Make a Wish (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Make A Wish is an American
television series which ran on ABC
from 1971 to 1976. Produced by ABC News
, it was hosted by musician Tom Chapin
(who at the time wore a mustache) and created and produced by Lester Cooper. It replaced Discovery
, a similar series for children also produced by ABC News (which began in 1962).
The series, originally broadcast on Saturday mornings but later moved to Sunday mornings, focused on a particular theme. One episode, for instance, was about snakes, and another was about motorcycles. Chapin would introduce the topic in much the same manner: "I think a snake is what I'll be. Imagine all the possibilities." After that there would be a sort of free association presentation on the theme featuring stock footage, animation, and Chapin's music and voiceover commentary. The quick-cutting, free-association, stream-of-consciousness style of the show caused Tom Chapin, years later on a talk show, to describe "Make a Wish" as "a show for six-year old speed freaks."
The series won a Peabody Award
for Best Children's Series in 1971.
The music performed on the show was written by Tom's brother, Harry Chapin
.
Make A Wish would be replaced in 1976 with Animals, Animals, Animals
which featured much the same frantic visual-overload style, coupled with folk-style songs, of "Make a Wish."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
television series which ran on ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
from 1971 to 1976. Produced by ABC News
ABC News
ABC News is the news gathering and broadcasting division of American broadcast television network ABC, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company...
, it was hosted by musician Tom Chapin
Tom Chapin
Tom Chapin is a Grammy Award-winning American musician, entertainer, singer-songwriter and storyteller.-Biography:Chapin attended State University of New York at Plattsburgh and graduated in 1966. From 1971-1976, he hosted a TV show called Make a Wish...
(who at the time wore a mustache) and created and produced by Lester Cooper. It replaced Discovery
Discovery (1960s TV series)
Discovery was a television program geared towards children and teenagers, produced by ABC News. The program began in the fall of 1962 as a weekday series, and was later moved to Sunday mornings. The program was hosted by actor/announcer Frank Buxton and actress/vocalist Virginia Gibson...
, a similar series for children also produced by ABC News (which began in 1962).
The series, originally broadcast on Saturday mornings but later moved to Sunday mornings, focused on a particular theme. One episode, for instance, was about snakes, and another was about motorcycles. Chapin would introduce the topic in much the same manner: "I think a snake is what I'll be. Imagine all the possibilities." After that there would be a sort of free association presentation on the theme featuring stock footage, animation, and Chapin's music and voiceover commentary. The quick-cutting, free-association, stream-of-consciousness style of the show caused Tom Chapin, years later on a talk show, to describe "Make a Wish" as "a show for six-year old speed freaks."
The series won a Peabody Award
Peabody Award
The George Foster Peabody Awards recognize distinguished and meritorious public service by radio and television stations, networks, producing organizations and individuals. In 1939, the National Association of Broadcasters formed a committee to recognize outstanding achievement in radio broadcasting...
for Best Children's Series in 1971.
The music performed on the show was written by Tom's brother, Harry Chapin
Harry Chapin
Harry Forster Chapin was an American singer-songwriter best known in particular for his folk rock songs including "Taxi", "W*O*L*D", and the number-one hit "Cat's in the Cradle". Chapin was also a dedicated humanitarian who fought to end world hunger; he was a key player in the creation of the...
.
Make A Wish would be replaced in 1976 with Animals, Animals, Animals
Animals, Animals, Animals
Animals, Animals, Animals is an educational television series on ABC about different species of animals. The program, produced by ABC News, was hosted by Hal Linden. Information about animals was provided by Roger Caras and, songs about animals were performed by Lynn Kellogg, who also performed...
which featured much the same frantic visual-overload style, coupled with folk-style songs, of "Make a Wish."