Don Herbert – Archive Interview Part 1 of 4
To access all online interview segments visit channel playlists or http://emmytvlegends.org
In his four-part (each part is posted separately) oral history interview, host Don Herbert describes his early years as an actor on stage and radio before turning to television where he created the classic children’s science series “Watch Mr. Wizard”. He details his hosting of the show, as well as working with his young istants. He talked about his simultaneous work as “G.E. Theatre’s” “progress reporter,” hosting a different three-minute commercial segment for each episode through the majority of run. He talks about the later incarnations of the “Mr. Wizard” franchise. He also mentions his appearances on morning and late-night television talk shows. Please note that Mr. Herbert was extremely hard-of-hearing at the time of this interview.
Duration : 0:30:43
[youtube z3fiwSNJVBA]
September 14th, 2009 at 3:30 am
I’m 30, and i was …
I’m 30, and i was trying to explain Mr. Wizard to someone who was 20. He didn’t get it at all. He said “Like Bill Nye but not funny? what’s the point?”
i am so glad i was born soon enough to appreciate this man.
I LOVE science and a lot of that was due to Don Herbert.
September 14th, 2009 at 3:30 am
I was born in ‘83 …
I was born in ‘83 and loved watching these shows when I was little. If fact there was a period during the late 80’s where my dad would record it so I could watch it over and over. I was mesmerized by everything science. Also loved Beakmans world and Bill Nye. today I am a software engineer and still love science-y things.
September 14th, 2009 at 3:30 am
Don Herbert is THE …
Don Herbert is THE Wizard!!!! Igrew up with this guy. I’m 30 yrs old and I have to say….it took me along time to understand why we are to respect our elders…this man and all the “Ol’ s” I’ve had the privelage to know, are the reason we have the way of life that we do. GOD BLESS OUR FORGOTEN SCIENTIST
September 14th, 2009 at 3:30 am
Perhaps; perhaps …
Perhaps; perhaps not. I was born long before you (in 1954) and saw these shows in the early to late 1960s; long before you. And, I could not understand, in the 1970s, how people who were a decade younger than me could concentrate on this show; such were the cultural changes in the 1960s/1970s- nevertheless they (and you did). So, perhaps today’s kids can nonetheless enjoy these programs also.
September 14th, 2009 at 3:30 am
Unfortunately, …
Unfortunately, today’s kids would be BORED to death by Mr. Wizard UNLESS there were little video bleeps and bloops moving across the screen and the latest Hannah Montana news scrolling in front of his face. And MUSIC, non-stop background music……I’m so glad to have been born in 1977 before pop culture became one big marketing scheme for all of Disney’s loser talent.
September 14th, 2009 at 3:30 am
Well there is …
Well there is Mythbusters.
September 14th, 2009 at 3:30 am
I grew up watching …
I grew up watching Mr. Wizard and Nickelodeon revived his show in time for my own son to be introduced to the love of science. We’d also watch Beakman’s World together. He became an MIT graduate, no doubt influenced by these two TV giants.
September 14th, 2009 at 3:30 am
agreed.
agreed.
September 14th, 2009 at 3:30 am
i dunno, Alton …
i dunno, Alton Brown on Good Eats is EXTREMELY close to Mr. Wizard. i love it
September 14th, 2009 at 3:30 am
Me too!
Me too!
September 14th, 2009 at 3:30 am
It is becouse the …
It is becouse the government is afraid the little kidies will mix bleach and amonia and kill themselves. Leave the smarts to other countries.
September 14th, 2009 at 3:30 am
agreed
agreed
September 14th, 2009 at 3:30 am
I cant understand …
I cant understand why they would not want a show like this to be re created for kids today. This is why america is dying. Lack of brain stimulation and lack of curiosity. Mr wizard brought that out in me and help form me into the person I am today.
September 14th, 2009 at 3:30 am
there times in life …
there times in life when shows like this in the golden age of inspiration and educationally and morally rich television displayed the true balance of activity and mental stimulation. These kids now a days have no idea about true shows like Mr. Wizards world, She-RA, Teenage mutant Ninja Turtles 1st generation, Fraggle Rock, Muppets, Gumby countless others… ahh. memories
September 14th, 2009 at 3:30 am
Aww. I loved this …
Aww. I loved this guy! I wish someone would rerun his old shows.
September 14th, 2009 at 3:30 am
BEST SCIENCE CLASS …
BEST SCIENCE CLASS I EVER HAD
September 14th, 2009 at 3:30 am
I 100% agree with …
I 100% agree with you but nowadays the kids growing up now would use this for bad….sad….very sad truth….i got to see him in the 80’s and it always alway a fun day…his show was the thing to do that day
September 14th, 2009 at 3:30 am
This man is the …
This man is the spiritual godfather of every American scientist from the 1950s on: the space program, computers, biochemistry, and respect for science education. He personified the human blessing of curiosity and the gift of teaching. People watching this strained interview cannot appreciate the sheer joy of watching his show on Saturday mornings in the 50s: half an hour watching some tolerable child proxy learn from Mr. Wizard about “the magic and mystery of science in everyday life.”