The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe

All of the SGU hosts, with the exception of Jay Novella beginning in 2018, maintain careers separate from the podcast. The SGU contemplated hiring a full-time employee to meet the demands of a growing audience but was hindered due to a defamation lawsuit filed by Edward Tobinick that consumed financial resources that would have otherwise been available.[4]

• Steven Novella

The principal host of the show. He is an American clinical neurologist and assistant professor at Yale University School of Medicine.[5] He is the president of the New England Skeptical Society (NESS),[6] and is the author of the blog NeuroLogica. He is the executive editor for, and a regular contributor to, Science-Based Medicine, an influential and respected source of information about medical controversies and alternative medicine.[7][8][9][10][11]

• Evan Bernstein
• Cara Santa Maria (From July 25, 2015)
• Robert "Bob" Novella
• Jay Novella Jay Novella began as a software engineer, which led to a career building layer functionality behind websites and eventually into e-commerce. He created and maintains the SGU website. After 13 years with the SGU, he became their first full-time employee in 2018, resulting from reaching a Patreon target of 3,000 donors.[4][12][13]

• Perry DeAngelis

On August 19, 2007, co-host DeAngelis died shortly before his 44th birthday after suffering from a number of chronic illnesses (most significantly scleroderma).[14] During the two weeks before his passing, DeAngelis phoned in his contribution to the Skeptical quote segment for which he was responsible at the time from his hospital room.

• Rebecca Watson (From March 29, 2006, to December 27, 2014.)

On December 27, 2014, co-host Watson announced that she has recorded her final show prior to leaving the organization.[15]

Opening

The Skeptics' Guide opens with Steven Novella introducing each panelist in attendance, typically leading to the retrospective segment "This Day in Skepticism". The panelists then discuss that week's top news stories of concern to skeptics. This is generally followed with answering of listener email.

"What's the Word"

Cara Santa Maria presents a technical word, discussing the history and etymology of the word and how it currently applies to various scientific disciplines.

The SGU at 2014 Australian Skeptics National Convention. From left to right: George Hrab, Evan Bernstein, Rebecca Watson, Steven Novella, Jay Novella, Bob Novella, and Richard Saunders.

"Forgotten Superheroes of Science"

Bob Novella describes a notable scientific figure from the past who is not well-known, ending with an encouragement to mention the figure to your friends when discussing their obscure area of expertise.

"Who's That Noisy?"

A sound clip is played for listeners to guess what, or who it is. This segment was originally hosted by Bernstein, but is currently hosted by Jay Novella. The first episode it appeared in was #181. The name comes from Steven's daughter who, when she was 2 years old, would say "who's that noisy" instead of "what's that noise?"

"A Quickie with Bob"

Any of the rogues (apart from Bob) can ask for 'a quickie with Bob' who will then address an issue of current scientific news. Tends to happen before the interview section in around one minute, to a set length piece of background music.

Interview

Most weeks the panel interview a guest skeptic or scientist.

"Science or Fiction"

Steven Novella presents the panelists with three recent stories of a scientific nature, one of which is fiction. The co-hosts then have to use their knowledge of science and skeptical senses to figure out which story is fiction. The fake story may either be a complete fabrication or based on a factual story with a critical detail changed to make it fictitious. "Science or Fiction" is occasionally themed, such that all stories discuss similar topics.

"Skeptical Quote"

The show closes with Jay Novella reading a quote from a famous person that is relevant to skepticism or science. Bob did the first skeptical quote although it wasn't really specific to any one of the rogues. ("Isaac Asimov. A scientist fiction writer of some note.") Jay announces the source in an exaggerated radio announcer voice. On May 10, 2008, host Steven Novella posted a survey on the SGU message board asking listeners if they preferred Jay read the source of the quote before or after the reading of the quote.[16] The voting is open ended.

Only since 2010, has the "Who's That Noisy?" segment been before the interview; pre-2010, it was just before the "Skeptical Quote".

Most podcasts last around 80 minutes but on September 23, 2011, SGU produced a 24-hour-long podcast with contributions by skeptics from around the world. It was referred to as SGU-24.

"Guest Rogue"

Since the start of 2010, sometimes, instead of having an interview, the Skeptic's Guide will invite a "guest rogue" to be present throughout the show including the news and "Science or Fiction" segments, as if they were one of the cast.

"Skeptical Puzzle"

At the end of the show, Evan Bernstein used to present the listeners with a skeptical puzzle, usually about some person or topic within the field of pseudoscience. Occasionally the puzzle was presented in verse, and on Episode 96 it was presented as if by a fictional skeptical rapper Kom’n Cents.[17] Listeners would answer the puzzle via email or on the message board. Recognition (albeit no actual cash prize or gift) was given the following week to the first person to correctly answer the puzzle. The Skeptical puzzle has been discontinued since episode #130 to allow Evan to concentrate on other areas including SGU 5x5, though he has since occasionally offered a logic puzzle in lieu of "Who's That Noisy?".

This Day in History

Until 2015, the first segment after introductions was a description of a historical event of scientific or skeptical importance whose anniversary falls on the date of recording or the date the podcast is released.

"Randi Speaks"

As of September 20, 2006, James Randi joined the podcast providing a pre-recorded commentary segment called "Randi Speaks". Randi, a professional magician and skeptic, expounds upon a topic on his mind for that week which may or may not have to do with skeptical matters. The segment disappeared for a period but returned for the August 8, 2007 episode with a different format. Instead of Randi delivering a prepared essay, an SGU host asks Randi a question which Randi then answers and expands upon.

"Name That Logical Fallacy"

Steven Novella regularly presents the panelists with a recent argument, usually of a pseudoscientific nature, that has either appeared in recent news or has been submitted by listeners for consideration. The panelists are challenged to point out the flaws in the presented argument, with specific references to any logical fallacies employed. The segment debuted during Episode 40 but it is not featured in every show.[18] Many of the fallacies named are taken from the show's "Top 20 Logical Fallacies" list.[19]

"Swindlers List"

Starting on May 21, 2011, Jay Novella talks about a particular scam he has discovered or been told about. The first scam featured in this section was Bidsell.com.[20]

"The Dumbest Thing I Heard All Week"

Steve Novella occasionally recounts a subpar article he read during the past week and explains what is wrong with it.

The show's theme music is "Theorem" by the San Francisco rock band, Kineto.[21] The theme was acquired from the Podsafe Music Network. Prior to the November 2, 2005 show, Thomas Dolby's "She Blinded Me with Science" was the show's theme.