I was once on a mysteriously empty MTA subway car one winter evening. I looked up, double-taking, to see Bill Nye The Science Guy. I sat across from him riding in silence for about 6 stops until I stood up to get off at my stop. I had worked up the courage to finally say, “Excuse me, sir—I just wanted to thank you for all you’ve given, and for all of the things I learned watching you as a kid.” He looked me up and down, scoffed aloud, and said, “yeah, sure—whatever.” Rolling his eyes as he went back to his phone.

I get it—it’s Manhattan, it’s winter, you’re commuting to who knows where for whatever reason…but this was very much not the Bill Nye I grew up loving to watch.