Long before most of
us were born Don Herbert, aka Mr. Wizard, made science a national
pastime with his show “Watch Mr. Wizard” which originally aired on NBC from March
3, 1951–1965. This concept of the show was simple but effective, Mr. Wizard would
demonstrate the science behind ordinary things. The show drew millions of viewers
and was constantly praised with high ratings and awards throughout its history.
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.
Much like it’s modern
counterpart, “Mr. Wizard’s World” which aired on Nickelodeon from October 3,
1983 – August 25, 2000, every Saturday morning a neighbor boy or girl (played
by child actors) would visit Mr. Wizard where he always had a laboratory
experiment going that taught something about science.
1983-1990: Mr. Wizard's World
Fast forward to October
3, 1983 when the, still fledgling, Nickelodeon launched “Mr. Wizard’s World” which
aired three times a week with Don Herbert reprising his role as Mr. Wizard. The
new format included this segment “Ask Mr. Wizard” where Mr. Wizard answered
questions sent in by viewers of all ages. This revival was produced in Canada
(this time in Calgary) and produced 78 episodes from 1983 onwards and continued
in reruns until (around) August 25, 2000.
While airing on
Nickelodeon “Mr. Wizard's World” was the channel's
#3 rated show in 1983 behind Livewire and You Can't Do That on Television. While
it aired on Nickelodeon the series was sponsored by the National Science
Foundation. Some episodes of “Mr. Wizard's World” were reaired in 2005-2006 on The
Science Channel, where it still frequently airs.
Don Herbert died
June 12, 2007, of multiple myeloma, four weeks before what would have been his
90th birthday, at his home in Bell Canyon, California.
Selected episodes
of Mr. Wizard's World are available on DVD from Mr. Wizard Studios Inc. in
10-Single Volumes featuring 4-Episodes on each disk, Gift Box-Sets is also
available. Five seasons of the show, 75 episodes, of the 78 total were released
on Amazon instant streaming.
Thirty-two
episodes of “Watch Mr. Wizard” were selected by Don Herbert and released on
eight DVDs. They can be found at http://www.mrwizardstudios.com
On Amazon
Mr. Wizard's
World 5 Seasons 1984
Season 1
Buy Episode 1 SD
$1.99
Buy Episode 1 SD
$1.99
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