best episodes of StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson poster

Host Neil deGrasse Tyson brings together celebrities, scientists and comedians to explore a variety of cosmic topics and collide pop culture with science in a way that late-night television has never seen before. Weekly topics range from popular science fiction, space travel, extraterrestrial life, the Big Bang, to the future of Earth and the environment. Tyson is an astrophysicist with a gifted ability to connect with everyone, inspiring us all to to "keep looking up."

5 Seasons
76 Episodes
Returning Series
Talk
Cast & Characters
episode image Richard Dawkins
8.5/10 (39 votes)

#1 Richard Dawkins

S1:E5

StarTalk tackles a burning question: Can Science and Religion Coexist? Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson and evolutionary biologist and ethologist Richard Dawkins debate whether science and religion can truly coexist in today’s society. Jesuit clergyman James Martin and comedian Eugene Mirman weigh in.

episode image Jane Goodall
8.4/10 (19 votes)

#2 Jane Goodall

S4:E3

Neil deGrasse Tyson features his interview with Jane Goodall and discusses chimpanzee behavior with Chuck Nice and Jill Pruetz.

episode image Jimmy Carter
8.3/10 (31 votes)

#3 Jimmy Carter

S1:E6

Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson and President Jimmy Carter examine the topic of Pulling the Plug on Pestilence. The duo discuss the importance of and progress toward ending fatal epidemic diseases. Mark Siddall, curator of the division of invertebrate zoology at the American Museum of Natural History, and comedian Chuck Nice share their views on this matter.

episode image George Takei
8.1/10 (50 votes)

#4 George Takei

S1:E1

Discussing how the scenarios in “Star Trek” relate to moral and social issues of today with actor George Takei.

episode image Christopher Nolan
8.0/10 (49 votes)

#5 Christopher Nolan

S1:E2

Discussing how director Christopher Nolan translates his love of science to his films; with theoretical cosmologist Dr. Janna Levin and comic Eugene Mirman.

episode image Chris Hadfield
8.0/10 (30 votes)

#6 Chris Hadfield

S1:E7

Social Media-Savvy Astronauts are taking over the cosmos. Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chris Hadfield, the first Canadian astronaut to walk in space, discuss social media milestones in space, and its usage among today’s astronauts. Former astronaut Dr. Mike Massimo and comedian Eugene Mirman comment on this growing trend.

episode image Charles Bolden/NASA
7.9/10 (27 votes)

#7 Charles Bolden/NASA

S1:E9

This week’s theme is NASA’s Vision on Space. Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson and Maj. Gen. Charles Bolden, administrator of NASA, examine NASA’s past, present and future. Astrophysicist Dr. Michael Shara and science educator Bill Nye share their thoughts on the space program.

episode image Lance Armstrong
7.9/10 (21 votes)

#8 Lance Armstrong

S4:E1

Neil deGrasse Tyson features his interview with Lance Armstrong and discusses the science of cycling with Scott Adsit, Max Glaskin, and Arthur Caplan.

episode image Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
7.9/10 (17 votes)

#9 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

S4:E2

Neil deGrasse Tyson features his interview with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and discusses the science of basketball with Chuck Nice and Charles Liu.

episode image Katie Couric
7.9/10 (16 votes)

#10 Katie Couric

S4:E4

Neil deGrasse Tyson features his interview with Katie Couric and discusses the intersection of science and journalism with Eugene Mirman and Jeff Jarvis.

episode image Arianna Huffington
7.6/10 (27 votes)

#11 Arianna Huffington

S1:E4

Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson and Arianna Huffington, co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post, explore Living in the Information Age. The two discuss how technology influences the rate and ways in which we communicate. Journalist Jeff Jarvis and comedian Chuck Nice add their insight.

episode image Norman Lear
7.6/10 (26 votes)

#12 Norman Lear

S1:E10

Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson and Norman Lear, television writer and producer, discuss TV and the Evolution of American Culture. From “All in the Family” to “The Big Bang Theory,” the diverse television landscape and evolving American culture are explored. Author Saul Austerlitz and comedian Chuck Nice add their insight.

episode image Seth MacFarlane
7.6/10 (28 votes)

#13 Seth MacFarlane

S2:E3

Neil deGrasse Tyson joins Seth MacFarlane, creator of “Family Guy” and fellow executive producer of “Cosmos: A SpaceTime Odyssey”, to discuss the role science plays in his work and personal life. In a private interview, the two take on myriad topics, including social issues in cartoons, the science of “Family Guy” and the science fiction parodies that abound in the series. Tyson is joined in the Cullman Hall of the Universe by comedian co-host Chuck Nice and astrophysicist and AMNH research associate Charles Liu, and later Bill Nye gives his take on cartoons and animation.

episode image Susan Sarandon
7.6/10 (21 votes)

#14 Susan Sarandon

S2:E5

Neil deGrasse Tyson expands his cosmic perspective with actress and activist Susan Sarandon. The two discuss gender, race, perspective, marijuana and Carl Sagan.

episode image Dan Savage
7.5/10 (37 votes)

#15 Dan Savage

S1:E3

Activist, author and journalist Dan Savage joins Dr. Tyson to discuss what love means in today’s society. Anthropologist Helen Fisher and comedian Chuck Nice add their insight to the conversation.

episode image Biz Stone
7.5/10 (29 votes)

#16 Biz Stone

S1:E8

Dr. Tyson explores The Impact of Twitter on Society as he sits down with Biz Stone, co-founder of Twitter and co-founder/CEO of Super.me. The two discuss how the social media phenomenon has affected the way we communicate in today’s world. Sharing their experience and opinions are Dr. Alondra Nelson, professor of sociology at Columbia University; Clive Thompson, journalist; and Eugene Mirman, comedian.

episode image Bill Clinton
7.5/10 (28 votes)

#17 Bill Clinton

S2:E1

In the season premiere, Neil deGrasse Tyson sits down with former President Bill Clinton, who was a strong advocate of science education and advancement during his two presidential terms. President Clinton opens up about his deep appreciation for science as he delves into topics including the importance of science in politics, the cosmic perspective, the Human Genome Project and Einstein. At the Cullman Hall of the Universe, Tyson continues the conversation with his comedian co-host Chuck Nice and genomics expert Juan Enriquez. Meanwhile, Bill Nye gives his take on advancing scientific progress in America, author Richard Muller joins via video call to talk about the influence of science on politics and Tyson answers fan questions about artificial intelligence.

episode image Larry Wilmore
7.5/10 (22 votes)

#18 Larry Wilmore

S2:E2

Emmy® award-winning producer, actor, comedian and writer Larry Wilmore joins Tyson in the hot seat as the two delve into the intersection of science and comedy. At the Cullman Hall of the Universe, Tyson is joined by his co-hosts: comedian Chuck Nice and Scott Weems, author of “Ha! The Science of When We Laugh and Why.” The three discuss the physiology of laughter, the mathematics of crafting jokes and the link between humor and creativity. Adding to the discussion, author Andy Weir patches into the studio to discuss the comedy in his book “The Martian” and Bill Nye presents an improv performance to demonstrate that science can, in fact, be funny.

episode image Penn and Teller
7.3/10 (25 votes)

#19 Penn and Teller

S2:E4

Neil deGrasse Tyson interviews magicians Penn and Teller and discusses the science of illusion with co-host Chuck Nice and guest Susana Martinez-Conde.

episode image David Byrne
0.0/10

#20 David Byrne

S2:E6

Neil deGrasse Tyson interviews musician David Byrne and discusses creativity in the arts and sciences with co-host Maeve Higgins and guest Monica Lopez-Gonzalez.

episode image Mars 1
0.0/10

#21 Mars 1

S2:E7

Neil deGrasse Tyson interviews Mars One co-founder Bas Lansdorp and discusses the idea of establishing a permanent human settlement on Mars with co-host Eugene Mirman and guest Mike Massimino.

episode image David Crosby
0.0/10

#22 David Crosby

S2:E8

Neil deGrasse Tyson interviews David Crosby and discusses folk music and social justice with co-host Chuck Nice and guest Thomas Sugrue.

episode image Brian Cox
0.0/10

#23 Brian Cox

S2:E9

Neil deGrasse Tyson interviews physicist Brian Cox and discusses communicating science to the public with co-host Maeve Higgins and guest Jason Silva.

episode image Gina McCarthy
0.0/10

#24 Gina McCarthy

S2:E10

Neil deGrasse Tyson interviews Gina McCarthy and discusses the EPA's efforts in keeping the Earth habitable for humans with co-host Maeve Higgins and guest Andrew Revkin.

episode image Whoopi Goldberg
0.0/10

#25 Whoopi Goldberg

S3:E1

Academy Award-winner and comic Whoopi Goldberg joins Neil deGrasse Tyson.

episode image Mayim Bialik
0.0/10

#26 Mayim Bialik

S3:E2

episode image Man on Wire
0.0/10

#27 Man on Wire

S3:E3

episode image Time Travel
0.0/10

#28 Time Travel

S3:E4

episode image Brian Greene
0.0/10

#29 Brian Greene

S3:E5

episode image Robert Kirkman and The Walking Dead
0.0/10

#30 Robert Kirkman and The Walking Dead

S3:E6

episode image Jeremy Irons
0.0/10

#31 Jeremy Irons

S3:E7

episode image The Martian
0.0/10

#32 The Martian

S3:E8

Host Neil deGrasse Tyson interviews best-selling author Andy Weir.

episode image Ben Stiller
0.0/10

#33 Ben Stiller

S3:E9

episode image Buzz Aldrin
0.0/10

#34 Buzz Aldrin

S3:E10

episode image Terry Crews
0.0/10

#35 Terry Crews

S3:E11

episode image Jay Leno
0.0/10

#36 Jay Leno

S3:E12

Host Neil deGrasse Tyson features his interview with comedian and car enthusiast Jay Leno.

episode image William Shatner
0.0/10

#37 William Shatner

S3:E13

Host Neil deGrasse Tyson features his interview with iconic actor William Shatner.

episode image US Secretary of Defense Ash Carter
0.0/10

#38 US Secretary of Defense Ash Carter

S3:E14

Host Neil deGrasse Tyson features his interview with Secretary of Defense Ash Carter.

episode image Hope Solo
0.0/10

#39 Hope Solo

S3:E15

Host Neil deGrasse Tyson features his interview with soccer goalie Hope Solo.

episode image Search for Aliens
0.0/10

#40 Search for Aliens

S3:E16

Host Neil deGrasse Tyson features his interview with astronomer Jill Tarter.

Cast & Chracters

character image Self - Host

Self - Host

Actor: Neil deGrasse Tyson

The highest rated episode of StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson is "Richard Dawkins" (S1E5) with a rating of 8.50.

This episode received 39 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Penn and Teller" (S2E4) with a rating of 7.30.

This episode received 25 votes.

The highest rated episode is "Richard Dawkins" (S1E5) with a rating of 8.50.

This episode received 39 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Dan Savage" (S1E3) with a rating of 7.50.

This episode received 37 votes.

The highest rated episode is "Seth MacFarlane" (S2E3) with a rating of 7.60.

This episode received 28 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Penn and Teller" (S2E4) with a rating of 7.30.

This episode received 25 votes.

The highest rated episode is "Jane Goodall" (S4E3) with a rating of 8.40.

This episode received 19 votes.


The lowest rated episode is "Lance Armstrong" (S4E1) with a rating of 7.90.

This episode received 21 votes.

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