Introduction
Bill Nye, also known as “the Science Guy”, is a popular TV host, science communicator, and mechanical engineer. He is best known for his PBS show Bill Nye the Science Guy, which ran from 1993 to 1998, and his Netflix series Bill Nye Saves the World, which debuted in 2017. He is also a vocal advocate for science education, climate action, and space exploration.
But did you know that Bill Nye was once rumored to have been arrested for manufacturing and selling illegal drugs? Yes, you read that right. A viral rumor claimed that Bill Nye was involved in a Breaking Bad-style drug operation and was busted by the FBI in his Los Angeles home. But is there any truth to this shocking story? Did Bill Nye really go to prison?
The Origin of the Rumor
The rumor about Bill Nye’s alleged arrest started in 2014, when a satire website called Huzlers published a fictional article with the headline “Bill Nye the Science Guy Arrested for Manufacturing and Selling Illegal Drugs”. The article claimed that Bill Nye was caught with 6 million dollars cash, 13 illegal firearms, 121 pounds of marijuana, 2 gallons of LSD, and 63 pounds of crystallized methamphetamine in his secret basement. The article also quoted a fake FBI agent who said he was looking for Bill Nye’s “Jesse Pinkman”, a reference to the character from the TV show Breaking Bad.
The article was clearly meant to be a joke, as Huzlers is a self-described “satirical news blog” that publishes humorous and outrageous stories about celebrities, hip hop, and urban entertainment. However, some people apparently took the article seriously and started spreading the rumor on social media, especially on Twitter. The hashtag #FreeBillNye also became popular, with some users expressing their disbelief, sympathy, or curiosity about Bill Nye’s supposed arrest.
The Debunking of the Rumor
The rumor about Bill Nye’s arrest was quickly debunked by several reliable sources, including Snopes, Distractify, and Lead Stories. These sources pointed out the obvious flaws and inconsistencies in the Huzlers article, such as the lack of credible evidence, the absurd amount of drugs and money, and the use of satire and humor. They also noted that Bill Nye has never been arrested or served time in jail, and that he has been active and visible in the public eye since 2014, appearing in several TV shows, podcasts, and events.
Bill Nye himself also addressed the rumor in a tweet in 2019, where he sarcastically thanked his fans for their concern and assured them that he was fine. He also joked that he was working on a new show called “Breaking Good”, a spoof of Breaking Bad.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the rumor that Bill Nye went to prison for manufacturing and selling illegal drugs is false and baseless. It was originated by a satire website that published a fake article as a joke, but some people mistook it for real news and spread it on social media. The rumor was debunked by various sources, including Bill Nye himself, who confirmed that he was never arrested and that he was doing well. Bill Nye remains a respected and beloved figure in the science community and the entertainment industry, and he continues to inspire and educate people of all ages with his passion and enthusiasm for science.