Politics

Episode 15: Interview With Bill Nye the Science Guy

April 19th 2017

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In her forthcoming memoir, Caitlyn Jenner reportedly lobs a big accusation at Ellen DeGeneres. According to Radar Online, which received an advanced copy of the book, Jenner believes DeGeneres helped in "alienating" her from the LBGT community following a 2015 appearance on "The Ellen Show."

During the appearance, DeGeneres asked Jenner about her stance on same-sex marriage. The host did not appear enthused with the response.

"At first, I was not for [same-sex marriage],” Jenner told DeGeneres. “I thought, I’m a traditionalist. I’m older than most people in the audience. I kinda like tradition, and it’s always been a man and a woman. And I’m thinking, I don’t quite get it.”

"I don’t ever want to stand in front of someone’s happiness," she continued, after DeGeneres questioned if she still had hesitation. "That’s not my job. If that word ‘marriage’ is really, really that important to you I can go with it."

DeGeneres went on to discuss the issue on "The Howard Stern Show," expressing her unease with Jenner's comments.

In her book, Jenner says she's now "for" gay marriage. She blames DeGeneres, though, for having "further alienated me from members of the LGBTQ community," writing: "Ellen’s appearance on 'The Howard Stern Show,' where in my mind she even more emphatically took what I said out of context, made it go viral."

Beyond a celebrity squabble, this back-and-forth raises some interesting questions: How does one process Jenner's conservative politics — supporting Senator Ted Cruz and later President Donald Trump — with her identity within the LGBT community? Especially given the fact that the Trump administration has rolled back protections for transgender students? (Which, to be fair, she has spoken out against.)

Are we expecting too much from Caitlyn Jenner in terms of LGBT advocacy?

The "Got Your Attention" cast discusses this — and the conversation around President Trump nearly forgetting to put his hand over his heart at the Easter Egg Roll (Easter eggroll?):

We also learn why people always think they're doing more housework than their roommates, and chat about why House Speaker Paul Ryan's approval rating is so low.

The podcast concludes with a feisty interview between ATTN: Editor-in-Chief Matthew Segal and Bill Nye "The Science Guy" about climate change, science's role in politics, and why there's reason to be optimistic about tackling the environmental challenges ahead.

Podcast notes:

Read more about the stories we did (and didn't) talk about this week on "Got Your Attention."

  • This viral story of a "terrorist baby" shows how a paperwork mistake with U.S. customs can cost you big money.
  • Donald Trump almost forgot to put his hand over his heart during the National Anthem at the White House Easter Egg Roll. I want to bring back something he said about quarterback Colin Kaepernick and the national anthem when he was campaigning in Kentucky.
  • North Korea: For such a long time the media and Hollywood have been treating them like a punch line ("Team America," "The Interview") or a point of fascination, and now suddenly I feel like I need to worry. But do I, really? The New York Times' "The Daily" gives some good insight.
  • An NBA player was taking part in the playoffs just days after his sister was killed in a car accident. 
  • Can a normal person do Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson's workout plan for "Fate of the Furious"? ATTN: explains.
  • When you have roommates (or perhaps a partner or spouse) there can be resentment over feeling like your roommate is a slob and you are the only one who does chores. Here’s the reason why.
  • A contestant on this season of "Survivor" was outed as transgender by another cast member. Not only did the world turn on the man who did it, but he was fired from his job. What does Jeff Varner need to do to move forward?
  • Salt Bae voted in an incredibly important election and did it like Salt Bae of course had to. But there is actually something important happening behind this poll day selfie
  • New Yorker writer David Grann wrote a book called “Killers of the Flower Moon,” detailing how members of a Native tribe were systematically killed in the early 1900s for their oil. Hear Grann talk about his new book about the forgotten Osage murders on NPR's "Fresh Air." (Seriously, do it now, and read more about the book here.)
  • NASA just said there might be life on one of Saturn’s moons, and that’s good enough for Omri.
  • Paul Ryan is not the Prom King of Congress, according to a Pew Research poll. But why is he so unpopular? 
  • And here's the photo Danielle shared of our president, while we were mid-podcast

What is the "Got Your Attention" podcast?

If you've ever wondered how the staff pitch and select the stories that you read or watch at ATTN:, we're giving you an inside listen. ATTN: Media is excited to announce "Got Your Attention," a podcast where ATTN: staffers compete to have their pitches accepted by our host — while also unpacking some of the week's most important headlines.

The game is simple: Three ATTN: staff members — Senior Social Trends Editor Omri Rolan, Staff Writer Danielle DeCourcey, and Senior Editor Sarah Gray — pitch their best stories to our host and Head of Editorial Mike Vainisi. If Mike picks their story, they get a point, and the four discuss the story. (And follow those links to follow us on Twitter.)

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