peacesreese

Hi, Bill! I grew up watching your show every day on PBS after school - wouldn't miss it for anything. I think it's one of the early reasons why I developed a strong interest in math and physics. Now at age 30 and with young children of my own, we've watched and rewatched those classic episodes. It's pretty awesome when one of your child's earliest verbal requests are "bill nye...science guy". So a great big thank you for that.

I'd just like to ask:

1) Who came up with the format of the show? I always thought the integration of the comical announcer, science parody songs, and the retro science video clips used in transitions were great touches.

(Funny story - the first time I heard the real "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana, I thought it was going to be the song about air pressure from Bill Nye).

2) I read that you applied to NASA every so often but were denied likely for not having a Ph.D. I'm guessing your honorary degrees don't count, but is this something that you still push for?

3) What's your favorite place on Earth that you've visited, either professionally or on vacation? Personally, I've visited Iceland, and it's hard to imagine any place being more geologically pristine, varied, and fascinating.

P.S. Just missed your commencement speech at Johns Hopkins (my alma mater) by only 2 years!

Mr. Shearer, I'm a long-time fan of your work on the Simpsons and in the Christopher Guest movies. I was recently delighted to discover that you are also quite a fan of jazz (as am I). Your endless talents never cease to amaze me. Thanks for everything you do.

I'll keep it short and sweet:

1) Favorite thing to say in Mr. Burns's voice?

2) Favorite jazz instrumentalist, singer, and/or album?

3) Can I raise a practical question at this point? Are we gonna do Stonehenge tomorrow?

Hah! Thanks so much for replying. My favorite vintage singer would probably be Johnny Hartman. His rich baritone is similar to that of Rev. Lovejoy, hehe. The album John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman is a gem, particularly the exceptional rendition of Lush Life. Contemporary favorites would probably be Bobby McFerrin and Rachel Price, who had a few terrific albums as a solo jazz artist and now fronts an indie jazz and soul band called Lake Street Dive. I could listen to her sing for hours. Highly recommended.

Chris, hi from Riverdale (just across the Hudson in the Bronx).

 

Does it bother you when people quote your material in everyday situations, or are you just happy that it stands the test of time? You know, it's funny, I listened to your albums a lot in college, while doing problem sets, between study sessions, falling asleep, whatever. Every once in a while when I was really exhausted, I'd hear one of your bits randomly pop into my head from my subconscious, between thoughts of Galois groups and Lesbegue integrals. Haha. Is that weird?
 

P.S. Nice job on Comedians in Cars, really enjoyed that. Why'd you guys get pulled over?

I, too, love vintage TV. Do you have a favorite episode of Perry Mason? Mine would probably be "The Case of the Jaded Joker", the one guest starring Frankie Laine. The beatnik character was a hip touch. What shows are your favorites?

In the interest of full disclosure, I was born way too late to see these shows when they aired.