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It’s been a long 20 years, but the Science Guy is finally back. In the ‘90s, Bill Nye endeared himself to a generation of children, breaking down the complexities of science into simple 30-minute chunks. Now with Bill Nye Saves the World the educational entertainer is out to teach both children and parents, and he doesn’t mind getting controversial.
Unlike Netflix’s other talk-like show Chelsea, the first season of Bill Nye Saves the World doesn’t struggle to find its focus. From the first episode, the series plunges in, blending silly desk pieces and crowd explanations with clips from Bill Nye’s on-the-ground team. Whereas the comedian’s original PBS show Bill Nye the Science Guy was strictly a children’s show, Bill Nye Saves the World attempts to be something a bit more liminal, walking the line between being entertaining enough for children yet intelligent enough to appeal to their likely Millennial-aged parents. What’s surprising is how effective the show is at striking this balance. Granted I came to Saves the World as one of the thousands of children who were introduced to science by Bill Nye, but I found the six screeners Netflix gave me to be delightful. Sure, there were moments when the series was a bit juvenile, silly, and pandering, as it should be. After all, this is first and foremost a children’s show. However, the show was always fun, and I left each episode with a greater understanding of whatever topic the episode discussed. That’s exactly what Saves the World’s job is, and it does that job well.
Speaking of science topics, that’s the one component of the show that surprised me the most. Bill Nye and his team are serious when they say they want to save the world. Whereas Nye’s old show used to merely explain large scientific concepts such as germs, cells, black holes, and tectonic plates, each episode of Saves the World focuses on making an argument that’s applicable to modern day life. From arguing that everyone, no matter how young, needs to be vaccinated to tackling the realities of climate change in no uncertain terms, Bill Nye Saves the World makes its pro-science stance directly and respectfully. This tone is primarily achieved through the discussion segment that happens in every episode. Each panel is composed of a mixture of celebrities, scientific experts, and educated people who have changed their mind about the issue at hand. Saves the World makes it clear that there’s really only one side to these arguments — the scientifically proven side — but it’s happy to explain why these arguments hold true. In this way, each episode acts as a mini explainer on GMOs, the falsehoods of homeopathy, and artificial intelligence, just to name a few of Saves the World‘s roster of topics.
What’s also impressive about the series is the way Saves the World utilizes its celebrity talent. There are a lot of big names connected to the Netflix show: One of his correspondents is model Karlie Kloss, Tyler the Creator wrote the show’s new theme song, and Rachel Bloom, Joel McHale, and Zach Braff all make appearances. However, with Saves the World it’s always science first and entertainment second. The series’ many guest stars typically aren’t treated any differently from its cast of on-hand talent. If it weren’t for the chyrons and just knowing who these celebrities are through entertainment news, you probably wouldn’t notice how many impressive cameos the series has.
Overall, Bill Nye Saves the World is a really fun and informative watch, but more than that, it fills a void that’s been missing on streaming for a while — the need for quality family-friendly entertainment. There’s a lot of great content on streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon for adults, and there are even some solid original children’s shows. However, until recently, there have been few streaming originals that can be watched by families. Netflix has starting filling that viewing gap with sitcoms such as Fuller House and One Day at a Time as well as reality-based shows that can appeal to all ages like Ultimate Beastmaster and White Rabbit Project. The streaming service even has a couple of children-focused shows that are so good, they can be enjoyed by adults. A Series of Unfortunate Events and Trollhunters certainly fall into that category. Bill Nye’s new show continues that trend of really great television you can stream with your family. Whether you’re a parent looking for an educational watch or a Millennial in the mood for some nostalgia, Bill Nye Saves the World is worth a binge.
