Mr. Wizard is in Heaven Now

From his last interview, in Wired:

"WN: You began to include girls in your show quite early on. Female scientists are beginning to outnumber male scientists in some areas. Can you comment on what led you to be so far ahead of your time?

Herbert: Looking back it certainly was a major contributing factor to the show's longevity and success."

I remember watching his show at my friend Sarah's house after school. I know the fact that there were girls on the show who were really into science (as I was at the time, Reviving Ophelia etc etc etc) made a big impression on me, because when I think of the show I only remember it as being a show about girls learning science (I guess I blocked out the boys.) It's a sad day for former little nerds and know-it-alls everywhere!

Comments

[Lena]

I lived for this show when I was a kid. Having had very few friends, I'd force my father to help me recreate some of the things he did. Mr. Wizard also kicked off my years-long obsession with Litmus paper. I used to test everything--my dinner, bathwater, sweat, etc--for acidity. This, coupled with a crippling fear of talking to strangers, may explain the whole "no friends" thing.

[Beth S]

I never liked science, but there was something about that show...
What's weird is that I just watched one of those "I love the __'s" shows on VHI a few days ago, and they had a segment on Mr. Wizard and I felt so nostalgic. Now all the girls have is Bratz. That's why our generation is so much better

[Ashley S]

This was the hey dey of Nickelodeon for me. My favorite episode had something to do with sprinkling powder into a fish tank so that when you stuck your forearm into it, it didn't get wet! Excitement!