National Geographic’s two-time Emmy-nominated series “StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson” will return this fall with 20 all-new episodes. This was announced today at the Nat Geo Further Base Camp at SXSW where astrophysicist and “StarTalk” host Neil deGrasse Tyson sat down with Ron Howard, executive producer and director of National Geographic’s upcoming scripted series “Genius,” for a special “StarTalk” podcast interview.
“StarTalk” airs on National Geographic around the world in 171 countries in 45 languages and in Spanish on Nat Geo Mundo.
The hour-long, weekly science-driven talk show series, is derived from Tyson’s popular podcast of the same name. Each television episode features an intimate interview between Tyson and a guest hewn from pop culture, politics or news, discussing how science and technology have affected their lives and careers. The new season will include “Hidden Figures” star Janelle Monáe and director Ted Melfi, cyclist Lance Armstrong, basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and conservationist Fabien Cousteau.
“At National Geographic we believe in the power of science and embracing curiosity,” said Tim Pastore, National Geographic’s president of original programming and production. “’StarTalk and Neil deGrasse Tyson’ not only make science accessible, but they make science fun and relevant, and we look forward to another engaging season.”
“From actors to entertainers, from politicians to performers, and from artists to athletes, our guests have two things in common: They are drawn from pop culture, and science has profoundly touched their lives,” said Tyson. “And in many cases, ‘StarTalk’ provides a comfortable space for pop culture icons to lay bare an inner geek that you never knew they had.”
In addition to the centerpiece interview, the show also features a panel of comedians and experts who analyze the conversation in front of a studio audience at the American Museum of Natural History’s Rose Center for Earth and Space in New York City — where Tyson serves as the Frederick P. Rose Director of the Hayden Planetarium. Regular comedian co-hosts include Eugene Mirman, Chuck Nice and Maeve Higgins. Occasionally, Tyson 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.
“StarTalk: Everything You Ever Need to Know About Space Travel, Sci-Fi, the Human Race, the Universe, and Beyond” is the show companion book from NatGeo Books and is available wherever books are sold.
“StarTalk” is produced by Curved Light Productions and National Geographic Studios for National Geographic. For Curved Light Productions, executive producers are Neil deGrasse Tyson and Helen Matsos. For National Geographic Studios, executive producers are Brian Lovett and Drew Pulley, and executive vice president of production and development is Jeff Hasler. For National Geographic, executive producer is Betsy Forhan and president of original programming and production is Tim Pastore.
