Mathnet

I came upon Square One TV when I was already out of college, and had a degree in video production. Mathnet was just the kind of show I would have loved to have worked on, with its great production values, great writing, and a fabulously talented cast who could deliver the lines deadpan.

I still remember two episodes in particular. In one, George was planning a vacation in Michigan on an island named Nomanissan, yes, that's Nomanissan Island (say it out loud if you need to). The other episode introduced me to the Fibonacci Sequence (begin with 1, then add it to the previous number (0), then continue to add the last 2 numbers together to get the next): 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13... It's amazing how many times that has come up in the last 30 years, and I only understood it because I watched Mathnet.

SUCH a good program! If they offered the whole series for download, I would buy it.

'Mathnet' was a pretty good way of getting kids to think about practical applications of math. It also simplifies mathematical equations to show that math doesn't have to be so overwhelming, especially when dealing with geometry and algebra.

A parody of the detective series, 'Dragnet,' the detectives would embark on an investigation during each episode which required math to solve the crime. I remember it being pretty predictable when I got older, but then again, this was just a show for young kids, as was the rest of PBS's 'Square One'.

The show had a lot of familiar faces, both noteable celebrities as well as some of the main cast who still bounces around in minor television roles these days. One viewer had commented on the production values of the show, as it was usually shot on location and with film stock rather than videotape. PBS did pump money into this little show, and I think they came up with a good educational show.

Lord I miss "Mathnet". I first saw it on PBS as part of "Square One TV". Probably the reason I got into computer science and cop shows. The show was (unlike some of the crap on afternoon TV today) genuinely funny, entertaining, and educational.

Of course I didn't get all the in-jokes until I was much older- the whole play on "Dragnet", the criminal brothers Karamazov, George and Martha, and the CAR-RT SORT company...

I only wish today's kids TV has something like "Mathnet". Alas...

I watched this when I was a kid, and the fact that I'm writing a review for it now that I'm a grown woman is testimony to it's impact and success as a TV show and educational device.

The stories were captivating to a young audience, and cleverly promoted an interest in learning. It's role in the show Square One was brilliant as well, encouraging kids to keep up with every episode and learn even more. At the end of each program, it was like saving the best part for last.

"The stories are fake but the problems are real." I hope there is something equally engaging and educational when I have my own kids.

Mathnet had about the best production values I have ever seen on a kids' show. Nearly everything was shot on location rather than on cheap-looking sets, and they used as much natural light as possible. (It made the rest of Square One TV, the kids' math show where Mathnet first appeared, look really, really cheesy in comparison.) Also, and I'm not 100% sure on this, but it looked like they shot it on film stock, rather than videotape. And, of course, unlike a lot of kids' shows that do location shoots, this was actually filmed in Los Angeles and, later, New York (rather than Toronto or Vancouver) and they show a lot of the famous landmarks, like the Hollywood sign.

Simpsons fans will also recognize Yeardley Smith, the voice of Lisa Simpson (who really does speak like Lisa in real life), in one of the earliest Mathnet stories.