mental_floss magazine
SUBSCRIBE >
GIFT SUBSCRIPTIONS >
DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS >
subscriber services >
Where Knowledge Junkies Get Their Fix
Back in the ’90s, kids interested in science watched either Beakman’s World or Bill Nye the Science Guy. I liked Beakman’s World better (but feel free to debate in the comments), so here’s a quiz about that classic science show. Reach into our giant mailbag and see if you can answer our questions as well as Beakman answered his.
Take the Quiz: Beakman’s World
Bill Nye is where it’s AT. When I was little, that guy was my idol.
posted by Zach on 9-8-2008 at 11:06 am
Beakman’s world was my FAVORITE when I was a kid. I attribute most of my trivia/science love exclusively to this show. I even have the board game.
posted by Kieran on 9-8-2008 at 11:41 am
How appropriate! Just the other day my officemates and I were discussing Beakman’s World vs Bill Nye the Science Guy. Someone tossed in Wonder Why just to complicate things.
My question is, what’s with the guy in a rat suit?
posted by Angeline on 9-8-2008 at 12:00 pm
I was definitely a Beakman kid.
posted by Tonberry2k on 9-8-2008 at 12:08 pm
I’ve never heard of Beakman’s World. I guess this makes me old.
posted by Boo on 9-8-2008 at 12:22 pm
I only got 2 :(
Do a Bill Nye quiz and I’ll hit it out of the park. Bill was waaaaaay better.
posted by Caitlin on 9-8-2008 at 1:03 pm
See, in my home (with my husband), discussions are never over Bill Nye vs. Beakman….Bill Nye was a given for everyone around our area…
The true argument is between Beakman and Mr. Wizard.
posted by Amauriel on 9-8-2008 at 1:25 pm
i loved this show! i sat through a whole episode in spanish last week when i stumbled across it (i don’t speak or understand spanish, but i still wanted to see it!)
posted by tiffany on 9-8-2008 at 1:45 pm
I was definitely a Beakman kid also. Beakman’s World Rules.
posted by Andy on 9-8-2008 at 1:53 pm
I used to work at the Cincinnati Museum Center and we created a whole traveling exhibit based solely on Beakman’s World. Irony had it that when the exhibit had completed construction, the show was canceled. It was still a very, very cool exhibit!
posted by crate-boy on 9-8-2008 at 2:23 pm
Bill Nye was a little less gross out than Beakman which was right up my alley. I was stoked when he guess starred on Vh1’s America’s Most Smartest Model (dont’t judge me). Science rules!
posted by Stacy the Amazing on 9-8-2008 at 2:36 pm
Bill Nye the Science Guy was a bit smarter and a lot more sedate, but Beakman wins on the strength of the Beakgirls (and, to be fair, their wardrobe department). To this day, I look to Josie and Eliza’s fantastic raggedy thrift store ensembles for fashion inspiration. A little new wave, a little grunge, a little hobo, all cool.
posted by TinaTwice on 9-8-2008 at 4:30 pm
LOVED Beakman’s world. To this day I still can’t sit thru anything by Bill Nye *snore* but I still watch Beakman. Think his first assistant was the best; was thrilled to see her show up in Clueless.
posted by Alli on 9-8-2008 at 6:42 pm
i adore beakman AND bill nye.
i’m 24 but still watch the beakman re-runs every saturday morning.
Josie: “no can do”
Beakman: “no can do no can do”
Josie: “well..alright…it’s..SNOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!”
one of the best episodes ever, all about snot.
posted by Em on 9-9-2008 at 1:37 am
When I saw the quiz, I wanted to say “You hook ‘em, I’ll cook ‘em, let’s tarantella!”
posted by Michael on 9-16-2008 at 6:21 pm