Neil deGrasse Tyson: ‘”Colbert’s by far my hardest interview”
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Our favorite 6-time ‘Colbert Report’ guest, Neil deGrasse Tyson, is all over the place promoting “NOVA scienceNOW,’’ which launches its fourth season tonight at 9 on PBS. Tyson spent some time dishing about the appeal of being interviewed by ‘The Daily Show’ and the ‘Colbert Report’ over at Boston.com:
Cosmically speaking
By Joanna Weiss
Globe Staff / June 30, 2009Q. I suspect you’re one of the few astrophysicists who have gabbed with Jay Leno, Jon Stewart, and Stephen Colbert.
A. Both Stewart and Colbert frequently have scientists in ways that Jay Leno never did. That was not a part of his show, even though it was a part of Johnny Carson’s. That’s where Carl Sagan got most of his public exposure.
Q. I guess Colbert knows his audience will have an interest in science.
A. I’m going to make a stronger statement. I’m going to say that he trusts the intelligence of his audience to know that they would take an interest in science.
Q. Do you do anything different to prepare for the comedy shows?
A. Oh, hell, yes. Colbert’s by far my hardest interview. My second hardest interview is Jon Stewart. Everybody else is a distant third. I’ve got to know what did Paris Hilton do last week? What did the Pope say on Tuesday? Who won “American Idol’’? It’s a pop culture exposure that I need at my fingertips. It’s like a tennis serve: I’ve got to get a racket on it.
I just friggin’ love him. In case you missed it, here is Tyson’s interview from last night.
| The Colbert Report | Mon – Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c | |||
| Neil deGrasse Tyson | ||||
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4 Comments
June 30th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
OK, Paris (Hilton), the Pope an AI are not what I was expecting him to say when he prepared for interviews with Stephen and Jon. Did he get nailed last night, or what? ;)
Neil is so adorable. I caught the last 20 minutes of tonight’s NSN, when the recording engineer was “improving” his singing.
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July 1st, 2009 at 2:04 am
I love NdGT.
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July 1st, 2009 at 3:25 am
Once again, NSN proves my point: Jimmy Fallon is far unworthy to have Neil as a guest. Neil is so much more charismatic it’s inhumane to put him next to Fallon.
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July 1st, 2009 at 9:19 am
“I’m going to say that he trusts the intelligence of his audience to know that they would take an interest in science.”
Well said, well said! Dr. Tyson is my favorite egghead – and the picture of him with that article is beyond adorable.
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