Bill Nye Saves the World
GenreTalk show
Created byBill Nye
Directed by
  • Nick Murray
  • Liz Plonka
Presented byBill Nye
Starring
Theme music composerTyler, the Creator
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes25 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
Producers
  • Dave Sambuchi
  • MC Spurlock
CinematographyJake Kerber
Running time25–41 minutes
Production companyBunim/Murray Productions
Original release
NetworkNetflix
ReleaseApril 21, 2017 (2017-04-21) –
May 11, 2018 (2018-05-11)

Bill Nye Saves the World is an American television show streaming on Netflix hosted and created by Bill Nye.[1] It is both a sequel and a revival of sorts of Bill Nye the Science Guy, which is also created by Nye. The show's byline was, "Emmy-winning host Bill Nye brings experts and famous guests to his lab for a talk show exploring scientific issues that touch our lives",[2] with the series' focus placed on science and its relationship with politics, pop culture, and society.[3] Unlike Nye's previous show Bill Nye the Science Guy (which is revived in this show) which was intended for children, Bill Nye Saves the World is intended for adults (especially those adults who watched Bill Nye the Science Guy when they were children during its original run in the 1990s). As such, some episodes have Nye discuss topics that would be considered inappropriate to mention to minors.

Though the show was hosted by Nye, five correspondents assist in the presentation of the show. These include fashion model Karlie Kloss, science YouTuber and educator Derek Muller, comedian Nazeem Hussain, comedian and writer Joanna Hausmann, and the TV host and producer Emily Calandrelli.[4][5] The show's theme song was produced by Tyler, the Creator.[6] The thirteen-episode first season premiered on April 21, 2017.[7] A six-episode second season premiered on December 29, 2017, and a six-episode third season was released on May 11, 2018. Reception to the series has been mixed, with the first season being reviewed more positively by critics than audiences.[8][9]

Release history

The thirteen-episode first season premiered on April 21, 2017.[7] It explores topics such as climate change, alternative medicine, and video games from a scientific point of view, while also refuting myths and anti-scientific claims.

On June 15, 2017, Nye announced on his Facebook page that the series had been renewed for a six-episode second season,[10] which premiered on December 29, 2017.

On April 9, 2018, Netflix announced the show had been renewed for a six-episode third season, released on May 11, 2018.[11]

Episodes

Series overview

SeasonEpisodesOriginally released
113April 21, 2017 (2017-04-21)
26December 29, 2017 (2017-12-29)
36May 11, 2018 (2018-05-11)

Season 1 (2017)

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleOriginal release dateProd.
code
11"Earth Is a Hot Mess"April 21, 2017 (2017-04-21)101

Bill discusses climate change.

22"Tune Your Quack-o-Meter"April 21, 2017 (2017-04-21)102

Bill debunks alternative medicine.

33"Machines Take Over the World"April 21, 2017 (2017-04-21)103

Bill discusses artificial intelligence.

44"More Food, Less Hype"April 21, 2017 (2017-04-21)104

Bill discusses genetically modified organisms.

  • Correspondent: Derek Muller
  • Panelists: Robb Fraley, Fred Gould, Julie Kennye
55"The Original Martian Invasion"April 21, 2017 (2017-04-21)105

Bill discusses the theory of panspermia.

66"Do Some Shots, Save the World"April 21, 2017 (2017-04-21)106

Bill discusses vaccinations.

77"Cheat Codes for Reality"April 21, 2017 (2017-04-21)107

Bill discusses playing games.

88"This Diet Is Bananas"April 21, 2017 (2017-04-21)108

Bill discusses diets.

99"The Sexual Spectrum"April 21, 2017 (2017-04-21)109

Bill discusses sex.

1010"Saving the World—with Space!"April 21, 2017 (2017-04-21)110

Bill discusses space exploration.

1111"Malarkey!"April 21, 2017 (2017-04-21)111

Bill debunks extrasensory perception.

1212"Designer Babies"April 21, 2017 (2017-04-21)112

Bill discusses designer babies.

  • Correspondents: Karlie Kloss, Nazeem Hussain
  • Guests: Tim Gunn
  • Panelists: Camille Hammond, Leslie Hinkson, Paul Knoepfler
1313"Earth's People Problem"April 21, 2017 (2017-04-21)113

Bill discusses human overpopulation.

  • Correspondents: Emily Calandrelli, Joanna Hausmann
  • Panelists: Nerys Benfield, Travis Rieder, Rachel Snow

Season 2 (2017)

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleOriginal release dateProd.
code
141"The Marijuana Episode"December 29, 2017 (2017-12-29)201

Bill discusses marijuana.

152"Your Computer Is Under Attack"December 29, 2017 (2017-12-29)202

Bill discusses computer viruses, malware, and related cyber attacks.

163"We Suck at Sleeping"December 29, 2017 (2017-12-29)203

Bill discusses sleep.

174"Sex, Drugs and Superbugs"December 29, 2017 (2017-12-29)204

Bill discusses superbugs.

185"Extinction: Why All Our Friends Are Dying"December 29, 2017 (2017-12-29)205

Bill discusses extinction and de-extinction.

196"How to Travel Through Time"December 29, 2017 (2017-12-29)206

Bill discusses time travel and gravity waves.

Season 3 (2018)

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleOriginal release dateProd.
code
201"Cheating Death"May 11, 2018 (2018-05-11)301

Bill discusses aging.

212"Surviving in a World Without Water"May 11, 2018 (2018-05-11)302

Bill discusses water scarcity.

223"The Addiction Episode"May 11, 2018 (2018-05-11)303

Bill discusses addiction.

234"Recipes from the Future"May 11, 2018 (2018-05-11)304

Bill discusses the future of food.

245"Evolution: The Fact of Life"May 11, 2018 (2018-05-11)305

Bill discusses evolution.

256"What is your pet really thinking?"May 11, 2018 (2018-05-11)306

Bill discusses animal brains.

Reception

Bill Nye Saves the World received mixed reviews from critics.[8][9] The first season has an aggregate rating of 63 out of 100 based on 5 reviews from Metacritic[13] and a Rotten Tomatoes score of 73% based on 11 reviews, with an average rating of 7/10.[14] The performance segments of the show have been the focus of criticism. In particular, Rachel Bloom's performance in episode 9 has been described as "strange", "out of place",[9] and a "painful couple of minutes".[15] Conversely, NPR's Fresh Air said the show is "fun to watch," working well with Nye's "consistent reliance on scientific and provable facts."[16] Vox praised Nye's unapologetic talking style, though worried this may alienate some viewers.[17]

References

  1. ^ Prudom, Laura (August 31, 2016). "Bill Nye Lands Netflix Talk Show". Variety. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  2. ^ "Bill Nye Saves the World". Netflix.
  3. ^ de Moraes, Lisa (August 31, 2016). "Netflix Orders Talk Show 'Bill Nye Saves The World'". Deadline. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  4. ^ "Bill Nye Saves the World - Correspondent Announcement - Netflix" on YouTube
  5. ^ Harwood, Erika (October 14, 2016). "Karlie Kloss Is Teaming Up with Bill Nye". Vanity Fair. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
  6. ^ "Tyler, The Creator Did the Theme Song For Bill Nye's Netflix Show | Pitchfork". pitchfork.com. April 15, 2017. Retrieved April 16, 2017.
  7. ^ a b Schwartz, Ryan (February 8, 2017). "Bill Nye Saves the World Gets Netflix Premiere Date, Star-Studded Trailer". TVLine. Archived from the original on July 14, 2018. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
  8. ^ a b Liao, Shannon (June 15, 2017). "Bill Nye Saves the World will be back for a second season". The Verge. Archived from the original on August 12, 2017. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  9. ^ a b c Alexander, Julia (April 26, 2017). "Bill Nye's new Netflix show is being torn apart for the same reasons that made it great". Polygon. Archived from the original on April 26, 2017. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  10. ^ "'Bill Nye Saves the World' Renewed for Season 2 on Netflix". variety.com. June 15, 2017. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
  11. ^ "'Bill Nye Saves The World' Gets Season 3 Premiere Date & First Trailer". Deadline. April 9, 2018. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  12. ^ a b Hammond, Pete; Hipes, Patrick (July 13, 2017). "Emmy Awards Nominations: 'Westworld', 'This Is Us', 'Stranger Things', 'Atlanta' Lead Diverse List". Deadline. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  13. ^ "Bill Nye Saves the World". Metacritic. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
  14. ^ Bill Nye Saves the World. Rotten Tomatoes Retrieved on May 21, 2018.
  15. ^ Hooton, Christopher (April 26, 2017). "Bill Nye Saves the World jumps the shark with cringeworthy 'My Sex Junk' skit". The Independent. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
  16. ^ David Bianculli (April 19, 2017). "'Fargo' and Bill Nye Make Promising Returns to the Small Screen". Fresh Air. NPR. Retrieved May 7, 2017.
  17. ^ Aja Romano (April 21, 2017). "Bill Nye Saves the World brings us an updated, unapologetically political science guy". Vox.

External links

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