 60 min
This week’s theme is NASA’s Vision on Space. Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson and Maj. Gen. Charles Bolden, administrator of NASA, examine NASA’s past, present and future. Astrophysicist Dr. Michael Shara and science educator Bill Nye share their thoughts on the space program.
10. Norman Lear
7.0Aired 22 June 2015 • 60 min
Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson and Norman Lear, television writer and producer, discuss TV and the Evolution of American Culture. From “All in the Family” to “The Big Bang Theory,” the diverse television landscape and evolving American culture are explored. Author Saul Austerlitz and comedian Chuck Nice add their insight.