Bill Nye: "Saving the world" by destroying science

I got about 3 1/2 minutes into the first episode of Bill Nye Saves the World on Netflix and couldn't take any more. The "Science Guy" put some red liquid in a flask over a Bunsen burner and watched as the liquid began to expand due to the heat. He then used that illustration to claim that a slight increase in ocean temperature would cause flooding in places like Miami. Yes, heating up fluid in a glass tube proves the devastating effects of man-made global warming. You can't deny the science!

I'll be honest. When I first heard of this show, I knew it was going to be less about science and more about pushing a political agenda. Here are just a few of the episode descriptions to show you what I mean:

Episode 1: Earth Is a Hot Mess
Bill calls out climate change deniers, breaks down the science of global warming and explains how we can make the planet a cooler place to live.

Nye goes so far as to say "global warming and climate change are way worse" than all the world wars and pandemics we've had. He even has a couple quasi-celebrities in a silly skit to prove his point. He even goes off on a rant about "climate change deniers," and then wraps up the show with a panel of non-scientists who have the solution to this pressing problem. The science is settled, folks, because there's a consensus. And science ain't about questioning the consensus.

Episode 5: The Original Martian Invasion
Bill introduces the theory of panspermia, NASA scientists discuss the Mars 2020 mission, and Wil Wheaton and the panel ponder life on other planets.

The idea that the universe was designed and created by an intelligent God? Hogwash! Life evolving by chance in outer space and traveling to Earth? Totally scientifically plausible! Never mind how life began on far-off worlds, because science apparently doesn't bother with trivial things like that. (Side note: I was really disappointed to see professing Christian and food celebrity Alton Brown take part in this episode.)

Episode 9: The Sexual Spectrum
Sex is complex! Bill explores the ever-evolving science of sexuality with help from a panel of experts and "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" star Rachel Bloom.

I don't even know where to begin, but this disgusting, inappropriate, NSFW clip pretty much says it all. Watch at your own risk:


Remember, this is science, and if you question it, you're a small-minded bigot.

Episode 11: Malarkey!
Chemtrails. Crop circles. Palm readers. Bill takes aim at pseudoscience and explains how confirmation bias makes us believe things that aren't true.

Is there a lot of pseudoscience out there? Absolutely. But confirmation bias isn't limited to tinfoil hat-wearing crackpots, as you'll see below.

Episode 13: Earth's People Problem
Bill and his guests talk about tackling overpopulation by empowering women. Comedian Joanna Hausmann interviews couples about male contraception.

Perhaps the most revealing moment in this episode was when Nye let slip "population c..." during a conversation. He caught himself before he finished saying the world "control," but it was clear what he meant. Now, you'd think the myth of overpopulation would have disappeared as quickly as Paul Ehrlich's credibility. In 1968, Erlich wrote a book titled The Population Bomb, in which he predicted a massive, global famine that would kill hundreds of millions of people in the 1970s. Yeah, that didn't happen, but Erlich is running around claiming that even though his timing was off, he's still right. Forget the fact that global poverty is at an all-time low. See, facts don't matter when you have a political ideology to advance, and confirmation bias only exists among those who disagree with you.

If you're looking for real science and an intelligent discussion of issues, steer clear of Bill Nye Saves the World. However, if you enjoy pseudoscience, progressive politics, wisecracks about religion, unfunny jokes, and lame entertainment, then this show might be right up your alley.

John Cleese brings Basil Fawlty back to life

Even if it is just for a short commercial.


Here, Cleese gives some insight into one of the most popular British sitcoms of all-time...

Nick Offerman's Yule log video is the best Yule log video in the history of Yule log videos

There are countless Yule log videos out there, but only one features Nick Offerman sitting in silence with a glass of whisky next to a crackling fire. Enjoy!

Christopher Walken reads 'The Raven'

I thought this seemed fitting, being so close to Halloween. And seriously, who better to read Edgar Allen Poe's classic poem than Christopher Walken? This track is from the 1997 recording Closed on Account of Rabies: Poems and Tales of Edgar Allan Poe.

Stephen Colbert guest-hosts local show on public access TV

You've never heard of the local public access show Only in Monroe. In fact, I'd be willing to bet that most people in Monroe County, MI, have never heard of it. But that didn't stop Stephen Colbert from stopping by to guest-host the entire 40-minute show. Featured are interviews with the show's regular hosts, Kaye Lani Rae Rafko Wilson and Michelle Baumann, and Michigan rapper Marshall Mathers. (Hey, wait. Isn't that...?)

'Elderly Man River' by Stan Freberg (1926-2015)

Stan Freberg passed away yesterday at the age of 88. I have long considered him one of the funniest people who ever lived. He will be missed.

In honor of Freberg's comedic brilliance, here is one of his best-known classics:

Scare your kids with the Hillary Clinton action figure

No, this isn't a joke. Creator Jason Feinberg is a fan of Hillary Clinton, and he wants to immortalize her in the form of an action figure that will surely terrify young kids everywhere.


From Feinberg's KickStarter site:

We started with one simple goal; to make Hillary Clinton into an awesome iconic action figure. Basically, we're hoping to kick off some light-hearted excitement about her campaign and the amazingly cool prospect of America getting its first woman president.

After months and months of work, we're all ready to go!

Actually, this four-inch piece of plastic would be less annoying and a much more effective leader than the real thing. If only this version could get on the ballot next year.

Bank of Canada upset at Star Trek fans for increasing value of its currency

Canada's five dollar bill sports an image of the country's seventh prime minister, Wilfrid Laurier. It just so happens that Laurier looks a bit like a hairless Spock, so Star Trek fans have been having a little fun:

Bank of Canada spokeswoman Josianne Menard acknowledges this kind of doodling isn't illegal:

However, there are important reasons why it should not be done. Writing on a bank note may interfere with the security features and reduces its lifespan. Markings on a note may also prevent it from being accepted in a transaction. Furthermore, the Bank of Canada feels that writing and markings on bank notes are inappropriate as they are a symbol of our country and a source of national pride.

Seems to me Ms. Menard should be thanking Trekkers for increasing the value of Canadian currency.

Leonard Nimoy dies at 83

Leonard Nimoy died this morning at his home in Los Angeles.

'Sleeping Tapes': New album from Jeff Bridges

There is little doubt that Jeff Bridges is one of the coolest guys on the planet. Who better to make an album designed to help you chill out and sleep better at night?


Why did he do it? The Dude explains:

The world is filled with too many restless people in need of rest – that's why I filled my sleeping tapes with intriguing sounds, noises and other things to help you get a good night's rest.

Check out Jeff's new album at DreamingWithJeff.com. Pay what you want. 100% of your donation goes to No Kid Hungry.

Anthony Bourdain explains why he loves In-N-Out Burger

Anthony Bourdain, renowned chef and writer who has traveled far and wide in pursuit of the most delicious foods in the world, readily admits that one of his favorite restaurants is In-N-Out Burger. Can you blame him?


(via Eater.com)

Stephen Colbert's star-studded send-off

Stephen Colbert, who begins his new stint as host of The Late Show on CBS next year, ended the The Colbert Report last night with an epic, celebrity-filled finale:

How a war-weary vet created 'The Twilight Zone'

Few television shows remain as timeless and influential as The Twilight Zone. In a recent post at The Daily Beast, Rich Goldstein reflects on the contribution Rod Serling made to American science fiction:

A strange mix of dramatic styles, one part satiric morality play, one part science-fiction ghost story, The Twilight Zone challenged the sensibilities of both hardened skeptics and true believers. It was never a huge hit, but its stories resonated with an American public tenuously relearning moral ambiguity.

Creator Rod Serling was compelled by the need "not to just entertain but to enlighten." He wrote 93 of the series' 156 episodes over the course of its five-season run, which began on CBS in 1959. Most modern shows take an average of 7 seasons to produce as many episodes.

Serling, a veteran of World War II, used the show, and his writing, to deal with the untreated psychological trauma he suffered during his enlistment in the U.S. military. Rather than the glamorized affair the war was to become in subsequent retellings, Serling was intimately acquainted with the horrors of America’s attempt to reclaim its Pacific colonies. Almost half of the author's comrades were killed fighting in the Philippines. Serling's best friend, a Pvt. Melvin Levy of Brooklyn, was decapitated in front of the future screenwriter by a "biscuit bomb," a food crate intended to nourish the life of the man it killed.

Serling closed out the war living in the horror of occupied Japan where the American treatment of women, children, and the elderly contributed to the nightmares that plagued the author for the rest of his life. The towns that were not obliterated by the atomic bombs, or burned by American’s firebombing raids, were deeply scarred by famine. The U.S. naval blockade around Japan in the waning days of World War 2 was actually called Operation Starvation.

Several Twilight Zone scripts would return to the subject of survivor's guilt ("King Nine Will Not Return," "The Thirty-Fathom Grave") or long simmering military resentment ("The 7th Is Made Up of Phantoms," "The Encounter").

An interesting read for fans of the show.

Character actors just want to be given a chance

An important message to Hollywood from that guy from that thing...

Weird Al Yankovic's parody of Pharrell's "Happy"

"Weird Al" is premiering a new video every single day as part of his #8videos8days project. First up is "Tacky," a parody of the popular hit "Happy" from the film Despicable Me 2. Enjoy!

David Letterman's very first Top Ten list

It has been at least 20 years since I thought David Letterman was funny, but I did always enjoy his nonsensical, often absurdly obscure, Top Ten lists. Here is his very first Top Ten from 1985:


(via 22 Words)

Ellen's Oscar selfie gets The Simpsons and Lego treatment

(from E Online)

Jerry Seinfeld and George Costanza reunite in Super Bowl ad

Last night's underwhelming Super Bowl featured an ad for Jerry Seinfeld's Crackle series Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. Here's the full video:

From Crackle: George Costanza: The Over-Cheer

Bill Gates loses to reigning chess champion in 71 seconds

23-year-old Magnus Carlsen is the reigning World Chess Champion. At age 13, he became the second youngest chess grandmaster in history. He appeared recently on the Norwegian talk show Skavlan and defeated Bill Gates in only 71 seconds:


I'd like to think I'd hold out longer than Gates did, but I doubt it.

Stephen Colbert's cameo in 'The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug'

Stephen Colbert, whom director Peter Jackson called "the biggest Tolkien geek he had ever met," landed a cameo in the second installment of The Hobbit. Check it out: