Whiz Kids is an American science fiction adventure television series that originally aired on CBS from October 5, 1983, to June 2, 1984. The show was created by Philip DeGuere, who had also created the detective series Simon & Simon for CBS in 1981, and Bob Shayne and produced by Universal Television. DeGuere also served as executive producer.

The series starred Matthew Laborteaux, Todd Porter, Jeffrey Jacquet and Andrea Elson as the titular “whiz kids”, a group of teenagers who became amateur detectives using computer technology to solve mysteries. The show also starred Max Gail as an investigative reporter and A Martinez as the commanding officer of the local police precinct's detective squad.

Although the series experienced a notable backlash from critics for its portrayal of teenage computer hackers, the program garnered four Youth in Film Award nominations for its young stars, as well as a fifth nomination as "Best New Television Series" of 1983.

CBS cancelled Whiz Kids after one season, with 18 episodes produced.

Production

Conception

Philip DeGuere stated in several 1983 interviews he conceived Whiz Kids after recognizing the importance of computers in his work as a television producer and believed the "new" technology could make an interesting premise for a series. Prior to the series' premiere in October 1983, the premise of teenage computer geniuses hacking into other computers was often compared to, and thought to have been inspired by, that of the film WarGames, which had been released in May 1983 and became a hit during that summer. However, DeGuere repeatedly stated that his idea for the show was originally conceived in 1981 and was subsequently validated when Time magazine named the computer its 1982 "Man of the Year." CBS unexpectedly picked up the show and in January 1983, commissioned a $2 million pilot which DeGuere and Shayne delivered three months later. CBS was impressed and greenlit the series, announcing it at the May upfronts. When explaining the decision to build the show around high school-age characters, DeGuere stated, "We specifically cast them at an age where it would be fun to watch them grow. [...] If the show clicks, we'll follow them right through college."

Episodes

Reception

Critical reception

The pilot received mixed to negative reviews, with most critics acknowledging that younger viewers would probably like the show, but expressing concern regarding the example(s) set for them. Chicago Tribune critic Marilynn Preston wrote, "Mostly it will be children and teens and young adults who may come to love this series [and] that's a big part of the problem. [...] These cute kids illegally access and search their school's computer, the private files of the county clerk's office and the computer system of a large newspaper in Los Angeles. [...] Instead of appealing, the first episode pilot of Whiz Kids is appalling."

  • Whiz Kids at Retrojunk