Mr Wizard is dead at 89

genlock · Post by **genlock** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 8:22 pm

TV's 'Mr. Wizard' Don Herbert dies at 89 By LYNN ELBER, AP Television Writer
39 minutes ago

LOS ANGELES - Don Herbert, who as television's "Mr. Wizard" introduced generations of young viewers to the joys of science, died Tuesday. He was 89. Herbert, who had bone cancer, died at his suburban Bell Canyon home, said his son-in-law, Tom Nikosey.

"He really taught kids how to use the thinking skills of a scientist," said former colleague Steve Jacobs. He worked with Herbert on a 1980s show that echoed the original 1950s "Watch Mr. Wizard" series, which became a fond baby boomer memory.

In "Watch Mr. Wizard," which was produced from 1951 to 1964 and received a Peabody Award in 1954, Herbert turned TV into an entertaining classroom. On a simple, workshop-like set, he demonstrated experiments using household items.

"He modeled how to predict and measure and analyze. ... The show today might seem slow but it was in-depth and forced you to think along," Jacobs said. "You were learning about the forces of nature."

Herbert encouraged children to duplicate experiments at home, said Jacobs, who recounted serving as a behind-the-scenes "science sidekick" to Herbert on the '80s "Mr. Wizard's World" that aired on the Nickelodeon channel.

When Jacobs would reach for beakers and flasks, Herbert would remind him that science didn't require special tools.

"'You could use a mayonnaise jar for that,'" Jacobs recalled being chided by Herbert. "He tried to bust the image of scientists and that science wasn't just for special people and places."

Herbert's place in TV history was acknowledged by later stars. When "Late Night with David Letterman" debuted in 1982, Herbert was among the first-night guests.

Born in Waconia, Minn., Herbert was a 1940 graduate of LaCrosse State Teachers College and served as a U.S. Army Air Corps pilot during World War II. He worked as an actor, model and radio writer before starting "Watch Mr. Wizard" in Chicago on NBC.

The show moved to New York after several years.

He is survived by six children and stepchildren and by his second wife, Norma, his son-in-law said. A private funeral service was planned.

Bob Loblaw · Post by **Bob Loblaw** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 9:10 pm

Damn.

Mr Wizard taught me that you couldn't fold paper half-ways more than 8 or 9 times, no matter how big the paper. He also taught me about water displacement and a bunch of other things.

This one kinda sucks.

lastone · Post by **lastone** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 9:47 pm

And what does this generation have to remember?

I can hear it now....Paris Hilton dead at the age of 86...Oh , wasn't she the rich party girl that got locked up fo being a drunk?!!

What a world

Arp2 · Post by **Arp2** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 11:30 pm

lastone wrote:And what does this generation have to remember?

"Bindi the Jungle Girl?"

(Mommy's little new mealticket!)

I was always a Julius Sumner Miller fan, myself....an amazing friend of mine once internet-located a very rare, very-good-condition copy of his 1966 Australia release Miller-Grams at a book store in Melbourne and had it shipped to me as what has to be the best birthday present I've ever received.

If I would have been smart, I would have thought about marrying that girl....actually, I did and talked myself out of it....

Anyway, you raise an interesting question -- is there anyone teaching just pure science these days? Every one that I can think of is all about environmental indoctrination, not actual science.....

Mythbusters, maybe? Are they as close as it gets? Geez....

Jay Nunley · Post by **Jay Nunley** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 11:40 pm

Bill Nye the Science Guy.

Lester · Post by **Lester** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 6:59 am

Sadly, not as easy to find as Mr. Wizard was back in his day.

SPIKE NESMITH! · Post by **SPIKE NESMITH!** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 9:54 am

I was always more of a "Beakman's World" kinda guy...

Arp2 · Post by **Arp2** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 10:07 am

Found Beakman's World on TV schedule...set DVR....

Big Media · Post by **Big Media** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 10:45 am

Let's not forget the Doodlebops.

[side note]

Never before I have seen such a stark contrast.

[/side note]

Lester · Post by **Lester** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 11:29 am

SPIKE NESMITH! wrote:I was always more of a "Beakman's World" kinda guy...

And the rat's name was....

SPIKE NESMITH! · Post by **SPIKE NESMITH!** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 12:23 pm

You know, it took me a minute to remember.

jag · Post by **jag** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 6:49 pm

We all remember the song about rock and roll heaven. Can you imagine what science heaven is like?

Dave Allen · Post by **Dave Allen** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 7:16 pm

Do you guys that watched this stuff realize there was PORN to watch, or at least violent Warner Brothers stuff?