PBS To Give "Bill Nye: Science Guy" Theatrical Run

By Josh Tarpley

When done right a Documentary is the perfect avenue to not only inform an audience about a subject, but advocate for progress on any given issue. No figure walks the line between information and activism more than Bill Nye. In addition to his Netflix show “Bill Nye Saves The World,” the upcoming documentary “Bill Nye: Science Guy” has just been picked up by PBS for a theatrical run later this fall.
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Click beyond the jump to learn more about “Bill Nye: Science Guy.”

​Not to be confused with the 90’s children’s hit “Bill Nye The Science Guy,” “Bill Nye: Science Guy” (no “the”) is directed by David Alvarado and Jason Sussberg (“The Immortals”) and explores Nye as a former “entertainer,” while also making plenty of room for the science advocacy he is known for. The film made its debut at SXSW this past year, Variety’s Joe Leydon wrote,

“‘Bill Nye: Science Guy’ is an efficiently thought-provoking study of what it means to be a rational and analytical advocate for science in an age when deniers of evolution and climate-change often seem to have higher profiles, deeper pockets and louder voices. But it’s even more interesting as the story of a beloved celebrity who wants to reinvent himself, to be taken more seriously — by longtime admirers and philosophical adversaries alike — even as he takes advantage of his pop-culture prominence to reach the masses with his messaging.”

Nye is currently the CEO of The Planetary Society and in the age of climate-denial he has accepted a role as one of the authorities in popular science advocacy. The film also includes Neil DeGrasse Tyson and Ann Druyan, while more controversial figures Ken Ham and Joe Bastardi and included as well. The movie sounds like a good balance between Nye talking science (as we’ve come to expect) with voices that agree and disagree alike, while also being a study into a person trying to escape his own perceived celebrity that was defined over 20 years ago.
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“Bill Nye: Science Guy” will be screening at AFI Docs and at the Los Angeles Film Festival here shortly. PBS will be giving the doc a theatrical run this year. With the announcement that the United States would be pulling out of the Paris climate agreement, Climate Change is an issue that has been brought to the forefront, a documentary like “Bill Nye: Science Guy” could see major success given its timely release.

What do you think? Does Bill Nye’s voice still have relevance today? Do we think this is a Best Documentary contender? Let us know in the comments below!
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You can follow Josh and hear more of his thoughts on the Oscars and Film/Television on Twitter at @JoshTarpley7