| Beakman's World | |
|---|---|
 The Beakman's World logo. |
|
| Format | Children's television series/Education |
| Created by | Jok Church |
| Starring | Paul Zaloom |
| Country of origin |  United States |
| Production | |
| Running time | 26 minutes |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | TLC CBS |
| Original run | 1992 – 1998 |
Beakman's World is an educational children's television show produced by ELP Communications, Columbia Pictures Television, Universal Belo Productions, and Columbia TriStar Television Distribution.
The program is based on the Universal Press Syndicate syndicated comic strip You Can With Beakman and Jax created by Jok Church. The series premiered September 18, 1992[1] on The Learning Channel (TLC) cable network and in national syndication (225 stations, a freshman year record). On September 18, 1993 it moved from national syndication to CBS Saturday morning children’s lineup. At the peak of its popularity, it was seen in nearly 90 countries around the world. The series was canceled in mid-1998. Reruns returned to national syndication in September 2006. The show ran about the same time as and covered topics similar to Bill Nye the Science Guy. The show's host, Paul Zaloom, still performs as Beakman in live appearances around the globe.
Contents |
Premise
The program starred Paul Zaloom as Beakman, an eccentric scientist who performed comical experiments and demonstrations in response to viewer mail to illustrate various scientific concepts from density to electricity to flatulence. When his experiments were successful, he would often exclaim "Zaloom!", referring to his last name.
Over the years, Beakman was aided in his experiments by a female assistant just as in the comic strip on which it was based. The assistant's name changed throughout the show's run; from 1992-1993, it was Josie (played by Alanna Ubach), from 1993-1995, it was Liza (played by Eliza Schneider), and from 1995-1998, it was Phoebe (played by Senta Moses). Beakman was also assisted by his "lab rat" Lester. In the pilot episode, Lester was a puppet, but in every subsequent episode he was simply a clueless, crude man (Mark Ritts) in a tattered rat suit. In a running joke, it was never asserted that his character was actually supposed to be a rat; rather he was specifically identified by himself and others as a guy in a rat suit. Sometimes unwilling to help out, Lester was often persuaded by Beakman with the promise of food. Another occasional cast member is the unseen cameraman "Ray," who is played by prop-master Ron Jancula's hands. Ray assists Beakman by handing him various items, such as the "boguscope." It is suggested throughout the program that Ray has a romantic crush on the show's unnamed makeup lady. Actress Jean Stapleton also appeared on the show as Beakman's mother, "Beakmom". In some of the skits during the show the character Professor I.M. Boring (also played by Paul Zaloom, in a dual role) makes appearances and talks about various science topics. When Senta Moses was added to the show's cast, the producers began to use a majority of the sound effects from the NBC game show Scrabble.
One segment of the show was the famed "Beakman Challenge". During this segment, Beakman would challenge Lester to do a stunt that illustrated a basic scientific feat. During the first season, virtually every challenge related to either Air Pressure or Bernoulli's Principle. The show addressed this during the second season, by having Lester exclaim to Beakman (as he was explaining the science behind a trick) "AIR PRESSURE! IT'S ALWAYS AIR PRESSURE!"
At the beginning and end of the show, as well as before or after commercial breaks, the show featured short scenes portraying puppet penguins, Don (voiced by Bert Berdis) and Herb (Alan Barzman), at the South Pole watching Beakman’s World on television. The penguins were named after Don Herbert, who starred as Mr. Wizard in Watch Mr. Wizard. Mark Ritts (Lester) was also one of the puppeteers operating the penguins.
Beakman's World currently plays in weekend syndication in the United States and in several other countries. It is distributed by Sony Pictures Television in the U.S. and Sony Pictures Television International in other countries. A Spanish-dubbed version airs currently on Univision (titled El Mundo de Beakman) as part of its Planeta U programming block.
Awards
Beakman’s World was nominated for and won numerous awards:
- Excellence in Media's Silver Angel Award (1993)
- International Monitor Award for Outstanding Audio Post Production (1993)
- Television Critics Association nomination for Outstanding Children's Program (1993)
- Ollie Award - American Center for Children's Television (1993)
- Parent's Choice Award for Outstanding Accomplishment in Children's Programming (1993)
- Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Live and Tape Sound Mixing and Sound Effects (1993-1994)
- CableACE Award for Best Children's Programming 7+ older (1994)
- International Monitor Awards for Best Achievement in Children's Programming and Best Audio Post *Production in Children's Programming (1994)
- Nominated for Seven Daytime Emmy Awards including Outstanding Children's Series (1995)
- Daytime Emmy Awards (2) for Outstanding Achievement in Live and Tape Sound and Sound Effects (1994-1995).
Theme Song
The Beakman's World theme song was composed by Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo fame. The Beakman's World theme is an amalgam of Zydeco and Synthpop. An accordion is used for its main riff. The song also prominently features a wide array of wacky sound effects.
DVD Release
On September 7, 2004 a DVD entitled The Best of Beakman's World was released.[2] This DVD is a direct transfer of the VHS of the same name, and features only experiments and segments taken from The Beakman Challenge. There have yet to be any full-episode releases on VHS or DVD.
Exhibit
In 1998, the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal opened an interactive exhibit called Beakman's World On Tour, based on the television show. The 4,000-square-foot (370 m2) exhibit toured dozens of cities in the United States.[3]
References in pop culture
- In the X-Files episode "Roland," after a man is murdered by having his head submerged in liquid nitrogen and shattered, Mulder remarks "I don't think they'll be performing this trick on Beakman's World."
- In the Mystery Science Theater 3000 episode Girl in Gold Boots, the agent from the Institute of Mad Scientists said Pearl Forrester was "not fit for a spot on Beakman's World."
List of Episodes
Season 1
| Episode #[4] | Title[4] | Original Air Date[4] |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (1-01) | "Rain, Beakmania & Volcanoes" | September 12, 1992 |
| 2 (1-02)* | "Gravity, Beakmania & Inertia" | September 18, 1992[1] |
| 3 (1-03) | "Noises at Night, Beakmania & The Nose" | September 26, 1992 |
| 4 (1-04) | "Blood, Beakmania & Dreams" | October 2, 1992 |
| 5 (1-05) | "Leaves, Beakmania & Paper" | October 10, 1992 |
| 6 (1-06) | "Soap, Beakmania & Auto Engines" | October 17, 1992 |
| 7 (1-07) | "Electricity, Beakmania & Light Bulbs" | October 23, 1992 |
| 8 (1-08) | "Sound, Beakmania & Explosions" | October 31, 1992 |
| 9 (1-09) | "Refraction, Beakmania & Attraction" | November 7, 1992 |
| 10 (1-10) | "Levers, Beakmania & Television" | November 14, 1992 |
| 11 (1-11) | "Boats, Beakmania & Airplanes" | November 21, 1992 |
| 12 (1-12) | "Bubbles, Beakmania & Feet" | November 28, 1992 |
| 13 (1-13) | "Microscopes, Beakmania & Healing" | December 5, 1992 |
| 14 (1-14) | "Scientific Method, Beakmania & Rainbows" | December 12, 1992 |
| 15 (1-15) | "Vaccinations, Beakmania & Friction" | December 18, 1992 |
| 16 (1-16) | "Thermodynamics, Beakmania & Pimples" | December 25, 1992 |
| 17 (1-17) | "Fossils, Beakmania & the Human Voice" | January 1, 1993 |
| 18 (1-18) | "Lungs, Beakmania & Telephones" | January 9, 1993 |
| 19 (1-19) | "Tape Recordings, Beakmania & Force Vs. Pressure" | January 15, 1993 |
| 20 (1-20) | "Microwaves, Beakmania & Spiders" | January 23, 1993 |
| 21 (1-21) | "Earwax, Beakmania & Rocket Engines" | January 30, 1993 |
| 22 (1-22) | "Ozone, Beakmania & Acid" | February 6, 1993 |
| 23 (1-23) | "Plumbing, Beakmania & Roller Coasters" | February 12, 1993 |
| 24 (1-24) | "Bees, Beakmania & Earthquakes" | February 20, 1993 |
| 25 (1-25) | "Reflection, Beakmania & Madame Curie" | February 27, 1993 |
| 26 (1-26) | "Wheels, Beakmania & Finding Answers" | March 6, 1993 |
* First Officially Aired Episode
Season 2
| Episode #[4] | Title[4] | Original Air Date |
|---|---|---|
| 27 (2-1) | "Submarines, Beakmania & Digestion" | September 18, 1993 |
| 28 (2-2) | "Heart, Beakmania & Helicopters" | unknown |
| 29 (2-3) | "Batteries, Beakmania & Balloons" | unknown |
| 30 (2-4) | "Tunnels, Beakmania & Trains" | unknown |
| 31 (2-5) | "Bats, Beakmania & Energy" | unknown |
| 32 (2-6) | "Sky, Beakmania & Henry Ford" | unknown |
| 33 (2-7) | "Sound, Beakmania & Illusions" | unknown |
| 34 (2-8) | "Lightning, Beakmania & Bones" | unknown |
| 35 (2-9) | "Moon, Beakmania & Elevators" | unknown |
| 36 (2-10) | "Video Games, Beakmania & Teeth" | unknown |
| 37 (2-11) | "Check-Up Time, Beakmania & Oil" | unknown |
| 38 (2-12) | "Ben Franklin, Beakmania & Chemical Reactions" | unknown |
| 39 (2-13) | "Ants, Beakmania & Collisions" | unknown |
| 40 (2-14) | "Pain, Beakmania & Comets" | unknown |
| 41 (2-15) | "Hydraulics, Beakmania & Dinosaurs" | unknown |
| 42 (2-16) | "Electronic Motors, Beakmania & Time" | unknown |
| 43 (2-17) | "Frogs and Toads, Beakmania & Polymers" | unknown |
| 44 (2-18) | "Money, Beakmania & Water Power" | unknown |
| 45 (2-19) | "Garbage, Beakmania & Meteorology" | unknown |
| 46 (2-20) | "Skyscrapers, Beakmania & Indicators" | unknown |
| 47 (2-21) | "Sharks, Beakmania & Einstein" | unknown |
| 48 (2-22) | "Mold, Beakmania & Caves" | unknown |
| 49 (2-23) | "Momentum, Beakmania & Cows" | unknown |
| 50 (2-24) | "Allergies, Beakmania & Codes" | unknown |
| 51 (2-25) | "Snakes, Beakmania & Seasons" | unknown |
| 52 (2-26) | "Tornadoes, Beakmania & Firefighting" | unknown |
Season 3
| Episode #[4] | Title[4] | Original Air Date |
|---|---|---|
| 53 (3-01) | "Seeds, Beakmania & Bridges" | unknown |
| 54 (3-02) | "Balance, Beakmania & Camoflage" | unknown |
| 55 (3-03) | "Carbon, Beakmania & Inventions" | unknown |
| 56 (3-04) | "Gyroscopes, Beakmania & the Heart" | unknown |
| 57 (3-05) | "Steel, Beakmania & Developing Film" | unknown |
| 58 (3-06) | "The Sun, Beakmania & Metamorphysis" | unknown |
| 59 (3-07) | "Vacuums, Beakmania & Weaving" | unknown |
| 60 (3-08) | "Snow, Beakmania & Natural Selection" | unknown |
| 61 (3-09) | "Alligators and Crocodiles, Beakmania & Robots" | unknown |
| 62 (3-10) | "Geysers and Hot Springs, Beakmania & Kidneys" | unknown |
| 63 (3-11) | "Sleep, Beakmania & Amplification" | unknown |
| 64 (3-12) | "Crustaceans, Beakmania & Bernoulli" | unknown |
| 65 (3-13) | "Islands, Beakmania & Energy" | unknown |
Season 4
| Episode #[4] | Title[4] | Original Air Date |
|---|---|---|
| 66 (4-01) | "Sweat, Beakmania & Weighing a Car" | September 14, 1996[5] |
| 67 (4-02) | "Migration, Beakmania & Living Space" | unknown |
| 68 (4-03) | "Bunsen, Beakmania & Sewage" | unknown |
| 69 (4-04) | "Cats, Beakmania & Dynamite" | unknown |
| 70 (4-05) | "The Mouth, Beakmania & Scale" | unknown |
| 71 (4-06) | "Catalysts, Beakmania & Aerosal Cans" | unknown |
| 72 (4-07) | "Rubber, Beakmania & Hair" | unknown |
| 73 (4-08) | "Camels, Beakmania & Density" | unknown |
| 74 (4-09) | "Boomerangs, Beakmania & Circus Science" | unknown |
| 75 (4-10) | "Elephants, Beakmania & X-Rays" | unknown |
| 76 (4-11) | "Skin, Beakmania & Oxygen" | unknown |
| 77 (4-12) | "Bread, Beakmania & Measurement" | unknown |
| 78 (4-13) | "Electromagnets, Beakmania & Senses" | unknown |
| 79 (4-14) | "Chimps, Beakmania & Eye Exams" | unknown |
| 80 (4-15) | "Magic, Beakmania & Cosmetic Chemistry" | unknown |
| 81 (4-16) | "Pigs, Beakmania & Sound Frequency" | unknown |
| 82 (4-17) | "Sunken Treasure, Beakmania & Archimedian Screw" | unknown |
| 83 (4-18) | "Whales, Beakmania & Optical Illusions II" | unknown |
| 84 (4-19) | "Sound Barrier, Beakmania & Healthy Living" | unknown |
| 85 (4-20) | "Polar Exploration, Beakmania & Circular Motion" | unknown |
| 86 (4-21) | "Dogs, Beakmania & Bio-Medical Engineering" | unknown |
| 87 (4-22) | "Human Growth, Beakmania & Solutions and Suspensions" | unknown |
| 88 (4-23) | "Action-Reaction, Beakmania & Talking Birds" | unknown |
| 89 (4-24) | "Protozoology, Beakmania & Movie Stunts" | unknown |
| 90 (4-25) | "Horses, Beakmania & Refrigerators" | unknown |
| 91 (4-26) | "Fingerprints, Beakmania & Flatulence" | unknown |
See also
- Mr. Wizard
- Columbia Pictures Television Distribution
External links
- Official Beakman's World Site from Sony Pictures Television
- Where to Watch Beakman's World
- Beakmaniac's Beakman's World Fansite (Archive)
- Beakman's World at the Internet Movie Database
- Beakman's World at TV.com
References
- ^ a b "Beakman's World makes science fun for kids of all ages". Boston Globe. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-8759103.html. Retrieved 2009-12-02.
- ^ Beakman's World - Best of Beakman's World, The DVD Information | TVShowsOnDVD.com
- ^ Yeager, Connie (1998-03-02). "Beakman's World: Museum hosts hands-on show". The Cincinnati Post (E. W. Scripps Company). Archived from the original on 2004-09-06. http://web.archive.org/web/20040906044215/http://www.cincypost.com/living/1998/beak030298.html.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Beakman's World Episodes". tv.com. http://www.tv.com/beakmans-world/show/2527/episode.html. Retrieved 2009-10-19.
- ^ "Beakman opens world of science to kids". Chicago Sun-Times. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4343222.html. Retrieved 2009-10-19.
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