Watch Mr. Wizard | |
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![]() | |
Genre | Science education |
Starring | Don Herbert |
Country of origin | United States |
No. of episodes | 547 |
Production | |
Production locations | Chicago, Illinois (1951–55) New York City (1955–65) |
Running time | 30 minutes |
Original release | |
Network | NBC |
Release | March 3, 1951 June 27, 1965 | –
Watch Mr. Wizard was an American television program for children that demonstrated the science behind ordinary things. The show's creator and on-air host was Don Herbert.[1] Author Marcel LaFollette says of the program, "It enjoyed consistent praise, awards, and high ratings throughout its history. At its peak, Watch Mr. Wizard drew audiences in the millions, but its impact was far wider. By 1956, it had prompted the establishment of more than five thousand Mr. Wizard science clubs, with an estimated membership greater than one hundred thousand."[2]
It was briefly revived in 1971, and a third version of the show ran during the 1980s on the children's cable television network Nickelodeon as Mr. Wizard's World.
1951–1965: Original series[]
Herbert in 1961
Watch Mr. Wizard first aired on NBC on March 3, 1951, with Don Herbert as the title character.[3] In the weekly half-hour live television show, Herbert played a science hobbyist and every Saturday morning a neighbor would come to visit. The children were played by child actors; one of them (Rita McLaughlin) enjoyed a long subsequent acting career. Mr. Wizard always had some kind of laboratory experiment going that taught something about science. The experiments, many of which seemed impossible at first glance, were usually simple enough to be re-created by viewers.
The show was very successful; by 1954 it was broadcast live by 14 stations, and by kinescope (a film made from the television monitor of the original live broadcast) by an additional 77.[4] Mr. Wizard Science Clubs were started throughout North America, numbering 5,000 by 1955 and 50,000 by 1965.[4] The show moved from Chicago to New York on September 5, 1955, and had produced 547 live broadcasts by the time the show was canceled in 1965.[5] The show was cited by the National Science Foundation and American Chemical Society for increasing interest in science[citation needed] and won a 1953 Peabody Award.[6]
Thirty-two episodes of Watch Mr. Wizard were selected by Herbert and released on eight DVDs.[7]
1971: Canadian-produced revival[]
The series was revived by NBC from September 11, 1971, through September 2, 1972, as Mr. Wizard, and aired 26 episodes produced in color in Ottawa, Ontario, at the studios of CTV outlet CJOH-TV. The series was legally considered Canadian content, despite the American origins of the series and its host. CBC Television carried these episodes within Canada.
1983–1989: Mr. Wizard's World[]
Mr. Wizard's World | |
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![]() | |
Genre | Science education |
Starring | Don Herbert |
Composers |
|
Country of origin |
|
No. of seasons | 5 |
No. of episodes | 78 |
Production | |
Producer | Fern Field |
Production locations | Calgary, Alberta, Canada |
Running time | 30 minutes |
Original release | |
Network | Nickelodeon (1983–89) |
Release | October 3, 1983 July 21, 1989 | –
Related | |
Watch Mr. Wizard |
Mr. Wizard's World, a faster-paced version of the show, was shown three times a week on Nickelodeon, the then-rising kids cable channel. Once again, the revival was produced in Canada (this time in Calgary). It produced 78 episodes from 1983 onwards, and continued to run thereafter as reruns. During its run on Nickelodeon, it was the channel's #3 rated show in 1983 (behind Livewire and You Can't Do That on Television). It was also famous for its Ask Mr. Wizard segment where Herbert answered questions sent in by viewers of all ages. Episodes of this version of the show were reaired in 2005–06 on the digital cable channel The Science Channel.
Herbert once said: "My time on this Earth is getting shorter and shorter each day, but no matter how old I get, and even when I am dead, Mr. Wizard's World will never die". It was canceled in 1989, though reruns continued on Nick at Nite until 1995 and often in early morning time slots right after Nick at Nite finished (usually as part of Cable in the Classroom) until August 2000. In 1994, Herbert developed another new series of 15-minute spots called Teacher to Teacher with Mr. Wizard. They highlighted individual elementary science teachers and their projects. The series was sponsored by the National Science Foundation.
Selected episodes of Mr. Wizard's World are available on DVD from Mr. Wizard Studios Inc. in ten single volumes featuring four episodes on each disc. Gift box-sets are also available. Five seasons of the show, 75 episodes of the 78 total were released on Amazon instant streaming.[8] These episodes are also available through Vudu and can be streamed for free with ads or rented for a fee.[9] Paramount Global, the parent company of Nickelodeon, has also added the series to its Pluto TV service. The shows are also on iTunes and Crackle now.[10]
Segments on Mr. Wizard's World included:
- Everyday Magic
- Supermarket Science
- Oddity
- What's This?
- Quick Quiz
- How It Works
- Snapshot
- Safari
- New Frontiers
- Know Your Body
- Close-Ups
- Challenge
See also[]
- Beakman's World
- Bill Nye the Science Guy
Notes[]
References[]
- ↑ Hyatt, Wesley (1997). The Encyclopedia of Daytime Television. Watson-Guptill Publications. pp. 456–457. ISBN 978-0823083152. https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofda00hyat/page/456/mode/2up. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
- ↑ LaFollette, Marcel C. (September 2002). "A Survey of Science Content in U.S. Television Broadcasting, 1940s through 1950s: The Exploratory Years". Science Communication 24 (1): 34–71. doi:10.1177/107554700202400103.Subscription required.
- ↑ "Watch Mr. Wizard". Mr. Wizard Studios, Inc. 2004. Retrieved 2012-05-24.
{{cite web}}
: - ↑ 4.0 4.1 Sternberg, Joel (2004). "Watch Mr. Wizard". In Newcomb, Horace. Museum of Broadcast Communications - Encyclopedia of Television (Second Edition): Volume 1. CRC Press. pp. 2487–2488. ISBN 9781579584115. http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/W/htmlW/watchmrwiz/watchmrwiz.htm.
- ↑ "N.B.C. Will Cancel 'Mr. Wizard' Show; Children's Science Program Has 14 Years Air", New York Times, by Val Adams, April 17, 1965, p41
- ↑ "George Foster Peabody Award Winners" (PDF). University of Georgia. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-26.
{{cite web}}
: - ↑ "Watch Mr. Wizard Main Page". Mr. Wizard Studios. Retrieved 2024-02-11.
{{cite web}}
: - ↑ "Mr. Wizard's World, 5 Seasons". Amazon. 2014. Retrieved 2014-12-27.
{{cite web}}
: - ↑ "Vudu - Watch Movies". Vudu.com.
{{cite web}}
: - ↑ "Mr. Wizard's World - Watch Episodes on Hoopla, Vudu, and Streaming Online". Reelgood.com. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
{{cite web}}
:
Further reading[]
- "Watch Mr. Wizard: Still Crazy (for Science) After All These Years". Interview With Don Herbert. Education Digest. Ann Arbor: October 1994. Vol 60. Iss. 2: pp. 68–71.
- Weingarten, Mark (June 27, 2004). "When Science Was Simple: Watching Mr. Wizard". New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/27/arts/television/27WEIN.html. Interview of Don Herbert by Mark Weingarten.
External links[]
- "Mr. Wizard Studios Homepage".
{{cite web}}
: Homepage of a business founded by Don Herbert that sells DVDs containing episodes of Herbert's several television programs. The website also provides some information regarding the programs and of Herbert's life. - Watch Mr. Wizard (1951) at the Internet Movie Database
- Mr. Wizard's World (1983–1991) at the Internet Movie Database
- World Video on YouTube
Children's programming on NBC in the 1960s | ||
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First-run animated series | King Leonardo and His Short Subjects • The Ruff and Reddy Show • The Bullwinkle Show • The Underdog Show • Hoppity Hooper • Tennessee Tuxedo and His Tales • Go Go Gophers • The Beagles • The Atom Ant/Secret Squirrel Show • The Super 6 • Cool McCool • Super President • Birdman and the Galaxy Trio • Samson & Goliath • Here Comes the Grump • The Pink Panther Show • Kimba the White Lion • Astro Boy • Arabian Knights | |
First-run live-action series | The Shari Lewis Show • Watch Mr. Wizard • Exploring • Fireball XL5 • The Banana Splits Adventure Hour • Storybook Squares • H.R. Pufnstuf | |
First-run animated / live-action series | The New Adventures of Huckleberry Finn | |
Rebroadcasts | Fury • The Lone Ranger • Make Room for Daddy • Sgt. Preston of the Yukon • The Jetsons • Top Cat • The Flintstones • The Heckle and Jeckle Show | |
Schedules | ||
Related programming and topics | Animation in the United States in the television era |
Former Nickelodeon original programming | ||
---|---|---|
1970s debuts | Pinwheel (1977–1991) • Nickel Flicks (1979–1980) • America Goes Bananaz (1979–1980) • By the Way (1979) • Video Comic Book (1979–1981) | |
1980s debuts | Livewire (1980–1985) • First Row Features (1980–1982) • Special Delivery (1980–1993) • Kids' Writes (1981–1983) • Standby...Lights! Camera! Action! (1982–1987) • You Can't Do That on Television (1982–1990) • The Third Eye (1983) • Mr. Wizard's World (1983–1990) • Nick Rocks (1984–1989) • Out of Control (1984–1985) • National Geographic Explorer (1985–1986) • Double Dare (1986–1993; 2000; 2018–2019) • Rated K: For Kids by Kids (1986–1988) • Finders Keepers (1987–1988) • Don't Just Sit There! (1988–1991) • Kids' Court (1988–1989) • Total Panic (1989–1990) • Think Fast (1989–1990) • Make the Grade (1989–1990) • Hey Dude (1989–1991) • Eureeka's Castle (1989–1991) | |
1990s debuts | Wild & Crazy Kids (1990–1992; 2002) • Outta Here! (1990–1991) • Are You Afraid of the Dark? (1990–2000; 2019–2022) • Fifteen (1991–1993) • Get the Picture (1991) • Clarissa Explains It All (1991–1994) • Welcome Freshmen (1991–1994) • Salute Your Shorts (1991–1992) • Doug (1991–1994) • Nickelodeon Launch Box (1991–1994) • Rugrats (1991–2004) • The Ren & Stimpy Show (1991–1996) • What Would You Do? (1991–1993) • Nick Arcade (1992) • Nick News with Linda Ellerbee (1992–2015) • Roundhouse (1992–1994) • Nickelodeon Guts (1992–1996) • Weinerville (1993–1997) • Legends of the Hidden Temple (1993–1995) • Rocko's Modern Life (1993–1996) • The Adventures of Pete & Pete (1993–1996) • All That (1994–2005; 2019–2020) • Nickelodeon All-Star Challenge (1994) • The Secret World of Alex Mack (1994–1998) • My Brother and Me (1994–1995) • Allegra's Window (1994–1997) • U to U (1994–1996) • Gullah Gullah Island (1994–1998) • Aaahh!!! Real Monsters (1994–1997) • Space Cases (1996–1997) • The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo (1996–1998) • The Off-Beats (1996–1999) • Kenan & Kel (1996–2000) • Blue's Clues (1996–2006) • Hey Arnold! (1996–2004) • KaBlam! (1996–2000) • The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss (1996–1998) • The Angry Beavers (1997–2003) • Figure It Out (1997–1999; 2012–2013) • The Journey of Allen Strange (1997–2000) • CatDog (1998–2005) • Oh Yeah! Cartoons (1998–2001) • You're On! (1998) • Cousin Skeeter (1998–2001) • The Wild Thornberrys (1998–2004) • Animorphs (1998–1999) • Rocket Power (1999–2004) • 100 Deeds for Eddie McDowd (1999–2002) • The Amanda Show (1999–2002) • Little Bill (1999–2004) | |
2000s debuts | Caitlin's Way (2000–2002) • The Brothers García (2000–2004) • Dora the Explorer (2000–2019) • Noah Knows Best (2000) • As Told by Ginger (2000–2006) • Taina (2001–2002) • The Fairly OddParents (2001–2017) • Invader Zim (2001–2002; 2006) • Oswald (2001–2003) • Action League Now! (2001–2002) • The Nick Cannon Show (2002–2003) • ChalkZone (2002–2008) • The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius (2002–2006) • Nickelodeon Robot Wars (2002) • Scaredy Camp (2002–2003) • Oobi (2003–2005) • All Grown Up! (2003–2008) • My Life as a Teenage Robot (2003–2009) • Romeo! (2003–2006) • Drake & Josh (2004–2007) • Whoopi's Littleburg (2004) • Danny Phantom (2004–2007) • Blue's Room (2004–2007) • LazyTown (2004–2007) • Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide (2004–2007) • Unfabulous (2004–2007) The Backyardigans (2004–2013) • Zoey 101 (2005–2008) • Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005–2008) • Catscratch (2005–2007) • Go, Diego, Go! (2005–2011) • The X's (2005–2006) • Mr. Meaty (2005–2009) • Wonder Pets! (2006–2016) • Just for Kicks (2006) • Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! (2006–2010) • Just Jordan (2007–2008) • The Naked Brothers Band (2007–2009) • El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera (2007–2008) • Tak and the Power of Juju (2007–2009) • iCarly (2007–2012) • Back at the Barnyard (2007–2011) • Ni Hao, Kai-Lan (2008–2011) • Dance on Sunset (2008–2009) • The Mighty B! (2008–2011) • My Family's Got Guts (2008–2009) • True Jackson, VP (2008–2011) • The Penguins of Madagascar (2008–2015) • The Fresh Beat Band (2009–2013) • The Troop (2009–2013) • Fanboy & Chum Chum (2009–2014) • BrainSurge (2009–2014) • Big Time Rush (2009–2013) | |
2010s debuts | Team Umizoomi (2010–2015) • Victorious (2010–2013) • Planet Sheen (2010–2013) • T.U.F.F. Puppy (2010–2015) • House of Anubis (2011–2013) • Supah Ninjas (2011–2013) • Winx Club (2011–2016) • Bucket & Skinner's Epic Adventures (2011–2013) • Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness (2011–2016) • Fred: The Show (2012) • How to Rock (2012) • The Legend of Korra (2012–2014) • You Gotta See This (2012–2014) • Robot and Monster (2012–2015) • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2012–2017) • Marvin Marvin (2012–2013) • Monsters vs. Aliens (2013–2014) • Sanjay and Craig (2013–2016) • Sam & Cat (2013–2014) • AwesomenessTV (2013–2015) • The Haunted Hathaways (2013–2015) • Instant Mom (2013–2015) • The Thundermans (2013–2018) • Every Witch Way (2014–2015) • Wallykazam! (2014–2017) • Breadwinners (2014–2016) • Webheads (2014–2015) • Henry Danger (2014–2020) • Dora and Friends: Into the City! (2014–2017) • Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn (2014–2018) • Max & Shred (2014–2016) • 100 Things to Do Before High School (2014–2016) • Bella and the Bulldogs (2015–2016) • Mutt & Stuff (2015–2017) • Make It Pop (2015–2016) • Harvey Beaks (2015–2017) • Fresh Beat Band of Spies (2015–2016) • Talia in the Kitchen (2015) • Pig Goat Banana Cricket (2015–2018) • Shimmer and Shine (2015–2020) • Game Shakers (2015–2019) • WITS Academy (2015) • Paradise Run (2016–2018) • School of Rock (2016–2018) • The Other Kingdom (2016) • The Dude Perfect Show (2016–2019) • All in with Cam Newton (2016) • Crashletes (2016–2020) • Legendary Dudas (2016) • Jagger Eaton's Mega Life (2016–2017) • Rusty Rivets (2016–2020) • Lip Sync Battle Shorties (2016–2019) • Bunsen Is a Beast (2017–2018) • Nella the Princess Knight (2017–2021) • Welcome to the Wayne (2017–2019) • Sunny Day (2017–2020) • I Am Frankie (2017–2018) • Top Wing (2017–2020) • The Adventures of Kid Danger (2018) • Knight Squad (2018–2019) • Keep It Spotless (2018) • Star Falls (2018) • Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2018–2020) • Butterbean's Café (2018–2020) • Cousins for Life (2018–2019) • Abby Hatcher (2019–2022) • The Substitute (2019–2021) • Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader? (2019) • Middle School Moguls (2019) • The Casagrandes (2019–2022) • America's Most Musical Family (2019–2020) • Top Elf (2019–2020) | |
2020s debuts | It's Pony (2020–2022) • The Crystal Maze (2020) • Danger Force (2020–2024) • Group Chat (2020) • Nickelodeon's Unfiltered (2020–2021) • Unleashed (2020) • Side Hustle (2020–2022) • The Astronauts (2020–2021) • Tooned In (2021–2022) • Drama Club (2021) • The Barbarian and the Troll (2021) • Middlemost Post (2021–2022) • That Girl Lay Lay (2021–2024) • Warped! (2022) • Erin & Aaron (2023) |
Nickelodeon educational shows | ||
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Shows | Kids' Writes
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Specials | The Big Help
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Other | Nick Jr. Channel
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