Ellen's Energy Adventure

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Ellen's Energy Adventure

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A New Show

By the early 1990s, the original Universe of Energy show was getting dated and was viewed by many guests as too academic. Imagineers designed a humorous new show featuring Ellen DeGeneres and Bill Nye, who not so coincidentally had shows that were run on Disney-owned ABC or syndicated by Disney. Known during production and shortly after opening as "Ellen's Energy Crisis", the show later was renamed "Ellen's Energy Adventure." In addition to Alex Trebek, Ellen and Bill playing themselves, the film featured Jamie Lee Curtis as "Stupid Judy" while Michael Richards played the caveman in the discovery of fire scene. A new score for the attraction was recorded by Bruce Broughton.

During the renovation, the earth tone colors on the sides of the pavilion were repainted in rainbow hues (they were later repainted back to the original colors in 2009) and the dinosaurs also got colorful paint jobs that were more in line with what dinosaur skin may have actually looked like. An Ellen Audio-Animatronic built for the dinosaur scene was supposedly a recycled World of Motion figure.

Ellen's Energy Adventure opened on September 15, 1996, which was two days before season four of "Ellen" premiered on ABC. This was the season the famous "Puppy Episode" aired. ExxonMobil ceased to sponsor the attraction in 2004 and the last show was on August 13, 2017. Universe of Energy will be replaced with a Guardians of the Galaxy attraction.

The Preshow

(A new sound system was designed for the preshow theater and the reason Ellen would pop up on the different screens was to showcase this system.)

ELLEN:

(Walks into the frame from the left and walks a little past the center screen, then turns around.) Hi, and welcome to the Universe of Energy. How are ya? (She nods.) No need to answer. You know, you're probably surprised to see me here, aren't you? (She shakes her head.) But then, there’s probably a lot of places you'd be surprised to see me when you think about it. (She suddenly appears on far left screen.) If you were driving in your car, for instance, ok? Close your eyes, you're in your car; no, don't close your eyes in the car—but right now, think about it. You're in your car, you're driving, and then all of a sudden from the back seat I just pop up and go, (She pops up on the far right screen.) “Hey!” You'd just whack me in the head, wouldn't you? That would be, that wouldn't be nice. But then it wouldn't be nice for me to do that to you. How'd I get in your car, anyway? Can you, did you lock the car? Maybe it was your fault. Maybe I'm just teaching you a lesson. (Appears on the left side.) But the point is, to see me here, as a spokesperson for the Universe of Energy, (Pops back on the right side.) I mean that’s crazy, you know? I mean I'm an expert on a lot of things. You know that. I know that. But, uh, not a lot of things, a few things. (She appears on the center screen.) But energy? I mean, there was a time I could care less about it. And then, (The camera begins to pull back.) suddenly everything changed. One day, I was sitting in my apartment. (Ellen appears on the left and snaps her fingers.) I said, I was sitting in my apartment when, (Ellen snaps her fingers again and the apartment appears. This is not the same apartment set as her sitcom. Ellen #2 enters with a cat and sits down.) There it is. I'd offer you some snacks, but she, I mean I, can't hear me. (To Ellen #2.) Hey, hey, you! How about sharing some of those chips?

ELLEN #2:

No, you're on a diet!

ELLEN:

Me? How about you?

ANNOUNCER:

You're watching ABC!

ELLEN:

Anyhoo, I'm watching TV, and my favorite show’s about to start.

JOHNNY GILBERT:

This is Jeopardy!

ELLEN #2:

Yes!

ELLEN:

Told you it was my favorite show.

(There is a knock on the door.)

ELLEN #2:

What is, “who is it?”

(The camera zooms in, Bill Nye, the Science Guy enters.)

ELLEN (entering the right side of the screen):

And of course, no one locks their doors in New York. (Shakes head and makes a face.)

BILL NYE:

Hey, it’s your neighbor, Bill Nye the Science Guy!

ELLEN #2:

Hey, Bill Nye the Science Guy, it’s Ellen the, uh, just Ellen I guess. What can I do ya for?

BILL NYE:

I'd like to borrow some aluminum foil, a clothespin and a candle.

ELLEN #2:

Another hot date, huh?

BILL NYE:

Actually, I'm working on a new experiment.

ELLEN #2:

Uh, take whatever you need. I don't want to miss any of the game.

BILL NYE:

What are you watching?

ELLEN #2:

Jeopardy.

BILL NYE:

Yes! (The camera zooms in as Ellen watches TV and Bill goes in the kitchen.)

JOHNNY GILBERT:

And now, our returning champion, a professor of energy at Princeton University, Dr. Judy Peterson.

ELLEN #2:

Oh my gosh!

BILL NYE:

What?

ELLEN #2:

It’s my old college roommate, Judy Peterson. She was such a smarty pants know-it-all. I had the best nickname for her, though.

BILL NYE:

What was that?

ELLEN #2:

Stupid Judy.

BILL NYE:

Ellen, that makes no sense. She has a PhD!

ELLEN #2:

I know, but it made me feel better. So now I guess she’s some hot shot energetic professor.

BILL NYE:

She’s a professor of energy!

ELLEN #2:

Whatever. Who cares about Stupid Judy and her stupid energy?

BILL NYE:

Ellen, energy’s the most important thing in the universe!

ELLEN #2:

Oh yeah, sure. Take her side.

BILL NYE:

I'm not taking her side. It’s just that, without energy, nothing would go, nothing would happen. I mean, there'd be nothing!

ELLEN #2:

Well, then we'd really be in jeopardy, now, wouldn't we?

BILL NYE:

Yeah, well, what is, uh, thanks for the supplies and, uh, see you later.

ELLEN #2:

What is, “bye-bye.”

(Bill exits.)

(The TV audio the entire time has been of the Jeopardy game that Ellen is watching. It becomes louder on the soundtrack as Ellen sits watching on the couch.)

ALEX TREBEK (Voiceover):

It’s the Parliament of Israel.

JUDY (Voiceover):

What is the Knesset?

ALEX TREBEK (Voiceover):

Right again. Go.

ELLEN #2:

(The camera zooms in on Ellen on her couch.) Right again, Judy. (To cat.) Stupid Judy. Stupid energy. Maybe the universe needs energy, but I don't. (The camera zooms out as Ellen falls asleep on the couch.) I'll take a nap for a hundred.

ELLEN:

(Walks into the frame from the left carrying a brick-like cell phone.) Hahahaha, I know! Big piece of corn right there in the teeth, how could you not see (She realizes she's not alone.) I'm gonna have to call you back. (Clears throat.) Now as most of you know, when someone falls asleep watching TV, that person is going to have a… what? Anyone? Anyone? (She reappears on right side of the screens.)

WOMAN (On film soundtrack):

Uh, crick in the neck?

MAN (On film soundtrack):

Bad hair day!

WOMAN IN AUDIENCE (On film soundtrack):

A dream sequence!

ELLEN:

That’s right, ma'am, a dream sequence! Right. (She appears back on the left side of the screens.) Mine was more of a nightmare, actually. And uh, let’s actually, we should get some fog in here. Always nice to spice up a dream sequence with fog. (Fog rolls in to the screen that Ellen is on.) No, not in here. Over there. In the dream. (Fog spreads out of the screen that Ellen is in and moves into the apartment. She then pops up in center screen from the bottom.) Scary, huh? Ooooooh!

(Ellen retracts to the bottom of the center screen, the fog stops and the dream starts.)

JOHNNY GILBERT:

This is Jeopardy! Now, here are today’s contestants: Dr. Judy Peterson, Dr. Albert Einstein, and finally, just Ellen. (Ellen runs in and bumps into Einstein.) And now, here is the host of Jeopardy, Alex Trebek!

ALEX TREBEK:

Thank you, Johnny Gilbert. Hello, contestants. Welcome to our program, and good luck to you in the game. (As Alex names the categories they are shown on another screen that appears on top of all the other screens. It shows the questions and the game board as the scene continues.) Here are the categories for the first round of play: Solar Energy, Wind Power, Energy From Water, Fossil Fuels, Fusion, and finally, Gas. Ellen, since this is your dream, we'll let you make the first selection.

ELLEN:

Alright, Alex. Uh, I will take, um, eenie meenie minee, uh, Fossil Fuels for, uh, oh, let’s go for a hundred.

ALEX TREBEK:

Fine. The answer is: this was formed from microscopic plants and animals trapped in ocean floor sediments millions of years ago. Ellen?

ELLEN:

Yes, I know that one. That’s uh, that, um, is, um, what. What is, hmm, what is um, uh, stuff trapped, microscopic fuels and…and plants and… and animals, and… and.

(Sound of buzzer.)

ALEX TREBEK:

Sorry, Ellen. We were looking for something more than just an embellishment of what I had already said. Anyone else? Judy?

JUDY:

What is petroleum, Alex? (Several clips show Judy answering different questions. Ellen mocks Judy as she answers.) )What is bituminous? What is solar-thermal conversion? What is hydroelectric? What is helium?

ALEX TREBEK:

And so, as we come to the end of the first round, ladies and gentlemen, Judy has a commanding lead, Ellen has her work cut out for her, and Dr. Einstein is nowhere, relatively speaking.

ELLEN:

Is this a nightmare, or what?

(Ellen’s score goes up to $0.)

ALEX TREBEK:

Oh, Ellen, your first correct response!

ELLEN:

Wait a minute. (Snaps fingers.) Freeze! (The scene freezes as Ellen walks off the set.) This is my dream. I'm in control now. I can still win. I still have a chance to.

(Bill Nye enters the soundstage.)

BILL NYE:

Ellen! Ellen!

ELLEN:

Who is it?

BILL NYE:

It’s me, Bill Nye the Science Guy!

ELLEN:

Hey, I'm glad you came to help me.

BILL NYE:

Actually, I came to see Einstein. Wow, you're getting clobbered.

ELLEN:

Yeah. This nightmare Jeopardy version’s a lot harder than the home version. Can you help me?

BILL NYE:

Sure! But first, we have to go back.

ELLEN:

Back… stage?

BILL NYE:

No, no, no. Way back! Like, many billion years ago!

ELLEN:

Ok, but can we stop at a mini mart or something and get some snacks? ‘Cause, I have a tendency to get hungry after a couple billion years.

BILL NYE:

No can do. Time’s a-wastin’! Come on it will be fun!

(They run out to a door full of light. The screen turns black and Ellen appears on the center screen.)

ELLEN:

Wait, it’s not even over. It gets really weird from here. Now some person I don't even know reminds me there’s no eating, drinking, smoking, or flash photography allowed in my dream.

(A cast member makes an announcement as Ellen mocks them on the screen.)

ELLEN:

(Appearing on the left side of the screens.) And no videotaping. Ok? And those of you who are just walking in right now, you're late. Where have you been? (Appearing on the right side of the screens.) I love your hair. No, not you. I mean, it’s all right, but that’s… cute. Yeah. Um, (Appears back on the left side.) anyway, so you're not completely lost, here’s a recap of what has been going on: I'm Ellen. Hi. (Alex Trebek appears in the center screen and waves.) I love Jeopardy. I used to not care about energy at all, (Appears on the right side of the screens.) until I had a nightmare that I was on Jeopardy and all the categories were about energy. Oh, don't I know it’s scary. (Appears on the left side of the screen, Bill Nye is in the middle screen, the Jeopardy music turns into the theme for "Bill Nye the Science Guy".) So my neighbor, Bill Nye, steps in, to help me out. Bill Nye the Science Guy. You know him? Anyway, so he comes in to help me out. That’s what’s going on. Got it? (She appears on the right side of the screen as the camera pans out.) Good. If you don't, then that’s your problem, because you're late. (Ellen appears on all the screens.) And you think about that next time! (She walks away.)

Theater 1: The Big Bang

(A Cast Member would tell the audience there was no flash pictures or video lighting inside Ellen’s mind because we don't want to wake her up and spoil the dream.

Guests were also told not change rows, and stay clear of the doors. They were also told to remain seated with hands, arms, feet, and legs inside the car and Ellen’s dream.)

(The film starts. The screen is black.)

ELLEN:

Why is it so dark?

BILL NYE:

Because there’s nothing to see.

ELLEN:

Let me get this straight, you brought me back billions of years so you could show me nothing?

BILL NYE:

Sort of, uh, but out of this nothingness, many scientists believe the universe was born.

ELLEN:

Must've been a big delivery room, huh?

BILL NYE:

Uh, yeah. (Bill and Ellen turn on flash lights/landing beacons.) Ah, see that single point of very hot, very dense matter? It contains all the energy of the universe. And it’s about to expand at an astonishing rate! Oh, here, better put these on. Hearing protectors. ’Cause, it’s the Big Bang!

ELLEN:

The piggy bank?

BILL NYE:

No, the Big Bang.

ELLEN:

The ding dang?

(Bill lifts up one of Ellen's headphones.)

BILL NYE:

The Big Bang!

ELLEN:

Oh.

BILL NYE:

Now, what you're about to witness took place over billions of years. Oh boy. Whew! Uh, better take cover.

(Bill runs away while Ellen waves the beacons like the member of an airport ground crew.)

ELLEN:

All right, universe, you're cleared for takeoff. Come on. Ha ha ha, come on. Bill? Bill Nye? Bill Nye the Science Guy? Bill?

(Bill opens a door and pulls Ellen out. As he slams the door, the Big Bang happens. The universe forms and on Earth, volcanoes erupt, lightening strikes, mountains and oceans develop. A crash is heard and the screen turns dark. Bill and Ellen then appear with Bill wearing a pith helmet and binoculars.)

BILL NYE:

Here we are! Two hundred twenty million years in the earth’s past. Give or take, uh, a day.

ELLEN:

Bill? Bill, I… I know I asked you to help me with this energy stuff and everything, but I was kind of hoping you'd show me a slide show.

BILL NYE:

A slide show? I guess that'd be easier, but, eh, this is way more fun!

ELLEN:

Uh, yeah, this is fun. Where’s the energy?

BILL NYE:

Oh, it’s all around you. See, these plants and animals are soaking up energy from the sun. When they die and get buried, time, pressure, and heat will cook them into the fossil fuels we rely on today, like, uh, coal, natural gas, and oil.

ELLEN:

Wait a minute. You're telling me that we're filling our gas tanks with—well, with dinosaur soup?

BILL NYE:

Well, not exactly. But dinosaurs did live when fossil fuels were developing in the earth. Dinosaurs are just cool! Let’s check ’me out!

ELLEN:

Why don't we just skip to the air conditioning and Jacuzzi period, huh?

BILL NYE:

Ellen, it’s the chance of a lifetime! It’s the chance of a hundred million lifetimes! Come on!

ELLEN:

You go ahead and make sure it’s safe. I'll wait here, ok? (To audience.) You might as well go, too. This is my nightmare. No need you stayin’ with me. (A roar is heard.) Maybe I'll go. What am I so scared of? It’s just a dinosaur. (She turns to go.) What’s the big deal about dinosaurs? They're not so tough. Probably have a brain the size of a pea. (Another roar is heard.) Ah. I hope you're not upset about that pea-brain crack, 'cause, you know, now that I think of it, I'm sure peas are much larger in this time period. I happen to love peas, don't you? (Another roar is heard.) I'll take that as a maybe. I should get going, ’cause I'm supposed to be dinner, I mean have dinner, with friends. So I should go. (Points in the one direction and then runs in the opposite direction.) Hey, what’s over there?

(The dinosaur is heard roaring and stomping, causing the movie screen to shake and the ride vehicles start to move.)

The Dinosaur Room

ELLEN (Voiceover):

Bill? Oh, Bill? Where are you? Ow! Bill, is that you? (Dinosaur roars.) That’s your stomach growling, isn't it? (Another dinosaur is heard.) Ok, I told you we should've stopped for snacks. (Dinosaur roars.) You're not Bill, are you? I mean, you could be. Your name could be Bill, but you're not the Bill that I—

BILL NYE (Voiceover):

Hey, Ellen!

ELLEN (Voiceover):

Excuse me, please.

BILL NYE (Voiceover):

Come on, I can see everything over here!

ELLEN (Voiceover):

No, you come over here. I'm not taking one more step until I can see where I'm going. (Dinosaur roars.) That’s good enough for me. Wait up, Bill! I'm coming!

(As the vehicles enter the dinosaur room, an Audio-Animatronic figure of Ellen wards off an elasmosaurus with a tree branch. The dinosaur was removed in August of 2014 and Ellen was removed shortly after.)

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ELLEN (would say one of the following phases as the cars passed by):

Whew, somebody had garlic for lunch!

Don't make me use this thing! I'll use it! I'll use the thing! Don't make me!

Stop it! You don't need to eat me! Trust me, I'll just spoil your appetite!

If you can't say something nice… then, ya can't.

Hey! Listen mister, don't give me that attitude!

Bill! I could use a little help here!

Down, boy! I said, down, boy!

Bill? Could you find a park ranger? Park ranger!

My, what big teeth you have! And so many!

Take that, ya big bully!

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BILL NYE (Voiceover):

Ellen! Hey, Ellen! This way! There’s still lots more to see! Ellen? Ellen? Where are you? Don't lag behind. This way, let’s check it out! Ellen, let’s get a move on! There’s some way cool stuff just ahead! Something’s falling, Ellen. We don't have all day. Come on!

Theater Two: KNRG, The Energy Tour and Double Jeopardy

(The following would be heard as the cars passed the KNRG radio tower on the way into Theater Two.)

RADIO ANNOUNCER (Voiceover):

KNRG news time: 55 million B.C. Now, for a look at our weather. Willard?

WILLARD SCOTT (Voiceover):

Ok! Our ultra-extended forecast calls for decreasing dinosaur population, followed by a sudden growth in those tiny little creatures the size of mice that we call mammals. Hey, aren't they cute? Birthday greetings go out to the cockroach! Two hundred million years old today. Boy howdy! And maybe that comet will help get rid of 'em. Now, here’s the traffic update.

TRAFFIC REPORTER (Voiceover):

We've got reports that a giant elephant, a deinotherium to be exact, has popped his trunk and is jackknifed in traffic. Plus, we can expect lots of traffic at the local watering holes, as the mammal population continues to boom!

RADIO ANNOUNCER (Voiceover):

KNRG news time: 1 million B.C. And now to the sports report, live, from the Mastodome.

CHRIS BERMAN (Voiceover):

Mammals dominate the earth! Mammals dominate the earth! The big dinosaurs have been shut out. They're back, back, back, back, back… gone! Extinct! The big dinosaurs have left the planet! The mammals have shut them out in a major planetary upset!

BILL NYE (Voiceover):

This is KNRG News Radio. Hey, let’s check out the weather report, and see if it’s gonna stay way cool outside. Willard?

WILLARD SCOTT (Voiceover):

Hey, we're following a massive cold front extending from the Arctic region, all the way down to our planet’s mid-section. Now, we're urging all mammals to evolve into their winter wardrobe because it’s gonna get chilly! Be sure to develop a thick, furry hide if you wanna make it. How cold it is!

BILL NYE (Voiceover):

Keep your dial tuned to KNRG for continuous news updates. KNRG news time: 900,000 B.C. Now, let’s check out what’s happening in the wild world of fashion.

FASHION REPORTER (Voiceover):

Mammals are getting hairier. That’s right. Woolly is definitely in. Whether you're a mammoth, or a rhino. And saber teeth seem to be a growing fad in the cat world. Also, look for antlers to be very big this year. As big as ten feet on creatures like the megalosaurus. Wow! And that’s the latest in the fashion world.

BILL NYE (Voiceover):

Is it ever gonna warm up? Let’s find out with a look at the weather. Willard?

WILLARD SCOTT (Voiceover):

You know those giant glaciers we've all gotten so used to? Well, they're gonna be receding to the North and South Poles. Conditions are looking very favorable for a whole new kind of mammal. KNRG news time: 750,000 B.C.

BILL NYE (Voiceover):

And that’s our KNRG up-to-the-minute news report. Now, back to our regularly scheduled program.

(Birds are heard, the curtain opens and Ellen and Bill appear on the screen.)

BILL NYE:

Now we're exactly where we need to be. All we need now is Ellen.

ELLEN:

(Ellen enters from the left side of the screen swinging on a vine.) Bill? Bill, Bill, Bill? (She swings by again.) Oh, Bill, Bill!

BILL NYE:

Ellen? (Looks behind him.) Oh, there you are!

ELLEN:

Yeah, here I am. Hey, look, you know, it’s not that I don't like getting attacked by a snakelike creature, it’s just—

BILL NYE:

Shhh! See, we're at the dawn of the human age. And one of our ancestors is about to make an important discovery, one that will spark the progress of civilization.

ELLEN:

Let’s hope it’s deodorant.

(A cave man appears on the top of a rock holding a stick. He yells as lightning strikes and his stick catches on fire. He throws it down on the ground near other cave people.)

BILL NYE:

See? We discovered fire! And we're really on our way!

(Civilization is shown developing, beginning with ancient civilizations, the renaissance, the industrial revolution and the oil rush. A tractor pulls into a barn and comes out as a car. The Exxon logo could be spotted on a gas station in the background. A city is shown as it becomes modern time, circa 1996. The camera pans into the clouds and a helicopter piloted by Ellen comes down into the frame with Bill as a passenger.)

BILL NYE:

So, here we are today.

ELLEN:

Thanks, Bill. You can just drop me back at Jeopardy. I think I'm ready to get back in the game and kick Judy’s big ol'-

BILL NYE:

But wait! To play the game, you have to know where energy comes from. You have to know where it’s gonna come from, and how to use it more wisely. You see, this is a really big story!

ELLEN:

(Leans her head out of the helicopter.) You heard the man, this is a big story! From now on, we're dreaming in wide screen. (Ellen gestures as the screens expand.) Wider! Wider! I sound like a dentist, don't I? Okay, everybody, rinse and spit! Just kidding, not you, sir. Thank you.

(The sun rises from the left screen and travels over a desert landscape.)

BILL NYE:

We'll start with the sun. It’s where most of our energy comes from, and it’s at the heart of some bright ideas for tomorrow.

ELLEN:

Like what, Bill Nye the Science Guy?

BILL NYE:

Like solar energy! (Solar panels are shown in the desert.) Solar mirrors are one way to convert the sun’s energy into electricity.

(Ellen and Bill walk up to the mirrors. Both are wearing sunglasses and Bill is wearing shorts and a Hawaiian shirt, along with a baseball hat.)

ELLEN:

Cool! I mean, hot. I mean, coolly hot. Or hotly cool. So why don't we just make everything solar?

BILL NYE:

Ah, not so fast. For one thing, it’s not sunny enough everywhere. (Bill snaps his fingers and storm clouds roll in and are reflected by the mirrors as it grows darker.) And although the sunshine is free, (Bill snaps his fingers a second time and it grows sunny again and birds start to chirp.) solar electricity still isn't that cheap. But it’s getting there.

(Ellen snaps her fingers twice, cause thunder to happen both times. Her reflection in the mirror waves to her.)

ELLEN:

Ok, in the meantime, let’s just pick another category.

(Wind turbines are shown on a hillside.)

BILL NYE:

Alright. Today, we're using the clean energy of moving air, wind, to generate electricity.

ELLEN:

Well then, why don't we just get a bunch of wind farmers to harvest a big ol' crop of wind?

BILL NYE:

We're starting to where it’s windy. (Wind turbines are shown in the water near San Francisco) But remember, to power a whole city you need a whole lot of windmills.

ELLEN:

And when the wind stops blowing, we'd be left in the dark, wouldn't we?

(The windmills stop and the lights go out in the buildings.)

BILL NYE:

No way. We just switch to another source of energy!

(The windmills spin again and the lights come back on. The helicopter swoops over a river and the Hoover Dam comes into view.)

ELLEN:

I'm guessing this big red rock isn't gonna give us energy when we need it.

BILL NYE:

No, but this big gray wall might. It’s clean and efficient.

ELLEN:

I know this one. Come on. Quiz me.

BILL NYE:

Ok. Hydroelectric power plants convert the energy of falling water into electricity (Ellen and Bill appear at the top of the dam.) and are renewed by this natural resource.

(Rain begins to fall but only on Ellen.)

ELLEN (annoyed):

What is rain?

BILL NYE:

Correct.

ELLEN:

(Squeezing water out of her shirt.) So we just, uh, build more dams and our energy problems are solved.

BILL NYE:

Not quite. We've already used many of the best sites. And sometimes, building a dam can be pretty hard on an ecosystem.

ELLEN:

Seems like there are pros and cons with every one of these. What gives?

BILL NYE:

Well Ellen, there are no easy answers. (Ellen and Bill are shown back in the helicopter. Ellen blow dries her hair.) The sun, water, geothermal steam, even wood, all contribute. Right now, these renewables provide about ten percent of the world’s energy. But we can expect them to be playing an even bigger role in the decades ahead.

ELLEN:

That’s great, Bill, but we still need a heck of a lot more energy. Where is it coming from, and do you have a curling iron?

BILL NYE:

Come on, I'll show ya! (They fly over a long freight train with coal in all the cars.) Let’s hitch a ride with the solid fossil fuel!

ELLEN:

Oh, I know this one! “What is coal?”

BILL NYE:

Correct! And we've discovered two centuries worth!

ELLEN:

Whoa! What about global warming?

BILL NYE:

It’s a hot topic, with lots of questions. And it’s one of the big reasons scientists are working on ways to burn fuels, like coal, more efficiently than ever. (Scene fades to a gas plant.) Ellen, what do you know about gas?

ELLEN:

(Burps.) Well, if your stomach’s bothering you, I could get you some club soda.

BILL NYE:

No!

ELLEN:

Oh, you mean natural gas.

BILL NYE:

It’s clean-burning. And at the rate we're going, we're set for about 60 years.

ELLEN:

60 years? That’s only 10 more years than 50! Twenty more than 40! 30 more than—

(Ellen drives a golf cart with Bill as a passenger as they enter the plant.)

BILL NYE:

Don't—uh, don't worry. We're always finding more natural gas all the time. But we do need to use it wisely. So Ellen, how long have you been driving?

ELLEN:

Heh, heh…

(She looks at her watch and narrowly avoids hitting a worker in the plant.)

WORKER:

Whoa!

ELLEN:

Sorry, pal. All righty. What’s next? (Oil fields come into view as the theme to the Beverly Hillbillies plays.) Oh! Oh! What is black gold? Texas tea. Swimmin’ pools. Movie stars. What is The Beverly Hillbillies? I mean, what is oil?

BILL NYE:

Right! It’s our main source of energy, and we've found enough to last at least 50 years.

ELLEN:

That’s all?

BILL NYE:

We're far from running on empty. And we've got some pretty far-out ways of finding more.

(The scene changes to outer space and Ellen and Bill float by wearing astronaut suits.)

ELLEN:

Wow, this is far-out.

BILL NYE:

Satellites are one of the tools we use in our search for hidden deposits. But there are others.

ELLEN:

Really? Ya know— (She bumps into a satellite.) Oof! Uh, Houston. I think we have a problem.

BILL NYE:

That is because most of the easily-reached petroleum deposits have already been tapped.

ELLEN:

Helloooo?

BILL NYE:

Most new discoveries will come from once inaccessible or hard-to-reach places.

(An offshore oil platform appears.)

ELLEN:

Wait just a minute, there’s oil here?

BILL NYE:

Actually, the oil is buried way deep, under the ocean floor.

ELLEN:

Oh. Well, then I guess we can't get to it. So, where to next?

BILL NYE:

Well hey, don't give up! We can reach the oil with offshore drilling platforms, like this. Going in. Dive!

ELLEN:

Bill?

BILL NYE:

Dive!

ELLEN:

Bill?

BILL NYE:

Dive!

ELLEN:

Bill?

(The camera angles and plunges underwater, showing the depth of the platform.)

BILL NYE:

Some drilling platforms are so tall, they would tower over the Empire State Building! I mean, that’s big!

(The helicopter has sprouted fins and as it goes past the platform, traffic sounds are heard. A shark swims past.)

ELLEN:

Oh, great. Just what our nightmare needs. A big ol’ human-munchin’, bone-crunchin’, Ellen-lunchin’ shark. Take her up, Captain! Rise! Rise! (The bubbles in the water turn into atomic particles.) Where are we now?

BILL NYE:

The world of atomic power! You see, today we take atoms like these and split them apart to release energy. It’s called, fission. (The atoms begin to split.) Hang on! Nuclear energy is expensive, and highly controversial.

(The atoms split and explode, the sun appears.)

ELLEN:

So I guess there’s never gonna be just one answer.

BILL NYE:

But if we keep using our brain power, we'll have lots of choices for the future. Maybe even unlock the power of the stars. Fusion power!

(The sun turns into yellow clouds that look vaguely like a brain.)

ELLEN:

I think I'm beginning to see the light!

BILL NYE:

Actually, I think it’s Double Jeopardy, Ellen.

Double Jeopardy

(Ellen is now back on the Jeopardy set.)

JEOPARDY ASSISTANT:

There you are! Where have you been?

ELLEN:

The beginning of the universe! There were dinosaurs, and, and… and I was in the bathroom. There were no more paper towels.

JEOPARDY ASSISTANT:

Yeah, right.

PRODUCER (Voiceover):

Ten seconds to air! Could we get Ellen to the set, please?

ALEX TREBEK (Voiceover):

Well, you've been absolutely amazing so far, blowing away the opponents here.

JUDY (Voiceover):

Well, my IQ is 210.

(Ellen walks back to the game as Alex and Judy continue to talk.)

ALEX TREBEK:

But I'll tell you something, Judy. The thing that really amazed me was that you and Ellen were in the same class in school!

JUDY:

Yes! We were actually roommates. I used to call her Stupid Ellen.

JEOPARDY PRODUCER (Voiceover):

Five seconds!

ALEX TREBEK:

Ok. (Audience claps.) All right, players, we're ready to begin the second round. And Ellen, will you start us off by making a selection, please?

ELLEN:

I sure will, Alex. I will take Dinosaurs for eight hundred.

JUDY:

Uh, Ellen, you do know that the more expensive the question, the harder it is.

ELLEN:

Oh, no, I didn't. Lemme rethink that then. Uh, Dinosaurs for one thousand, Alex.

ALEX TREBEK:

Ok. The answer is: this is when scientists believe dinosaurs first appeared on the earth. Ellen?

ELLEN:

Uh, what is two hundred and twenty million years ago—give or take a day?

ALEX TREBEK:

You're absolutely right!

ELLEN:

(Rapid clips of her answering questions and Judy tries to click in and grows more annoyed.) What is the sun? What is hydrogen, Alex? What are photovoltaics? What is fire? Which, by the way, is what sparked the progress of human civilization, Alex. I don't know if you knew that or not.

ALEX TREBEK:

Correct again, Ellen, and amazingly enough, at the end of this Double Jeopardy round, you have managed to come from way behind to tie Judy for the lead. Well done!

ELLEN:

Well, I just had to figure out how to work this little clicky thing here.

JUDY:

How could she possibly learn so much during the commercial break? She’s obviously cheating!

ALEX TREBEK:

Zip it, Judy. Dr. Einstein, you have no money, sir. And that means we're going to have to say goodbye. However, we want to thank you for coming here today, and we do have some lovely parting gifts for you backstage.

ELLEN:

Yep, here’s a parting gift for you right now, Al. (She hands him a lightbulb as he exits.)

JOHNNY GILBERT:

It’s a long-lasting, low-energy light bulb. Enjoy the efficiency!

ALEX TREBEK:

Boy, there goes a real bundle of energy, huh? All right ladies, you will recall that our Final Jeopardy category on today’s program is: The Future of Energy. And so, if you're ready, here’s the Final Jeopardy answer for you: This is the one source of power that will never run out. Good luck.

(Final Jeopardy music plays as Ellen and Judy think. The cars begin to move back into Theater One. Ellen and Judy are shown writing their answers as the cars pull into the theater.)

Return to Theater One: Final Jeopardy

JOHNNY GILBERT (Voiceover):

If you would like to have your own energy nightmare, place a self-addressed, stamped envelope under your pillow, or check us out on the web at www.energynightmare.game.

ALEX TREBEK (Voiceover):

Will Judy remain our Jeopardy champion? Or will Ellen take the lead? We'll know momentarily.

JOHNNY GILBERT (Voiceover):

Some contestants on Jeopardy will receive a year’s supply of energy. Energy, you make the world go ’round!

ALEX TREBEK (Voiceover):

Once again, the answer is: This is the one source of power that will never run out.

(Final Jeopardy music ends.)

ALEX TREBEK:

Time’s up, players. Let’s see how well you did. Judy, we'll start with you. You wrote down… nothing!

JUDY:

That’s correct, Alex, because there is no answer.

ALEX TREBEK:

Well, actually, you're wrong. Let’s take a look at your wager. Oh, that’s too bad. You risked everything you had, and that means you lose $17,800 and you wind up with nothing. Let’s go down to Ellen now and see what she came up with as the response to our Final Jeopardy clue. Ellen?

ELLEN:

Uh, what is brain power, Alex?

ALEX TREBEK:

You are correct! And your wager? You, too, risked everything, but you double your score to $35,600. And that makes you, Ellen, our new Jeopardy champion! Congratulations!

(Ellen begins to dance in place as Judy looks disgusted. Balloons and confetti rain on Ellen as Bill Nye and assorted people crowd around her.)

JOHNNY GILBERT (Voiceover):

Be sure to join us tomorrow, as Jeopardy dream sequence week continues.

(Ellen clicks the TV remote. Her dream vanishes and she appears as she did in the preshow.)

ELLEN:

So, that’s how I became an energy expert. Again, expert may not be the exact right word. More expert-ish. Anyway, I've gotta go. (Points at the screen) Look out for the dinosaur! (Laughs.) Kidding. I'm a kidder. Bye-bye now.

(Ellen exits, the screen goes black and a dinosaur roar is heard.)

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