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January 12, 2009 4:33 pm

Science Comedian Proves Science Is Finally Good for Something

posted by: Gonzalo Cordova

They say comedy isn't an exact science. But what happens when a science nerd becomes a comedian? Well, it's still not a science, because that's not how science works, but it's still kind of interesting…

For two seasons, the CBS hit sitcom "The Big Bang Theory" has

demonstrated that science – in a geeky sort of way – can be funny. But

this is hardly a revelation to Brian Malow. For more than a decade, the

Bay Area comedian has been showcasing his science-centric stand-up

humor…

I've never seen The Big Bang Theory, but it sounds like a great title for a show about scientists who create elaborate technology and use it to get laid. It would basically be the life story of Noble prize winner Robert Howard Grubbs. You know he only pioneered developments in the study of olefin metathesis in order to get laid 24/7.

Malow's science-infused one-liners can be enjoyed by any audience, with

gems like: "I used to be an astronomer, but I got stuck on the day

shift," or "I just started reading, 'The Origin of Species.' Don't tell

me how it ends!"

SPOILER ALERT: The Origin of Species ends with a vengeful God condemning Darwin to hell for all eternity. Or at least that's how they told me it ended at my Christian elementary school.

…He once compared a hot day in

Arizona to the surface of Venus. From the back of the audience, a

troubled voice politely reminded him that the solar system's second

planet was actually much hotter than the desert state.

"Of course I knew that," said Malow. "I was using a comedic device called exaggeration…"

I was going to make a joke about that scientist's sense of humor being as barren as the Martian soil, but I refrained. Not because of a factual error but because that joke would have been awful and lame.

His rhythm is the same as a typical stand-up," said Consolmagno by

phone from Italy. "And he gets by without using vulgarity – his

material is so good, he has no need for it.

So no Uranus jokes then?

[via Wired]

Click after the jump to watch a clip of Brian Mallow's science comedy.