July 30, 2016 6:16 pm

StarTalk TV Season 3 – Episode Guide and Sneak Peak

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL ANNOUNCES PREMIERE DATE, GUESTS FOR SEASON THREE OF EMMY^®-NOMINATED SERIES STARTALK WITH NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC BOOKS TO RELEASE STARTALK THE BOOK TIMED TO NEW SEASON

New Season Guests Include Whoopi Goldberg, Ben Stiller, Buzz Aldrin, Hope Solo, Jay Leno and Creator of “The Walking Dead” Robert Kirkman

(Beverly Hills, Calif. – July 30, 2016) National Geographic Channel announced today that the Emmy^®-nominated series StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson (#StarTalkTV) will return on Monday, Sept. 19, at 11/10c with guest Academy Award winner Whoopi Goldberg. The third season returns with a just-announced 20 episodes — and its second consecutive Emmy nomination for Best Informational Series or Special. The new season will coincide with the release of the first-ever StarTalk book, inspired by the show and published by National Geographic Books. For more information, visit our press room at foxflash.com and follow @NGC_PR on Twitter.

StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson — the hourlong, weekly science-driven talk show series recorded in front of a live studio audience at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City — is derived from Tyson’s popular radio show and podcast of the same name, which is the first and only space-based popular commercial radio show. Each television episode features an intimate interview between Tyson and a guest from pop culture, politics, sports or news, in which they discuss how science and technology have affected their lives and careers.

The new season of StarTalk will kick off on Monday, Sept. 19, with guest Whoopi Goldberg. Watch a preview here:

Additional guests this season include:

Buzz Aldrin (astronaut)
Mayim Bialik (actor, “Big Bang Theory” and neuroscientist)
Ash Carter (U.S. Secretary of Defense)
Terry Crews (actor and former football player)
Brian Greene (theoretical physicist)
Herbie Hancock (musician) and Wayne Shorter (musician)
Simon Helberg (actor, “Big Bang Theory”)
Jeremy Irons (actor) and Matthew Brown (director)
Robert Kirkman (comic book writer and executive producer, “The Walking Dead”)
Jay Leno (comedian and talk show host)
Christopher Lloyd (actor) and Michelle Gomez (actor)
Bill Maher (comedian and talk show host)
Philippe Petit (tightrope walker)
Hope Solo (U.S. Soccer Team goalie)
Ben Stiller (actor and director)
Kathy Sullivan (astronaut and head of NOAA)
Jill Tarter (SETI astrophysicist)
Andy Weir (author, “The Martian”)

“My goal is to make StarTalk a safe space for Hollywood stars, athletes, comedians, musicians and scientists to proudly fly their geek flags,” host Tyson said. “In this season, the worlds of pop culture and science come together with some of the biggest stars yet.”

As in past seasons, the show also features a panel of comedian co-hosts and scientific 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. Comedians this season include Chuck Nice, Chris Hardwick, Maeve Higgins, Leighann Lord, Eugene Mirman and Iliza Shlesinger. Scientific experts include Michio Kaku (theoretical physicist), Charles Liu (astrophysicist and author of StarTalk book), Mike Massimino (astronaut) and more. Additionally, comedian Chuck Nice offers a comedic perspective through man-on-the-street interviews with everyday people, and Bill Nye “The Science Guy” continues to offer up his expertise on the week’s topic.

The book will take the greatest hits from the airwaves to the page. It delivers an illustrated companion to the popular podcast and television series, featuring vivid imagery, thought-provoking sidebars, enlightening facts and fun quotes from science and entertainment luminaries.

Premiere episodes include:

StarTalk: Whoopi Goldberg
Premieres Monday, Sept. 19, at 11/10c

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 in the Cullman Hall of the Universe in front of a live studio audience 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, Nice hits the streets in search of fellow nerds, data journalist Mona Chalabi explains the U.S. budget for space exploration and Bill Nye gives his take on medical marijuana.

StarTalk: Mayim Bialik
Premieres Monday, Sept. 26, at 11/10c

Host Neil deGrasse Tyson interviews actress and neuroscientist Mayim Bialik, who plays the character of neurobiologist Amy Farrah Fowler on “The Big Bang Theory.” Tyson and Bialik, who completed her doctorate in neuroscience at UCLA in 1997, discuss the portrayal of science on television by analyzing such topics as women in science, television characters as role models and using comedy to spark interest in science. In the Hall of the Universe, Tyson is joined by comedian co-host Chris Hardwick (founder, CEO and creative head of Nerdist Industries) and guest Summer Ash (director of outreach for the department of astronomy at Columbia University). Adding to the discussion, data journalist Mona Chalabi shares statistics on women in science, Chuck Nice hits the streets of New York City to get the public’s opinion and actress Taryn O’Neil joins via video call to talk about how to make science appealing to young people. Tyson and guests answer fans’ Cosmic Queries, and Bill Nye gives his take on the topic of science on TV.

StarTalk: Man on Wire
Premieres Monday, Oct. 3, at 11/10c

Phillipe Petit, who is known for his 1974 walk between the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, sits down with host Neil deGrasse Tyson to discuss his influences and motivation to become a high-wire artist; how he planned and executed his famous walks; and our innate curiosity and desire to explore, which inspires us humans to leave our comfort zone on the surface of the earth and “enter the void.” Tyson is joined in the Hall of the Universe by comedian co-host Eugene Mirman and guest astrophysicist Charles Liu. Adding to the discussion, tightrope instructor Sonja Harpstead joins via video call to talk about the skills required for the high wire, Chuck Nice faces his fears on the trapeze and Bill Nye gives a tribute to Petit from the grounds of the World Trade Center.

StarTalk: Time Travel
Premieres Monday, Oct. 10, at 11/10c

Host Neil deGrasse Tyson sits down with actors Christopher Lloyd and Michelle Gomez to reflect on their roles in the “Back to the Future” and the “Dr. Who” series, respectively. Tyson is joined in the Cullman Hall of the Universe by comedian co-host Chuck Nice and guest Michio Kaku, who holds the Henry Semat Chair and Professorship in theoretical physics at the City College of New York. On this episode, Tyson and his guests discuss the science fiction and fantasy of time travel by analyzing such topics as relativity, black holes and parallel universes. Adding to the discussion, Tyson and Kaku answer fans’ Cosmic Queries, and Bill Nye gives his take on time travel in the iconic DeLorean from the “Back to the Future” series.

StarTalk: Theoretical Physics
Premieres Monday, Oct. 17, at 11/10c

Theoretical physicist and best-selling author Brian Greene, who is widely recognized for a number of groundbreaking discoveries in his field of superstring theory, joins host Neil deGrasse Tyson for a conversation on quantum mechanics, the nature of reality and more. Tyson is joined in the Cullman Hall of the Universe by comedian co-host Maeve Higgins and guest David Chalmers, professor of philosophy and co-director of the Center for Mind, Brain and Consciousness at New York University. Chuck Nice hits the streets to get the public opinion on theoretical physics, jazz musician and physicist Stephon Alexander joins via video call, Tyson answers fans’ Cosmic Queries and Bill Nye contemplates whether we’re all living in a simulation.

StarTalk: Robert Kirkman and The Walking Dead
Premieres Monday, Oct. 24, at 11/10c

Host Neil deGrasse Tyson features his interview with Robert Kirkman, writer and executive producer of “The Walking Dead” and successful creator of independent comics. Kirkman created and continues to write the long-running Image Comics title “The Walking Dead,” on which the show is based. They discuss zombies in pop culture, the physiology and psychology of zombies, and how to prepare for the zombie apocalypse. Tyson is joined in the Hall of the Universe by comedian co-host Maeve Higgins and guest Jeffrey Mantz, an anthropology professor at George Mason University who launched a class called “Zombies” that offers a literary and cinematic look at the living dead’s place in modern society. Adding to the discussion, Dr. Steven Schlozman (aka Dr. Zombie) joins via video call to give a medical diagnosis of the zombie condition, Chuck Nice hits the streets to get the public opinion on zombies, Tyson answers fans’ Cosmic Queries, data journalist Mona Chalabi presents the data behind the zombie apocalypse and Bill Nye gives his take on zombie lore.

StarTalk is produced by Curved Light Productions and National Geographic Studios for National Geographic Channels. For Curved Light Productions, executive producers are Neil deGrasse Tyson and Helen Matsos. For National Geographic Studios, executive producer is Brian Lovett, co-executive producer is Drew Pulley, and executive vice president of production and development is Jeff Hasler. For National Geographic Channels, president of original programming and production is Tim Pastore.

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National Geographic Channels
The National Geographic Channels (The Channels) form the television and production arm of National Geographic Partners, a joint venture between 21st Century Fox and the National Geographic Society. As a global leader in premium science, adventure and exploration programming, the Channels include: National Geographic Channel (NGC), Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo People and Nat Geo MUNDO. Additionally, the Channels also run the in-house television production unit, National Geographic Studios. The Channels contribute to the National Geographic Society’s commitment to exploration, conservation and education with entertaining, innovative programming from A-level talent around the world, and with profits that help support the society’s mission. Globally, NGC is available in more than 440 million homes in 171 countries and 45 languages, and Nat Geo WILD is available in 131 countries and 38 languages. National Geographic Partners is also a leader in social media, with a fan base of 250 million people across all of its social pages. NGC contributes over 55 million social media fans globally on Facebook alone. For more information, visit www.natgeotv.com and www.natgeowild.com.

StarTalk Radio
StarTalk Radio, hosted by Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, is a groundbreaking, weekly, one-hour radio talk show and podcast, where science, pop culture and comedy collide. With a unique combination of comedy and celebrity star power, including frequent guest host Bill Nye, the show aims to bring the universe down to Earth. Now in its sixth season, StarTalk is available on SiriusXM Insight Channel 121, iTunes (where it recently ranked as the No. 1 podcast and made the “Best of 2015” list), Stitcher (where it won the Stitcher Award for Best Science and Medicine podcast), SoundCloud and TuneIn. The podcast has more than 3 million downloads per month. For more information and to listen, visit www.startalkradio.net.

American Museum of Natural History
American Museum of Natural History, founded in 1869, is one of the world’s preeminent scientific, educational and cultural institutions. The museum encompasses 45 permanent exhibition halls, including the Rose Center for Earth and Space and the Hayden Planetarium, where Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson serves as the Frederick P. Rose Director, as well as galleries for temporary exhibitions. It is home to the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial, New York State’s official memorial to its 33rd governor and the nation’s 26th president, and a tribute to Roosevelt’s enduring legacy of conservation. The museum’s five active research divisions and three cross-disciplinary centers support 200 scientists, whose work draws on a world-class permanent collection of more than 33 million specimens and artifacts, as well as specialized collections for frozen tissue and genomic and astrophysical data, and one of the largest natural history libraries in the world. Through its Richard Gilder Graduate School, it is the only American museum authorized to grant the Ph.D. degree and the master of arts in teaching degree. Annual attendance has grown to approximately 5 million, and the museum’s exhibitions and space shows can be seen in venues on five continents. The museum’s website and collection of apps for mobile devices extend its collections, exhibitions and educational programs to millions more beyond its walls. Visit amnh.org for more information.

Media Contacts:
Julie Frazier, 212-656-0714, [email protected]
Aubrey Siegel, 646-762-8702, [email protected]