William Shatner and Neil deGrasse Tyson will grace the Saban Theatre stage with scientific musings and humor. (photo courtesy of Future of Space)
On May 19 and 20, two stars will align in a cosmic constellation of intergalactic proportions at the Saban Theatre. Actor and space explorer William Shatner will join astrophysicist and science communicator Neil deGrasse Tyson for an unscripted voyage into the biggest questions of the universe. The spontaneous collision of Shatner – a legendary entertainer known for his profound perspective and quick-witted humor – and Tyson – a trailblazing scientist with an ability to effortlessly break down complex, larger-than-life topics – is sure to be an unforgettable night of science, philosophy and comedy.
The Beverly Press recently sat down with Shatner and Tyson to discuss the upcoming two-night live show, aptly titled “The Universe Is Absurd.” The unlikely duo discussed their shipbound meeting, roughly a decade ago on a cruise to Antarctica, which was sponsored by the organization Future of Space. Future of Space brings together, according to its website, “visionaries, thought leaders and storytellers in environments that strip away distraction and invite depth.”
“So, on that voyage, we would start chatting, and crowds would gather to listen to us talk to each other,” Tyson said. “And they figured, we’ll put this on this sort of mini stage … so we agreed to just have a conversation on stage, unscripted, in front of everyone, and we traded stories about our lives, our fanbase, how we grew up … and this was the origin of what I think can only be described as a bromance. And then it was clear we got to take it on the road.”
A “test concept” version of the evening was performed in Seattle, and its success has led the pair to Los Angeles. The two have so much to discuss, in fact, that it will spill over into two shows. The “Absurd” moniker for the universe came from Shatner.
“Science is continually changing, continually advancing and searching into dark areas of our ignorance, and those answers in that dark area brings us to, ‘Oh, no wonder we had trouble with that thing, because we now know it doesn’t work.’ So esoteric things like the Big Bang, well, it doesn’t make sense,” Shatner said.
“A pinpoint of light explodes and fills the universe.
What is that? Where did it come from? Who started it?”
As Shatner poses the absurdity of this phenomenon, Tyson will counter with answers that, as he describes, “talk [Shatner] off a ledge.” These conversations are so engaging, in fact, that Shatner and Tyson recorded the audiobook “Cosmos Confidential,” which dives further into their intergalactic wonderments. They recorded two days straight of discussion for the book.
“We spent two days talking to reach other,” Shatner said. “A nice two-hour dinner is pleasant. You’re in, you’re out. You discuss business, friendship, whatever and you go. We were looking at two days of conversation. A silent moment is expensive, so we have to talk for 20 hours.”
Among the topics discussed in the book, as well as those that will potentially be broached at the event, are the intersections of the pair’s lives and careers. Tyson was quick to point out that he has had “six cameo appearances in feature length movies.”
“I accused him of wanting to be an actor,” Shatner responded.
“[The event is] not scripted. We have certain topics,” Tyson said. “It’s not scripted because our capacity to communicate a story is very in the moment. It’s how we feel. What is our mood? What is the audience? You know, a good actor is reading an audience, as well. So how you will tell your story. How it will come out?”
Both Shatner and Tyson, of course, are famed for their interactions – both fictional and nonfictional – with the outer realms. In addition to his role on “Star Trek,” Shatner has actually been to space. Tyson has become perhaps the most well-known astrophysicist in the world, a frequent television host who even got the opportunity to play himself on “The Big Bang Theory.” He discussed how the series was a big deal to the science community, since it presented science jokes told by geeks to an audience without explaining the jokes.
“To participate in something that is on the backs of artists … to bring science to the public in ways I could never do so being only a scientist. But participating in their access points into the world,” Tyson said.
“But the publicity was good, too,” added Shatner, who also appeared on an episode of the series.
When asked what each might say if humanity ever made contact with life outside of Earth, both Shatner and Tyson had unique answers. For Tyson’s part, his forthcoming book “Take Me to Your Leader: Perspectives on Your First Alien Encounter” – out May 12 – will provide a robust answer. He promised it will help you “make the best impression.” Shatner’s response was straight to the point.
“Don’t touch my orifice,” he said.
The Captain James T. Kirk portrayer was certain that aliens have not visited Earth and – perhaps – walked among us, and Tyson said the only so-called evidence that exists so far is testimonial, and doesn’t hold up to scientific scrutiny.
“Imagine only two dozen people had ever seen an elephant. And there they are testifying to this,” Tyson said. “So, then, ‘You gotta believe me, they have this big rubbery thing sticking out of their face, and it curls, and they breathe through it, and they can drink through it. And they have these big ivory teeth that come out, and they can impale you. They have huge sheet sized ears, and the legs are like tree trunks … you’re describing accurately, but I can only say ‘I believe you’ until you bring out the elephant, and then no one has to say, ‘I believe in elephants, right?’ So that is something that is yet to happen [with aliens]. Until that happens, we are stuck saying, ‘Do you believe that has happened.’”
“So, to me it is an ignorant, spurious observation,” Shatner replied.
“I’m not as brutal as he is,” Tyson added.
Asked about his proudest moment of his storied career, Shatner reflected not on film and television series, but on a speech he gave at the age of six.
“You go to the country camp for two weeks, and on the second week, the parents come to get you, and the kids at the camp do a camp play. So, somebody had written a speech having to do with Nazis and homeless. And I was saying it to my dog, who was played by another camper.
And when the curtain came down and came up – the people who were a large part of it were Europeans who had made it to America, I guess this was during or just before the war. So they were a prime audience, and I made them cry, and it changed my life. I saw them crying, and I wondered why, and I dimly somewhere in the child’s mind, said, ‘That’s good. I’ll do it again.’”
You won’t need a telescope to catch a glimpse of these two stars. Audiences can see more of their “bromance” on May 19 and 20 at 7:30 p.m. at the Saban Theatre, 8440 Wilshire Blvd. VIP experiences, including a meet-and-greet, are available.
For information and tickets, visit theuniverseisabsurd.com.
William Shatner and Neil deGrasse Tyson sat down with the staff of the
Beverly Press for an interview on April 29. (photo courtesy of Beverly Press)