"Mathnet" (1987) TV series 1987-1992

Creators:

David D. Connell
Jim Thurman

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Genre:

Comedy | Crime | Family | Mystery

Tagline:

To cogitate and to solve

Plot Keywords:

Parody | Sergeant | Crime Solving | Mathematician | CIA

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Joe Howard	...	Officer George Frankly / ... (30 episodes, 1987-1992)
Beverly Leech	...	Sgt. Kate Monday (19 episodes, 1987-1990)

Runtime:

60 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

Burbank, California, USA

Company:

Children's Television Workshop (CTW)

Trivia:

There was serious discussion of a revival of Mathnet as its own program on the ABC network. However, CTW refused to franchise the show to ABC and discussions ultimately went nowhere.

Quotes:

[opening narration]
Narrator: The story you are about to see is a fib, but it's short. The names are made up, but the problems are real.

Movie Connections:

Spin off from "Square One TV" (1987)

Soundtrack:

Theme From Dragnet (Danger Ahead)

A novel way to teach math.

'Mathnet' was a pretty good way of getting kids to think about practical applications of math. It also simplifies mathematical equations to show that math doesn't have to be so overwhelming, especially when dealing with geometry and algebra.

A parody of the detective series, 'Dragnet,' the detectives would embark on an investigation during each episode which required math to solve the crime. I remember it being pretty predictable when I got older, but then again, this was just a show for young kids, as was the rest of PBS's 'Square One'.

The show had a lot of familiar faces, both noteable celebrities as well as some of the main cast who still bounces around in minor television roles these days. One viewer had commented on the production values of the show, as it was usually shot on location and with film stock rather than videotape. PBS did pump money into this little show, and I think they came up with a good educational show.