From the golden age of children's audio-visual materials, Mulligan Stew is a catchy, forward-moving nutritional show geared towards children aged 9-11, throughout which the 4-4-3-2 formula is used. Fast-paced and interspersed with animation and puppet acts, Mulligan Stew chronicles the adventures of five fun-loving teen-age/tween-age kids–Maggie, Micki, Mike, Manny, and Mulligan–and their hilarious adult counterpart Wilbur Dooright as they seek to right nutritional wrongs in their world, with LOTS of physical activity, comedy, and musical entertainment on the side. There are even touches of drama, such as Mulligan's sense of abandonment in "The Film Flam Man" or that scowl on Maggie's face after Micki stuffed her into a food bag (Priceless!)
Mulligan Stew is very artistically and whimsically photographed and produced–and delightfully strange. If you liked "Hot Dog", then you'll love this six-episode series. The show aired on PBS, and a "school package" consisted of 16-mm filmstrips with a corresponding color comic book. This series premiered during National 4-H Week in Washington, D.C., in April 1972, and it was credited with increasing 4-H membership to record levels two years later. A fourth grade health class legend and a vanishing treasure!
P.S. We'll miss you, Maggie. Rest in peace, honey bun. To Wilbur and the surviving Stews, thanks for the smiles, laughs, and memories. Chin up and God bless!
