The Eyes of Nye

The Eyes of Nye is a science program airing on public television in the United States in 2005 and featuring Bill Nye. The show was more sophisticated than its predecessor Bill Nye the Science Guy, as it was aimed more toward adults and teenagers than children. All episodes were rated TV-G, except for "Addiction" and "The Evolution of Sex", both rated TV-PG. The creation of the show was motivated by the success of the television program Bill Nye the Science Guy, as well as a widespread contempt among scientists for scientific journalism in the media. The program was based in Seattle, Washington, produced by Buena Vista Television and broadcast during primetime by KCTS, the local PBS affiliate.

Recurring segments

 * Straight Talk - Parodies interview shows like Larry King Live. The guest is always a deep-voiced, overbearing senator whose opinion fluctuates quite wildly with each question.
 * Opinions Now with Chris David - Parodies "debate" shows like Hardball with Chris Matthews. The host is very loud, constantly leans forward and glares at the camera, and demands solid answers, or at least strong opinions, at all times. Taking a jab at modern television news shows, the more level-headed and cautious experts are often ignored in favor of other guests with more extreme and livid views on the subject at hand.
 * Science with Mr. Sanders - Parodies 1950s-era educational films. Mary and Tommy, stereotypical period schoolchildren, ask questions of their teacher, Mr. Sanders. The answers he gives are usually laden with his personal prejudices and disturbing information about his personal life. In a Twilight Zone-like twist, the characters imply that The Eyes of Nye is merely an educational film they are watching.
 * The Hippy Couple - Parodies ignorant "New Agey" views on science, featuring a stereotypical hippy couple who ramble at length about love, ecological produce, and global warming. In the end, though, the couple really only appear to be interested in growing hemp, which seems plausible judging from their stoned appearance.

Current status
PBS, which broadcast the original Bill Nye the Science Guy, turned down the offer to distribute Nye's new show. Randy Brinson, a co-producer of The Eyes of Nye, said in an interview that the reason for PBS's rejection of the show was a result of its desire for "more serious, in-depth Nova-style shows". Brinson went on to say that this and some "local production issues" were the cause of the show's delays, although in an interview for the same article Nye blamed financial problems within KCTS-TV (the producer of the show) for the delays. However, it was noted that The Eyes of Nye has been picked up for broadcast by about 100 public television stations, and that this may lead to further development.

Twelve of the thirteen episodes are available as a set for $499.00 on DVD from Disney Educational Productions. Because the target audience for the show are educational institutions, each episode is available on its own DVD. However, the price of these DVDs is also aimed at this audience, and is a result of the licensing restrictions involved in showing the episodes to classrooms.

Personnel
Bob Nelson and Pat Cashman, members of the sketch comedy television show Almost Live!, of which Bill Nye was also a member, made guest appearances. Cashman was also the voice of the announcer for Nye's previous show Bill Nye the Science Guy. The show was directed by Almost Live! director & cast member Steve Wilson.