Have you seen Bill Nye?

Bill Nye, The Science Guy (Photo:Paige Harris)

Greetings! Thanks for checking out the back of the Celeb Milk Carton. Today’s runaway celeb will be a little different than usual, but I chose him because I love him, and I have a MAJOR biology exam on Thursday.  I used to tune in to this wacky guy’s show daily; he made learning science fun! This guy is William Sanford Nye, better known as Bill Nye, the Science Guy.

Nye is a famous science educator, comedian, actor, mechanical engineer, and television host. He graduated from Cornell University in 1977 and began his career as the star of training films, which focused on the development of a hydraulic pressure resonance suppressor.

He told the St. Petersburg Times in 1999 that he applied to be a NASA astronaut every few years, but he was always rejected. He may not have become an astronaut, but his rise to fame came when he became the host of the children’s educational program “Bill Nye, the Science Guy.” The show was composed of 100 episodes that aired from 1993 to 1998.

Cover of "Bill Nye, The Science Guy" game.  (Photo: GiantBomb.com) 

He was chosen for the job because of his popularity on “Back to the Future: The Animated Series.” His role in this series was nonspeaking; he would just go through he science demonstrations using Christopher Lloyd’s voice-over. He finally got his chance to step in front of the camera as The Science Guy.

Episode of "Back to the Future: The Animated Series" (Video: YouTube)

Each episode of “Bill Nye, the Science Guy” was created to teach a different science topic to preteens, but everyone loved the show. The show brought in pop culture, and demonstrated science in interesting, new ways.

The theme song for the show was so catchy and hip! People still remember the theme song today. According to D Magazine,  music artist Ynfynt Scroll remixed the song to a “club edit” on March 13, 2012.

"Bill Nye, the Science Guy" theme song remixed. (Soundcloud)

Nye was not only the host, but he was also the writer and producer for the entire series. His character ,The Science Guy, is a funny guy who wears a lab coat and bow tie EVERY episode. He is very smart and always extremely eager to teach science.

The show was so popular that it is still used in schools today.  Nye has even won six Emmy awards for it. Here’s a clip from one of my favorite episodes, “Lakes and Ponds.” It features a parody of “Tha Crossroads” by rap group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony.

Clip of the parody of "Tha Corssroads." (Video: YouTube)

Because of the show’s success, Nye was featured as The Science Guy alongside Ellen DeGeneres in “Ellens Energy Adventure”, a Disney World attraction.

Ellen Energy Adventure located at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. (Photo: Chip&Co)

After the show, Nye continued educating others about science through entertainment. He has created other educational shows such as “The Eyes of Nye”  and guest-starred in various shows and specials including “Numb3ers,” “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” and “The Dr. Oz Show.”

Clip from "The Eyes of Nye" (Video: YouTube)

His list of accomplishments is never-ending. He is a graduate of Cornell with a Bachelors of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. He holds three Honorary Doctorate degrees from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Goucher College, and Johns Hopkins. He has also delivered commencement addresses at the University of California Santa Barbara, Goucher, Hopkins, Harvey Mudd College and Caltech.

His most impressive work in science education has to be his dedication to bettering the world around him. Bill joined the American Optometric Association in a multimedia advertising campaign to educate parents on the importance of getting their children a comprehensive eye examination.

Nye advocates the American Optometric Asscoiation. (Video: YouTube)

In October 2009, Nye recorded a YouTube video advocating clean energy climate change legislation on behalf of Al Gore's Repower America campaign.

Nye advocates Al Gore's "Repower America" campaign. (Video:YouTube)

Now, Nye travels all across the country, speaking to youth and adults about science.  Ohio State University’s student newspaper, The Lantern, reported that Nye was scheduled to speak there on May 21, 2012.

Bill Nye speaking at the Los Angeles Public Library on October 8, 2009. (Photo :Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Jumpstart)

He also currently serves as chair of the board at the Planetary Society, which he described as “the world’s largest non-governmental space organization,” according to Science News.

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Bill Nye at The Planetary Society booth, USA Science & Engineering Festival, Washington, DC. October 24, 2010. (Photo:Adam Fagen)

Well we may not have The Science Guy anymore, but as long as Bill Nye continues striving to make the world a better place, I am happy!

U.S. President Barack Obama (L) greets Bill Nye (R), during a science fair event in the East Room at the White House on February 7, 2012 in Washington, DC. (Photo:Getty Images) 

Case Closed.

P.S. Have any runaway celebs you’ve been looking for? Submit their names here as comments and I’ll get on the case!

Have you seen Flavor Flav?

Flavor Flav smiling for the camera.  (Photo: Paige Harris)

Reality shows are all over the television, and it is very difficult to turn on the television and not see at least one.  One of the first reality shows I watched when I was younger was VH1’s  “Flavor of Love.” This show caused a media frenzy because of its level of outrageousness, and how could we ever forget the show’s star Flavor Flav?

Flav pictured with the "Flavor of Love" contestants of Season 1.  (Photo: amigansta.com)

Vanity Fair called William Jonathan Drayton, Jr., better known as Flavor Flav,  “the uncontested best hype man in music.” 

His rise to fame came when he became a member of the controversial rap group Public Enemy.  Public Enemy released politically – challenging hits such as “Fight the Power” in 1989.
Public Enemy's "Fight the Power Video" (Video: YouTube)

Flav provided comic relief to fans to counter the groups leader Chuck D’s serious style.  He was not like the other members of the group, so he stood out and got the fans excited by wearing big hats, glasses and his trademark big clock hanging from around his neck.

Flashy Flavor Flav and the more serious Chuck D attend the 2008 VH1 Hip Hop Honors at the Hammerstein Ballroom on October 2, 2008 in New York City. (Photo: Bryan Bedder)

His unique character made him even more famous. He has created styles, slangs and sayings that make him one of the most- sampled voices in music according to his memoir titled “Flavor Flav: The Icon The Memoir.”

The cover for Flavor Flav's memoir titled, "Flavor Flav: The Icon The Memoir." (Photo:Amazon)

After the success of Public Enemy, Flav stepped away from the spotlight for a while, but returned in 2006 on the VH1 reality show “The Surreal Life.” On this show, Flav developed a relationship with actress Brigitte Nelson, which led to their own show called “Strange Love.”

Flavor Flav with Brigitte Nielsen in 2004. (Photo:Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press)

“Strange Love” was dedicated entirely  to Flav and Nelson’s relationship. Unfortunately when the show ended, their relationship ended as well. This resulted in another reality show for Flav titled, “Flavor of Love.”

“Flavor of Love” lasted three seasons and the entire three seasons were nothing but entertaining. On the show Flav is a bachelor looking for love.  The show was so outrageous that is caused a media frenzy. One of the most infamous scenes on the show is when “Somethin,” a contestant on the show defecates on the floor.

Clip from "Flavor of Love" shows "Somethin" defecating on floor. (Video: VH1.com)

Somethin on The Flavor of Love
Get More: Somethin on The Flavor of Love

After his success in reality television, Flav participated in Comedy Central’s “The Roast” in 2007. On this comedy special, celebrities such as Snoop Dogg and Jimmy Kimmel came together to honor and poke fun at the star.

The Roast of Flavor Flav (Video: ComedyCentral.com)

Comedy Central

With fame often comes many problems. The star has had quite a troubled road to stardom.  He told us in his memoir that he had been in and out of jail since he dropped out of high school in the 11^th grade.  

According to the Guardian, Flav has faced charges such as attempted murder, robbery, burglary, domestic violence and drug possession. He has even served time in Rikers Island jail for numerous parking tickets and probation violations.

Flav's mugshot after being arrested April 29, 2011in Las Vegas for a traffic violation. (Photo:Billboard)

His battle with drugs has also had a huge impact on his life. In June 2011, Flav told Australian radio show “The Kyle & Jackie O Show” that when his drug problem was at its worst, he would spend up to $2,600 a day on crack cocaine.
In 2011, Flav decided to open “Flav’s Fried Chicken” in Clinton, Iowa. According to The Atlantic, he wanted to start a national chicken franchise, but the restaurant was closed shortly after opening.  Flav claims the restaurant’s closing was due to “wrong decisions.” He also told Vanity Fair around this time that he wanted to go back to high school.

Although Flav still has not returned to high school, he opened up “Flava Flav’s House of Flavor” in Las Vegas on March 16, 2012. Flav told Yahoo’s OMG that his chicken will offer customers a “double flavor explosion.”

Flav serves up food at House of Flavor. ( Photo: Snakemannn/Splash News)         

 Flav explained why his chicken was better than the competition’s chicken. "Well, first of all it's the seasonings that I use," Flav explained. "And second of all, it's the way that I fry my chicken.”
Flav also said that cooking runs in his family, and he went to cooking school, where he earned a degree in cheffing.

    Flav prepares chicken during the grand opening of Flavor Flav’s House of Flavor in Las Vegas March 15, 2012.  (Photo: Leila Navidi )

Well Flav may be retired from reality tv and rapping, but you can find him making his way around the kitchen in his brand new restaurant.
Case Closed.

Flavor Flav's memoir titled “Flavor Flav: The Icon The Memoir” is on sale right now, just click the link to preview!


P.S. Have any runaway celebs you’ve been looking for? Submit their names here as comments, and I’ll get on the case!

Have you seen Macaulay Culkin?

If you ever wonder where your favorite MIA celebrities are, look no further. Welcome to the Celeb Milk Carton.

Here I will discuss some of my favorite celebrities that have taken a step back from the spotlight.

Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McCallister in "Home Alone." (Photo:Paige Harris)

I remember driving my parents crazy because I wanted to watch “Home Alone” over and over again. Who could forget little Kevin McCallister played by Macaulay Culkin? Culkin was the cutest and coolest kid in the film industry in the 90’s.

In 1990, The Washington Post declared that, “He may push more buttons with women then Mel Gibson.” 

Macaulay Culkin begin acting at the age of four, but he did not achieve international fame until he got his lead role in 1990 as cute little Kevin McCallister in “Home Alone.”

  "He had more presence than any child actor since Shirley Temple,"People magazine wrote after the box office success of “Home Alone.” 

Around this time Culkin became good friends with Michael Jackson, and he even appeared in Jackson’s music video ”Black or White.” According to CNN during Jackson’s infamous trial, he testified that Jackson had not sexually molested him and that the entire ordeal was “absolutely ridiculous.”

Michael Jackson's "Black or White" Music Video (Video: YouTube)

In 1992, he returned in the sequel “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.” Despite the huge success of both "Home Alone" films, his other films such as “The Good Son” and “Richie Rich” were not as successful.

After staying out of the spotlight for many years, Culkin popped up in a role in the play “Madame Melville” in 2000. Then in 2003, he took a supporting role in the movie “Saved!” along side Mandy Moore. Culkin played a very cynical, non- Christian, wheelchair-bound student at a  conservative Christian school. 

Culick plays Roland in the movie "Saved." Role was a big change for Culkin.  (Photo:Yahoo Movies)

On May 27, 2004 in an interview on “Larry King Live”, Culkin stated that he likes to keep his “private life private.”  But during the interview he discussed his life as a child actor, the conflict in his family life, and how he retired from acting at age 14. 

"Larry King Live" Interview (Video:YouTube)

Later that year, USA Today reported that Culkin was arrested for drug possession. He allegedly had 17 grams of marijuana and 16 milligrams of prescription medication.

Culick's mugshot taken when arrested for illegal possession. (Photo:USA Today)

In 2011, Culkin played his most recent role in Adam Greene’s film “The Wrong Ferrari", apparently the entire film was shot on an iPhone.

"The Wrong Ferrari"(Video:YouTube)

In January of this year, CBS News reported that Culkin split from his girlfriend, Mila Kunis.  Kunis starred in Black Swan with Natalie Portman and has earned nominations for a Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild award. According to Kunis’ rep, "the split was amicable, and they remain close friends.”

Culkin dated Mila Kunis, pictured here in 2005, for eight years before they split. (Photo:Getty Images)
        

       

 “There are a lot of things people want him to be that he's not," Kunis told Parade Magazine. "He's an amazing, simple guy, who is probably the most brilliant person I've ever met. Unfortunately, that's not what people want him to be, so they write stuff."
Last month, the media was flooded with new images of Culkin.  Fox News reported that the former "Home Alone" star looked "shockingly thin." He was described as having a "puny frame" and "gaunt face."

Macaulay Culkin appeared dishevelled and emaciated as he greeted fans in New York on Feb. 11, 2012.

(Photo: tmz.com)

 This guy cannot seem to catch a break, I think this celeb has earned the right to run away.

Case Closed.

P.S. Have any runaway celebs you’ve been looking for? Submit their names here as comments, and I’ll get on the case!