Science Series - One of the first programs to focus on science was ZOO PARADE/NBC/1950-57. It starred Marlin Perkins, the director of the Chicago Lincoln Park Zoo who broadcast live from the zoo with educational segments explaining the behavior and characteristics of a variety of mammals, and reptiles. Perkins later starred in the successful wildlife series WILD KINGDOM/1963-71 sponsored by Mutual of Omaha. Perhaps, the most popular science program to appear on early television was the children's program WATCH MR. WIZARD/NBC/SYN/1951-65/NIK/1983-90 starring Don Herbert as Mr. Wizard who explained the principles of science using only the simplest of equipment found in any home. Herbert's neighbor's 11-year-old youngster Willy was one of the first (in a long line) of young assistants (both boys and girls) who helped Mr. Wizard with his on-air experiments. Some contemporary TV science program include BILL NYE, THE SCIENCE GUY/SYN/1993-2002 (hosted by Bill Nye, a former engineer at Boeing) and BEAKMAN'S WORLD/SYN/1992-93/TLC/CBS/1993-96 with Paul Zaloom as a nerdy scientist.