Neil deGrasse Tyson’s ‘StarTalk’ returns October 1

“StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson” returns this fall on National Geographic Channel with 20 all-new episodes and a great lineup of stars.

Some of the guests featured this season returning Sunday, October 1 are Katy Perry, Stephen Colbert, Lance Armstrong, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jane Goodall, Stephen Hawking, Katie Couric, Kevin Smith, Sylvia Earle, Fabien Cousteau, Adrien Grenier, National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence and filmmaker James Cameron and more. 

Tyson’s co-hosts this season are Chuck Nice, Scott Adsit, Godfrey, Eugene Mirman, Sasheer Zamata and Maeve Higgins. Bill Nye the Science Guy joins Tyson occasionally to weigh in on the week’s theme, while other influencers across pop culture and science join via live video.

“StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson” is derived from Tyson’s popular radio show and podcast of the same name. Each episode features an intimate interview between Tyson and a guest from pop culture, politics, sports or news, in which they discuss how science and technology have affected their lives and careers.  

A schedule of episodes is listed below: 

Lance Armstrong Premieres Sunday, Oct. 1, at 11/10c Host Neil deGrasse Tyson features his interview with controversial world-champion cyclist Lance Armstrong. Tyson is joined in the Cullman Hall of the Universe by comedian co-host Scott Adsit, along with science journalist Max Glaskin and bioethics professor Arthur Caplan to discuss the science of cycling, sports ethics and performance enhancement. Adding to the discussion, Chuck Nice joins from the Sports Science Lab to test cycling training techniques.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Premieres Sunday, Oct. 8, at 11/10c Host Neil deGrasse Tyson sits down with NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Later, in the Cullman Hall of the Universe, Tyson is joined by comedian co-host Chuck Nice and astrophysicist Charles Liu to discuss the science and history of basketball as well as Abdul-Jabbar’s legacy. NBA analyst and former 76er Jim Spanarkel joins the conversation in the studio.

Jane Goodall Premieres Sunday, Oct. 15, at 11/10c Legendary chimpanzee researcher Jane Goodall joins host Neil deGrasse Tyson for a featured interview. Tyson is joined in the Cullman Hall of the Universe by comedian co-host Chuck Nice and biological anthropologist Jill Pruetz to discuss chimp behavior, animal and environmental ethics and the evolutionary differences between chimpanzees and humans. Primatologist and anthropologist Natalia Reagan joins the conversation from a chimpanzee sanctuary in Georgia.

Katie Couric Premieres Sunday, Oct. 22, at 11/10c Host Neil deGrasse Tyson features his interview with renowned news anchor Katie Couric. Tyson is joined in the Cullman Hall of the Universe by comedian co-host Eugene Mirman and journalism professor Jeff Jarvis to discuss the intersection of science and journalism. Adding to the discussion, Chuck Nice chimes in with the crowds at the March for Science.

Kevin Smith Premieres Sunday, Oct. 29, at 11/10c Filmmaker, comic book fanatic and all around geek ambassador, Kevin Smith sits down with host Neil deGrasse Tyson. Later, in the Cullman Hall of the Universe, Tyson is joined by comedian co-host Chuck Nice and astrophysicist Charles Liu as they discuss science fiction, comic books and the science of superheroes. StarTalk science correspondent and anthropologist Natalia Reagan sends a dispatch from San Diego Comic-Con, where hundreds of thousands of fans converge to share their passion for comics, science fiction, movies, TV and cosplay.

SciFi Meets National Defense Premieres Sunday, Nov. 5, at 11/10c Host Neil deGrasse Tyson sits down with Arati Prabhakar, former head of the U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. Tyson is joined in the Cullman Hall of the Universe by comedian co-host Chuck Nice and national security journalist Sharon Weinberger to discuss the intersection of science fiction, technology and national defense. Adding to the discussion, rocket scientist Natalie Panek joins via video call and Hod Lipson demonstrates his self-aware robot.

Katy Perry Sunday, Nov. 12, at 11/10c Host Neil deGrasse Tyson joins Grammy-nominated pop star Katy Perry in Los Angeles, where Tyson answers all of her cosmic queries. In the Cullman Hall of the Universe, comedian co-host Sasheer Zamata and astrophysicist Charles Liu join Tyson to discuss science in pop culture and music.

Sylvia Earle, Fabien Cousteau & Adrian Grenier Sunday, Nov. 19, at 11/10c Host Neil deGrasse Tyson features his interviews with legendary oceanographer Sylvia Earle and famed aquanaut Fabien Cousteau. Tyson is joined in the Cullman Hall of the Universe by comedian co-host Scott Adsit and marine biologist and conservationist Laure Katz to discuss ocean exploration and conservation. Adding to the discussion, actor and activist Adrian Grenier joins via video chat, and National Geographic Explorer Erika Bergman shows off her submarine.

James Cameron Sunday, Nov. 26, at 11/10c As the 20th anniversary of James Cameron’s film “Titanic” approaches, host Neil deGrasse Tyson features his interview with the legendary filmmaker and National Geographic explorer-in-residence. Cameron discusses everything from the inspiration behind his record-breaking film “Avatar” to his solo dive down to the deepest point of the Mariana Trench. Joining Tyson in the Cullman Hall of the Universe are comedian co-host Chuck Nice and astrophysicist Charles Liu to discuss the intersection of storytelling, exploration, and science.

Celestial Navigation Sunday, Dec. 3, at 11/10c – Host Neil deGrasse Tyson features his interview with master navigator Nainoa Thompson, an ocean voyager who uses the traditional Polynesian methods of non-instrument navigating. Joining Tyson in the Cullman Hall of the Universe are comedian co-host Maeve Higgins and celestial navigation expert Frank Reed to discuss the science of non-instrument navigating.