StarTalk - Season 5
Season 5
In the upcoming season of StarTalk, Tyson and Anthony Bourdain discuss the science of food and the most pivotal moment in his television hosting career when he traveled to Beirut in 2016. Tyson also speaks with Jeff Goldblum about dinosaurs and aliens and learns the backstory of Game of Thrones from author George R.R. Martin. He also sits down with former Vice President Al Gore, podcaster Joe Rogan, author Patricia Cornwell, spoof singer Weird Al Yankovic, engineer and science educator Bill Nye, news anchor Dan Rather and actors Jack Black, James Marsden and Anna Deavere Smith. In a first for the series, Tyson also travels deep within the Arctic Circle in Greenland with the Air Force to tour the facilities of one of the most critical military bases, Thule Air Base, with a two-star general.
Episodes
Anthony Bourdain
Host Neil deGrasse Tyson interviews chef Anthony Bourdain; comedian Sasheer Zamata, food scientist Guy Crosby, and science writer Yvette d'Entremont discuss the science of food as it relates to taste, cooking, and climate change; science correspondent Natalia Reagan tries one of the hottest sauces in the world, Carolina Reaper.
Joe Rogan and the Science of Primitive Man
Neil deGrasse Tyson interviews UFC commentator and podcast host Joe Rogan, and then discusses the science of fighting with comedian Sasheer Zamata and professor/author Jonathan Gottschall. Comedian Chuck Nice visits an MMA gym. Psychologist Leah Lagos also comments.
The Big Bang Theory's Simon Helberg & Bill Prady
Host Neil deGrasse Tyson features his interviews with "The Big Bang Theory" cast member/actor Simon Helberg and the show's co-creator Bill Prady. Comic Chuck Nice, astrophysicist Charles Liu, and theoretical physicist Janna Levin discuss the portrayal of scientists in pop culture.
US Space Command
Neil deGrasse Tyson features his tour of the remote Thule Air Base in Greenland and his interview with General John Raymond, Commander of Air Force Space Command. He then tackles the science of defense with co-hosts comedian Chuck Nice and space security expert Laura Grego with commentary from theoretical physicist Priya Natarajan and Bill Nye, the Science Guy.
Vice President Al Gore
Neil deGrasse Tyson features his interview with former Vice President and environmental activist Al Gore, and then discusses environmental science with co-hosts comedian Chuck Nice and environmental journalist Andrew Revkin along with commentary from climate scientist Kate Marvel.
Actor Jack Black
Neil DeGrasse Tyson blows the mind of actor and musician Jack Black in a conversation from black holes to the size of our Universe. He discusses those subjects plus curiosity and science literacy with co-hosts comedian Chuck Nice and astrophysicist Charles Liu along with commentary from climate scientist Kate Marvel and Bill Nye, the Science Guy.
News Anchor Dan Rather
Neil deGrasse Tyson features his interview with iconic reporter and former CBS news anchor, Dan Rather. He discusses the value our society places on journalism, science, and facts now and in the future with co-hosts comedian Paula Poundstone and journalism professor Jeff Jarvis along with commentary from data journalist Mona Chalabi and Bill Nye, the Science Guy.
Author George R.R. Martin
Host Neil deGrasse Tyson features his interview with "Game of Thrones" author, George R.R. Martin where they explore the science and history behind the fantasy series. Neil discusses medieval Europe's influence on fantasy, the history of dragons, and the science of zombies and shape-shifting with co-hosts comedian Matt Kirshen and medieval expert Racha Kirakosian. Additional commentary provided by paleontologist Mark Norell, professor of psychiatry Steve Scholzman, astrophysicist Charles Liu, and Bill Nye, the Science Guy.
Actor Anna Deavere Smith
Actor Jeff Goldblum
Actor James Marsden
Weird Al Yankovic
Host Neil deGrasse Tyson interviews parody songwriter "Weird Al" Yankovic. Co-hosts comedian Maysoon Zayid and astrophysicist Charles Liu join Neil to discuss Yankovic's incorporation of science in his parodies, visual versus spoken comedy and being a nerd along with commentary from astrophysicist Emily Rice. Stephen Tyson, rapper and Neil's nephew, performs.
Author Patricia Cornwell
Host Neil deGrasse Tyson interviews author Patricia Cornwell. Co-hosts comedian Matt Kirshen and forensic pathologist Rebecca Folkerth join Neil to discuss forensics. Neuroscientist Andrew Newberg adds his expertise on the intersection of mind, body, and soul. Bill Nye, the Science Guy, also comments.
Director Darren Aronofsky
Host Neil deGrasse Tyson interviews film director Darren Aronofsky ("Mother!"). Co-hosts comedian Paula Poundstone and astrophysicist Charles Liu tackle the extremes of storytelling and psychology. Neuroscientist Heather Berlin discusses the disorders featured in Aronofsky's films. Bill Nye, the Science Guy, also comments.
Bill Nye
Host Neil deGrasse Tyson interviews Bill Nye, one of America's most recognized science educators. Co-hosts comedian Chuck Nice and engineer/science communicator Emily Calandrelli join to discuss science communication, romance, and Nye's signature bow tie. Biological anthropologist Hellen Fisher comments on the science of dating and romance.
Journalist Christiane Amanpour
Host Neil deGrasse Tyson and war correspondent Christiane Amanpour find order in the chaotic debate over journalistic neutrality and she divulges secrets about interviewing world leaders. Co-hosts comedian Eugene Mirman and investigative journalist Azmat Khan join to discuss risks of reporting from a war zone, reporting amidst cultural bias, and technology's impact on journalism. Additional commentary provided by-conflict journalist Judith Matloff on reporting safely from conflicts. Bill Nye, the Science Guy, also comments.
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