FAMILY : ‘Reptiles,’ ‘Forces’ From Way Cool Science Guy Nye

Standing with your back to a bunch of hungry, hissing alligators while holding a nice, fresh chicken carcass may not be your idea of fun, but for TV’s Bill Nye it’s all in a day’s work.

Nye was in town earlier this week on a promo tour for two new additions to the Walt Disney Home Video “Bill Nye the Science Guy” series, based on the TV show that runs on PBS stations and in syndication. Nye talked about his career as the award-winning, hands-on, downright loony host who makes science fascinating and fun.

“I don’t really remember when I wasn’t interested in science,” Nye said. “It’s probably true of everybody--when you’re 2 or 3 years old you’re going, ‘Why is the sky blue? Why is the grass green? Why is my blood red?’ You’re asking questions of the world that are fundamentally scientific.”

It’s Nye’s offbeat mix of stand-up comic and science teacher and the show’s fast and furious MTV-style pace and look that have earned a following not only among children, but among adults, including college students who catch it on the Internet.

The show was a nominee for this year’s Daytime Emmy for best children’s program.

Funnyman Nye, who holds a degree in mechanical engineering from Cornell, did indeed work in stand-up for a time after winning a Steve Martin look-alike contest.

“I think scientists get a bad rap,” he said. “I worked with a lot of them when I had a day job as an engineer and they’re very funny people.”

His hyperkinetic, humorous and often risky efforts to engage viewers has led him into some risky situations. In addition to his alligator encounter, Nye includes parachuting and “sitting at a desk underwater, talking” among his memorable moments.

Oh, and bungee jumping: “Every cell in your body, every cognitive thing in you goes, ‘Don’t ever, ever do this,’ ” he said. “But after the rope starts to pull tight, then it’s the coolest thing in the world.”

Nye’s new videos (culled from episodes of the longer, commercial-free PBS version of his show), are due out Friday. They are “Reptiles & Insects: Leapin’ Lizards!,” over which Nye enthuses, “There are more insects than people. Without insects, we’d be under tons of dead leaves,” and the “very cool” “Powerful Forces: All Pumped Up”--”When you feel wind on your face, that’s the momentum of air molecules. When you feel something in your arm, that’s momentum in your blood.”

About a “Bill Nye-themed” recycling awareness program scheduled to go into 72,000 public classrooms in September, Nye said: “It’s like voting, every vote is worth something--and every piece of trash has value.” People have no trouble understanding the concept, Nye said, but kids will act on the information, while “grown-ups will continue to stumble along.”

* “Bill Nye the Science Guy” airs Mondays through Thursdays at 5 p.m. on KCET, Saturdays at 7:30 a.m. and Sundays at 12:30 p.m. on KCAL-TV Channel 9.