Have you seen The Wizard?

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On September 9th 1986, a fantastic program appeared on CBS . Produced by 20th Century Fox, it starred David Rappaport (Randall from Time Bandits), Doug Barr (Howie from Fall Guy) and the wonderful character actress, Fran Ryan. It was called "The Wizard." The show was about a man, Simon McKay, who had once worked for the Pentagon until, as he said "the Pentagon had five sides and I found myself against all of them" so he left and after being in hiding for six years emerged as a toy maker. He could do almost anything! Sort of a high tech MacGyver who usually solved problems by using the toys he'd invented in new and ingenious ways. The first episode introduced the character and his bodyguard, Alex Jagger, played by Doug Barr. It also starred Cheryl (Gates) McFadden who went on to play "Beverly Crusher" on Star Trek the Next Generation. The three of them teamed up to find the brother of a child who desperately needed a bone marrow transplant but his brother was the only match and he was missing in the wilds of South America. Using technology, imagination and a bit of " natural magic" they managed to locate the brother and get him back in time to save the child. The show went on from there for a total of 19 episodes which included 3 with Roy Dotrice who played "Father" on the Beauty and the Beast series as Simon's nemesis, Troyan. (Rather like Sherlock Holmes' Moriarty or The Doctor's enemy The Master.) In the second episode, which introduced Fran Ryan's character "Tillie" we are told that Troyan had tried to kill Simon back during the days of his work at the Pentagon and wound up with radiation poisoning when he got trapped himself, but that's not enough to keep him from trying to kill Simon. The show wasn't just fluff. There were some great adventures, but it was the show's messages that kept fans coming back. Believe in yourself and others Never Give Up Use your imagination ("It's the best place to play," according to Simon) Accept people as they are. Think sideways when you have to Violence never solves problems So what if you're handicapped - find a way to do it anyway. Messages that are sorely lacking in today's programs. I started a Yahoo Group several years back and it's going strong. I've met some wonderful people over the years and all because of Simon. One of our members, Jessica, who's MUCH braver than I am, has been in contact with Michael Berk and Douglas Schwartz, the producers of the show, David Rappaport's family and friends and other members of the cast to try to get the show released on DVD for the original fans to enjoy again and to introduce the show to folks who were too young the first time around. And we ARE making headway. The Powers That Be at 20th Century Fox have said they might consider releasing the show from the vaults if we could get 2000 signatures and last I heard we were at 350 and going up! If you remember The Wizard, and even if you don't, please visit Jessica's site and check out all of her hard work. www.thewizardtvfansite.com/index.html You'll find everything from scripts (provided by Michael Berk from his files) photos, fan memories of the show, fan letters, the info from the original "Save the Wizard" campaign and MUCH more. Jessica has it set up so you can hear the theme music too. The fact that Mr. Berk saved the fan letters for over 20 years indicates how much he believed in the show. It was obviously much more than a job to him and it was much more than just a TV show to us.