Bye-Bye Sydney

I knew astronomer Phil Plait was awesome going into the premier of his new Discovery Channel show Bad Universe, but now I can honestly say he is made of win. He’s a very entertaining host, just the right science nerd to school us all on just how wrong Hollyweird has been with all those “save the Earth by blowing up the oncoming asteroid” movies. Epic fail for the movies (this man has built a second career on blowing holes through junk science in the media).

Bad Universe is educational TV with cool comic book graphics and lots of explosions. The Mythbusters must be proud. And really, don’t explosions make everything cooler? Yes, they do, but honestly this show would have had me glued to the TV without them. Not that I want him to stop blowing stuff up, or anything. Please, more kablooie!

I learned a lot watching Phil and his scientist pals explain the different types of asteroids and then blow up stand-ins made of the same materials. Phil even made his own little comet and tried to divert it from hitting imaginary Sydney, Australia, and failed. On the bright side, I now know how to make my own comet. Fun!

I really hope this show gets picked up and we get lots more of Bad Astronomer Phil and his genius friends debunking Hollywood junk science and blowing stuff up.

Did you watch the show? Did you love it? Do you want more Phil Plait? He has a blog! Read it and be enlightened.