The Skeptologists
Date: March 16, 2008 | Author: Steven NovellaCategory: Science and the Media, Skepticism | Comments: 20 » |
Announcing a new skeptical reality TV show – The Skeptologists. At this point the show is being produced as a pilot, and has not been picked up by any network, but we can always hope. The concept of the show is similar to other paranormal investigation shows, except with actual skeptics who will do real science – not kids with fancy toys and no idea what they are doing. It will be a cross between Mythbusters (with fewer explosions) and a family friendly version of Bullshit (with fewer naked breasts). I know how much everyone loves explosions and naked breasts, but we will make up for it with humor and fun.
Did I say “we”? That’s right – because I have been roped in as one of the cast member. The project is the brainchild of Brian Dunning of the Skeptoid podcast. His co-producer is Ryan Johnson from New Rule productions. Here is the public website with information on the show.
The cast includes (here are the official bios for the show):
Dr. Phil Plait, affectionately referred to as The Bad Astronomer is an internationally renowned astronomer, author, lecturer, and blogger. He uses mega intelligence, critical thinking and a hefty dash of humor to dismantle pseudoscience and wild claims of the paranormal. His career as an astronomer has brought him in contact with NASA as a contractor for Goddard Space Flight Center for Hubble. He is in high demand for speaking engagements on radio, television and podcasts. He is also the creator of the popular website and blog Bad Astronomy.com
Dr. Michael Shermer is the Founding Publisher of Skeptic magazine, the monthly “Skeptic” columnist for Scientific American, and author of Why people Believe Weird Things, an exploration into a variety of strange ideas, groups and cults. A psychologist, professor and historian of science,Dr. Shermer was also the co-producer and co-host of the Fox Family television series, Exploring theUnknown. Dr. Shermer has made countless appearances on television including, Oprah, Larry KingLive, The Colbert Report, Dateline, 20/20, The History Channel, A & E, The Discovery Channel, andPBS as a skeptic of weird and extraordinary claims.
Yau-Man Chan received his Bachelor of Science degree in physics from MIT, Master of Sciencedegree from UCSB and currently is the Chief Technology Officer at the College of Chemistry fromUC Berkeley where he manages and runs the information systems for administrative, research and teaching units of the college. He gained instant popularity when he became a contestant onSurvivor: Fiji (finishing 4th) and was voted favorite Survivor. He is also a cast member on the new season of Survivor: Micronesia.
Dr. Kirsten Sanford holds a PhD in Physiology from UC Davis and would rather be known for herintelligence than her Sexy Geek nomination from Wired magazine’s 2007 contest; one glance at her and its hard not to notice her, um, intelligence. Dr. Sanford has a fanatical drive to popularize
science, which lead her to produce and host This Week in Science a radio program turned lively podcast that educates the layman in recent scientific endeavors. Dr. Sanford, brainy and bright also holds a black belt in Tae-Kwon-Do, hula hoops with fire and is fascinated by birds and their brains.
Mark Edward is a professional mentalist specializing in magic of the mind. His amazing mind reading techniques make a statement about our limited powers of observation and our refusal to believe manipulation can easily happen to the best of us. He has performed as a psychic entertainer at the Hollywood hot spot Magic Castle as well as world-class venues, nightclubs and corporate events. His television appearances include A & E’s Houdini the Great Escape, NBC’s The other Side, two episodes of the Learning Channel’s Exploring the Unknown, Emmy nominated, Penn & Teller: Bullshit! Talking to the Dead, and most recently he was the guest Medium on the season finale of Last Comic Standing.
Dr. Steven Novella is an academic clinical neurologist at Yale University School of Medicine. He is the president and co-founder of the New England Skeptical Society a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting science and reason. He is also the host and producer of The Skeptic’s Guide to the Universe a popular weekly science podcast that deals with myths, conspiracy theories, pseudoscience and the paranormal from a scientific point of view. Dr. Novella is a well-known lecturer, author, and commentator advocating the skeptical point of view.
I think (hope) that now is good timing for such a show. There seems to be a bit of a backlash against all the woo and nonsense on TV recently, and there is a demand for some real science and reason. The success of Mythbusters and Bullshit are good examples of this trend.
I will keep you updated as the project progresses.
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Here is a new post with an update.
20 Responses to “The Skeptologists”
By zero on Mar 16, 2008 | Reply
Steve and the BA in a skeptical TV show! That’s the most awesome news I’ve heard all week! Congratulations! Sentences that end in exclamation points!
Seriously, that’s great. Hope the pilot goes well and some network picks up the show. Try to make it available online as well if at all possible, with the SGU fanbase and the rest of the e-celebrity that you guys have you’ll probably raise the publicity of the show a lot faster that way.
By cethis on Mar 16, 2008 | Reply
It’ll probably be on cable, but I just hope I’ll be able to watch it. Good luck!
By godkillzyou on Mar 16, 2008 | Reply
Holy Scientific Method, Batman!! I cannot believe how exciting this is! I thought I was dreaming when I first started reading this.
This really needs to happen. That’s all I can say. And I can just imagine what the “Ghost Hunters” would say about this. It’s a new type of logical fallacy. When you start using actual science, they’ll use the argument from “That Don’t Count.” Or maybe the argument from “Douche-baggery.”
By jonny_eh on Mar 16, 2008 | Reply
My TIVO is set!
By MisterMarc on Mar 16, 2008 | Reply
Hmmm….maybe I should get cable after all! Well, I at least promise to buy the DVD of Season 1, if and when it comes to that! Congratulations, and good luck! (Is it wrong to say good luck among skeptics?)
By Scepticon on Mar 16, 2008 | Reply
Truly impressive list of skeptical heavyweights. I would love to see that show picked up. Is there any way to organise support for this in such a way as to influence the decision to make this a reality?
Also Zero’s comment about making the pilot available online is a good one, both for those of us that want to see it and to generate hype.
There are precedents for turning a webcast show into a network show (1/4life) and having a successful web based show (Sanctuary).
By EdSG on Mar 16, 2008 | Reply
Novella, Plait, AND Shermer, in *one* show!?!?
I think my head just esploded…
By jedischooldropout on Mar 16, 2008 | Reply
What a wicked cast. I’d watch just for that… though I am in the realm of the skeptically informed.
I also agree that an on-line show could work – though the revenue stream is still dodgy at best. And apologies to Skepticon, but while 1/4life made the leap to TV, it is kind of a lousy example… as it died a quick and deserved death on the box. I’m actually surprised it ever earned the right to fight for broadcast time… must have been the WGA strike.
By Jim Shaver on Mar 16, 2008 | Reply
“The Skeptologists” sounds so cool! Hopefully, we’ll be able to watch the pilot episode on-line, if we don’t live in the Los Angeles area. Anyway, the best of luck to you. Not that there’s any such thing… You know what I mean.
By medicated on Mar 16, 2008 | Reply
The cast is far too cool for this pilot to ever be picked up. Sigh.
By skidoo on Mar 17, 2008 | Reply
Oh man. I’m getting a woody just imagining the possibilities. Pleasepleasepleasepleasepleaseplease GODDDD!
By eozoon on Mar 17, 2008 | Reply
Wow. Not sure about the title, though. Sounds a bit forced to my ear. I’d suggest something more fun, like “the Skeptical Spectacles”.
By James Fox on Mar 17, 2008 | Reply
And here I thought my motivation for getting a new HD flat screen had something to do with golf and movies. Now I can tell my wife it’ll be an educational platform that will hone the rational thinking skills of our teenagers!!!
By Scepticon on Mar 17, 2008 | Reply
jedischooldropout, point taken about 1/4life. To be honest I never had any interest in the show I had simply read an article that mentioned it.
But Sanctuary rocked and I’ve just read on their website that it’s being picked up by the Sci Fi channel and the Canadian Movie Network and Movie Central. So a much better example, if it keeps going.
By Cay on Mar 17, 2008 | Reply
Hey if Kirsten Sanford would “rather be known for her intelligence than her [looks]” why do you insist on mentioning her looks? Nothing about Phil Plait’s six-pack abs or Novella’s mane of white hair…
I actually have no clue if Phil Plait is an enormous blob or works out 24/7, I made that one up. And luckily for you all, us skeptical women will watch the show even if Phil Plait has man breasts.
By famulus on Mar 19, 2008 | Reply
(Pssssst! Cay! You should Google the Skepdude calendar from ‘07 – Phil Plait’s the man with the nicely placed telescope.)
By Martinus on Mar 20, 2008 | Reply
“Phil Plait’s the man with the nicely placed telescope.”
What declination?
By The Bad Astronomer on Mar 27, 2008 | Reply
I am neither an enormous blob nor do I have six-pack abs. I don’t think I’ll say anything about any potential moobs.
I do however have freakishly long toes. Does that help?