Don Herbert

Host, "Mr. Wizard"

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About

About this interview

In his two-hour interview, Don Herbert (1917-2007) describes his early years as an actor on stage and radio before turning to television where he created the classic children's science series Watch Mr. Wizard. He details his hosting of the show, as well as working with his young assistants. He talks about his simultaneous work as G. E. Theater's "progress reporter," hosting a different three-minute commercial segment for each episode through the majority of the run. He recalls the later incarnations of the "Mr. Wizard" franchise. He also mentions his appearances on morning and late-night television talk shows. Karen Herman conducted the interview on January 24, 2005 in Bell Canyon, CA. Note: During this interview, Mr. Herbert was extremely hard-of-hearing.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"Lots of people make the assumption that if it's entertaining, it couldn't be educational. If it's educational, it couldn't be entertaining. That's not true. It can be both, as I've proved over and over and over and over again."

People Talking About ...

Don Herbert

Highlights

Don Herbert on how he approached topics on Watch Mr. Wizard

03:13

Full Interview

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Chapter 1

On his early life and influences; on his experiences in World War II; on his earliest experience seeing television

On why he wanted to do a show like Watch Mr. Wizard, and on the origin of the show; on how he approached topics on Watch Mr. Wizard; on having scientific advisors on Watch Mr. Wizard

Chapter 2

On Morris H. Shamos, his scientific consultant on Watch Mr. Wizard; on the challenges of doing a live broadcast of Watch Mr. Wizard; on live, on-air mishaps on Watch Mr. Wizard

On working with children on Watch Mr. Wizard; on how he got the name Mr. Wizard on Watch Mr. Wizard; on the set and equipment of Watch Mr. Wizard

On the audience of Watch Mr. Wizard; on the state of science during the run of Watch Mr. Wizard and controversial topics on the show; on favorite episodes of Watch Mr. Wizard

Chapter 3

On what made a good episode of Watch Mr. Wizard; on the crew of Watch Mr. Wizard, including director Lynwood King; on Watch Mr. Wizard airing in schools, and bringing about Mr. Wizard Science Clubs in schools

On the end of Watch Mr. Wizard; on being the "progress reporter" on General Electric Theater; on working with Ronald Reagan on General Electric Theater

On appearing on Tonight with Steve Allen; on appearing on Today with Dave Garroway; on appearing on the first episode of Late Night with David Letterman

Chapter 4

On various specials he did; on returning to television in 1983 with Mr. Wizard's World; on the National Science Foundation project "Teacher to Teacher with Mr. Wizard"

On television's responsibility to educate; on public reaction to Mr. Wizard; on the legacy of his shows Watch Mr. Wizard and Mr. Wizard's World

On b-roll pictures from his career- doing a demonstration; 1951 publicity photo; doing a demonstration with children; shooting Mr. Wizard's World; doing an electrical demonstration; with an atomizer; with his wife, Norma; with his wife Norma and sparklers; the Mr. Wizard science set; a copy of his book; his book "Supermarket Science"; Mr. Wizard's World DVDs; Watch Mr Wizard DVDs

Shows

General Electric Theater, The

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Don Herbert on being the "progress reporter" on General Electric Theater

05:43

Don Herbert on working with Ronald Reagan on General Electric Theater

04:07

Late Night with David Letterman

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Don Herbert on appearing on the first episode of Late Night with David Letterman

02:38

Mr. Wizard's World

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Don Herbert on returning to television in 1983 with Mr. Wizard's World

03:09

Don Herbert on the legacy of his shows Watch Mr. Wizard and Mr. Wizard's World

01:00

Today

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Don Herbert on appearing on Today with Dave Garroway

01:24

Tonight

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Don Herbert on appearing on Tonight with Steve Allen

03:00

Watch Mr. Wizard

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Don Herbert on how he approached topics on Watch Mr. Wizard