Bill Nye

Show Creator/Host
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The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About
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.

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

People Talking About ...
Bill Nye
Highlights
Bill Nye on the origins of "The Science Guy"
05:57
Bill Nye on why he wears bow ties on Bill Nye, The Science Guy
03:31
Bill Nye on the learning objectives for his show and making it "Mr. Wizard meets Pee-Wee's Playhouse"
01:27
Bill Nye on the opening walk on his show being inspired by a James Bond movie
01:41
Bill Nye on the theme song to Bill Nye, The Science Guy
01:19
Full Interview

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

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
On the show's Emmy wins; on popular bits and using the metric system on Bill Nye, the Science Guy
On censorship on the program - the evolution episode; on other run-ins with executives
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
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
On the legacy of Bill Nye, the Science Guy; on the show's "Rules of the Road"; on how he's inspired his fans
Shows

Bill Nye the Science Guy

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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

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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)

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Bill Nye on Bill Nye, The Science Guy's Emmy wins
02:49

Mr. Wizard's World

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Bill Nye on watching Mr. Wizard's World and meeting "Mr. Wizard" Don Herbert later in life
00:55
Topics

Censorship / Standards & Practices

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Bill Nye on censorship on the program - the evolution episode and other run-ins with studio executives
00:50

Characters & Catchphrases

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Bill Nye on how much of a persona he has on Bill Nye, The Science Guy
01:27

Emmy Awards

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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

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Bill Nye on reactions from fans
00:36

Pop Culture

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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

TV Theme Songs

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Bill Nye on the theme song to Bill Nye, The Science Guy
01:19

Television Industry

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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
Professions

Children's Show Host

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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

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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

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Bill Nye on the writing and editing on Bill Nye, the Science Guy
06:54
Genres

Children's Programming

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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

View Genre
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
People

Carl Sagan

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Bill Nye on learning astronomy from Professor Carl Sagan at Cornell and the influence Sagan had on his life
04:03

Don Herbert

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Bill Nye on watching Mr. Wizard's World and meeting "Mr. Wizard" Don Herbert later in life
00:55

All Interviews

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