Mr. Wizard dead at 89

[Spaceman Spiff 0]

http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx?news=265522&GT1=7703

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.

 

I thought he died like 5 years ago.

 

RIP.

[2GOLD 0]

RIP

 

And I thought I saw a story he died about five years ago as well.

[Ripper 0]

Probably my favorite show as a kid next to Danger Mouse.

 

RIP

[vivalaultra 0]

My favorite part of Mr. Wizard was how he obviously thought all of the ethnically diverse children that helped him with his experiments were complete morons. They would say something dumb or act like complete morons and you could totally tell he was waiting for the the scene to be over so he could smack the kid and go take a shot of whiskey. RIP Mr. Wizard. Neither Beakman nor Bill Nye could ever hold a candle to you and your wacky experimentations.

[Guest George's Box]

I used to wake up very early--we're talking 5 or 5.30ish--to watch Mr. Wizard's World on Nickelodeon. It was one of my favorite classic Nick shows. Farewell, partner.

[EricMM 0]

RIP

[Guest Smues]

I used to wake up very early--we're talking 5 or 5.30ish--to watch Mr. Wizard's World on Nickelodeon. It was one of my favorite classic Nick shows. Farewell, partner.

 

Same here.

[Gary Floyd 0]

Damn, dude was one of my childhood heros. RIP wiz.

[migoli 0]

I used to wake up very early--we're talking 5 or 5.30ish--to watch Mr. Wizard's World on Nickelodeon. It was one of my favorite classic Nick shows. Farewell, partner.

 

Same here.

 

 

Im going to have to third that, i remember trying to do some of that stuff to but yeah, usually just ended with me getting yelled at by my mom.....

[Guest Tzar Lysergic]

I never had cable as a kid and wasn't alive in the fifties, so I just played with matches and dirt. Good show, though.

[Darthtiki 0]

Tis a sad sad thing, RIP

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

Probably my favorite show as a kid next to Danger Mouse.

 

My n*gga.

 

My favorite segments were when stuff would explode or fire would shoot out, freaking out the kid by his side.

 

[Gary Floyd 0]

He went to my elemetary school back when I was a kid. Unfortunately, I was sick when he came by, though some miserable brat made fun of his baldness.