Beakman's World

Okay, I'm certainly no "kid" and I'll admit that when I first came upon the show while channel surfing way back when, It's true, I was drawn to pause on the channel because Alanna Ubach was on the screen.. BUT, it didn't take more than the one episode to realize this was well done and had a very unique and fun way to present science facts to young people.

Okay, here's where I show my age.. it's not unlike the old Soupy Sales show in it's use of off stage and inside jokes. Nothing offensive for the kids, but things that an adult can find and enjoy.

It takes a lot of good writing and acting to serve up facts and figures in a way that might keep a person glued to the screen for the whole "class" but these people managed to do it in my opinion.

Everyone did a great job on this show and it should still be aired more often as it still has lots to give people of all ages 8-)

As a matter of fact, I'm off to see if it's on DVD now..

In the 1990's I worked for a video post production facility that made broadcast air masters for Beakman's World. Whenever someone was needed to do quality control on a finished tape I would beg for the assignment so that I could watch this wonderful show (and even get paid for it!!!). Even though I was in my mid 40's at the time I always enjoyed the humor that the performers brought to the subject of science.

I recently (June 2013) watched "The Pirate" starring Gene Kelly and Judy Garland. There is a song in the film called "Be a Clown" that is performed by Gene Kelly and Judy Garland. While listening I suddenly realized that Lester the Rat sang a song called "Be a Mouse" on Beakman's World that used the melody from "Be a Clown".

LONG LIVE THE BEAKMAN!!!

This show is nothing less than an absolute landmark in educational TV, and dare I say it, in TV in general. It was like they found the perfect formula: the characters, the timing, the scenery, the lines, the sound effects, and just about everything else. Good old Beakman could talk about *everything* using simple speech, good humour, enthusiasm, always aided by his assistant (originally Josie) and not-exactly-aided by the man in the rat costume, Lester. The three characters completed each other perfectly, and all through the episode, there was not a single second wasted: to every line, there was a perfect reply, and to every question, there was a perfect answer. This is brilliance and talent in their highest forms. Beakman's World can make me laugh harder than any adult comedy show out there can, and I still learn great things with it. It was a shame that Alanna had to leave the series ("Sister Act II", remember that?), and had to be replaced. Liza took herself too seriously, and didn't fit in too well with the other characters. Josie was unbeatable.

And of course, the show was cancelled. I doubt even Beakman could explain us how the execs had the courage to do that.

Our entire family enjoyed this show. It appealed to our three sons on different levels, for the education, the comedy, and for the discovery that learning can be goofy and profound at the same time. The actors clicked and the science was fun to learn. Outrageous, smarmy, sly, and delightful. The props were creative and dazzling. This show should serve as a lively example of children's programming for 3rd through 8th graders. Kids in the 8-15 age range deserve programs that don't insult their intelligence and that encourage maturity. The humor in this show is both sophisticated and silly -- a great mix for kids in this age range. It was smart and sassy. Buy the videotapes/DVDs if they're available. They'll be worth it.

I still remember the address... Josie's voice over the cartoon screen, "Beakman's World, P.O. Box 30087 Kansas City, MO 64112" No, I haven't seen an episode in over 14 years.

I remember as a kid my brother and I would make up a million questions to mail in to Beakman... we'd write them on construction paper cut into all sorts of wacky designs like they had on the show. And every time I had a GOOD one... one I just KNEW would actually make the show... there it was the next morning. "Dear Beakman, How do batteries work?" "Dear Beakman, what are Pixels?" (this was 1993) The best part was re-creating his experiments at home: making "movie glass" that you can break with your fist and not get hurt (and it tastes like a lollipop), or seeing if an egg or a tennis ball hits the ground first when you drop it off the top bunk (Mom wasn't too impressed with that one, even though they both hit the ground at the same time).

I wish they would bring this show back in some way, even in re-runs. Re-runs at some other time than five in the morning. I wonder if it's on DVD...