"Star Talk" Debut

I have just finished watching the premier episode of the podcast StarTalk now on the National Geographic channel. It was much better than I expected.  Host Neil deGrasse Tyson had guests George Takei, Leighann Lord, Bill Nye and Charles Liu, an astrophysics professor at my alma mater CUNY.  They spoke on Star Trek and how the show foreshadowed many of the technological advances we see today.

The show was filmed at the Hayden Planetarium in Manhattan; a place I remember very well going as a child on trips.  Tyson sat with Leighan Lord and Charles Liu and discussed Star Trek and at certain segments, turned to a flat screen off to the side to view interviews with George Takei aka "Sulu" from the Star Trek original series and towards the end of the program, Bill Nye "The Science Guy."

During commercial breaks, I was surprised to see that Fr. James Martin of the Jesuit order was shown in a recorded episode which will probably air in the future. This should be an interesting episode indeed. So far, "StarTalk" seems to be a show that will catch on with "nerds" and those who love late night casual talk shows.  It is not heavily scientific, but more of a casual discussion among friends.  I am hoping to get tickets to attend a taping!

You can learn more here: http://www.sacerdotus.com/2015/03/degrasse-to-host-startalk-on-television.html

DeGrasse to host "StarTalk" on Television

Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson seems to be all over these days. He was chosen to host the remake of the late Carl Sagan's hit, "Cosmos" in 2014 and apparently decided not to continue with the series despite its popularity.

He also hosts a popular podcast entitled "StarTalk." DeGrasse is a product of the Bronx of Puerto Rican and African American descent who fell in love with the stars. He speaks passionately on science and sometimes makes statements which cause controversy.

Despite this, he is a great communicator and will now have a night program named after his podcast on the National Geographic Channel.  "StarTalk" will air on April 20, 2015 according to the National Geographic Channel network. In keeping with the tradition of the podcast, he will be having a host of guests from a variety of backgrounds including scientists such as Richard Dawkins, actors such as Star Trek's George Takei, and others.

I am excited to learn of this news and look forward to viewing the TV version of his podcast which I enjoy listening to.  It is sad that he will not return to "Cosmos," but rumor has it that one of my former instructors, Michio Kaku at CUNY will take his place.  That being said, "Cosmos" is in very good hands!

In other news, here is a funny video of Degrasse sounding as if he were high: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/25/neil-degrasse-tyson-stoned-video-response_n_5023458.html





More info:

http://www.startalkradio.net/#

http://www.startalkradio.net/announcing-startalk-tv-national-geographic-premiere-date-and-episode-schedule/

http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/nat-geo-latenight-series-hosted-by-neil-degrasse-tyson-to-launch-april-20-1201455419/

http://www.theverge.com/2015/3/18/8252023/neil-degrasse-tyson-startalk-late-night-tv-420