Astronaut Harrison ‘Jack’ Schmitt, American Flag, and Earth (Apollo 17 EVA-1)
Photo Credit: NASA

You know the names: Sputnik, Apollo, JFK, LBJ, Gagarin, Laika, von Braun. You know the speeches: “…We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, …” But do you know the reality? Find out when astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson interviews Prof. John Logsdon, an expert in the history of space exploration. You’ll learn Eisenhower’s secret reason for starting NASA, why JFK offered to explore space jointly with the Russians, and how “Operation Paperclip” helped us win the Space Race… and the Arms Race. Find out why the Apollo program ended early and why NASA retired the Space Shuttle but the Soyuz is still going strong. Plus Neil’s favorite moment in the US space program and a history lesson “through the lens of Chuck Nice.” And this is just Part 1.

Guests:
Prof. John Logsdon, Ph.D., Founder and Former Director, Space Policy Institute, Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University

Co-Host:
Chuck Nice, comedian

Music:
“Satellite Baby” – Roosevelt Sykes
“Sputnik Dance” – The Equadors
“President Kennedy’s 1962 speech” at Rice University
“Beechwood 4-5789” – The Marvelettes
“Beep Beep” – Louis Prima
“Judgment of the Moon and the Stars” – Joni Mitchell
“Sputnik And Mutniks” – Ray Anderson & The Home Folks
“Sputnik (Satellite Girl)” – Jerry Engler
“Theme song” – Terminator

Artist’s concept illustrating a dead star, or “white dwarf,” surrounded by the bits and pieces of a disintegrating asteroid. Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

“Why are some asteroids mineral rich and some just big rocks?” “Is the asteroid belt actually the debris from a failed planet?” “What’s the difference between comets, asteroids, meteoroids, meteors, meteorites, planets, dwarf planets and more?” “Are there interstellar asteroids?” “Do we have the ability to track meteors the size of the one that exploded recently over Russia?” In this week’s podcast, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice answer fan questions about asteroids. You’ll find out why the Moon doesn’t have an iron core, what science fiction movies get wrong about the asteroid belt, and what happened to the other planets in our early solar system. You’ll also learn about Abe Lincoln and the Leonid Meteor Storm of 1833, the practicality of deflecting asteroids to use as weapons, and whether Neil would rather be a pirate or a ninja. (And that’s not even the weirdest question this episode!)

Co-Host:
Chuck Nice, comedian

Music:

“Shooting Star” – Owl City
“Asteroid” – Edgewater
“Iron and Stone” – The Foo Fighters
“Fire Inside” – Gemini (featuring Greta Svabo Bech)
“Into Orbit” – Monk and Neagle
“Cosmic Love (Falling Star)” – Florence + The Machine
“Slipping” – Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog
“Daylight” – Maroon 5
“Kosmos” – t.A.T.u

Planetary Resources exploring near-earth asteroids with Arkyd-100 and Arkyd-200 spacecraft.
Credit: © Copyright 2013 Planetary Resources

“Everything we fight wars over on Earth – metals, minerals, energy, real estate – those things are in near infinite quantities in space. The Earth is a crumb in a supermarket filled with resources.” And that’s just a taste of astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson’s interview with the visionary Peter Diamandis, co-founder of Planetary Resources and founder of the X-Prize Foundation. They’ll discuss asteroid mining, space exploration with PR’s Arkyd-100 and 200 spacecraft, the role of greed in advancing our society and the economic and industrial impact of rare elements becoming abundant. You’ll learn about the different types of asteroids Planetary Resources is searching for, from carbonaceous chondrites that can be used as fuel depots for missions to the Moon and Mars, to PGM-rich asteroids worth billions. Plus, you’ll find out why comic co-host Chuck Nice calls Peter “a real-life James Bond villain.”

Guest:
Peter Diamandis, co-founder of Planetary Resources and the X-Prize

Co-Host:
Chuck Nice, comedian

Music:
“Titanium” – David Guetta featuring Ska
“Chiron Beta Prime” – Jonathan Coulton
“Eureka” – Something for Kate
“Skyfall” – Adele
“Own It” – Black Eyed Peas
“Ho Hey” – The Lumineers
“Pour It Up” – Rihanna
“Gold Digger” – Kanye West (Featuring Jamie Foxx)
“Make the World Move” – Christina Aguilera (featuring Cee-Lo Green)

Anthony Bourdain

Part 2 of Neil deGrasse Tyson’s interview with celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain is all about cooking and eating, from the experimental techniques of molecular cooking to the “Nose to Tail” movement that incorporates respect for the animal into the culinary process. Anthony explains how to avoid getting food-sick in exotic locales and why he’ll never again drink cobra blood out of a snake’s still-beating heart. NYU Professor of Nutrition Marion Nestle tells us how to avoid food-borne illnesses here at home, while co-host Eugene Mirman shares his advice for curing viruses and the common cold. You’ll learn why we can’t eat wood, why eggs get fluffy when we cook them, what altitude does to the human palate and what type of food the astronauts on the International Space Station desire most.

Guests:
Anthony Bourdain, World Traveler, Author and Chef
Marion Nestle, Paulette Goddard Professor, Department of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health and Professor of Sociology at New York University

Co-Host:
Eugene Mirman, comedian

Music:
“Secrets” – One Republic
“Burning” (French version) – Mia Martina
“Sugar” – Flo Rida
“Fergalicious” – Fergi
“A Little Respect” (Wayne G and Gurdy Club Remix) – Erasure
“Hot Cookin’” – G Love
“Safety Net” – Joel Piper
“Poison” – Beyonce
“Spice Up Your Life” – The Spice Girls

Photo Credit: Leslie Mullen

What’s on the StarTalk Radio menu? Part 1 of Neil deGrasse Tyson’s interview with celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain. The bestselling author describes some of the most disgusting things he’s ever eaten on his adventures, from African bush meat to rotten, fermented shark, and how a bowl of noodles changed his life. He and Neil discuss the business of food, including a vivid description of “pink slime.” Anthony also gets personal about his self-destructive early years and what saved him. Between courses, comic co-host Eugene Mirman and Marion Nestle, Professor of Nutrition at NYU, dish out a heaping helping of dietary science, evolution, cultural relativism and physiology. This Sunday’s podcast is just the appetizer and entree. You’ll have to wait until Part 2 for dessert.

Guests:
Anthony Bourdain, World Traveler, Author and Chef
Marion Nestle, Paulette Goddard Professor, Department of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health and Professor of Sociology at New York University

Co-Host:
Eugene Mirman, comedian

Music:

“No Reservations” – Theme Song
“32 Flavors” – Ani DiFranco
“Candyman” – Christina Aguilera
“The Fast Food Song” – The Fast Food Rockers
“Aha!” – Pentatonix (Imogen Heap cover)
“Red Beans & Rice” – Spearhead
“Fish in the Sea” – Frootful (featuring Angeline Morrison)
“Eat Your Heart Out” – Lydia
“Doin Dishes” – R. Kelly

Copy of the original “Wow!” computer printout, taken several years after the arrival of the strong narrowband radio signal detected by Jerry R. Ehman on August 15, 1977 while working on a SETI project.
Credit: Photo Credit: Ohio State University Radio Observatory; North American AstroPhysical Observatory (NAAPO).

Could the “Wow!” radio signal recorded by a SETI researcher have been alien in origin? What laws of physics might limit the forms alien life could take? How near would alien civilizations have to be to detect life on Earth? What senses might an alien life form have beyond the ones humans possess? These are just a few of your questions that astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Leighann Lord answer in this Cosmic Queries episode. You’ll find out what Dr. Tyson, the director of the Hayden Planetarium, would ask an extraterrestrial if he met one – and if he thinks we could even understand them. It’s an out-of-this-world episode filled with science, chemistry, exobiology, physics and informed speculation – whether you believe in the possibility of alien life or not.

Co-Host:
Leighann Lord, comedian

Music:
“Sight of the Sun” – Fun
“Annie’s Song” – John Denver
“Larger than Life” – The Backstreet Boys
“Solid Air” – Nero, featuring Alana
“WOW” – Kylie Minogue
“Repeat” – David Guetta, featuring Jesse J.
“Circle Of Life” – Disney’s “Lion King”
“Aliens and Rainbows” – Ferras
“Requiem” – Alien Vs. Predator – Bryan Tyler

Severus Snape
Photo Credit: Warner Brothers

In the conclusion of Neil deGrasse Tyson’s interview with Alan Rickman, the actor who brought Professor Severus Snape to life explains the importance of good storytelling to the craft of acting, and what he sees as his responsibility to his audience. It’s a rare inside look at what Alan describes as “the mysterious mechanism of acting and theatre and storytelling.” In return, Neil explains the physics of roller coasters (Alan is a big fan) and what we’re really seeing when a flock of birds moves in perfect synchronization. They chat about the impact of special effects on the making of movies, and comic co-host Chuck Nice and guest astrophysicist Charles Liu add their own perspectives on the science of the magic in the Harry Potter movies.

Guests:
Alan Rickman
Charles Liu, Astrophysicist

Co-Host:
Comedian Chuck Nice. His YouTube page and Twitter page.

Music:
“Love Rollercoaster” – Red Hot Chili Peppers
“Snowmobiles” – Michael Kamen, Die Hard 2: Die Harder Soundtrack
“Truly, Madly, Deeply” – Savage Garden
“She Moved Through the Fair” – Sinead O’Connor, “Michael Collins” Soundtrack
“The Harry Potter Theme Song” – Performed By Richard Clayderman and Orchestra
“Wizard Love” – Meekakitty featuring heyhihello
“Alien” – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack End Title
“Clubbed to Death” – The Matrix Soundtrack
Alan Rickman as Severus Snape in the Harry Potter Movie series

Photo Credit: David Gamble

Alan Rickman has played Professor Snape in the Harry Potter movies, Alexander Dane in Galaxy Quest, Hans Gruber in Die Hard and Metatron, “the voice of the one true God” in Dogma. So what does astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson ask him about in Part 1 of this interview? Failing physics in high school, of course. They also talk a little about acting, including how Alan chooses and prepares for his roles, from researching the heart surgeon in Something the Lord Made to the wine-tasting scene in Bottle Shock. Guest astrophysicist Charles Liu and comic co-host Chuck Nice are both big fans of Alan Rickman – listen for their “impressions” of some of his most famous lines (“By Grabthar’s Hammer…”) in between their discussions of science and science fiction in the studio with Neil.

Guests:
Alan Rickman
Charles Liu, Astrophysicist

Co-Host:
Chuck Nice, comedian

Music:
“Still” – Alanis Morrisette (From the movie, “Dogma”)
“Die Hard” – Battle Score
“Work Your Body Mystery Girl” – Michael Jackson
“Fantastic Voyage” – Coolio
“Champagne Supernova” – Oasis
“Cherry Red Wine” – Luther Allison
“Galaxy Quest” – Theme
“Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” – Theme
“Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” – Music from the Movie

“The Persistence of Memory” by Salvador Dali, 1931

What is time? Is it infinite? If you could exceed the speed of light, would time go backwards? These are just a few of your questions that astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice answer in this Cosmic Queries episode. You’ll find out why a photon is timeless and learn about tachyon particles, which theoretically travel backwards in time without violating Einstein’s Theory of Relativity. Discover how we perform faster-than-light experiments if it’s impossible to travel faster than the speed of light. And more… Why are there time zones on the ISS? Do life forms with shorter lifespans see time differently? What would happen to Earth if Superman actually turned back time? Does time pass in a black hole? Listen now…we promise it will be time well spent.

Co-Host:
Chuck Nice, comedian

Music:
“Tik Tok” – Ke$ha
“Infinity 2008” – Guru Josh Project
“One Moment in Time” – Whitney Houston
“Quelle Heure Est-il?” – Tomcraft
“Clocks” – ColdPlay
Time in a Bottle – Jim Croce
“Got the Time” – Anthrax
“Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” – Green Day
“Yesterday” – The Beatles

Photo Credit: © 2012 Stacey David Severn. All Rights Reserved

Dunes of organic matter. Sulfuric acid skies. Rivers of methane. Ice volcanoes. And the possibility of life on exoplanets far, far away. Join Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and guest astrobiologist Dr. FunkySpoon as we explore our surprising, funky Solar System, from Mercury to Pluto and what lies between: Venus, Mars, Vesta, Ceres, Jupiter, Europa, Saturn, Titan and Enceladus. Meet the unmanned probes taking humanity to the stars: Messenger, Venus Express, Dawn, Juno, Cassini and New Horizons. And just for laughs, Part 2 of StarTalk Live recorded at the Bell House on 9/14/12 features comic co-host Eugene Mirman, Sarah Silverman and Jim Gaffigan filling you in on secret Google satellites, space lobsters, and the new reality TV shows Ice Moon Truckers and Deadliest Catch: Europa.

Co-Host:
Eugene Mirman, comedian

Guests:
Dr. David Grinspoon, aka Dr. FunkySpoon, Curator of Astrobiology at The Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Sarah Silverman
Jim Gaffigan

Music:
“Mission to Mars” – PRo
“Song For You Far Away” – James Taylor
“Brighter Than the Sun” – Colbie Caillat
“Stars and Planets” – Liz Phair
“Explode” – Nelly Furtado
“Break the Ice” – Britney Spears
“I’m Your Moon” – Jonathan Coulton
“New Horizons” – Flyleaf
“Far Away” – Tyga, featuring Chris Richardson

Photo Credit: ©Stacey Severn.

StarTalk Live descended on The Bell House in Brooklyn, NY on 9/14/12 to celebrate the landing of the Curiosity Rover on Mars and the exploration of our solar system. Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Eugene Mirman were joined by Dr. David Grinspoon, a co-investigator on the Radiation
Assessment Detector, one of the experiments on the Mars Science Laboratory, and comedians Sarah Silverman and Jim Gaffigan (Mr. Universe). Part 1 of the show is focused on exploring the Red Planet. You’ll find out why Curiosity needed a nuclear power source… what an Alpha Proton X-Ray Spectrometer does… what Mars has in common with Earth… what stratigraphy is… what gives Eugene Mirman joy… how scientists fall in love… and the real origin of the giant face on Mars.

Co-Host:
Eugene Mirman, comedian

Guests:
Dr. David Grinspoon, Curator of Astrobiology at The Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Sarah Silverman
Jim Gaffigan

Music:

Curiosity — Carly Rae Jepsen
Music from the movie John Carter (of Mars)
“X-Ray” – Camouflage
“How Deep is Your Love?” – Sean Paul featuring Kelly Rowland
“Turn, Turn Turn” – The Byrds
“24 hours” – Jem
“In My Blood” – Black Stone Cherry
“Wonderful Life” – Hurts
“The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” – Roberta Flack

Collage Photo Credits: Leslie Mullen, Elliot Severn, Home Box Office Inc.

Enjoy the most memorable moments in a season worth remembering, pulled from the five most popular episodes chosen by our audience: StarTalk Live The Particle Party; A Conversation with Morgan Freeman; StarTalk Live: The Astronaut Session; Real Science with Bill Maher and StarTalk Live! A Night at Neptune. Where else can you hear Morgan Freeman explain why he’s not worried if aliens visit in the same podcast that astronaut Mike Massimino explains what it’s like to walk in space and look back at the Earth? Join astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and all our celebrity guests as we celebrate the discovery of the Higgs Boson with Bill Nye the Science Guy, take a trip to Geek Mecca with Wil Wheaton, and discuss religion and space exploration with Bill Maher.

Co-Hosts:
Eugene Mirman, comedian
Dr. David Grinspoon, Curator of Astrobiology at The Denver Museum of Nature and Science

Guests:
Scott Adsit, comedian, 30 Rock
Kyle Cranmer, NYU Assistant Professor of Physics and CERN physicist
Morgan Freeman, Award-winning actor and host of the Science Channel TV series, “Through the Wormhole”
John Hodgman, The Daily Show, Bored to Death
Bill Maher, host of Real Time with Bill Maher
Mike Massimino, NASA Astronaut and space tweeter
Bill Nye the Science Guy
Kristen Schaal, The Daily Show, Flight of the Conchords
Paul F. Tompkins, comedian
Sarah Vowell, author
Wil Wheaton, actor, Star Trek: The Next Generation

Music:

Back to the Future – Theme
March of the Penguins – Theme
Large Hadron Collider Rap
“Particle Man” – They Might Be Giants
Real Time with Bill Maher – Theme
“Faith” – George Michael
Star Trek: The Next Generation – Theme
Eureka – Theme
The Right Stuff – Theme

Credit: NASA

In our latest Cosmic Queries episode, astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Leighann Lord answer your questions about exploration. From the depths of the ocean to the outer reaches of the galaxy and beyond, the two explore practical questions about the most efficient way for humans to get into space on a recurring basis (Space Elevator vs. chemical rocket), the likelihood of NASA using ion propulsion thrusters for travel within our solar system, and the feasibility of an interstellar probe to Alpha Centauri using existing technology. They also tackle theoretical questions, such as whether we’ll ever be capable of generating enough power to explore the higher dimensions, leading to a discussion of the book, Flatland.

Co-Host:
Leighann Lord, comedian

Music:
“Exploration of Space” – Cosmic Gate
“Kokomo” – The Beach Boys
“Ray Of Light” – Madonna
“Inaudible Melodies” – Jack Johnson –
Sliders (Season 3): Soundtrack – Main Theme
“Path to Freedom” – Audiomachine
Coraline Soundtrack: Exploration
“Fly Me To The Moon” – Frank Sinatra
“The One for Me” – Betty featuring Annalise

©2012 Broadway Video. All rights reserved

In part 2 of our show from San Diego Comic-Con, astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, Gadget Gary (Baba Booey of the Howard Stern Show) and The Bad Astronomer Phil Plait turn from gadgets that exist to gadgets we dream about. From Star Trek and Star Wars to Doctor Who and James Bond, the guys expose the coolest fictional technology to the harsh light of science. Could the Starship Enterprise travel faster than light? What would happen if you beamed a person from one place to another using a transporter? What are the practical problems with the lightsabers in Star Wars? Could the Death Star really blow up a planet? How possible are Doctor Who’s sonic screwdriver, psychic paper and TARDIS? And are they any less plausible than James Bond’s vehicular cloaking device or bullet-deflecting magnetic pen? Join StarTalk at SDCC and find out for yourself.

Guests:
Gary Dell’Abate (a.k.a. Gadget Gary and Baba Booey)
Phil Plait

Music:

Star Trek: The Next Generation Theme Song
2001 A Space Odyssey Opening Music
Star Wars Theme – John Williams
Star Wars Imperial Death March – John Williams
Star Wars: Into the Trap – John Williams
Star Wars: Bounty Hunter Hot Pursuit – John Williams
Dr. Who 40th Anniversary Theme
Dr. Who music video “I am the Doctor” – lyrics spoken by Jon Pertwee: The Third Doctor
James Bond theme music

© 2012 Broadway Video. All rights reserved

Join us from the floor of San Diego Comic-Con 2012 for the ultimate gadget geek-fest! Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson interviews Gadget Gary (aka Gary Dell’Abate aka Baba Booey of The Howard Stern Show). He’s joined by Chris Hardwick, the Nerdist, and Phil Plait, the Bad Astronomer. In Part 1, they dish on the coolest, and in some cases, not-yet-available-to-the-public, consumer technology: working sonic screwdrivers, wireless appliances that use inductive charging, a credit-card sized, 160GB Bluetooth memory drive for iPads, and an always-on, ear-mounted camera that can replay the last 2 minutes of your life. They’ll also discuss the psychology of “unboxing”, the puzzling science behind the Lytro camera that shoots now and focuses later, the reality of being a science geek, and the promise and peril of storing your information in “The Cloud.”

Guests:
Gary Dell’Abate (a.k.a. Gadget Gary and Baba Booey)
Chris Hardwick
Phil Plait

Music:
Blame the Machines – Duran Duran
The Future is Now – Offspring
Internet Connection – M.I.A. (remix)
Push a Little Button – Ninette
Computer Love – Kraftwerk
Digital (Did You Tell) – Stone Sour
Ayo Technology – 50 Cent and Justin Timberlake
The Future Soon – Jonathan Coulton
Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger – Daft Punk

Image Credit & Copyright: Dani Caxete

Get into the spirit (or should we say science?) of the season when Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice answer fan questions about the holidays and winter. Is it true that no two snowflakes are alike? Why is it cold during the winter? Could Santa be exploiting the multiverse to hide his workshop and deliver his toys on Christmas Eve? Could Santa’s sleigh travel at the speed of light? Neil and Chuck discuss the importance of ritual in people’s lives when Neil answers the question, “Should parents let their children believe in Santa?” and Neil shares what he told his daughter about the Tooth Fairy and Santa. As an extra present for our fans, you’ll get to hear Neil’s recommendations for what to do in NYC during the holidays and his favorite holiday drinks, including how he makes his own homemade eggnog.

Co-Host:
Chuck Nice, comedian

Happy Life Day – The Star Wars Holiday Special (1978)
Holly Jolly Festivus – Karaoke Diamonds/Randy Kemp (inspired by Seinfeld)
Santa Baby (Official Video) – Kylie Minogue
Original Hanukkah Song – Adam Sandler
Oh Santa! – Mariah Carey
Drunk on Christmas – Big & Rich
Christmas In Hollis – RUN-DMC
Auld Lang Syne – MxPx
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town – Jackson 5

Artist’s concept of a catastrophic asteroid impact with Earth. An impact with a 500-km-diameter asteroid would effectively sterilize the planet. Image Credit: NASA (Artist: Don Davis)

What are the facts surrounding some of the most common doomsday predictions dominating popular culture today? Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice examine Cosmic Queries from our fans through the rational lens of science and history. For instance, what does the end of the Mayan Long Count Calendar really predict, and more importantly, is there any justifiable scientific concern about its implications? Could a solar flare cause the end of the world? What is the likelihood of an extinction-level asteroid impact? They’ll also touch upon UFOs, black holes and white holes, surviving a new ice age, and subterranean dinosaurs. Plus, you’ll find out the real reason Pope Gregory replaced the Julian calendar with the Gregorian one. (Hint: it has to do with a Jewish holiday!)

Co-Host:
Chuck Nice, comedian

Music:
Theme song, 2012: Doomsday soundtrack
8 words through the sky, the eclipse, Apocalypto soundtrack
Till The World Ends, Britney Spears
Dies Irae, Gregorian Chant
Best Movie Theme / Score, Armageddon (Full Version)
Bad Moon Rising, Creedence Clearwater Revival
Apocalypse Please, Muse
The End [FULL], The Doors
It’s The End Of The World, R.E.M.

Credit: © 2012 Stacey David Severn, All rights reserved.

On November 27th, 2012, StarTalk Live brought a little science to the world of dollars and cents at the Business Insider IGNITION conference. Now you’re invited to hear astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, comic co-host Eugene Mirman and guest futurists Jason Silva and Melissa Sterry answer questions that lie at the intersection of technology, human biology and urban planning. Will bio-ware and nanotechnology allow humans to reprogram our biology? Can smart-materials, adaptive structures and sensor nets help city planners and policy makers create smart cities that adapt to environmental change the way forests do? Are we really approaching a “technological singularity” of emerging super-intelligence beyond which events cannot be predicted – and has humanity actually experienced one before?

Co-Host:
Eugene Mirman, comedian

Guests:
Jason Silva, futurist
Melissa Sterry, futurist

Music:
Segment 1:
The future of space exploration, and robots and machines as extensions of the human mind.
The Future is Now, The Offspring
Reach for the Stars, Will.i.am

Segment 2:
Bionics and bio-mimicry, taking design from nature, the singularity, transportation, eliminating the banal.
Bionic, Christina Aguilera
Travellin Man, Mos Def

Segment 3:
Smart cities of tomorrow.
This City, Patrick Stump, featuring Lupe Fiasco
Empire State of Mind, Alicia Keys and JayZ

Segment 4:
Asteroid impacts, hurricanes, geo-engineering.
Eve of Destruction, Screaming Jets (cover)
Orbital, Impact (The Earth is Burning)

Segment 5:
Altering geography, terraforming Earth, unintended consequences, when is the transformation coming?
Changing, The Airborne Toxic Event

StarTalk meets Star Trek: Neil deGrasse Tyson, flanked by Brent Spiner and LeVar Burton, taken at San Diego Comic-Con 2012.
Photo credit: Froggy’s photos

Guests:
LeVar Burton, actor and host of Reading Rainbow
Brent Spiner, actor and star of Fresh Hell

Co-Host:
Leighann Lord

Music:
Star Trek TNG: Theme Boston Pops Orchestra
Star Trek TNG: First Contact Theme
Star Trek TNG: Data music video mashup (We Are The Robots Remix)
Star Trek: The Inner Light (Compilation)
Star Trek TNG: A Matter of Perspective Theme
Dennis McCarthy: Suite from Star Trek Generations
Star Trek Rap: 99 Problems But A BREACH Ain’t One!

Image Credit: NASA.

In this Cosmic Queries episode, astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Colin Jost answer fan questions about telescopes. How large can telescopes be? Could we invent a telescope to observe gravity or dark energy? How would our sun look from a telescope near Deneb? Can amateur astronomers access big observatories or the Hubble? From Arecibo to Atacama, you’ll learn how radio and microwave telescopes work, and why we don’t get nuked making microwave popcorn. Find out why Neil is determined to save the James Webb Space Telescope by “kicking some congressional butt.” Finally, explore the future: a giant array of telescopes floating in space, held in position by laser telemetry, with a baseline wider than Earth’s diameter. Because, as Neil says, “When it comes to telescopes, size matters.”

Co-Host:
Colin Jost, comedian

Music:
Klaus Badelt- Pirates
Selections from “Two Steps to Hell”
Immediate Music – Rising Empire
X-Ray Dog – Here Comes the King
Two Steps from Hell – Heart Courage
Vangelis – Mythodea

Photo credit: Leslie Mullen

StarTalk Live’s celebration of the discovery of the Higgs boson on July 11, 2012 continues as CERN physicist Kyle Cranmer clues us in to what’s next in the investigation of the Higgs, now that it turns out it isn’t exactly what they thought it would be. Plus a lively Q&A session with the audience that includes Bill Nye the Science Guy bragging about the spacecraft he’s building and astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson waxing poetic about why photons are beautiful. You’ll also learn what Super Symmetry is, and why it may hold the key to understanding Dark Matter. And of course, comic co-host Eugene Mirman and the other Particle Partiers, Scott Adsit and Sara Vowell, do their parts to keep the conversation as lively as a charged particle in the Large Hadron Collider.

Co-Host:
Eugene Mirman, comedian

Guests:
Bill Nye the Science Guy
Kyle Cranmer, NYU Assistant Professor of Physics and CERN physicist
Scott Adsit, comedian, 30 Rock
Sarah Vowell, author

Music:
I Feel So Close To You by Calvin Harris
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed: Battle Song
Predictable by Good Charlotte
Perfect Symmetry by Keane
Parallel Universe by Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Future is Now by The Offspring
A Thousand Miles by Vanessa Carlton
Unexpected by Negin
International Love by Pitbull with Chris Brown

A lighter moment from StarTalk Live at The Bell House, 7/11/12: astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, director of the Hayden Planetarium, and Bill Nye the Science Guy, CEO of the Planetary Society. Photo Credit: © Elliot Severn, All rights reserved

On the heels of the discovery of the Higgs boson, Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson celebrated by throwing a “Particle Party” at the Bell House in Brooklyn, NY on July 11, 2012. Neil was joined onstage by his old friend Bill Nye the Science Guy and Kyle Cranmer, one of the CERN physicists who actually helped discover the Higgs. Now it’s your chance to join them on a journey into the subatomic heart of the fabric of existence. Of course, it wouldn’t be a StarTalk Live without comic co-host Eugene Mirman, who was also joined by comedian Scott Adsit of 30 Rock and Sara Vowell, author and social commentator. Part 1 starts with a discussion of the 4 forces and 12 particles that make up the structure of nature and ends with the story of how the Higgs boson was discovered and why it’s so important.

Co-Host:
Eugene Mirman, comedian

Guests:
Bill Nye the Science Guy
Kyle Cranmer, NYU Assistant Professor of Physics and CERN physicist
Scott Adsit, comedian, 30 Rock
Sarah Vowell, author

Music:
Higgs Score (the sonification of the data from the Higgs particle research) by Domenico Vicinanza
“Gravity” (Live) by John Mayer
“Party Rock Anthem” by LMFAO
“Every Grain of Sand” by Emmylou Harris
“Magnet and Steel” by Walter Egan
“When The Lights Go Out” by Five
“Energy” by Keri Hilson
“E=MC2” by Big Audio Dynamite
“Radioactive” by The Firm

Jupiter’s moon, Europa, seen from the Galileo spacecraft
Credit: Galileo Project, JPL, NASA; reprocessed by Ted Stryk

In our second Cosmic Queries episode, astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Eugene Mirman answer fan questions about our solar system. How can life can exist on Jupiter’s moon Europa even though it’s outside the “Goldilocks Zone” and how could we drill through the ice to explore its oceans? What would happen if a black hole entered the solar system? What are the problems with exploring Pluto? You’ll hear Neil’s solution for solving NASA’s underfunding, why we’re focused on the Moon and Mars, and the reason his favorite planet is Saturn. On a lighter note, discover why some people are obsessed with ancient aliens, how quickly a pepperoni pizza would cook on Venus, and how Eugene Mirman would use a crew of specially trained cats for space exploration.

Co-Host:
Eugene Mirman, comedian

Music:
“The Planets Suite: Uranus the Magician” by Gustav Holst
“Europa (Earth’s Cry Heaven’s Smile)” by Santana
“Ice” by Lights
“Money” by Pink Floyd
Soundtrack to The Black Hole by John Barry
“Venus” by Frankie Avalon
“Venus” by Shinhwa
“Worm Holes” by Sam Aliano
“Approaching Jupiter” by Calpa

Bill Maher gets Neil deGrasse Tyson to explain global warming to former GM Vice President Bob Lutz on “Real Time with Bill Maher” 3-2-12
©2012 Home Box Office, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

According to co-host astrobiologist Dr. David Grinspoon, “Science thrives on controversy,” and in Part 2 of host Neil deGrasse Tyson’s interview with Bill Maher, controversy is definitely on the menu. From the value of dissent in scientific progress to the dangers of dishonest science fueled by hidden agendas, the trio address climate change, the death penalty, abortion, assisted suicide, legalization of marijuana, prostitution and whether science can inform morality laws. Believe it or not, Bill Maher actually takes a time out from attacking the Tea Party-led Republican war on science to actually say something nice about Republicans. Don’t worry, though – you’ll get plenty of opportunity to disagree with Bill, whichever side of the fence you’re on!

Co-Host:
Dr. David Grinspoon, Curator of Astrobiology at The Denver Museum of Nature and Science

Guests:
Bill Maher, host of Real Time with Bill Maher.

Music:
“Evolution” by Korn
“Dancing in the Dark” by Bruce Springsteen
“School Spirit” by Kanye West
“So Insane” by Smash Mouth
“Overpopulated” by Cobra Skulls
“Life” by Ricky Martin
“Poker Face” by Lady Gaga
“Drugs or Me” (Styrofoam remix) by Jimmy Eat World
“Balance” by A Skylit Drive

Neil deGrasse Tyson on Real Time With Bill Maher. ©2012 Home Box Office, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson is frequently one of the more outspoken – and scientifically literate – guests on HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher. So what happens when the controversial Maher stops by StarTalk Radio? A rational discussion about some of today’s most important issues. Along with co-host Astrobiologist Dr. David Grinspoon, Neil and Bill talk about climate change, squeezing into Bill’s electric car (a Tesla roadster), the value of space exploration, and whether it is possible to reconcile religion and science. You’ll also learn a few things about Carl Sagan you didn’t know – including speculation about why Harvard denied him tenure – from David, who grew up calling Sagan “Uncle Carl”, and Bill, who took Sagan’s astronomy course at Cornell.

Co-Host:
Dr. David Grinspoon, Curator of Astrobiology at The Denver Museum of Nature and Science

Guests:
Bill Maher, host of Real Time with Bill Maher.

Music:
Theme music from Bill Maher show
“Hey F**k You” by The Beastie Boys
“Space Junk” by Wolfgang Gartner
“You Haven’t Done Nothin’” by Stevie Wonder
“Wake Up America” by Miley Cyrus
“Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World” (Medley) by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
“Black and Gold” by Sam Sparro
“Science and Faith” by The Script
“Reason to Believe” by Dokmai

Neil Armstrong in Lunar Module after historic walk on Moon.
Image courtesy of NASA History Office and the NASA JSC Media Services Center.

Co-Host:
Eugene Mirman, comedian.

Behind the Scenes at The Science of Video Games: video game expert Jeffrey Ryan shows comedian Eugene Mirman and astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson a “prehistoric” 3-D gaming system.

In Part 2 of The Science of Video Games, Neil and Will Wright discuss artificial intelligence, the Turing Test, IBM’s Watson and how Spore ascends in scale from a microscopic organism to a multi-player galaxy where everyone can encounter the life forms you create. Jeffrey Ryan explains the secret origin of Lara Croft to co-host Eugene Mirman and how fear is built into the mechanics of survival horror games like Resident Evil. You’ll also learn how the lines between the virtual and real world are blurring, from “Gold Farmers” in China who support online economies in World of Warcraft, to military drone pilots who grew up on video games, to soldiers in Iraq who return from patrol and play Counter-Strike on Xbox in their tents.

Co-Host:
Eugene Mirman, comedian.

Guests:
Will Wright, video game creator of Sim City, The Sims and Spore.
Jeff Ryan, author of “Super Mario: How Nintendo Conquered America”.

MUSIC:
Mortal Kombat theme song

Samples of video game music here and here
Lana Del Rey: Video Games
Do the Donkey Kong

Legend of Zelda Theme Song – Modern
Call of Duty Theme Song

Photo Credit: Will Wright/Electronic Arts Inc.

Video games are a ubiquitous component of modern life and pop culture. But is there more to them than entertainment? In Part 1, Neil deGrasse Tyson finds out if video games breed violence and what kids actually learn from shooter games with guests Jeffrey Ryan, author of “Super Mario – How Nintendo Conquered America” and Will Wright, creator of The Sims and Spore. They chat about the evolution of choice and moral dilemma in video games; Moore’s Law of processing speed; and computer game graphics, verisimilitude and the cartoon laws of physics. You’ll also find out why Space Invaders sped up as you played it, what inspired Will Wright to create SimAnt and why co-host Eugene Mirman thinks Happy Days started the U.S./Iran conflict.

Co-host:
Eugene Mirman, comedian

Guests:
Will Wright, video game creator
Jeff Ryan, author of “Super Mario: How Nintendo Conquered America”

Music:
Pac Man Fever
Super Mario Brothers Theme – from video game
Tron: Legacy, Derezzed – Daft Punk
Tetris Theme (Video Game Classic)
Tetris (Modernized version of the game)
Samples of video game music here and here.

Photo credit: Artwork by Pat Rawlings of Science Applications International Corporation for NASA.

Preparations for a manned mission to Mars continue when astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson delves into the more personal aspects of space flight with NASA astronaut Mike Massimino and “Packing for Mars” author Mary Roach. Co-host Chuck Nice learns how to go to the bathroom in zero gravity, why urine recycling is critical and the dangers of methane on a Mars mission. Moving out of the bathroom and into the bedroom, find out how astronauts deal with sex on long missions, if it’s possible to conceive a child in space, what zero gravity may do to embryo development, and the risk of isolated human colonies adapting to new environments so that over generations, they become something… different.

Co-Host:
Chuck Nice

Guests:
Mike Massimino, NASA Astronaut
Mary Roach, author of “Packing for Mars”

Music:
Stars Come Out — Zedd
Rocket Man — Elton John
Back from Mars — Aqua
Girl from Mars — Ash
“Mars Needs Women” — Meat Beat Manifesto
Sunrise on Mars — Threshold
Uncle Sam’s on Mars — Hawkwind
Talking to the Moon — Bruno Mars

What are the practical considerations for a manned mission to Mars? From the psychological issues of spending 2 to 3 years cooped up in a spacecraft, to the science of protecting astronauts from solar radiation, get the inside scoop on what a journey to Mars would need to succeed when astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson sits down with NASA astronaut Mike Massimino and “Packing for Mars” author Mary Roach. You’ll learn about an actual NASA device that turns human waste into plasticized radiation shield tiles, the nutritional benefits of Mouse Stew, and which personality traits would fare best on a NASA Mars mission. Co-host Chuck Nice is on hand to offer his own outside-the-box suggestions for the flight, including Jamaican “Rastanauts”.

Co-Host:
Chuck Nice.

Guests:
Mike Massimino, NASA Astronaut.
Mary Roach, author of “Packing for Mars’.

MUSIC:

Space Cowboy – Jamiroquai (David Morales Classic Remix)
Astronaut – Simple Plan
Life on Mars – David Bowie
Gravity – John Mayer
Mars vs. Venus – Usher
Mars – Natalie Walker

Dietitians warn us to limit our consumption of pepperoni pizza, potato chips, and other sodium-rich foods, but just how many ways does salt season our lives? Neil dishes with Mark Kurlansky, author of “Salt: A World History,” about the dirty secrets of salt in our food. Neil and co-host Eugene Mirman savor some other connections between salt and biology, from the origin of life on Earth to the possibility of life swimming in the salty ocean on Jupiter’s moon Europa.

Co-host:
Eugene Mirman

Guest:
Mark Kurlansky, author of “Salt: A World History.”

Songs:
Salt in the Wound: Beck
Constant Craving: k.d. lang
Salt Shaker: Ying Yang Twins
Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, Please: Splodgenessabounds
Stay Hungry: Talking Heads
Salty Air: J. Viewz
Pressure: Billy Joel
Salt of the Earth: Lovedrug
Salt and Pepper: Sammy Davis Jr.

Co-host:
Eugene Mirman

Guests:
Mark Kurlansky, author of “Salt: A World History.”

Peter Whiteley, curator of anthropology at the American Museum of Natural History in New York

Songs:
Push It: Salt n Peppa
Do You Want Me (European Remix): Salt n Peppa
Salt Skin: Ellie Golding
Salt Water: Zoe Boekbinder
Salt in the Wound: Beck
Salty Air: J. Viewz
Bluster: Salt
Salt of the Earth: Lovedrug
Salt Shaker: Ying Yang Twins

Photo caption: Eugene Mirman, Paul F. Tompkins, Kristen Schaal, Wil Wheaton and Neil DeGrasse Tyson on stage at the Neptune Theatre in Seattle. Image credit: Leslie Mullen.

In the second half of our live show at the Neptune Theatre in Seattle, recorded on March 30, 2012, Neil and his comedian co-host Eugene Mirman, comedians Kristen Schaal and Paul F. Tompkins, and the actor Wil Wheaton geek out on heroes, villains, and technology that’s changed the world.

Co-Host:
Eugene Mirman

Guests:
Wil Wheaton
Kristen Schaal
Paul F. Tompkins

Songs :
Seattle was a Riot, by Anti-Flag
Neptune, by Ronald Jenkees
Valleys of Neptune, by Jimi Hendrix
Education, by Pearl Jam
Emerald City by United States of Electronica
Infra Red, by Placebo
Moving to Seattle, by The Material
Black Hole Sun, by Soundgarden
Star Trek TNG theme

Photo caption: Wil Wheaton, Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Kristen Schaal, Paul F. Tompkins, and Eugene Mirman. Photo credit: Leslie Mullen

For our first show on the road, where else could we go but make a pilgrimage to the Geek Mecca?  StarTalk performed to a packed house at Seattle’s Neptune Theatre on March 30, 2012, with comedian co-host Eugene Mirman, comedians Kristen Schaal and Paul F. Tompkins, and Star Trek’s Wesley Crusher, also known as the actor Wil Wheaton.  In this first part of the show, we discuss all things Star Trek, from the sci-fi technology of the future the show imagines to sex with aliens.

Co-Host:
Eugene Mirman

Guests:
Wil Wheaton
Kristen Schaal
Paul F. Tompkins

Songs :
Seattle was a Riot, by Anti-Flag
Neptune, by Ronald Jenkees
Valleys of Neptune, by Jimi Hendrix
Education, by Pearl Jam
Emerald City by United States of Electronica
Infra Red, by Placebo
Moving to Seattle, by The Material
Black Hole Sun, by Soundgarden
Star Trek TNG theme

Photo caption: Eugene Mirman, Wyatt Cenac, Heather Berlin, Cara Santa Maria, and Neil deGrasse Tyson, on stage at the Bell House in Brooklyn New York on February 17, 2012. Photo credit: David Gamble.

Co-Host: Eugene Mirman
http://eugenemirman.com/

Guests:
Heather Berlin, professor of psychiatry at Mt. Sinai Hospital
Cara Santa Maria, science blogger for the Huffington Post
Wyatt Cenac, comedian and Daily Show correspondent

Songs:
“Even Flow” by Pearl Jam
“New Sensation” by INXS
“Out of My Head” by Fastball
“Heart Shaped Box” by Nirvana
“Truly, Madly, Deeply” by Savage Garden
“Cosmic Love” by Florence + The Machine
“Unwell” by Matchbox 20

Photo caption: Neil deGrasse Tyson, Heather Berlin, Wyatt Cenac, Cara Santa Maria, and Eugene Mirman, backstage at the Bell House in Brooklyn New York on February 17, 2012. Photo credit: David Gamble.

Co-Host: Eugene Mirman
http://eugenemirman.com/

Guest:
Heather Berlin, professor of psychiatry at Mt. Sinai Hospital
Cara Santa Maria, science blogger for the Huffington Post
Wyatt Cenac, comedian and Daily Show correspondent

Songs:
“Basket Case” by Green Day
“Crazy” by Seal
Human Behavior – Bjork
“Re: Your Brains” by Jonathan Coulton
Insane in the Brain — Cypress Hill
Grey Matter – Oingo Boingo
“Crazy” by Gnarls Barkley

He won an Oscar in 2005 for Million Dollar Baby. His other popular films include Unforgiven, Glory, Seven, Deep Impact, Bruce Almighty, Batman Begins, The Bucket List… the list goes on. In this show, Neil talks with him about the many roles he has played over his career that celebrate science, the dramatic potential that science can offer, and his thoughts about alien life and space exploration.

Guest:
Morgan Freeman

Photo credit: Stacey David Severn

In the second half of the show, Mike talks about the “Right Stuff” and how he became an astronaut. Neil explains how space telescopes like Hubble (which Mike repaired) and Kepler are being used to search for planets orbiting far-distant stars, including the recently discovered “Earth-like” planet Kepler 22b. The audience closes out this live session with questions about space travel, the hexagon on Saturn, and what the Hubble’s deep gaze into the cosmos reveals about the nature of the universe.

Co-Host :
Eugene Mirman

Guests:
Kristen Schaal, The Daily Show, Flight of the Conchords
John Hodgman, The Daily Show, Bored to Death
Mike Massimino, NASA Astronaut and space tweeter.

Songs featured on this show:
Space Shuttle Ride – Bumblebee Unlimited
Apollo 13 movie theme music
Starstruck – Lady Gaga
Spacewalk – Lemon Jelly
Countdown – Rush
Space Robot Five – Brave Saint Saturn
Planetary (GO!) – My Chemical Romance

Eugene Mirman, John Hodgman, Kristen Schaal, Neil deGrasse Tyson, and Mike Massimino

Co-Host :
Eugene Mirman

Guests:
Kristen Schaal, The Daily Show, Flight of the Conchords
John Hodgman, The Daily Show, Bored to Death
Mike Massimino, NASA Astronaut and space tweeter.

Songs featured on this show:
Walkin on the Moon – The Dream
Astronaut – Simple Plan
Galaxies – Laura Viers
Gravity – John Mayer
Underneath the Night Sky – Young Love
Beautiful World – ColdPlay
Space Cowboy – Jamiroquai (David Morales Classic Remix)

Soyuz space capsule

Guest:
Whoopi Goldberg
Phil Plait
Morgan Freeman
John Hodgman
Nichelle Nichols

Image Credit: CBS/Paramount

Co-Host :
Charles Liu, astrophysicist

Guest:
Whoopi Goldberg

Songs and other audio featured in this episode:
Oscar acceptance speech.
Jumpin Jack Flash Rolling Stones.
scene from Star Trek, The Next Generation (I, Borg).
Star Trek, the Next Generation theme song.
Scene from the movie Ghost.
Unchained Melody Righteous Brothers.
God is Trying to Tell You Something The Color Purple movie soundtrack.

Janeane Garofalo photographed in Greenpoint, Brooklyn by Seth Olenick on March 18, 2010. Image used with permission.

Actress, comedian, and political activist Janeane Garofalo joins the show to lay out the political theater as she sees it, and cedes no ground on whether scientific issues should ever be a topic of partisan debate. Neil also talks with Robert Walker, a former Republican Representative for the state of Pennsylvania who sat on the House Science Committee for 20 years.

Co-Host :
Janeane Garofalo, actress, comedian, political activist

Guest:
Robert Walker, former Representative for the state of Pennsylvania (16th district)

Songs featured on this show:
Green Day: American Idiot
John Mayer: Waiting on the World to Change
Pink: Dear Mr. President
Nelly & Fergie: Party People
Korn: Politics
Kerli: Tea Party
Bill Bragg: Which Side Are You On?

Astronomical clock at the Zytglogge tower in Berne, Switzerland. Albert Einstein lived near the Zytglogge when working at the patent office in Berne. While travelling on a tram away from the tower, he thought if the tram were going at the speed of light, the clock tower would remain on the same time, while his own watch would continue to tick – proving time was relative.

The Nerdist Chris Hardwick and his trusty sidekick Matt Mira provide Dr. Who references and some timely humor for our show about clocks, calendars, and leaps in time. Anthony Aveni, professor of astronomy and anthropology at Colgate University, reveals whether the Mayan calendar predicts the end of the world in 2012, and provides insight into how early clocks and calendars were based not only on the Moon and Sun, but on Earth’s biology. Frank Reed, instructor of celestial navigation at Mystic Seaport in Connecticut, and Robert Seaman, computer programmer for the National Optical Astronomy Observatories, talk about why leap seconds are added to our fast-paced modern lives, and contemplate the future of time synchronization. From keeping Universal Time, to neutrinos that may travel faster than light, to geo-engineering the Earth into a global clock, take some time to consider how science sets the tempo of our past, present and future.

Co-Hosts:
Chris Hardwick The Nerdist.
Matthew Mira The Nerdist co-host.

Guests:
Anthony Aveni The Russell Colgate Professor of Astronomy and Anthropology at Colgate University in New York.
Frank Reed Instructor of celestial navigation at Mystic Seaport in Connecticut.
Robert Seaman Computer programmer for the National Optical Astronomy Observatories.

Contributor:
Bill Nye The Science Guy.

Songs featured in this episode:
Time After Time Cyndi Lauper.
Time is On my Side Rolling Stones.
Tik Tok Ke$ha.
Clocks Coldplay.
Time of the Season The Zombies.
Does Anyone Know What Time It Is? Chicago.
Times Like These Foo Fighters.

In our live show about dead people, Joe Nickell, paranormal investigator, talks to us from beyond our corporeal plane of existence—calling in from New Orleans, one of America’s supposedly most-haunted cities. Mary Roach, author of “Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife”, provides a post-mortem on the history of spiritualism and modern-day ghost hunting techniques, while Phil Plait, the Bad Astronomer, devilishly dissects our favorite ghost movies.

Guests:
Joe Nickell Paranormal investigator.
Mary Roach Author of “Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife”.
Phil Plait The Bad Astronomer.

Contributor:
Brian Malow Science Comedian.

Co-Host:
Eugene Mirman Comedian.

The hit CBS TV sitcom “The Big Bang Theory” follows the adventures of four scientists—Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons), Leonard Hofstadter (Johnny Galecki), Howard Wolowitz (Simon Helberg) and Rajesh Koothrappali (Kunal Navyar). Neil talks with Bill Prady, co-creator and writer of the show, about why he decided to create a show about science geeks and the universal emotions that even theoretical physicists and engineers experience. Joining the conversation is David Saltzberg, professor of physics and astronomy at UCLA and science advisor to the show. From romantic relationships to religion to reflections on relativity, learn about the many ways “The Big Bang Theory” uses science to shine a light on society.

Guests:

Bill Prady Co-creator and executive producer of “The Big Bang Theory”.
David Saltzberg Science advisor to the show, and professor of physics and astronomy at UCLA.

After sending NASA astronauts into low-Earth orbit for 30 years, the Space Shuttle program is over. How will we now make the great leap into space? Russia’s Soyuz spacecraft will carry our astronauts to the International Space Station until NASA can complete the next generation crew vehicle and rocket. Meanwhile, companies such as Virgin Galactic are developing commercial flights so that, someday, everyone can see the stars shine above Earth’s atmosphere.

Neil talks with the final shuttle crew—STS-135—about what it was like to fly on the shuttle and their dreams of traveling far beyond our world. Also joining us is Mike Massimino, an engineer and NASA astronaut who flew on two shuttle missions to repair the Hubble Space Telescope. He talks about shuttle’s speed while in orbit (coast-to coast in only 11 minutes), the hazards to human health, and why walking in space is like Heaven off Earth.

Guests:

Mike Massimino Astronaut.
Crew of STS-135 Chris Ferguson, Commander. Doug Hurley, Pilot. Rex Walheim, Mission Specialist. Sandy Magnus, Mission Specialist.

Co-Host:

Chuck Nice Comedian.

Eugene Mirman, Kristen Schaal, Scott Adsit, your host, Neil deGrasse Tyson, and Alan Alda at the Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival. Photo Credit: David Gamble

Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actor Alan Alda joins Star Talk Radio for our first live show, recorded at the Bell House in Brooklyn, New York on September 15, 2011 for the 4th annual Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival. Along with Kristen Schaal of the The Daily Show and Flight of the Conchords and Scott Adsit of 30 Rock, Neil, Eugene and Alan Alda travel through time and higher dimensions, discuss pseudoscience and the state of science literacy in the US, and take questions from the audience that explore just how weird and funny science can be.

Guests:

Alan Alda.
Kristen Schaal.
Scott Adsit.

Co-Host:

Eugene Mirman Comedian.

Guests:

Alan Alda.
Kristen Schaal.
Scott Adsit.

Co-Host:

Eugene Mirman Comedian.

Guests:

Moby Musician.
Jonathan Coulton Musician.

Co-Host:

Eugene Mirman Comedian.

The “Tribute in Light” memorial is in remembrance of the events of Sept. 11, 2001. The two towers of light are composed of two banks of high wattage spotlights that point straight up from a lot next to Ground Zero. This photo was taken from Liberty State Park, N.J., Sept. 11, the five-year anniversary of 9/11. (U.S. Air Force photo/Denise Gould).

On September 11, 2001, The United States was hit by the biggest terrorist attack in our nation’s history. Now, ten years later, we take a look back at the events of the day, talking to people from different professions — from a New York City firefighter to the creator of a TV comedy show — to discuss how the event affected them then and now.

Guests:

Dr. Irwin Redlener Director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness.
Lt. Mickey Kross New York Firefighter.
Seth MacFarlane Creator of the TV show Family Guy.
Ronnette Riley Architect.

Belka and Strelka, Soviet space dogs (on graffiti, Kharkov, 2008). Image credit: V. Vizu

Animals have been our companions and co-workers since before the dawn of civilization. We have eaten them (or products they make), and we’ve worn their skin and fur and feathers. Scientific progress has depended greatly on animal test subjects—from the development of many medicines to determining if we could survive a launch into space (the first astronaut was the dog Laika, sent up by the USSR in1957). We’ve even directed the evolution of many animals to better suit our needs, from pocket poodles to farm cows to lab rats.

In this modern day, with the impact raising livestock and eating meat has on the environment, as well as a growing understanding of the intellectual and emotional capacity of animals, many people are rethinking our traditional relationship with all creatures great and small. Ingrid Newkirk, president of PETA, argues that, thanks to new techniques, scientific discoveries still can be made “without the patter of little feet”.

Guests:

Ingrid Newkirk President and co-founder of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
Dr. Peter Borchelt Animal behaviorist.

Co-Host:

Lynne Koplitz Comedian.

A coronal mass ejection from the Sun, as seen by the SOHO spacecraft. Image credit: SOHO Consortium, ESA, NASA.

What better time to talk about the Sun than during the summer? Once worshipped as a God, we now know the Sun is one of many similar stars in a relatively quiet region of the galaxy. Neil and his co-host comedian Chuck Nice are joined by Judith Lean, solar scientist at the Naval Research Laboratory, and Steve Keil, director of the National Solar Observatory, for an illuminating discussion of the ball of plasma around which our whole world revolves. From solar storms to calendars to climate change, learn about the many ways the Sun is the light of our lives.

Guests:

Judith Lean Naval Research Laboratory.
Steve Keil Director of the National Solar Observatory in Sunspot, New Mexico.
Bill Nye The Science Guy.

Co-Host:

Chuck Nice Comedian.

Guests:

Morgan Freeman Award-winning actor and host of the Science Channel TV series, “Through the Wormhole”.

Co-Host:

Chuck Nice Comedian.

Doctor Manhattan of the “Watchmen” series has quantum mechanical superpowers. Image credit: DC Comics.

Doctor Manhattan of Watchmen can use quantum mechanics to travel through the universe and see into the future. Professor X of The X-Men can use electromagnetism to read your mind. Doctor Solar has power over the periodic table. “The Atom,” whose alter-ego is a physics professor, can shrink down to sub-atomic size thanks to help from a white dwarf star. (Funny how many characters in superhero comics have advanced degrees…).

These are just a few of the topics of discussion in our second superheroes show, which features more of Neil’s interview with James Kakalios, physics professor at the University of Minnesota and author of “The Physics of Superheroes” and “The Amazing Story of Quantum Mechanics.” Theoretical physicist Michio Kaku also joins us and explains why the freaky realm of quantum mechanics is a better reflection of reality than your common sense, and he predicts which superpowers will soon become possible thanks to scientific technology. Chuck Nice thinks it’s probably a good thing he doesn’t have superpowers, because otherwise he would make everyone “kneel before Zod.”

Guests:

Michio Kaku Author and theoretical physicist at City University of New York.
James Kakalios Author and University of Minnesota physics professor.

Co-Host:

Chuck Nice Comedian.

Nichelle Nichols (“Lieutenant Uhura”) in 1977, talking to students about The Space Shuttle. Image courtesy NASA.

Through her ground-breaking role as Star Trek’s Chief Communications Officer Lt. Uhura, Nichelle Nichols became a passionate advocate to get women and minorities involved in real-world space exploration. Many were inspired to become astronauts thanks to her efforts, including NASA’s current administrator, General Charles Bolden. While she continues working through various endeavors to get young people excited about space, she hopes that the power of Star Trek will inspire us to keep pushing the boundaries of the final frontier.

Guests:

Nichelle Nichols Actress, singer, dancer and space advocate.

Co-Host:

Leighann Lord Comedian.

Some might know Nichelle Nichols best from Star Trek, but this actress, singer, dancer and space advocate has much to say beyond her role in TV’s exploration of the final frontier. In this exclusive interview, she talks about how science fiction and Star Trek—and specifically her ground-breaking role as Chief Communications Officer Lt. Uhura—not only impacted her life, but also had an influence on society over space and time.

Guests:

Nichelle Nichols Actress, singer, dancer and space advocate.

Image credit: Boston University.

Show me the money! Best-selling personal finance author and TV host Suze Orman gives us her two cents about investing, the economic melt-down, and the impact of science on the financial world. Andrew Lo, director of the MIT Laboratory for Financial Engineering, guides us on a non-random walk down Wall Street and reveals the neurobiology behind financial transactions. Eugene Mirman coins some comic interest for a show that’s already an embarrassment of riches.

Guests:

Suze Orman Best-selling author of personal finance books, and host of the Suze Orman Show.
Andrew Lo Director of the MIT Laboratory for Financial Engineering, and chief investment strategist of the asset management company AlphaSimplex Group.

Co-Host:

Eugene Mirman Comedian.

Image credit: Universal Pictures / Amblin Entertainment.

According to Einstein’s Theories of Relativity, time travel is possible. No one is traveling back to the future yet, but it’s fun to imagine the many excellent adventures that would ensue if we could transport ourselves to different eras, as well as ponder the paradoxes and problems that might pop up.

Neil discusses the science of time travel with Phil Plait, the – “Bad Astronomer”. Along with comedian Leighann Lord, they take us on a journey through the many movies that have played with this possibility, including Planet of the Apes, Back to the Future, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, Star Trek, and the Terminator series.

Guests:

Phil Plait The Bad Astronomer.

Co-Host:

Leighann Lord Comedian.

Saturn seen in ultraviolet (top), visible (middle) and infrared (bottom) wavelengths. Credit: E. Karkoschka (Univ. Arizona), NASA.

The universe is awash with radiation, from long wavelength radio waves to short wavelength gamma rays. The entire electromagnetic spectrum is not perceptible to us—the human eye can only detect visible light waves—but space telescopes and other technology act as our spy-glasses on the invisible realm. Michael Benson, Brian Abbott and Carter Emmart discuss the different ways they use data collected from the Hubble Space Telescope and our other mechanical eyes in the sky to reveal the artistic majesty of the cosmos. Neil and Lynne discuss light’s biography, from its birth in the Big Bang to the dying of the light at the end of time.

Guests:

Michael Benson Writer, filmmaker, photographer and exhibitions producer. Author of Far Out and Beyond.
Brian Abbott Manager of the Digital Universe atlas at the American Museum of Natural History.
Carter Emmart Director of Astrovisualization at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
Bill Nye The Science Guy.

Co-Host:

Lynne Koplitz Comedian.

Millions of people know Jon Stewart as the brilliant and hilarious host of Comedy Central’s, “The Daily Show”. Along with the show’s comedian correspondents, his ironic insight into the political issues of our time has made The Daily Show one of the most-watched news programs on TV. Now meet Jon Stewart, science geek.

Neil talks with Jon Stewart about his love for science, the difference between having scientists and politicians as guests on The Daily Show, and the cosmic connections that unite us all… because even New Jersey is made of star stuff. Charles Liu provides a scientist’s perspective on how politics has effected technological innovation and inquiry from the past to the present, from the Earth to the Moon.

Guests:

Jon Stewart Host of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart on Comedy Central
Charles Liu Professor of astrophysics at CUNY

Co-Host:

Leighann Lord Comedian

A stop sign reading “stop global warming,” located at the intersection of 19th and Q Streets in Washington D.C., during the second North American blizzard of 2010. Image credit: AgnosticPreachersKid

The Mississippi Delta is experiencing historic flooding, tornadoes recently tore up towns in Alabama, and multiple blizzards buried the Northeastern U.S. last winter. These and other extreme weather events around the world are dominating the news, making people wonder whether climate change is the culprit for all these catastrophes.

NASA climatologist David Rind discusses the science of climate and weather, explaining what’s known and what’s still a mystery. Andrew Freedman of Climate Central comments on the media and politics focused on the issue, and filmmaker Charlie Lyons provides his take on “The Day After Tomorrow” and “An Inconvenient Truth.” Chuck Nice looks for the bright side of climate change: pre-cooked trout in overheated streams; dead cedar forests mean more material to build closets… what’s so bad about that?

Guests:

Andrew Freedman

Managing editor of online content and climate policy analyst for Climate Central

Charlie Lyons

Professor of film, filmmaker, TV producer, journalist

David Rind

Climatologist with NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies

Co-Host:

Chuck Nice

Comedian

Image credit: Warner Bros. / capedwonder.com

Superheroes in comic books and movies are so popular partly because we dream about what it would be like to have their wide range of amazing powers—super strength, the ability to fly, X-ray vision, the ability to stretch into fantastical shapes. Although they seem impossible, many superhero powers are based on real science. James Kakalios tells us about the physics principles of the caped crusaders, while Lee Silver points out that many animals have super-abilities that could potentially expand the limits of human biology. Eugene Mirman imagines what it would be like to leap tall buildings in a single bound—or at least be able to jump up to the second floor.

Guests:
James Kakalios Physics professor at the University of Minnesota, and author of the book The Physics of Superheroes
Lee Silver Molecular biologist, Princeton University.

Co-Host:
Eugene Mirman Comedian.

Movie poster for James Cameron’s blockbuster movie “Avatar”. Credit: 20th Century Fox.

From recent blockbusters like James Cameron’s, “Avatar” to the 1902 movie, “A Trip to the Moon”, science has been a steady source of inspiration throughout the history of film. But how much of the science presented on the silver screen is accurate, and how much is misguided or just plain wrong? From the mineral “unobtainium” in “Avatar”, to the genetics of “Jurassic Park” and “Gattaca”, Phil Plait, “The Bad Astronomer”, joins Neil and comedian Leighann Lord to review the Good, the Bad and the Ugly of science in the movies.

Guests:

Phil Plait

The “Bad Astronomer”

Co-Host:

Leighann Lord

Comedian

Image credit: Flickr user SpooSpa.

Derived from the Greek word kosmos, meaning “order”, “cosmetics” have been used since ancient times to re-arrange appearance. Although we no longer use poisons like belladonna or lead-based paints to enhance our looks, we still risk our health in the name of beauty with tanning beds, eyelash-enhancing eye drops, and injections of the neurotoxin Botox.

Neil and his comedian co-host Lynne Koplitz discuss historic and modern cosmetic methods, which even includes some NASA technology. Cosmetic chemists Steve Herman and Art Georgalas reveal some surprises about what the future holds to make sure we are all looking good while we keep looking up.

Guests:

Steve Herman and Art Georgalas

Chemists, Fairleigh Dickinson University

Co-Host:

Lynne Koplitz

Comedian

Image credit: University of California, Davis.

The brain’s 100 billion neurons speak to each other by chemical and electrical signaling, and this complicated communication provides us with everything we know and defines who we are. But when it is led astray, we can end up with false perceptions, hallucinations, and many other misunderstandings of the world around us.

Oliver Sacks, author of best-selling books on brain disorders, including “Awakenings” which was made into an Oscar-nominated film, discusses some strange cerebral shenanigans that can shape our senses. Neil is also joined by Cara Santa Maria, a science educator with a background in neuroscience, and the comedian Chuck Nice, whose mother used to tell him that “he ain’t right in the head”

Guests:

Oliver Sacks

Neurologist and author

Cara Santa Maria

Science educator

Co-Host:

Chuck Nice

Comedian

Image credit: National Geophysical Data Center.

On March 11, 2011, one of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded struck the island of Japan. The 9.0 magnitude quake generated a huge tsunami, and a nuclear power plant located on the coast was damaged by the giant wave and began leaking radioactive contamination.

“We want to give you the science that’ll enable you to understand and interpret the news reports we’re getting from the Pacific Rim, says Neil. In this show, he talks with his colleagues at the American Museum of Natural History: Steven Soter, an expert on Earth phenomena and tsunamis throughout history, and James Webster, a geologist who specializes in volcanoes. They discuss how the planetary activity deep beneath our feet makes itself known through earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis. Neil also talks with Michio Kaku, theoretical physicist, about the science of nuclear power and the problems facing the damaged Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station in Japan.

Guests:

Michio Kaku

Steven Soter

James Webster

The Astronaut’s Cookbook by Charles Bourland.

From the early Gemini space missions to the future of Mars exploration, anytime humans venture beyond home they’ll need to have some snacks for the road. Dr. Charles Bourland developed food for astronauts for 30 years, since the days of the Apollo Moon landings, and he propounds on the preparation and packaging that goes into making food fit for space.

Chef Brian Ray, whose engineer father worked on the Apollo LEM and Saturn rocket, considers how cooking and restaurants would change in microGravity. Eugene Mirman reconsiders his desire to take a journey into space if instead of chips and BBQ ribs, he has to settle for irradiated beef and freeze-dried ice cream.

Guests:

Brian Ray

Co-executive chef of Buddakan; competed on the TV show “Iron Chef”

Dr. Charles Bourland

NASA consultant and food scientist. Co-author of “The Astronaut’s Cookbook”

Co-Host:

Eugene Mirman

Comedian

Skull with a Burning Cigarette by Vincent van Gogh.

Out of all the planets in our solar system, only Earth has life as we know it. In fact, life has been on Earth for billions of years, and it permeates every nook and cranny of our planet. Some even think Earth regulates itself to make the environment more hospitable for life. This theory, called the Gaia Hypothesis by the biologist James Lovelock, is not supported by history, says the paleontologist Peter Ward. Instead, the fossil record shows that time and time again, life has suffered major population crashes and extinctions, often due to conditions caused by life at the time. Now human beings are poised to repeat the process. By pumping so much carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, we are changing the climate and starting a cascade of effects that could lead to our own extinction. Will our self-destructive behavior eventually bring us to our knees?

Guests:

Peter Ward

Paleontologist at the University of Washington in Seattle

Co-Host:

Lynne Koplitz

Comedian

John Hodgman – author, actor, humorist. Credit: David Shankbone.

“Will you donate your body to be stuffed and put on display (at the American Museum of Natural History)?” This is one of the many questions John Hodgman poses to Neil during their monumental meeting of minds. From the Mac vs. PC debate to “geeks versus jocks,” John and Neil provide more information than you require on the questions and challenges that face our age. Astrophysicist Charles Liu sits in the co-host chair this week, and comments on areas far beyond his usual expertise.

Guests:

John Hodgman

Actor, humorist and author of “The Areas of My Expertise” and “More Information Than You Require”

Co-Host:

Charles Liu

Professor of astrophysics at CUNY

Artist’s Concept of Rover on Mars. Image by Maas Digital LLC for Cornell University and NASA/JPL.

Every now and then it’s good to take a tour around your own backyard. What a wondrous place our solar system is, from the terrestrial planets Mercury, Venus, Mars and Earth that orbit close to our Sun, to the gas giants Jupiter and Saturn that have moons with the potential for life, to the icy outer giants Neptune and Uranus, which are still hold many mysteries. (Pluto, although no longer considered a planet, is discussed too.)

Steve Squyres, the Principal Investigator for the Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity, talks about what it was like living on “Mars time” and why he feels like he’s been on the Red Planet. Heidi Hammel reveals her love for the ice giants Uranus and Neptune. They also discuss how astronomers have found evidence for hundreds of planets orbiting stars other than the Sun, leading many to think we’ll eventually find alien life in those far-distant solar systems.

Guests:

Steve Squyres

Professor of astronomy at Cornell University, Principal Investigator for the Mars Exploration Rovers

Heidi Hammel

Planetary scientist at the Space Science Institute in Boulder, Colorado

Co-Host:

Chuck Nice

Comedian

Contributor

Bill Nye the Science Guy

Image © The Regents of the University of California.

From Aristotle’s misguided meanderings to modern open heart surgery.

Guest:
Dr. Daryl Hoffman, Cardiac Surgeon, Beth Israel Medical Center, NYC
Co-Host:
Chuck Nice, Comedian

Artist’s depiction of a space capsule in lunar orbit. Photo credit: NASA/Lockheed Martin.

In this episode, we highlight a few star moments from our constellation of past shows.

Image credit: Derek Boyko.

Huddle up with geeks of the gridiron—New York Giants linebackers Jonathan Goff and Chase Blackburn, and Giants tight end Travis Beckum. Goff has true geek credentials with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, while Blackburn knows all the angles on the football field thanks to his degree in mathematics.

“Everything about football is applied physics—from blocking and tackling to the Hail Mary, says Charles Liu, astrophysicist football fan. Liu explains the physics of tackling, touchdowns, and tossing the ball, and tells us what it would be like to play football on the Moon. Comedian Chuck Nice provides color commentary for our Superbowl of science.

Guests:

Charles Liu

Professor of engineering science and physics at City University in New York

Travis Beckum

New York Giants tight end

Chase Blackburn

New York Giants linebacker

Jonathan Goff

New York Giants linebacker

Co-Host:

Chuck Nice

Comedian

Lenticular cloud, New Mexico, USA. Image credit: Brandy Jenkins.

There are thousands of sightings of Unidentified Flying Objects every year, but why do so many people assume they are aliens visiting from another galaxy? Most UFOs end up being identified as clouds or other natural phenomena, or man-made objects such as balloons or aircraft.

Neil and comedian co-host Eugene Mirman discuss the tricks the human brain can play on our perception, the physics of space travel, and science fiction movies that depict alien spaceships. Neil interviews James McGaha, UFO investigator, about the many unusual things that can appear in the sky, and SETI researcher Seth Shostak calls in for a chat about alien visitations. With science as your co-pilot, the truth is always out there.

Guests:

James McGaha

Director of the Grasslands Observatory

Seth Shostak

Astronomer with the SETI Institute

Co-Host:

Eugene Mirman

Comedian

Image credit: Jon Sullivan.

Wine has been around since the dawn of civilization, dating back at least 8,000 years. In this spirited toast to the science of wine, Neil and co-host comedian Lynne Koplitz discuss the history of wine production and the technology that will change wine in the future. Other topics include the physics of champagne bottles and glasses, the hazards of serving wine to astronauts, and biodynamic vineyards that look to the cosmos for help in growing the perfect grape.

Wine Jedi Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan sabers a bottle of champagne and sheds light on all the elements that go into creating a fine wine, while comedian Brian Malow explains how the chemistry of wine has saved countless lives. Imbibing in this intoxicating program will not give you a hangover, but this science is far from sober.

Guests:

Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan

Master of Wine

Co-Host:

Lynne Koplitz

Comedian

Contributor

Brian Malow

Earth’s premier science comedian

Peering out of the cupola window of the International Space Station, astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson looks down on the planet on which we were all born. People looking up at that moment may have seen the ISS drifting overhead as a bright point of light. Credit: Expedition 24 crew, NASA.

At an estimated cost of 100 billion dollars, the International Space Station may be the most expensive object ever constructed. Orbiting the Earth at 17,000 miles per hour (or 16 orbits per day), the ISS is larger than a football field and will weigh 400 metric tons when completed. Over 12 years, astronauts have spent more than 1,000 hours walking in space to piece together the many parts that make up this unique structure in the sky.

Neil talks with astronaut Shannon Walker while she’s still onboard the ISS and speaks with Senator John Glenn about the future of the station. Architect Jim Polshek brings us back down to Earth with the practical realities of creating buildings large and small. From the history and methods of cathedral building, to the beauty and hazards of windows, to how space affects a spider’s ability to weave a web, learn how this cosmic construction can change the way we see the world.

Guests:

Jim Polshek

Architect

Shannon Walker

NASA astronaut

Senator John Glenn

Astronaut, Senator, first American to orbit Earth

Co-Host:

Chuck Nice

Comedian

(Credit and Copyright: T. Credner)

To kids from one to ninety-two, the happenings of the holidays give us plenty of reasons to keep looking up. Neil talks about winter sky constellations, Santa’s sleigh ride, and the astronomy behind the Star of Bethlehem with comedian co-hosts Chuck Nice and Leighann Lord. The stars are brightly shining as Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane, Vatican astronomer Brother Guy Consolmagno, and Bill Nye the Science Guy drop in on the festivities. Tis the season for some spectacular science.

Guests:

Seth MacFarlane

Comedian

Brother Guy Consolmagno

Curator of meteorites at the Vatican Observatory

Bill Nye

Scientist, engineer, comedian, author, and inventor, host Bill Nye the Science Guy

Co-Host:

Leighann Lord

Comedienne

Chuck Nice

Comedian

Lieutenant Uhura conducted intergalactic communications in supreme Star Trek style. (Courtesy CBS/Paramount)

Like science, fashion is always evolving, each new idea potentially changing our lives from drab to fabulous. Fashion can project a glamorous image, or—in the case of astronaut spacesuits and NASA-designed swimwear—push us to exceed our hum-drum human limits. Neil and co-host Lynne Koplitz become wrapped up in cutting-edge fashion concepts like self-heating clothing, aromatic fabrics and dissolving dresses. James Aguiar judges the influence of sci-fi classics like Star Trek on future trends and styles, and reveals the surprising sources for fashion’s inspiration.

Guests:
James Aguiar Fashion stylist of the TV show Full Frontal Fashion.

Co-Host:
Lynne Koplitz Comedienne.

Jon Stewart is the first guest of the new season. He and Neil discuss the Daily Show book, Earth: A Visitor’s Guide to the Human Race.

Addressed to aliens who visit our planet long after humans have gone extinct, this book is all that’s left to document the world as we know it. Lynne Koplitz returns as Neil’s co-host to investigate this hilarious encyclopedia humanica.

Guests:
Jon Stewart Host of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart on Comedy Central.

Co-Host:
Lynne Koplitz< Comedienne.