Often times I'll say something nerdy, or someone else will say something nerdy, then someone will mention watching Bill Nye. I never watched Bill Nye, and I explain that my brain's growth is owed to another science guy. But seeing as I can never remember the name of the show, it's always "the guy with the hair, and it had the girl, and the giant rat." Even when someone does happen to know what I'm talking about, they don't remember the name of the show.
Well today, I turned on the TV to play some Wii and, low and behold, there is the guy with the hair, the rat, and the girl! It is Beakman's World, and it's now syndicated on the CW. Though both shows started in 1993, it seems like I had been watching Beakman's World for years before ever seeing Bill Nye, which caused me to see Bill Nye as a copy cat, beside the fact that he wasn't nearly as entertaining. As a 10 year old I found him way too corporate.
Interesting side-fact: All three actresses that played Beakman's sidekicks have had pretty active careers since the show, but Beakman (Paul Zaloom) has not. My favorite was Josie, played by Alanna Ubach.
On a similar note, I was watching Jimmy Neutron while eating lunch (nothing comes on on Saturdays, and besides I like Jimmy Neutron), and saw a commercial for a new Nick show called "Welcome To Wayside". It's based on the Wayside books like Sideways Stories from Wayside School, which was one of my favorites growing up; I don't know how many times I read it. I wonder if the show will capture the true essence of the books, I doubt I'll watch it to find out.
I'm with you. Did you know Beakman totally reinvented himself, and has been doing a one-man show in LA? He's very creative and cool.
ReplyDeleteBut Bill Nye keeps trying to be the Science Guy, and he's so old now it's just sad. He came to my college recently to do a talk -- that's the only work he gets now. And he was kind of unpleasant and really boring, plus he does this thing with carrying around a "map of human skin tone" that just seems a little racist to me.
I've always thought Bill Nye was creepy, he should have given up the science guy some time ago.
ReplyDeleteI did not know that about Beakman, I had to wikipedia it, thanks for the info. Too bad I'm not a west coaster, I would have to go see him.