The Wizard

Like MacGyver but with midgets. David Rappaport (Time Bandits) is really cool climbing on buildings and saving people ala MacGyver. The show was only on for two seasons but it was still one of my favourites when it was on.

The Wizard was a favorite tv show of mine back when I was about 6. I don't remember much about it, but I do remember that the midget wizard was really cool! He also had candy which made the show MUCH better! I remember being so disappointed when the show went off the air. I guess it didn't help much that my older brother would taunt me by saying, "guess what show is on tonight? The Wizard!" Then after sitting in front of the tv for about 30 minutes and finally realizing that the show was NOT coming on, I would go watch Punky Brewster :) I fell for this scheme everyday for about a year...mean older brother. I am glad that other people have heard of the Wizard, I was beginning to think that maybe my brother had just made up the whole thing to trick me!

I was ten years old when "The Wizard" began. It was a favorite new show of mine. I remember it being a show about a little person who makes inventions and has all sorts of adventures. This web site is the only place I have found that has made mention of this show. At least now I know I wasn't imagining "The Wizard". Too bad it didn't last. It was an exciting show that not many people remember.

I have no idea how old I was when I came upon this show, but it did not take me long to realize this was a show made for all ages. If I had an inkling the show would be canceled so soon, I would have taped all the episodes I watched, but I only have eight on one VHS and one episode (about a racehorse) on another. I was not surprised to learn it was not released on DVD, but at least I can enjoy the few episodes I taped. Yes, one of them had Grunt in it which was neat to watch. Another was the wild girl, and the disfigured man who blamed Simon for it, the dancer, and H.E.N.R.Y. 8. Not sure of the spelling but it was fun watching how Simon taught the robot how to play. I either didn't know Rappaport had committed suicide or forgotten, but when I read in one of these reviews he had it reminded me of another beloved dwarf Herve Villachaise of Fantasy Island. How sad these talented actors are not taken seriously only because they are short. I, too, am short. At 4'10" I would qualify as one of the Little People of America. It is not fun to be short, but at least those who had the ability to become actors could encourage others it is not the end of the world. God Bless David Rappaport for the delight and inspiration he gave to viewers, and hope and pray the series gets the treatment it deserves by being released on DVD.

I remember watching "The Wizard" when I was about five years old, and thinking it was one the best things around. Although I can't remember much of what it was about, the cool inventions that dwarf Simon McKay made were one of the things that made it so appealing. Another was the whole magical aspect of the show. McKay in the title role was a lovable character who had lots of cool toys that he made (some of which seemed to defy the laws of physics). He could also do some really outstanding feats like running up walls and walking through fire. Was he really a wizard??...who knows? All I know is that he was pretty cool.

"The Wizard" was a really great programme, and it's a pity it didn't last past the second season, because not too many people remember it.