Plot Synopsis

Based on the podcast of the same name, STARTALK is a one-hour weekly talk show, hosted by Neil deGrasse Tyson, who brings together comedians and celebrities to delve into a wide range of topics. Each week, in a private interview, Dr. Tyson explores all the ways that science and technology have influenced the life and livelihood of his guests, whatever their background. After his one-on-one interview, Dr. Tyson invites a comedian co-host and influencers in media, science and pop culture to join him to further break down the topic in front of a studio audience in the American Museum of Natural History's Rose Center for Earth and Space in New York City. Plus, in each episode, Dr. Tyson calls on his friend Bill Nye the Science Guy to weigh in on the week's theme. The series premiere's theme was STAR TREK as inspiration for the future, with Dr. Tyson interviewing George Takei about how the iconic show's once-futuristic scenarios relate to many of today's current moral and social issues. Then, weighing in on this interview are Charles Liu, astrophysicist at the American Museum of Natural History and the College of Staten Island, and comedian Leighann Lord. Subsequent episodes featured guests like Christopher Nolan, Dan Savage, Arianna Huffington, Richard Dawkins, President Jimmy Carter, Hadfield, Biz Stone, Charles Bolden, Norman Lear, and more.

On Sunday, October 25, 2015 at 11pm ET/PT, Nat Geo premiered the second season of STARTALK with Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson. President Bill Clinton is the first guest of the new season, and additional guests include Larry Wilmore (Nov. 1), Seth MacFarlane (Nov. 8), Susan Sarandon, David Byrne, Bas Lansdorp, Penn and Teller, David Crosby, Brian Cox and Gina McCarthy. In the season premiere, deGrasse Tyson sits down with former President Clinton, who was a strong advocate of science education and advancement during his two presidential terms. President Clinton opens up about his deep appreciation for science as he delves into topics including the importance of science in politics, the cosmic perspective, the Human Genome Project and Einstein. At the Cullman Hall of the Universe, Tyson continues the conversation with his comedian co-host Chuck Nice and genomics expert Juan Enriquez. Meanwhile, Bill Nye gives his take on advancing scientific progress in America, author Richard Muller joins via video call to talk about the influence of science on politics and Tyson answers fan questions about artificial intelligence.

Season 3 of STARTALK premiered on Monday, September 19, 2016 at 11pm ET/PT on Nat Geo. In the season opener, legendary Academy Award-winning actress and comedian Whoopi Goldberg sits down with host Neil deGrasse Tyson to discuss a range of topics, from STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION to superheroes to medical marijuana. Tyson is joined by comedian co-host Chuck Nice and guests Charles Liu, astrophysicist at the American Museum of Natural History, and Dr. Staci Gruber, associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Adding to the discussion, data journalist Mona Chalabi explains the U.S. budget for space exploration and Bill Nye gives his take on medical marijuana. Subsequent episodes of Season 3 feature: actress and neuroscientist Mayim Bialik, with co-host Chris Hardwick and guest Summer Ash (September 26); U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter; two-time Olympic gold medalist Hope Solo; THE WALKING DEAD creator Robert Kirkman; and more.

Season 4 of STARTALK premiered on Sunday, October 1, 2017 at 11pm ET/PT on Nat Geo. In the season opener, host Neil deGrasse Tyson features his interview with controversial world-champion cyclist Lance Armstrong. Tyson is joined in the Cullman Hall of the Universe by comedian co-host Scott Adsit, along with science journalist Max Glaskin and bioethics professor Arthur Caplan to discuss the science of cycling, sports ethics and performance enhancement. Adding to the discussion, Chuck Nice joins from the Sports Science Lab to test cycling training techniques. Other guests in Season 4 include: Katy Perry, Stephen Colbert, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jane Goodall, Stephen Hawking, Katie Couric, Kevin Smith, Sylvia Earle, Fabien Cousteau, Adrien Grenier, National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence and filmmaker James Cameron and more. In addition to Chuck Nice and Scott Adsit, this season's comedian co-hosts include Godfrey, Eugene Mirman, Sasheer Zamata and Maeve Higgins. As usual, Tyson occasionally calls on his friend Bill Nye the Science Guy to weigh in on the week's theme, while other influencers across pop culture and science join via live video.

Season 5 of STARTALK premiered on Monday, November 12, 2018 at 11pm ET/PT on Nat Geo Channel, as Neil deGrasse Tyson returns with 20 all-new episodes. In the season opener, Neil interviews chef Anthony Bourdain about the science of food and the most pivotal moment in his television hosting career -- when he traveled to Beirut in 2016. Plus, Sasheer Zamata, Guy Crosby and Yvette d'Entremont discuss the science of food as it relates to taste, cooking and climate change, and Natalia Reagan tries one of the hottest sauces in the world. Other guests this season include: podcaster Joe Rogan, actor Jeff Goldblum, author George R.R. Martin, former Vice President Al Gore, author Patricia Cornwell, performer Weird Al Yankovic, science educator Bill Nye, news anchor Dan Rather, actor Jack Black, actress Anna Deavere Smith, and actor James Marsden. Domic co-hosts for Season 5 include Chuck Nice, Sasheer Zamata and Matt Kirshen.
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On Monday, November 26, 2018 at 11pm ET/PT, Nat Geo Channel premiered a new episode of STARTALK, as Neil deGrasse Tyson interviews THE BIG BANG THEORY actor Simon Helberg and co-creator Bill Prady; comic Chuck Nice, astrophysicist Charles Liu and theoretical physicist Janna Levin discuss the portrayal of scientists in pop culture.