Neil DeGrasse Tyson to Get Late-Night Science Talk Show

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Kipp Jones
Los Angeles, CA

Astrophysicist and anti-Christmas TV personality Neil deGrasse Tyson, presenter of 2014’s Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey, is getting his own late night talk show on National Geographic Channel, titled Star Talk.

Tyson, who has been named “Christmas Troll of the Year” by Real Clear Politics, spoke of the planned series at the Television Critics Association press tour, telling fans, “This is kind of low-risk, I think, for National Geographic… Star Talk exists as a thriving podcast right now.”

Tyson, who spent the holidays spewing anti-Christmas rhetoric on Twitter, also said Star Talk will follow a similar format as its host’s current podcast, which uses interviews with celebrities, comedians and scientists to combine science and popular culture.

The host also said he intends to mimic the late CBS’ 60 Minutes personality Andy Rooney, who had a memorable segment at the end of each show, by giving Bill Nye (the Science Guy) a minute to rant at the end of each episode.

National Geographic Channel CEO Courteney Monroe had this to say of Tyson:

After the global success of Cosmos as one of the most watched series in our history, we are thrilled to be partnering with Neil again on Star Talk — his wildly popular podcast that transcends science and crosses over into pop culture — once again satisfying the audience’s passion for adventure and exploration…

We continue to bolster our programming with series and event specials that are brand definitional, and Star Talk is the perfect opportunity to offer our audience an edgy, late-night alternative with the credibility and authenticity that are the hallmarks of our network.

Tyson made these dismissive remarks about Christmas on his Twitter page Dec. 25:

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