A Cosmic Banter: William Shatner & Neil deGrasse Tyson Go Wild on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

NEW YORK, June 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Space2Sea Alumni—actor William Shatner and astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson— delivered an electrifying and wonderfully chaotic appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Monday night, June 9, giving audiences a preview of the spontaneous and profound dialogue that defines their upcoming Wednesday, June 18 live stage event, ROCKING: The Universe is Absurd, presented by FUTURE of SPACE.

Viewers watched as Tyson jokingly described his role as needing to "rescue this man from his existential angst about the Universe," while Shatner, retorted with sharp wit and boundless energy that left host Stephen Colbert happily letting his guests take the wheel into the "Shatner Zone".

The discussion veered wildly from the fluid dynamics of penguin poop to a surprisingly deep exploration of ancient spirituality, animism, and the nature of consciousness. This is the "cosmic banter" audiences can expect in Seattle: a journey connecting the dots between the scientific and the spiritual, the hilarious and the profound. 

"Watching Bill and Neil together is electric — they're the ultimate yin and yang," said Daniel Fox, Co-founder of FUTURE of SPACE. "One brings cosmic wonder, the other razor-sharp reason, and somehow they meet perfectly in the middle. That's the magic of the show: pure, unscripted chemistry that entertains as much as it enlightens."

"The energy that was present on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, is exactly why we created the show," said Tristan Tanovan-Fox, CEO of FUTURE of SPACE. "What happens when you put two of our era's most captivating thinkers on stage and let their genuine curiosity lead the way? Their conversation is proof that the biggest, most absurd questions are often the most entertaining and important ones to ask."

Colbert himself praised their riveting chemistry as "out of this world," capturing the effortlessly engaging energy the pair brought to the couch.

ROCKING: The Universe is Absurd will take place for one night only in Seattle -- you won't want to miss it!

Website: https://rockingwithbillandneil.com
Presented by: FUTURE of SPACE (https://futureofspace.io)
When: Wednesday, June 18, 2025, 7:30 PM PT
Where: McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St, Seattle, WA 98109
Tickets: Available now exclusively at ticketmaster.com

About "The Universe Is Absurd"
Following their shared journey on the December 2024 Space2Sea Voyage of Legends expedition to Antarctica, Shatner and Tyson reunite onstage for a raw and unscripted cosmic banter. United by boundless curiosity and a passion for discovery, they have forged a dynamic and entertaining "bromance" — sparring like an old married couple, viewing the world through opposite lenses, and embodying the yin and yang, the left and right sides of the brain. Their connection is as thought-provoking as it is wildly entertaining.

About William Shatner
A 94-year-old Canadian-born entertainment legend, William Shatner's storied seven-decade career spans roles like Star Trek's Captain James T. Kirk, Emmy-winning performances in Boston Legal, and record-breaking spaceflight aboard Blue Origin's NS-18 at age 90.

About Neil deGrasse Tyson
Renowned astrophysicist, author, and science communicator, Tyson is the mind behind StarTalk and a popularizer of astronomy who continues Carl Sagan's mission of bringing cosmic understanding to all.

About The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
A CBS late-night staple, The Late Show blends sharp wit, insightful interviews, and standout musical performances. The June 9 episode opened with "The Doobie Brothers" and featured unique segments like "First Drafts with Evie Colbert".

About FUTURE of SPACE
FUTURE of SPACE is a media and production company that unites luminaries, innovators, and explorers across disciplines to ignite conversations about the future of humanity. Through experiences like the Space2Sea expeditions, FUTURE of SPACE creates unique intersections between science, storytelling, and human connection — inspiring audiences to embrace exploration not only beyond Earth, but within themselves.

Media Contact:
Daniel Fox
FUTURE of SPACE
[email protected]
(971) 425-1111

SOURCE FUTURE of SPACE