Popular Mechanics for Kids
Popular Mechanics for Kids is a Canadian educational television program based on the Popular Mechanics magazine. The program aired on Global TV from 1997 until 2000, with re-runs airing on BBC Kids Canada until its closure in 2018. Original cast included Elisha Cuthbert, Jay Baruchel, Tyler Kyte, Vanessa Lengies, and Charles Powell.
Overview
The intent of Popular Mechanics for Kids was to teach children how things work. Episodes covered a wide range of topics, including animals, body systems, amusement parks, electricity and airplanes.Each episode was led by hosts Jay, Elisha, Tyler and Vanessa, who would embark on adventures around the world which relate to the central theme of each episode. Sketch comedy segments were incorporated to balance out the educational content.
"Mechanix with Nix and Tix" was an animation segment that used slapstick comedy to help further educate and entertain the viewers about the episode's theme.
During the segment "Charlie's Experiment/Tip", actor Charles Powell would answer questions, teach, and demonstrate an experiment related to the topic of the episode. It was common for real children to participate and ask questions in this segment, but in later seasons, only Powell was included. Powell, being the only recurring adult character in the show, would often serve as a mentor for the audience and hosts, teaching concepts such as fire and personal safety.
Cast
- Elisha Cuthbert
- Jay Baruchel
- Tyler Kyte
- Vanessa Lengies
- Charles Powell.
Honours
It was awarded the Parents Choice Award in 2003, and was nominated for the Gemini Awards.Production
The show was filmed primarily in Montreal, Quebec. It was produced by the Global Television Network in Canada, Hearst Entertainment in the U.S., and finally TVA International in Canada for the final episodes in 2000.In 1997, the cast, crew and production team embarked on a three-day filming expedition aboard the American aircraft carrier in Virginia, to capture footage for an upcoming episode centered on aircraft carriers. Other notable locations visited include the Royal Canadian Mint, the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, and W. M. Keck Observatory.
Telecast and home media
The show aired in syndication in the U.S., before moving to Discovery Kids on Saturday mornings by the program's final season in 2000. Repeats of the show continued to air on many channels until 2008. Re-runs were aired on BBC Kids and Discovery Kids in Canada until December 31, 2009. After the closure of Discovery Kids in Canada, BBC Kids stopped airing repeats in all countries. The repeats on BBC Kids in Canada ended on May 14, 2011. As of 2013 repeats of the show continue to air on Knowledge Network. In the U.S., the show can currently be streamed on Tubi and The Roku Channel.A number of VHS copies and DVDs have been released by Koch Vision and E1 Entertainment:Slither and Slime and Other Yucky ThingsRadical Rockets and Other Cool Cruising MachinesRip Roaring Rollercoasters and All Access to FunGators, Dragons and Other Wild BeastsSuper Sea Creatures and Awesome Ocean AdventuresLightning and Other Forces of NatureX-Treme RidesRoller CoastersFirefighters and Other Lifesaving HeroesZoosGarbagePopular Mechanics For Kids: 4 DVD Box SetPopular Mechanics For Kids: 6 DVD Box SetPopular Mechanics For Kids: The Complete First SeasonPopular Mechanics For Kids: The Complete Second SeasonPopular Mechanics For Kids: The Complete Third SeasonPopular Mechanics For Kids: The Complete Fourth SeasonHow Do They Build BridgesHow Do They Build SkyscrapersHow Do They Build Tunnels
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