Ask Dr. Science

Ask Dr. Science
GenreComedy
Country of originUnited States
Language(s)English
TV adaptationsDr. Science
StarringDan Coffey, Merle Kessler
Produced byDuck's Breath Mystery Theatre

Ask Dr. Science was a daily humorous radio sketch produced by members of the comedy troupe Duck's Breath Mystery Theatre. It is broadcast on many public radio stations, using a format that mixes elements of a commercial bumper and a public service announcement. A concerned citizen asks a question, which is answered by an expert, "Dr. Science." Not surprisingly, the questions are never answered correctly, and are often little more than a launching point for a non sequitur monologue from Dr. Science. The show's motto is "He knows more than you do." The sketch always concludes with the disclaimer that he is "not a real doctor," although Dr. Science insists he has "a Master's Degree... in science!"

In the segment's earliest days, it was known as Ask Mr. Science; the character's name was changed due to a trademark conflict.[1]

The program features two Duck's Breath members, Dan Coffey as Dr. Science and Merle Kessler as his assistant/announcer Rodney.

The character originated as a quasi-improvised part of the Duck's Breath comedy show. The questions for Dr. Science were solicited from the audience in advance.

Other media[edit]

Coffey and Kessler wrote The Official Dr. Science Big Book of Science Simplified! in 1986.

A Dr. Science television series broadcast on Fox in 1987 featured all five members of the Duck's Breath Mystery Theatre joined by Denny Dillon.[2]

During the early 2000s, the Warner Bros. website Entertaindom aired a series of CG animated shorts featuring popular clips from the Ask Dr. Science radio broadcasts.[citation needed]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Barron, James (July 2, 1991). "'Ask Dr. Science' Passes a Landmark: Puncturing 'Experts' 2,000 Times". New York Times.
  2. ^ "Dr. Science". IMDb.

External links[edit]