Bill Nye: Science Guy

Filmmakers David Alvarado and Jason Sussberg’s PBS-aired POV documentary examines the ongoing and increasingly relevant mission of a man who initially appeared on TV as a clever entertainer. Cornell-educated Bill Nye actually possesses a degree in engineering, but taking classes under iconic astronomer-author-educator Carl Sagan inspired him in his post-grad career to be a mass-media advocate for science and science teaching, becoming a children's-TV personality as the host of the long-running Bill Nye the Science Guy series. Recently, Nye fought publicly against creationism and the deniers of human-caused climate change (challenging larger-than-life foes like Sarah Palin, evangelist Ken Ham, and weightlifting meteorologist Joe Bastardi). Detractors say that Nye is more celebrity than accredited scientist, and the film does concede he has long sought showbiz fame (leading to bad career choices and estrangement from his original production team). Nye has even submitted to psychological studies of celebrity on the brain. Meanwhile, he has become CEO of the Planetary Society, where his enthusiasm and Science Guy cachet has re-ignited a Sagan project to launch the LightSail deep-space solar-wind probe. Nye's evolution from latter-day Mr. Wizard to prominent, if somewhat heroically flawed, science defender lends the film something of a dramatic overtone. Interviewees here include scientists/authors Ann Druyan and Neil deGrasse Tyson. Extras include additional scenes. Recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (C. Cassady)