StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson

2016 • National Geographic Channel
4.5
90 reviews
TV-14
Rating
Eligible
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Season 4 episodes (20)

1 Lance Armstrong
10/1/17
Neil deGrasse Tyson features his interview with controversial world-champion cyclist Lance Armstrong. Tyson is joined in studio by comedian co-host Scott Adsit and journalist Max Glaskin and bioethics professor Arthur Caplan to discuss the science of cycling, sports ethics and performance enhancement. Chuck Nice joins from the Sports Science Lab to test cycling training techniques.
2 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
10/8/17
Host Neil deGrasse Tyson sits down with NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Later, in the Cullman Hall of the Universe, Tyson is joined by comedian co-host Chuck Nice and astrophysicist Charles Liu to discuss the science and history of basketball as well as Abdul-Jabbar’s legacy. NBA analyst and former 76er Jim Spanarkel joins the conversation in the studio.
3 Jane Goodall
10/15/17
Legendary chimpanzee researcher Jane Goodall joins host Neil deGrasse Tyson for a featured interview. Tyson is joined in studio by comedian Chuck Nice and biological anthropologist Jill Pruetz to discuss chimp behavior, animal and environmental ethics and the evolutionary differences between chimpanzees and humans. Primatologist Natalia Reagan joins from a chimpanzee sanctuary in Georgia.
4 Katie Couric
10/22/17
Host Neil deGrasse Tyson features his interview with renowned news anchor Katie Couric. Tyson is joined in the Cullman Hall of the Universe by comedian co-host Eugene Mirman and journalism professor Jeff Jarvis to discuss the intersection of science and journalism. Adding to the discussion, Chuck Nice chimes in with the crowds at the March for Science.
5 Kevin Smith
10/29/17
Filmmaker, comic book fanatic and all-around geek ambassador Kevin Smith sits down with host Neil deGrasse Tyson. Later, Tyson is joined by comedian co-host Chuck Nice and astrophysicist Charles Liu as they discuss science fiction, comic books and the science of superheroes. StarTalk science correspondent and anthropologist Natalia Reagan sends a dispatch from San Diego Comic-Con.
6 Scifi Meets National Defense
11/5/17
Neil deGrasse Tyson interviews former head of DARPA Arati Prabhakar. Tyson is joined in the Hall of the Universe by comedian co-host Chuck Nice and national security journalist Sharon Weinberger to discuss the intersection of science fiction, technology and national defense. Rocket scientist Natalie Panek joins via video call and Hod Lipson demonstrates his self-aware robot.
7 Katy Perry
11/12/17
Host Neil deGrasse Tyson features his interview with pop superstar Katy Perry. Tyson is joined in the Hall of the Universe by comedian co-host Sasheer Zamata and guest astrophysicist Charles Liu, to answer some of Perry’s quirky “Cosmic Queries.” Adding to the discussion, comedian Chuck Nice sends a dispatch from Washington Square Park in New York City.
8 Sylvia Earle, Fabien Cousteau & Adrian Grenier
11/19/17
Host Neil deGrasse Tyson interviews legendary oceanographer Sylvia Earle and famed aquanaut Fabien Cousteau. Tyson is joined in the Hall of the Universe by comedian co-host Scott Adsit and marine biologist and conservationist Laure Katz to discuss ocean exploration and conservation. Adding to the discussion, actor and activist Adrian Grenier joins via video and Erika Bergman shows off her submarine.
9 James Cameron
11/26/17
Neil deGrasse Tyson interviews filmmaker and National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence James Cameron. Cameron discusses everything from the inspiration behind his record-breaking film “Avatar” to his solo dive to the deepest point of the Mariana Trench. Tyson is joined by comedian co-host Chuck Nice and astrophysicist Charles Liu to discuss the intersection of storytelling, exploration and science.
10 Celestial Navigation
12/3/17
Host Neil deGrasse Tyson features his interview with master navigator Nainoa Thompson. Tyson is joined in the Hall of the Universe by comedian co-host Maeve Higgins along with guest celestial navigation expert Frank Reed, to discuss the science of non-instrument navigating. Adding to the discussion, author and science writer Dava Sobel joins the conversation in the studio.
11 Salman Rushdie
12/10/17
Host Neil deGrasse Tyson features his interview with celebrated novelist Salman Rushdie. Tyson is joined in the Hall of the Universe by comedian co-host Eugene Mirman along with guest literary scholar Jonathan Gottschall, to explore the science of storytelling. Adding to the discussion, Chuck Nice joins from the front steps of the famous New York Public Library.
12 Interstellar Space Travel
12/17/17
Host Neil deGrasse Tyson interviews engineer, physician and former NASA astronaut Dr. Mae Jemison. Tyson is joined in the Hall of the Universe by comedian co-host Godfrey along with theoretical physicist Lawrence Krauss, to discuss the challenges of interstellar travel. Biomedical engineer Ronke Olabisi joins to weigh in on the biological aspects of sending humans into interstellar space.
13 Alan Alda
1/7/18
Host Neil deGrasse Tyson features his interview with world-renowned actor and science communication advocate Alan Alda. Tyson is joined in the Hall of the Universe by comedian co-host Matt Kirshen and neuroscientist Heather Berlin to discuss learning, connecting and communicating science. Also in the studio, comedian and anthropologist Natalia Reagan joins to share her experience creating wacky science videos.
14 Stephen Colbert
1/14/18
Host Neil deGrasse Tyson features his interview with comedian and host of “The Late Show,” Stephen Colbert. Tyson is joined in the Hall of the Universe by comedian co-host Adam Conover and author and satire analyst Sophia McClennen to discuss the intersections of comedy, science and politics. To add to the conversation about entertainment and public figures, Bill Nye “The Science Guy” sends in a dispatch from Hollywood Boulevard.
15 True Story of Hidden Figures
1/21/18
Host Neil deGrasse Tyson features his interviews with the author of “Hidden Figures,” Margot Lee Shetterly, and Grammy-nominated singer Janelle Monáe. Tyson is joined in the Hall of the Universe by comedian co-host Sasheer Zamata and NASA historian Bill Barry to discuss NASA’s human computers and their space race legacy. To add to the conversation about modern space programs, NASA engineer Tracy Drain joins via video call.
16 Sam Harris and the Science of Belief
1/28/18
Host Neil deGrasse Tyson features his interview with neuroscientist and author Sam Harris. Tyson is joined in the Hall of the Universe by comedian co-host Godfrey and neuroscientist and neurotheology pioneer Andrew Newberg to discuss everything from free will and religion to consciousness and psychedelic drugs. Author Robert Wright joins via Skype call to add to the conversation on meditation and enlightenment.
17 Frank Oz and the Science of Puppeteering
2/4/18
Host Neil deGrasse Tyson interviews puppeteer Frank Oz, known for fan-favorite characters including Miss Piggy, Cookie Monster and Yoda. Tyson is joined by comedian co-host Adam Conover and astrophysicist Charles Liu to discuss iconic puppets, the people “behind the curtain” and their impact on pop culture. Bill Nye joins from the Museum of the Moving Image in New York and Chuck Nice sends a dispatch from New York Comic Con.
18 Kelly Slater and the Science of Surfing
2/18/18
Host Neil deGrasse Tyson interviews champion surfer Kelly Slater. Tyson is joined in the Hall of the Universe by comedian co-host Chuck Nice, writer William Finnegan and oceanographer Travis Schramek to discuss the science of surfing. To add to the conversation, Bill Nye weighs in from a surf shop and, via Skype call, wave designer Adam Fincham speaks to how the Kelly Slater Wave Co. developed its revolutionary wave pool.
19 Astronaut Scott Kelly
2/25/18
Host Neil deGrasse Tyson interviews astronaut and former commander of the International Space Station, Scott Kelly. Tyson is joined by comedian co-host Chuck Nice, NASA astronaut Terry Virts and NASA biomedical scientist Jennifer Fogarty to discuss the science and biological challenges of extended human space flight. Chuck Nice shares his dispatch from New York City and Bill Nye tries on a space suit.
20 Stephen Hawking
3/4/18
Host Neil deGrasse Tyson features his interview with world-renowned physicist and cosmologist Stephen Hawking. Tyson is joined in the Hall of the Universe by comedian co-host Matt Kirshen, along with theoretical physicists Janna Levin and Michio Kaku, to discuss some of the mysteries of our universe. Adding to the discussion, Bill Nye the Science Guy weighs in from the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles.

About this show

The Emmy-nominated series, hosted by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson returns, bringing together celebrities and scientists to explore topics and colliding science and pop culture in a way that TV has never seen before. Guests include "The Walking Dead" creator, Robert Kirkman, actress and neuroscientist Mayim Bialik, US Secretary of Defense Ash Carter, Olympic gold medalist Hope Solo.

Ratings and reviews

4.5
90 reviews
Deborah Lighthall
September 26, 2016
This smart, edifying series stands out from all the mind-numbing programming choking our TV entertainment choices today. My plea to TV executives everywhere- more series like this that are part of a solution rather than part of the many problems we face this day and age.
12 people found this review helpful
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Luis Gomez
September 30, 2016
Neil doesn't "beleive" in "god" because there is no such thing. Take it from one of the most intelligent person on this planet. @Michael del valle
3 people found this review helpful
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Belkys
September 27, 2016
HATE THIS GUY , KNOWS THE TRUTH , BUT WELL NOT GO AGANST NASA B/S THEORYS !!. AND DOES NOT BELIVE IN GOD !!.
10 people found this review helpful
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