Beakman's World

I loved this show for so many reasons. It made science interesting to me for the first time, it was fast, funny and furious and it had one of the cutest ingenues as an assistant. Alanna Ubach made this show for me with her funny one-liners and quips; when she got replaced, it almost killed me, but at least Beakman and Lester, the down-on-his-luck-actor-in-a rat-suit, got me through it. The show had so many good things going for it; I just wish this show had been around in my youth, I could have been a better student than I was.

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...

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.

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 was a scream- funny, smart and just plain fun. I was a teacher in my 40's when I discovered it, and never missed a show. I learned things I didn't know, and still use in classes. The pace frenetic. The three characters worked together like fingers. Beakman was frantic and a riot, Lester the Rat was the best sidekick ever seen on television, and of the women- all great, but Josie was my favorite! The show explained science in ways that anyone could understand, and left you wanting to know more. I'm 50 now, and just discovered it's on re-runs- I hope it outlives me. What fool pulled the plug on it? I hope whoever decided to is bagging groceries.