The Eyes of Nye

"The Eyes of Nye" was a science program airing on public television in the United States in 2005 and featuring Bill Nye. The show is more sophisticated than its predecessor "Bill Nye the Science Guy" as it is aimed more toward adults and teenagers than children. The creation of the show was motivated by the success of the television program "Bill Nye the Science Guy", and a widespread contempt among scientists for scientific journalism in the media. The program was broadcast by KCTS primetime, out of Seattle, Washington.

Recurring Segments

Straight Talk - Parodies interview shows like "Larry King Live". The guest is always a deep-voiced, overbearing senator whose opinion fluctuates wildly with each question.

Opinions Now with Chris David - Parodies "debate" shows like "Hardball with Chris Matthews". The host is loud, constantly leans forward and glares at the camera, and demands solid answers, or at least strong opinions, at all times. Taking a jab at modern television news shows, the more level-headed and cautious experts are often ignored in favor of other guests with more extreme and livid views on the subject at hand.

Science with Mr. Sanders - Parodies 1950s-era educational films. Mary and Tommy, stereotypical period schoolchildren, ask questions of their teacher, Mr. Sanders. The answers he gives are usually laden with his personal prejudices and disturbing information about his personal life. In a "Twilight Zone"-like twist, the characters imply that The Eyes of Nye is merely an educational film they are watching.

The Hippy Couple - Parodies ignorant "new agey" views on science, featuring a stereotypical hippy couple who ramble at length about love, ecological produce and global warming. In the end, though, the couple really only appear to be interested in growing hemp, which seems plausible judging from their stoned appearance.

Episodes

Current Status

PBS, which broadcast the original "Bill Nye the Science Guy", turned down the offer to distribute Nye's new show. Randy Brinson, a co-producer of "The Eyes of Nye", said in an interview [Paulson, Tom (2005 April 5). [http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/tv/218731_nye05.html "That Science Guy is back, in 'Eyes of Nye'"] . "Seattle Post-Intelligencer".] that the reason for PBS's rejection of the show was a result of its desire for "more serious, in-depth 'Nova'-style shows." Brinson went on to say that this and some "local production issues" were the cause of the show's delays, although in an interview for the same article Nye blamed financial problems within KCTS-TV (the producer of the show) for the delays. However, it was noted that "The Eyes of Nye" has been picked up for broadcast by about 100 public television stations, and that this may lead to further development.

Twelve of the thirteen episodes are available as a set for $499.00 on DVD from Disney Educational Productions. [cite web | url = http://dep.disney.go.com/educational/store/detail?product_id=77A16PK00 | title = The Eyes of Nye Complete Series (DVD) | accessdate = 2007-02-28 | publisher = Disney Educational Productions] Because the target audience for the show are educational institutions, each episode is available on its own DVD. However, the price of these DVDs is also aimed at this audience, and is a result of the licensing restrictions involved in showing the episodes to classrooms.

Trivia

Bob Nelson and Pat Cashman, members of the sketch comedy television show "Almost Live!", of which Bill Nye was also a member, made guest appearances. Cashman was also the voice of the announcer for Nye's previous show "Bill Nye the Science Guy". [Paulson, Tom (2005 April 5). [http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/tv/218731_nye05.html "That Science Guy is back, in 'Eyes of Nye'"] . "Seattle Post-Intelligencer".]

References

External links

* [http://www.eyesofnye.org Eyesofnye.org]
* [http://www.billnye.com Billnye.com] For Science guy info.
* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0437715/fullcredits#writers IMDB listing] for full cast & crew information.