"Never talk down to the viewer. The viewer is another scientist and we're just having a chat."

    About This Interview

    In his two-hour interview, Bill Nye talks about his early interest in science and recalls learning astronomy from Professor Carl Sagan at Cornell University. He discusses moving to Seattle, where he worked for Boeing as a mechanical engineer, and shares why he quit his job to get into television. Nye speaks of his appearances on Seattle's Almost Live and the origins of his "Bill Nye, the Science Guy" persona. He then explains the creation of Bill Nye, the Science Guy and details how topics are selected for the program, outlines the format of the show, and shares his favorite episodes and moments. Nye also talks about his identifiable wardrobe (bow tie, lab coat), discusses the program's music videos, and outlines how the show's opening was inspired by a James Bond movie. He talks of censorship issues on the show and comments on his September 2012 appearance in the headlines based on his comments on evolution and creationism. Craig Tomashoff conducted the interview on September 5, 2012 in Studio City, CA.

    All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.
    People Talking About ...
    Thumbnail of Bill Nye

    Bill Nye on the origins of "The Science Guy"

    05:57
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    Bill Nye on why he wears bow ties on Bill Nye, The Science Guy

    03:31
    Thumbnail of Bill Nye

    Bill Nye on the learning objectives for his show and making it "Mr. Wizard meets Pee-Wee's Playhouse"

    01:27
    Thumbnail of Bill Nye

    Bill Nye on the opening walk on his show being inspired by a James Bond movie

    01:41
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    Bill Nye on the theme song to Bill Nye, The Science Guy

    01:19
    Play Full Interview

    Chapter 1

    On his childhood and early influences; on his interest in science; on science experiments he did as kid and his sense of humor; on TV shows he loved as a child

    13:05

    On attending Cornell University; on learning astronomy from Professor Carl Sagan and the influence Sagan had on his life

    04:48

    On getting recruited by Boeing in Seattle as a mechanical engineer; on doing stand-up comedy; on appearing on Almost Live and the origins of "The Science Guy" persona

    12:55

    On the format, audience, and early days of his show, Bill Nye, The Science Guy; on his look on the show (bow tie, lab coat); on reactions to and production on the program

    27:33

    Chapter 2

    On the writing and editing on Bill Nye, the Science Guy; on the show's music videos; on his favorite moments and episodes of Bill Nye, the Science Guy

    13:19

    On the show's Emmy wins; on popular bits and using the metric system on Bill Nye, the Science Guy

    06:43

    On censorship on the program - the evolution episode; on other run-ins with executives

    07:43

    On fans approaching him; on the end of Bill Nye, The Science Gu y; on The Eyes of Nye; on his shows for the Discovery Channel; on guest appearances as "Bill Nye the Science Guy" on other programs

    10:54

    On doing an Internet show and having his own online channel; on why he likes being on television; on patents he holds; on advice for aspiring hosts

    05:41

    On the legacy of Bill Nye, the Science Guy; on the show's "Rules of the Road"; on how he's inspired his fans

    06:19

    Bill Nye the Science Guy

    Bill Nye on Bill Nye, The Science Guy's Emmy wins and accolades

    00:28

    Bill Nye on appearing on Ross Shafer's Almost Live and the beginning of  his "Bill Nye, The Science Guy" persona

    05:53

    Bill Nye on hosting a video and eventually getting his own show, Bill Nye, The Science Guy

    07:32

    Bill Nye on the format, audience, and early days of his show, Bill Nye, The Science Guy

    04:11

    Bill Nye on Bill Nye, The Science Guy's success across all age groups  

    02:01

    Bill Nye on why he wears bow ties on Bill Nye, The Science Guy

    03:31

    Bill Nye on selecting topics for Bill Nye, The Science Guy

    02:23

    Bill Nye on popular episodes of Bill Nye, The Science Guy

    02:05

    Bill Nye on positive reactions and reactions from school districts' to Bill Nye, The Science Guy

    01:14

    Bill Nye on typical production on an episode of Bill Nye, The Science Guy

    01:32

    Bill Nye on the theme song to Bill Nye, The Science Guy

    01:19

    Bill Nye on the staff and how much of a persona he has on Bill Nye, The Science Guy

    01:45

    Bill Nye on the writing and editing on Bill Nye, the Science Guy; on the music videos and the show's opening

    06:54

    Bill Nye on his favorite moments and episodes of Bill Nye, the Science Guy

    03:54

    Bill Nye on Bill Nye, The Science Gu y being revolutionary; on the show's lighting and writing

    01:27

    Bill Nye on Bill Nye, The Science Gu y exceeding his expectations

    01:04

    Bill Nye on Bill Nye, The Science Gu y's Emmy wins

    02:49

    Bill Nye on some of the bits on Bill Nye, The Science Gu y

    03:54

    Bill Nye on censorship on the program - the evolution episode and other run-ins with studio executives; on reaction to the evolution episode and his September 2012 appearance in the headlines

    07:43

    Bill Nye on the end of Bill Nye, The Science Gu y

    02:01

    Bill Nye on the legacy of Bill Nye, the Science Guy

    04:38

    Cosmos

    Bill Nye on learning astronomy from Professor Carl Sagan at Cornell and the influence Sagan had on his life

    01:45

    Emmy Awards, The (Primetime and Daytime)

    Bill Nye on Bill Nye, The Science Guy's Emmy wins

    02:49

    Mr. Wizard's World

    Bill Nye on watching Mr. Wizard's World and meeting "Mr. Wizard" Don Herbert later in life

    00:55

    Censorship / Standards & Practices

    Bill Nye on censorship on the program - the evolution episode and other run-ins with studio executives

    00:50

    Characters & Catchphrases

    Bill Nye on how much of a persona he has on Bill Nye, The Science Guy

    01:27

    Emmy Awards

    Bill Nye on Bill Nye, The Science Guy's Emmy wins and accolades

    00:28

    Bill Nye on Bill Nye, The Science Guy's Emmy wins

    02:49

    Fame and Celebrity

    Bill Nye on reactions from fans

    00:36

    Pop Culture

    Bill Nye on the theme song to Bill Nye, The Science Guy

    01:19

    Bill Nye on how much of a persona he has on Bill Nye, The Science Guy

    01:27

    Television Industry

    Bill Nye on censorship on the program - the evolution episode and other run-ins with studio executives

    00:50

    Bill Nye on reactions from fans

    00:36

    TV Theme Songs

    Bill Nye on the theme song to Bill Nye, The Science Guy

    01:19

    Children's Show Host

    Bill Nye on how much of a persona he has as host of Bill Nye, The Science Guy

    01:27

    Bill Nye on advice for aspiring hosts

    01:39

    Hosts

    Bill Nye on how much of a persona he has as host of Bill Nye, The Science Guy

    01:27

    Bill Nye on advice for aspiring hosts

    01:39

    Writers

    Bill Nye on the writing and editing on Bill Nye, the Science Guy

    06:54

    Children's Programming

    Bill Nye on the format, audience, and early days of his show, Bill Nye, The Science Guy

    06:12

    Bill Nye on his look, topics for, and popular episodes of Bill Nye, The Science Guy

    07:59

    Bill Nye on reactions, production, and his persona on Bill Nye, The Science Guy

    05:50

    Bill Nye on the writing and editing on Bill Nye, the Science Guy

    06:54

    Bill Nye on his favorite moments and episodes of Bill Nye, the Science Guy

    03:54

    Bill Nye on Bill Nye, The Science Guy's Emmy wins, popular bits, and censorship issues

    17:11

    Service Shows

    Bill Nye on the format, audience, and early days of his show, Bill Nye, The Science Guy

    06:12

    Bill Nye on his look, topics for, and popular episodes of Bill Nye, The Science Guy

    07:59

    Bill Nye on reactions, production, and his persona on Bill Nye, The Science Guy

    05:50

    Bill Nye on the writing and editing on Bill Nye, the Science Guy

    06:54

    Bill Nye on his favorite moments and episodes of Bill Nye, the Science Guy

    03:54

    Bill Nye on Bill Nye, The Science Guy's Emmy wins, popular bits, and censorship issues

    17:11

    Don Herbert

    Bill Nye on watching Mr. Wizard's World and meeting "Mr. Wizard" Don Herbert later in life

    00:55

    Carl Sagan

    Bill Nye on learning astronomy from Professor Carl Sagan at Cornell and the influence Sagan had on his life

    04:03

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