Mr Wizard Dies

[dhermann1]

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/O/OBIT_HERBERT?SITE=1010WINS&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

His show was so totally cool. Lots of imitators, but the original's still the greatest.

 

[Daisy Buchanan]

I heard this on the news this morning. He really was great!!
Rest In Peace, Mr. Wizard

 

[LizzieMaine]

I'll never forget ruining my mother's best enamelware saucepan trying to do one of Mr. Wizard's experiments, something to do with carbonizing sugar. I learned a lesson there, although not perhaps the one he'd meant to teach....

 

[Rafter]

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/O/OBIT_HERBERT?SITE=1010WINS&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

His show was so totally cool. Lots of imitators, but the original's still the greatest.

Just got into the office. Running a bit late today. "It's Another Rainy Day In New York City!". I have to get my "quick fix" of the FL. This place is quite addictive.

Anyway back to the subject at hand. Dan aren't you the bearer of "bad news". Don Herbert (aka Mr. Wizard) was my inspiration, my Bill Nye the Science Guy. Enough said from a former Chem Teach.

Never saw his original show, "Mr. Wizard", but I did get a chance to see "Mr. Wizard's World", on the cable channel Nickelodeon in the late 80's and I remember it had an "Ask Mr. Wizard" segment where Mr. Wizard answered questions sent in by viewers.

You know this guy is a pop culture icon since he has been parodied so many times, including:
"Mr. Science" a Bob & Ray sketch, in which Bob, as Mr. Science, would demonstrate a Mr. Wizard-like experiment to an annoyingly over-enthusiastic neighborhood boy, Jimmy Schwab (played by Ray), who would invariably touch the wrong thing at the end, setting off a laboratory explosion.
"Mr. Egghead" a.k.a Joey Gladestone from Full House
"Ask Dr. Stupid" in some episodes of Ren and Stimpy.
"Ask Mr. Lizard" in some episodes of Dinosaurs, performing dangerous experiments that would invariably kill his young assistant, Timmy. His catchphrase was a jovial, "We're going to need another Timmy!"
Police scientist Ted Olson in Police Squad!, who was constantly being interrupted in the middle of some dubious or dangerous experiment involving a child.
"Ask Dr. Science!" from Duck's Breath Mystery Theater.

But most of all I remember his awesome experiments with "ordinary household items". Nearly blew up mom and pop's house doing them!

 

[Viviene]

I remember watching Mr. Wizard and my mom banishing me from her kitchen which was of course in disaray. My girls have enjoyed Bill Nye the science guy. I've tried hard not to banish them from my kitchen. Now if I could only get the youngest one to stop making Giada's viniagrette from the Food Network I'd be in good shape. LOL

 

[Zig2k143]

May he rest in peace too...

Great Show.

 

[Hondo]

TV’s ‘Mr. Wizard,’ dies at 89

Brings back fond memories, even if I caught the last few years of his TV show; Mr. Wizard was always fascinating, to watch and learn, science projects and all, when being a nerd wasn’t cool, I secretly hide my interests.
R.I.P. Mr. Wizard


Don Herbert, TV’s ‘Mr. Wizard,’ dies at 89
‘Really taught kids how to use the thinking skills of a scientist,’ says friend

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.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19196808/

 

[J. M. Stovall]

Great guy, great show! Rest in peace Mr. Herbert.

 

[The Wolf]

He was great. He not only treated the kids without being patronizing.
He was also great on David Letterman's show.

Sincerely,
The Wolf

 

[Diamondback]

Another mourner on the list, even though my only experience was his later cable show.

In pacem requiescat. You will be missed, Mr. Wizard.