Beakman Factoids

From a post on alt.tv.beakmans-world 11/23/96 by Mark Ritts

"The eating is probably my least-favorite chore on Beakman. I use a 'spit bucket,' but it's still rather unpleasant -- except when we're talking ice cream, which I crave at all times. The only thing I've ever 'eaten' on the show that caused a problem was a face full of face powder -- actually a flour-saturated powder puff supposedly thrown at me from off-camera by a sore-headed makeup lady. I got a mouthful of the stuff and ran out of breath trying to cough it out. So I inhaled a lungful and nearly got asphixiated -- which is almost certainly not spelled that way.

--Mark

"People often ask if we shoot on film since we have such a unique look for a videotaped show. We wanted Beakman's World to have a distinctive quality that would make it stand out from the landscape of television. FILMLOOK gave us...a texture preserving the best qualities of both video and film..." Mark Waxman, Executive Producer/Writer, Beakman's World

So Beakfans, you are looking for trivia and little tidbits about the show. Well, here is the Factoid list from the old Sony site. If I come across any other interesting stories, I will make sure to post them. And if you have any Beakman related stories, I would love to hear them.

Hey, you wanna know more about our show? Then don't miss the info below:

Show Factoids

As published on the web by Sony

  • At "Beakman's World," we print our scripts on recycled paper and use both sides of the page.

  • My sidekick, Lester, may be the only rodent with a Harvard education: Mark Ritts, the actor/puppeteer who plays Lester, graduated from the Ivy League university with a B.A. in English literature in 1968.

  • My "World" premiered September, 1992, in national syndication (225 stations) and on The Learning Channel cable network.

  • We moved from national syndication to CBS' Saturday morning children's lineup on September 18, 1993.

  • I receive over 1000 letters a week from children, adults and educators all over the United States, Canada and as far away as Sweden.

  • My show is cleared in over 35 countries.

  • Lester's foam rubber and fake fur rat costume weighs 30 lbs. and has a 6 foot-long tail.

  • The penguins are named Don and Herb, after Don Herbert who starred as Mr. Wizard in "Watch Mr. Wizard," the 1951-55 science show. Mark Ritts (Lester) is one of the puppeteers behind, or should I say "inside," the Penguins.

    What's in the Lab:

    • 34 globes of the world
    • 36 bicycle tires
    • 14 fire extinguishers
    • 5 mannequin assistants
    • 11 electric fans
    • an indoor rain forest
    • 14 lava lamps
    • 9 toasters
    • 4 popcorn poppers
    • one skeleton
    • 6 bowling trophies
    • 2 beauty salon hair dryers

    • My lab coat has been specially made with extra pockets, shoulder pads and is dyed signature neon green.

    • Eliza Schneider (Liza) was Rochester, New York's spelling bee champ and a junior high winning polevaulter.

    • Alanna Ubach (Josie) enjoys rollerblading with her pet tarantula Ramon.

    • Paul Zaloom testified before the House Telecommunications & Finance subcommittee hearing on children's television in Washington, D.C. in June '94.

    • Senta Moses is the curly-haired lab assistant who also plays drums.

    • Mark Ritts (Lester) is a semi-retired magician.

    • I've made appearances at The Museum of Natural History, Exploratorium (San Francisco), The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, FAO Schwarz in New York and The Staten Island Children's Museum, among others.

    • We've been featured on the following shows: Entertainment Tonight, Inside Edition, Extra!, CNN Show Biz Today, E! Entertainment Television and CBS This Morning.

    My Beak Business Factoids
    • The television series "Beakman's World" is based on the Universal Press Syndicate feature "You Can With Beakman and Jax" by Jok Church, which is syndicated to more than 250 newspapers worldwide.

      There are two books based on "You Can With Beakman & Jax" available in bookstores:

    • "You Can With Beakman: Science Stuff You Can Do" (by Jok Church)
    • "You Can With Beakman & Jax: More Science Stuff You Can Do" (by Jok Church)

      There are five books, published by Andrews & McMeel, based on my World, the television series:

    • "Beakman's World: A Visit to the Hit TV Show"
    • "Build with Beakman: Electronic Intercom" (kit included)
    • "Build with Beakman: Bacteria Farm" (kit included)
    • "Beakman's Book of Dead Guys and Gals in Science"
    • "Beakman's Gear Up Your Gray Matter"

      "Beakman's World" scientific merchandising line includes:

    • explorascopes (telescopes)
    • Halloween costumes
    • critter carnivals
    • 1995 wall calendars
    • backpacks
    • Quiz cards
    • anatomical model kits
    • test tubes with experiments
    • magic rocks
    • poster pen set
    • t-shirts
    • posters
    • clocks
    • watches
    • folders
    • binders
    • notebooks
    • calculators
    • lamps
    • pen and pencil set
    • board games
    • videotape "The Best of Beakman's World" with home activities

      Other Stuff:

    • Beakman was featured on the boxes of Golden Grahams cereal as part of a cross promotion with General Mills.

    The Award Winning Ways
    of "Beakman's World"
    Since its debut in September, 1992, "Beakman's World" has received the following honors:

    • Excellence in Media's Silver Angel Award (1993)

    • International Monitor Award for Outstanding Audio Post Production (1993)

    • Endorsement from the National Education Association (NEA)(1993)

    • Endorsement from the National Foundation for the Improvement of Education (1993)

    • Television Critics Association nomination for Outstanding Children's Program (1993)

    • Ollie Award - American Center for Children's Television (1993)

    • SIVA Award - Special Interest Video Association (1993)

    • Environmental Media Award finalist (1993)

    • Parent's Choice Award for Outstanding Accomplishment in Children's Programming (1993)

    • The New York Festivals Bronze Medal (1993)

    • CableACE Award for Best Children's Programming 7 + older (1994)

    • Meridien Award given by the Indianapolis Children's Museum (1994)

    • Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Live and Tape Sound Mixing and Sound Effects (1993-1994)

    • 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 (1995) -- including Outstanding Children's Series

    • Daytime Emmy Awards (2) for Outstanding Achievement in Live and Tape Sound and Sound Effects (1994-1995)

    • The Covenant Award (1995)

    • Nominated for Banff Award (1995)

  • Unima - USA, Inc. Citation Award Winner (1996)

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