The show was primarily funded by the National Science Foundation, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the annual financial support from the viewers/stations of the PBS network. [40] KCTS was hampered by budgetary problems and couldn't produce a show pilot on time. [58], In 2013, Nye guest-starred in The Big Bang Theory episode "The Proton Displacement". In their meeting at the space sciences building, Nye explained that he was interested in developing a science television program. Both his parents were World War II veterans; his mother was a code-breaker, while his father spent four years in a prisoner-of-war camp. The dial was developed to help keep track of time when an astronaut is on Mars. Before his show launched, Nye had previously worked alongside Christopher Lloyd in Back to the Future: The Animated Series, where he played Doc Brown's assistant and demonstrated several experiments. [45] Teaming up with Seth MacFarlane and Brannon Braga, the series has Nye exploring natural and unnatural disasters, explaining them scientifically to detail surviving, mitigating, and preventing them. Bill Nye is an American science educator and mechanical engineer best known for hosting the television program Bill Nye the Science Guy. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/bill-nye-3677.php. [57] He joined the American Optometric Association in a multimedia advertising campaign to persuade parents to provide their children with comprehensive eye examinations. When Greene was enlisted to write the theme song, the show's producers requested that the song "not sound like a kid's show"; the final result was accordingly uncommon for the time. "Soundtrack of Science" Parody song: Nyevana "Smells Like Air Pressure" Parody of ", "Soundtrack of Science" Parody song: Magmadonna "Crust" Parody of ", "Soundtrack of Science" Parody song: J.C. "Mr. Dino" Parody of ", "Soundtrack of Science" Parody song: Sure Floats-a lot "Bill's Got Boat" Parody of ", "Soundtrack of Science" Parody song: Attraction Action "G-R-A-V-I-T-Y" Parody of ", "Soundtrack of Science" Parody song: Dy Gestion "Can't Eat This" Parody of ", "Soundtrack of Science" Parody song: Phaze Change "Solid Liquid Gas" Parody of ", "Soundtrack of Science" Parody song: Bio Di Versity "We're all Connected" Parody of ", "Soundtrack of Science" Parody song: The Pulley Ramp Five "ABC's of Machinery" Parody of ", "Soundtrack of Science" Parody song: The Lunatics "Moon Cycle" Parody of ", "Soundtrack of Science" Parody song: Gloria Wavelength and the Vibrations "Sound is a VIBE" Parody of ", "Soundtrack of Science" Parody song: Trash E. Trash "R.E.C.Y.C.L.E." He has been honored by many universities with several doctorates because of his contribution to science. Children's Show Host #1. Like MAD TV and Saturday Night Live, Almost Live! [84][85][86] In February 2014, he debated creationist Ken Ham at the Creation Museum on whether creation is a viable model of origins in today's modern, scientific era. ", "Bill Nye on the terrifying ascendancy of American 'dingbatitude', "Bill Nye is angrily telling everyone to get their act together and fight climate change: 'The planet's on f---ing fire', "Eco-Friendly Competition: Who Can Go Greener? [132] In October 2015, Nye was awarded an honorary doctorate of science from Simon Fraser University. Are any of them free? [7] Nye eventually left Boeing in 1985 to join Shafer and Keister in writing and performing for Almost Live!, a then-fledgling sketch comedy television show produced by local NBC affiliate KING-TV. In September 2019, a years-old rumor started spreading on social media that television host Bill Nye the Science Guy had been arrested on suspicion of manufacturing and selling illegal drugs: Biography and associated logos are trademarks of A+E Networksprotected in the US and other countries around the globe. [37][34], Nye's Science Guy personality is also prominent at Walt Disney Parks and Resortsmost notably his appearance with Ellen DeGeneres at Ellen's Energy Adventure, an attraction that ran from 1996 to 2017 at the Universe of Energy pavilion at Epcot at Walt Disney World. [21] The final episode aired in 1999, well after production ended in 1997. SEATTLE Before he was Bill Nye the Science Guy, he was just a guy, working as an engineer at Boeing, when he happened to pop into a comedy club. He has been married to Liza Mundy since June 22, 2022. [4] In surveys of elementary students who watched the program, most children concluded that Nye made "kids like science more". After Nye and Sheldon leave, Leonard receives a selfie of the two having smoothies, and later gets a text from Sheldon asking for a ride home, as Nye has ditched him at the smoothie store. Aspiring to become the next Mr. Wizard, Nye successfully pitched the children's television program Bill Nye the Science Guy to Seattle's public television station, KCTS-TV. "PBS wanted more serious, in-depth Nova-style shows", explained co-producer Randy Brinson. "[110] Nye endorsed Jay Inslee during the 2020 Democratic primaries, until Inslee suspended his campaign on August 21, 2019. [112], Nye married musician Blair Tindall on February 3, 2006; however, he annulled the relationship seven weeks later when the marriage license was declared invalid. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. Site contains certain content that is owned A&E Television Networks, LLC. Nye also voiced himself in the animated feature Happy Halloween, Scooby Doo! [127] He received honorary doctorates from Johns Hopkins University in May 2008,[128] and in May 2011 from Willamette University[129] In May 2015, Rutgers University awarded him an honorary doctor of science degree and paid him a $35,000 speaker's fee for presenting the ceremony's keynote address. Nye's Science Guy character is also heard in a voice-over in the DINOSAUR attraction at Disney's Animal Kingdom,[38] and was the on-air spokesman for the Noggin television network in 1999. In the early 2000s, he helped develop sundials that were used in the Mars Exploration Rover missions. At Boeing, he invented a hydraulic resonance suppressor tube used on Boeing 747 airplanes. It was produced by television station KCTS and McKenna/Gottlieb Producers and distributed . NOTE: The Production Codes were taken from the United States Copyright Office. In a later discussion with Professor Proton, Sheldon reveals that Nye had a restraining order against him, so he could not help him contact Nye. [33], Bill Nye the Science Guy ran from 1993 to 1998, and was one of the most-watched educational TV shows in the United States. In July 2018, Nye played for the National League squad at the MLB All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game. He holds honorary doctorate degrees from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Goucher College and Johns Hopkins. [72] He became the organization's second Executive Director in September 2010 when Louis Friedman stepped down. February 5, 1999. Nye Labs, the production offices and set where the show was recorded, was in a converted clothing warehouse near Seattle's Kingdome. Career Bill Nye started his career working at Boeing Corporation as an engineer which was located near Seattle. A video game based on the series was released in 1996, and a subsequent television show for adults, Bill Nye Saves the World, was broadcast two decades later. Knowing that Nye was a super science genius outside of his nightly thespian routine . While the shows were aimed to catch the attention of younger audiences, it gained viewership from adults as well and were even used as effective educational aids for school science classes. Nye portrays a hyper-kinetic, tall, and slender scientist wearing a blue lab coat and a bow-tie. In 1986, he took a job as a comedy writer and performer on a local comedy program, "Almost Live," (and quit Boeing) where he first appeared as Bill Nye the Science Guy. Then as another option, I hired a girl to sing it to give it a bit more R&B kind of sound. Nye Labs, the production offices and set where the show was recorded, was in a converted clothing warehouse near Seattle's Kingdome. [107], In July 2012, Nye supported President Barack Obama's reelection bid. I hired a guy to sing it who sounded pretty cool. It sounded great, so that's the version we kept. [17][18] The show ran about the same time as and covered similar topics to Beakman's World, in fact sharing one crew member, editor/writer/director Michael Gross. [27], Even though Nye was regular on Almost Live!, he was only doing freelance work for the program. Scientist/comedian Bill Nye explores various aspects of science for young viewers. As of May 2017, the 1996 episode "Probability" is edited from its original airing, with a segment removed featuring a cast member saying there are only two genders. [18] He applied four times, unsuccessfully, for NASA's astronaut training program. [63], In 2018, Nye guest-starred in an episode of Blindspot, "Let It Go", playing a fictionalized version of himself who is the father of the character Patterson. If you look back on all the teachers that you liked, I am sure you will find they were very entertaining. [7][10] During the demonstration, Nye submerged an onion in liquid nitrogen and proceeded to shatter it, receiving acclaim from the studio audience. Nye became the face of "Bill Nye's Climate Lab," a permanent exhibition at the Chabot Space & Science Center in Oakland, California. [25] His other main recurring role on Almost Live! Bill Nye guest-starred in The Big Bang Theory. He appeared in an episode titled The Proton Displacement in 2013. He was made the vice president of The Planetary Society in 2005. When you have a portion of the population that doesn't believe in that, it holds everybody back. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. [23] After a guest canceled, cohost Ross Shafer told Nye he had seven minutes of programming to fill. He worked together with James McKenna, Elizabeth Brock and Erren Gottlieb for KCTS where they used to plan and create the show. "[14], The show was created in 1992 by Bill Nye, James McKenna and Erren Gottlieb, produced by McKenna/Gottlieb Producers, Inc, in partnership with KCTS in Seattle. He also hosted the 100 Greatest Discoveries show and began appearing in videos for several attractions at Walt Disney World and Epcot, including one with Ellen DeGeneres. who said Thursday on his show The 700 Club, "Let's be . "I mentioned how I planned to talk about bridges and bicycles and so onstuff that, as an engineer, I'd been interested inand [Sagan] said, 'Focus on pure science. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. However, "shifting creative concepts, infighting among executives and disputes over money with Seattle producing station KCTS" significantly delayed production for years. The announcer for the program was Pat Cashman, whom Nye knew from his time on Almost Live!. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. We want your voice. Shafer suggested. Known for its "high-energy presentation and MTV-paced segments",[5] the program became a hit among kids and adults, was critically acclaimed, and was nominated for 23 Emmy Awards, winning 19, including Outstanding Performer in Children's Programming for Nye himself. This page was last edited on 28 February 2023, at 19:52. He first got his big break on the show from John Keister who met him during an open mic night. In 2017, he delivered Everything All at Once, in which he promised to show how "thinking like a nerd is the key to changing yourself and the world around you.". . [95][96][97], In March 2015, Nye announced he changed his mind and now supported GMOs. [19] After its initial success, it was renewed for a second 26-episode order for the 19941995 Season, followed by 13 for the 19951996 Season. [83], In September 2012, Nye claimed that creationist views threatened science education and innovation in the United States. About. Inspired by Donald Herbert, Nye began doing a part of the show where scientific experiments turned into something really fun and interesting. It wasn't me. In 2013, Nye took on a different type of television role by joining the cast of celebrity contestants on the popular competition Dancing with the Stars. In 1996, he appeared alongside Ellen DeGeneres and Alex Trebek in a video for Ellen's Energy Adventure, an attraction at Walt Disney World., He has been awarded doctorates from universities like John Hopkins University, Willamette University, and Lehigh University. He received the Humanist of the Year Award in 2010, from the American Humanist Association., Quotes By Bill Nye | [6] He starred in a documentary about his life and science advocacy, Bill Nye: Science Guy, which premiered at the South by Southwest Film Festival in March 2017; and, in October 2017, was named a NYT Critic's Pick. Nye has written over a dozen books in his career, including: Nye holds three United States patents:[121] one for ballet pointe shoes,[72][122] one for an educational magnifying glass created by filling a clear plastic bag with water,[123][124] and one for a device for training an athlete to throw a ball. Shortly after reading my article, Nye began discussing philosophy with his friend David Kyle Johnson, a . The original Pilot for the show. His most recent series, The End is Nye, premiered August 25, 2022, on Peacock and Syfy. Science is the key to our future, and if you don't believe in science, then you're holding everybody back.