Warbird Information Exchange

TV's 'Mr. Wizard' Don Herbert Dies at 89
By LYNN ELBER
AP
LOS ANGELES (June 13) -- 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.

He will be missed. I remember waking up early in the morning and turning on the TV to find Mr. Wizard on Nickelodian.

I always did like that show.

I loved watching Mr. Wizard when I was younger, it was my very favorite show on Nick.

How sad.

_________________
"It is the greatest shot of adrenaline to be doing what you have wanted to do so badly. You almost feel like you could fly without the plane." Charles Lindbergh

What do you guys mean on NICK????????? There was a world before cable.

MY GOD WHAT WORLD DID YOU GROW UP IN (or when??)

When I was young, TV was Black and White; had rabbit ears (no cable); if you were lucky 3 channels; and these guys (and Captain Kangaroo) were cranking out new shows. All us kids looked like extras from Disney somewhere, feckles, cuffed jeans, etc.

Well I read somewhere that half the US's Population has been born since cable ................................

I wish I was young again (since a P-51 was an OUTRAGEOUS $3500 on the civilian market in those days (N988C),

I'll miss him too, wonder what he flew??

Mark H

I would've loved to had grown up in when you did. I remember having a black and white tv for a little while growing up, but not too long. Of course there was a world before cable, I just happened to be born into the post-cable world.

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"It is the greatest shot of adrenaline to be doing what you have wanted to do so badly. You almost feel like you could fly without the plane." Charles Lindbergh

It doesn't say so in the above article regarding Mr. Wizard, but in another article I saw, apparently he flew B-24's and received the DFC as well as Air Medals.

Google is my friend.

_________________
"Anyway, the throat feels a bit rough...the legs have gone...but I'm still able to chant, so let's get going."

Joe Strummer, 1999

Heck..I didn't finally break down and spring for Cable until about four years ago (after I slashed my thumb open while stripping and old extension cord to extend the rabbit ears on my TV.) Of course, I got the cheapest service available. I've got a dozen sports channels, church channels, shopping channels, "chick" channels and even two Spanish channels, but I'd have to get the obscenely overpriced premium package to get History and Sci-Fi. If I didn't live in an apartment, I'd probably go with satellite.

When I grew up there were just the Big Three networks, PBS, and a few independent stations that mostly ran old movies and syndicated re-runs.

Oh, and I still don't have a cell phone. I think those things are a pox on polite society!


SN

RIP fellow Minnesotan!

I show a few episodes to my kids during the year. It's a little 'lame' for high school students as far as the content goes, but it's still decent and most of all the clothing and some of the comments get a laugh. Best line:

"Well Jenny, why don't you meet me in the parking lot, after dark, and I'll show you a spectacular version of Hero's Engine."

RIP Mr. Wizard!

I’m definitely one of the young brats running around this forum, but I’ve only known Mr. Wizard from the early years of Nickelodeon. And yes I have had cable essentially all my life!

But look what you gain:

Cartoon Network
Nickelodeon
History Channel
Discovery Channel
Comedy Central
Military Channel
FX
AMC
TCM
TNT
Spike
G4/Tech TV

All my favorites!

What, run out of aluminum foil?

_________________
Kevin Kearney
Vice President
Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation


C-54D "Spirit of Freedom" 43-17228
C-97 "Angel of Deliverance" 52-2718 (painted as YC-97A 45-59595)
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http://www.spiritoffreedom.org

Ahhhh...you youngsters! I too, remember Mr. Wizard live on B&W as a young punk and it was great!

I even remember when color TV was a prizmatic screen you put on your black & white screen to give an apperance of color TV. Then the two shows offered in real color at the day were Disney and Ed Sullivan!

At any rate, sorry to see the "Wizard" pass and hope that God rewards him for his contributions to society whilst on this earth.

Fly on, my friend! With great respect!

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"There are old pilots and bold pilots but few old, bold pilots."

I still remember the converter box that Dad went out and bought so that we could get the 5th on air station in Houston at the time. The big three nets, PBS and ch 33 on UHF....That and the toaster oven sized box that was Pong.......