Neil deGrasse Tyson links science, stars

Moving from radio to TV has its own set of perks. For astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, it's a chance to get dressed up to go to work.

"I've committed to wearing a different cosmic tie for every single episode, and I'll see how far I can carry that into the future," says the host of StarTalk, a late-night show bridging science and pop culture, premiering Monday (National Geographic Channel, 11 p.m. ET/PT). "I have 130 ties, so I can get a few seasons out of that."

In 10 pre-taped, weekly episodes (with a second season already ordered), Tyson invites scientists, comedians and journalists to New York's American Museum of Natural History to riff on topics such as social media, the space program, love in the modern age, and whether science and religion can coexist in today's society.

Following the format of his ongoing radio show and podcast of the same name — only this one has a studio audience — each episode of StarTalk revolves around a discussion with a special guest. Visitors this season include actor George Takei, in the Star Trek-focused first episode; director Christopher Nolan, who talks the science behind Interstellar; former President Jimmy Carter, media mogul Arianna Huffington, evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins and others.

Tyson says he had no TV ambitions, but after hosting Fox's popular docuseries Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey last year, NatGeo came to him with the idea for a show on the network. But he insists that the 11 p.m. time slot wasn't his idea, and StarTalk is not a traditional late-night show — meaning there's no studio band or monologue ("I'm an educator and a scientist, and [it] could only come out feeling preachy," he says).

And although he's appeared on The Daily Show, Conan and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon for segments, Tyson says he didn't look to those hosts when shaping his own program.

"That being said, if you watch Jon Stewart in an interview, he is never the subject of the interview — the guest is who matters," Tyson says. "He can have an interview where he's in the interview but it's not about him, and I thought to myself, 'That's a good model.' " He also admires the blend of humor and intelligent commentary of longtime late-night staple Jay Leno. "I don't ever want to take a detour to tell a joke, so one of the goals is that the humor emanates naturally from what's going on in the show."

In Season 2, Tyson says he wants to explore other kinds of weekly segments (Bill Nye does short bits this season), and possibly get other comedians such as Louis C.K. to rail on science and technology. As for dream guests? He would like to interview heads of state, and would welcome a conversation with Hillary Clinton or President Obama.

"He's a busy guy, I get that. but I think StarTalk would be an occasion for him to display his geek credentials," Tyson says. "I know you're president of the United States and head of the free world, but what have you done in the geek world lately?' And then we'll hear, 'Oh, I've played a Star Wars video game.'

"In a way, this is a humanizing event, because I think every one of us has a little bit of geek."