Reliving the Past: Remembering Mr. Wizard's Show

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the nostalgic recollections of the television show "Mr. Wizard" and comparisons to other science programs like "Beakman's World" and "Bill Nye the Science Guy." Participants share their memories and opinions on the educational value of these shows, reflecting on how science communication has evolved over time.

Discussion Character

  • Nostalgic reflections
  • Debate/contested views on educational programming
  • Exploratory reasoning about past and present science shows

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express fond memories of "Mr. Wizard," noting its educational impact and unique presentation style.
  • Others compare "Mr. Wizard" to contemporary science shows, suggesting that modern programs often rely on gimmicks rather than straightforward science demonstrations.
  • A few participants recall other science shows like "Beakman's World," highlighting their humor and educational content.
  • There is a discussion about the perceived decline in the quality of science programming for children, with some arguing that shows today lack the depth and focus of "Mr. Wizard."
  • Some participants humorously engage in banter about age and the passage of time, referencing historical figures and playful comparisons.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the nostalgic value of "Mr. Wizard" and its educational merit, but there are competing views on the effectiveness and style of modern science programming. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the current state of science education on television.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the specific details of other shows and their impact, indicating a reliance on memory rather than concrete facts. There are also references to personal experiences that may not be universally shared.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those who appreciate the history of science education in media, nostalgia for childhood television, and the evolution of educational programming.

Chrono
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I was watching the Science Channel tonight and they're playing old science shows. Tonight it was "Watch Mr. Wizard". I watched a couple of episodes and thought, "This show was ahead of its time." I remember watching, years ago, the last bit of the Mr. Wizard shows, when he was older. Do y'all remember watching this?
 
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There was a show on TV at like 4:30 in the morning when I was really young that I always used to wake up and watch. It was a show that ran all sorts of little science experiments and it was really neat. I don't remember what it was called, though...

For some reason "Mr. Wizard" reminded me of that.

cookiemonster
 
Since I'm older than Evo (who's older than dirt) I can tell you that I remember watching Mr. Wizard when he was YOUNG! :surprise: :biggrin: :eek:
 
I miss Mr. Wizard! I still remember things from that show!

I remember for instance how he showed that when we lay down, we get taller. He also showed why hollow tubes are stronger than solid ones with respect to bending.

I learned so much from that show!

There is absolutely nothing on television anymore that even compares to what i got from that show.

I also remember when they demostrated walkie-talkies.

And when he projected a skeleton over his body to make it look like you were looking through his body.

Or when he demostrated telescopes.

And this was a decade and a half ago that I remember this from! I don't remember ANYTHING from that period with any kind of detail, but I remember Mr. Wizard!
 
If Evo is older then dirt... What does that make me?

I also recall Mr Wizard when he was young, didn't realize it at the time. Great show.
 
Integral said:
If Evo is older then dirt... What does that make me?
Two answers come to mind here. I like them both. You pick the one you like the best: :wink:

Ever heard of a guy named Methuselah? :biggrin:
Ever heard of the Big Bang? :surprise:
 
Integral perhaps knows Adam.
 
HEY!
SciFi channel is showing a whole bunch of Mr. Wizards this morning! Maybe all weekend, too?
 
Integral could be Santa Claus, he has been around forever. Do you have a beard Integral? I have been a good boy so far this year.
 
  • #10
http://home.comcast.net/~rossgr1/santa.JPG

LoL, I resemble that remark!

Methusala and I used to have to dodge around Adam, the street bully, to get to the TV set. We had trouble with reception though, 'cus the Rabbitears kept hopping off!
 
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  • #11
OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG! Can i see your Reindeer?? I am so excited!
 
  • #12
Integral said:
http://home.comcast.net/~rossgr1/santa.JPG

LoL, I resemble that remark!

Methusala and I used to have to dodge around Adam, the street bully, to get to the TV set. We had trouble with reception though, 'cus the Rabbitears kept hopping off!
SANTA!
XXXXXXXXXXXOOOOOOOOOOO
:smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile:
 
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  • #13
How do Rabbitears hop?
 
  • #14
Tsunami said:
How do Rabbitears hop?
Back then they were still attached to rabbits?
 
  • #15
Integral, you stil take my breath away. :approve: When are you going to finish that time machine so we can go back 20 years? :smile:

There was a show about 8 years ago(?) called Beakman's World that was really great.
 
  • #16
I remember that show. It WAS good...
 
  • #17
Evo,
You are too kind, or very sarcastic.~^ 20yrs sounds about right, ... now were did I put that flux capacitor?

I also recall Beakman's world, good science with humor!
 
  • #18
Integral, you handsome devil!

Integral, you old coot---you're as grey as I am! :smile:

And I also remember Mr Wizard and Beakman. Great stuff!
 
  • #19
I don't remember Mr. Wizard but I do remember Beakman's World with that big rat and those pinguins at the end of the show.
 
  • #20
Mr. Wizard was great because it was just the science. Just the experiment. Today, Bill Nye and Beakman's World and other kids' science programs are so encumbered by the distracting "wacky act" they have to put on to make science "fun."
 
  • #21
Bill Nye was cool. I enjoyed watching his shows. Although, he only has just a few.
 
  • #22
I like Bill Nye too. I just think it's sad that a show like Mr. Wizard's wouldn't fly these days because it's not "exciting enough." You can't just have the old guy and his assistant Timmy demonstrating cool science these days. It has to be some zany charicature of a scientist bouncing off the walls with crazy visual gags and sound effects.

And even at that, I don't think Bill Nye is even on the air anymore with new episodes. So where are kids supposed to learn that you can eat an apple while standing on your head, or that you can only fold a piece of paper in half about seven times before it's too thick to fold, no matter how large the paper is?
 
  • #23
You think Mr. Wizard would be considered "Reality TV"?
 

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