Beakman Schools Kids On Cassettes
2.25.14 by Mike Haley

So a couple of weeks ago I started a Tumblr called Experimental Music on Children’s TV. As you may have guessed from the name, It’s a collection of instances of experimental music on children’s TV. Shit like Herbie Hancock showing a Fairlight CMI to some kids on Sesame Street, the music of The Residents on Pee Wee’s Playhouse, and Bruce Haack jamming with Mr Rogers. While perusing the internet in search of more stuff I came across an episode of  the 90’s show Beakman’s World. Beakman’s World was sorta like Bill Nye The Science Guy, but Beakman had hair like Buzz from The Melvins and a dude wearing a weathered rat suit in his crew. The ‘sode was #19 from 1993 and it had a segment titled “Tape Recordings”. Now, you may not know this, but I’m a fan of tapes. So I checked it out.

In the segment they get a question (on cassette tape) from Yolanda Salas of Waco, Texas asking how her portable cassette player works. Beakman answers the query in pretty solid detail, using props to explain things like how magnetic tape works and what a recording head is. It was actually pretty dope, which is why I’m sharing it here. I’m assuming you wont hear terms like “supply spool” on any kid’s shows today. *sigh*

Check it: