Whiz Kids was a television series which aired from 5 October 1983 to 2 June 1984 in the United States. The show was about the adventures of a group of teenagers who worked as amateur computer experts and detectives. The show was basically a copy of ideas from WarGames, toned down and expanded for TV. The series starred Max Gail as the group's mentor. The cast also included Matthew Laborteaux as Richie Adler, Dan O'Herlihy, Todd Porter as Hamilton Parker and Andrea Elson as Alice. Richie Adler lived with his mother and sister - his father worked away from home. Periodically, Richie's father would send him obsolete pieces of electronic and computer equipment including in one episode, a programmable robot called Herman. Richie collected these pieces of equipment from his father and connected them together to form "RALF" - his pet name for his computer system which included, in one episode, a primitive webcam. The show was based on Richie and his friends coming across mysteries which they (mainly Richie) would attempt to solve using his computer skills with RALF's power. Guidance was provided by Farley (their mentor). The series aired on CBS. Initially, it aired Wednesday nights, but it began airing Saturday nights on 7 January 1984, replacing Cutter to Houston.