Review: Bill Nye Saves the World

Bill Nye returns with a bang, his new Netflix series gearing towards adults rather than kids.

Bill Nye has given children all around the United States, and perhaps other English-speaking countries, a greater understanding of science, ensuring that the children of multiple generations receive a proper, slightly entertaining education. This new series, however, changes the topics from volcanic formations and the weather to global warming and artificial intelligence.

Nye’s show is formatted in the following fashion: Netflix logo, a solo bit/experiment, opening sequence, further explanation of the episode’s topic, a younger assistant presents an interview segment, a panel of experts on the issue, and then a sketch with an at least D-List celebrity. The entire show is filmed in front of a live studio audience that can’t stop cheering for Bill, whether or not what is going on is actually funny or not. In this sense, it’s much different from the original, scripted show that had little to no reliance on celebrities or improves.

The topics that Nye covers will no doubt relate to any given person’s life, as the subjects of diets, vaccines, GMOs, and overpopulation come into play. The topics are explained in full and should give any viewer at least a basic understanding of a given issue, effectively letting Nye teach adults as effectively as he did children through Bill Nye the Science Guy over 23 years ago.

This being said, Nye’s show often suffers from Nye’s own “improvisation,” in which his goofy acting can clearly be seen growing ineffective without a set script. Nye is a great host for the panelists, but more than half the time at least one panelist contributes next to nothing while the other remaining panelist dominates the conversation. Bill clearly believes his “mad scientist” impression to be hysterical, yet after hearing this strange, barely tolerable accent for the 50th time, you’ll be praying someone or something catches fire from a nearby beaker.

The actors and celebrities, on the other hand, are given professional scripts and carefully managed dialogue, the writers keeping the information intact yet entertaining. Each presentation led by the interview team is done as any up-and-coming young person under Nye’s tutelage would be, fueled by passion, character, and love for what they do (although Nye shows clear favoritism towards correspondent Derik).

As much as everything has changed, such as the techno intro being switched for a rap intro or the threat of a robot invasion slowly becoming a possible concern, Nye still has a good show. Bill Nye keeps the show interesting for adults, yet as family-friendly as he can. Everything from gender issues to politics is handled with the utmost respect, the only issues he burns to the ground is the truth behind Noah’s Arc. The belief that “Saving the World” is informing the masses on important, scientific subjects is a testament to Nye’s character. Bill Nye’s new Netflix series continues his ongoing quest to keep the world up to date on scientific discoveries, share ongoing hypotheses about current mysteries, and, dare I say it, save the world.