Editorial Review:

Product Description:
A nutty scientist takes viewers on a wacky road to discovery along with lester the rat & other laboratory friends mixing fun facts with experiments that can be done at home. Studio: Sony Pictures Home Ent Release Date: 09/07/2004 Run time: 60 minutes Rating: Nr

Amazon.com:
Science investigator Beakman's hair may look like it took the business end of a powerful electric shock, but as host of the silly but enlightening The Best of Beakman's World, he proves far too savvy about natural forces to make such a blunder. With the help of penguin smart alecks Don and Herb (voiced by Alan Barzman and Bert Berdis), and ratty-looking rodent Lester (Mark Ritts), Beakman (Paul Zaloom) explains, in brief, sketch-like blackouts, how a lot of Stuff works. Sure, one can contain water in an upside-down glass with a mere playing card; it's called air pressure. Yes, a tennis ball that bounces off a bouncing basketball will shoot 15 feet in the air. No, one can't push a stick through a small pile of table salt sitting in a tissue-covered paper tube. Indeed, the mysteries of a camera obscura can be explored with a cardboard box. Big ideas, simple (and fun) execution. --Tom Keogh

My husband and I used to love watching Beakman's world on Saturday mornings (as well as Parker Lewis Can't Lose), so this show obviously has a broad base. It is irreverant, and shows a more "urban" feel than Bill Nye The Science Guy but they are both cut from the same cloth. Quick cut edits, weird sound effects, snappy dialog, fun science. Toddlers wouldn't like or appreciate this or Bill Nye, but my kids (9.5, 8 and 5) all love both, and after watching this DVD, immediately ran outside to try out some of the experiments he showed them. Gotta love that! It is slightly dated (I think they talk about records or cassette tapes in the start of the DVD), but the science still holds, and there's nothing quite like Beakman and his friends!

Average Rating:

Rating: - relive the best of 90s Saturday mornings
My husband and I used to love watching Beakman's world on Saturday mornings (as well as Parker Lewis Can't Lose), so this show obviously has a broad base. It is irreverant, and shows a more "urban" feel than Bill Nye The Science Guy but they are both cut from the same cloth. Quick cut edits, weird sound effects, snappy dialog, fun science. Toddlers wouldn't like or appreciate this or Bill Nye, but my kids (9.5, 8 and 5) all love both, and after watching this DVD, immediately ran outside to try out some of the experiments he showed them. Gotta love that! It is slightly dated (I think they talk about records or cassette tapes in the start of the DVD), but the science still holds, and there's nothing quite like Beakman and his friends!

Rating: - I wasn't going to review this
[5 stars for the program, 4 for the DVD, sight unseen, because they tell me there isn't enough Josie]

I wasn't going to review this item, as I felt there was no need. I only came here to buy this item for my age 6 son, and scanned the reviews in hope that one might contain information on which episodes/excerpts were included in this video.
But I stumbled on a review that was just WRONG, and saw that others had marked it as helpful, and then thought of the children who would be deprived of this opportunity to learn AND have fun which is NOT AVAILABLE ANYWHERE ELSE. I COULD NOT leave this alone. While I replied to the review, THIS WAS NOT ENOUGH.
A shortened version of my reply:
[that other review]"...two puppet penguins...when one stated that he was "younger and sexier" than the other, I began to worry." And it goes on.

Whoever put this DVD together obviously made a major error, in that this joke was now made out-of-context in editing. Bearing no real sexual content whatsoever, it's a biological/genetics joke: said penguins are *twins*. As such, any reference to difference in age or physical appeal is essentially moot. Therein lies the joke.
My sister was 3 when she heard this joke, and she got it immediately. She recently credited this show with getting A's in COLLEGE science classes, having had no real immersion in science in between. My grandmother, wife of a minister, and mother of 3 others, was also tickled pink when she heard this joke.
These penguins typically represented "what-not-to-do", much like "Mr. Lundt" from Veggie Tales, and all viewers come away with the impression to avoid their behavior and actions, now and always.

""Beakman" was obnoxious..." ...[blink, blink].... I truly believe that anyone who reads this line should go look up that word. "Oscar the Grouch" and countless other children's characters ARE obnoxious, even sometimes when they're put forth as "the good guy". Nye is obnoxious as often as not. "Beakman" more than anything else was "put-upon", trying to teach both the viewers and the other characters fun things about science, but fighting an uphill battle all the way.

The "talking hands" are used on purpose to direct the eye and to capture and keep the attention of viewers under age 10. Dozens of studies show that this also helps children retain what they've just heard--often for the rest of their lives. It's especially helpful for children *and adults* with everything from A.D.D. to dyslexia to focal seizures. It's how many oral-tradition cultures kept their histories alive and INTACT for milennia.

The "tattooed mouse" is a favorite of other reviewers, and made the top 20 in favorite children's characters numerous times and in widely varied places. The actress who portrays the much-missed Josie (who made the top TEN above) continues to give award-winning performances in vastly differing genres, such as being singled out for excellence in both good and bad reviews of The Brady Bunch Movie.

Millions worldwide agree that: the original Sesame Street was the best overall childrens' educational show ever
the Letter People was the best preschool childrens' educational show for learning to read, ever
the Electric Company was the best age 6+ childrens' educational show, for learning to read and for gaining command of English, ever
Math Net was the best childrens' educational show, for learning the basics and cultivating interest in math, ever
THIS SHOW was the best childrens' educational show, for learning the basics and cultivating interest in science, ever

I loathe half the children's programs currently running. My family and I have only agreed on 7 things EVER; this show was one of them. If I could afford it, I would buy a few hundred copies of this DVD to give to all I know with children and to local schools and children's centers and more. Naturally I second the motion made by reviewer "Dakota" (and others) to press the issue and get the entire series out on DVD.

I was in my teens and had been in advanced science classes from 1st grade on, and still found this program to be helpful, informative, and entertaining enough to write all that I have here (and could easily add more) and to seek out this program for my son.

Regardless of where you purchase "Beakman" DVD's or how much you pay for them, GET THEM if you have children of any age at home.

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Rating: - Beakman Rocks the Science world!!
This guy is the best thing to get preteens and teens a like, to enjoy the world of science. easy experiments with house hold items. Great for pearant to spend time with their kids on those day your stuck in the house and you keep hearing "I'm Bored!" my two year old enjoys them also. I highly recomend this DVD and anything else that is Beakman's world!!!

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Rating: - Beakmans World
I have always liked Beakmans World and when I saw this DVD I got it.I loved it.I wish it was longer though,or better yet,come out with the entire show on DVD.

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Rating: - Wonderful Video
Beakmans World is a great show and I was so glad to find the DVD. Its educational and enjoyable. Grown-ups and kids a like will learn something while laughing at the ridiculous puns and jokes. He teaches kids about balance points and the center of gravity in one section. He shows them how to balance 2 forks on the end of a tooth pick. He recommends using a salt shaker to hold it up. We were in a chinese resturant and the salt shaker didnt have a flat head so after we paid the bill we balanced the 2 forks on the hole in the top of the metal tea kettle and left it for the waiter to see. My son loved seeing the look on his face when he found it. Fun and Education! what more could you want!


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