The story you are about to see is a fib, but it's short. It was funny enough when Joe Friday was rewritten as Kate Monday and, later, Pat Tuesday, but the references didn't stop there.įirst, the show always began with a monotone opening: Monday and Frankly were mathematicians who used math to solve minor crimes for helpless kids and old ladies.
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It's obvious that "Mathnet" references the classic TV and radio show Dragnet. After seeing the show in 1987, one critic snarked that "there is virtually no math in 'Mathnet.'" It was true that there weren't a lot of calculations, but executive producer David Connell fiercely defended the show, saying that "closer to the heart of math is the ability to think and solve problems." 2) The show's Dragnet parody was precise and layered The show's pedigree didn't shield "Mathnet" from criticism. The key to a safe deposit box was hidden behind the tile that broke the pattern. Using the Fibonacci sequence, they decoded the pattern of tiles outside Fatty's home to figure out where his fortune was hidden. "Mathnet" closed out the show with a single-camera-style mystery in the style of Dragnet, but with absurd humor and simple math lessons woven into the plot.įor example, in "The Case of the Willing Parrot," the intrepid detectives chased after a silent film star's fortune. Square One included skits, lessons, and even raps about math.
"Mathnet" debuted as a part of Square One 1987, which was Children's Television Workshop's (CTW) attempt to make math fun for kids. Fortunately, now we're all old enough to uncover the backstage drama (like why Pat Tuesday replaced Kate Monday), comprehend the amazing references, and discover which show may have put "Mathnet" off the air.Īs you uncover these "Mathnet" mysteries, try to be guided by the show's famous motto: "To cogitate and to solve." 1) "Mathnet" was originally criticized for being too fluffyĪ recreation of the "Mathnet" logo. The only problem is that most of the show's viewers were too young to realize just how amazing it was. "The names have been made up, but the problems are real"
It had amazing jokes, incredible acting, and, if there was time, even a little mathematics. For a certain generation, the most iconic detectives in history aren't Sherlock Holmes and Watson - they're Kate Monday and George Frankly.įrom 1987 to 1992, a segment called "Mathnet" was the best reason to watch PBS's math program Square One.
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