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.
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desertnan4914 August 2010
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Seven_Thunders27 June 2008I never forgot the opening theme to 1986's "The Wizard", and to this day when I play it back in my head it hearkens me back to that simple time with an indomitable sense of imagination and flight of fantasy intact. The Wizard of the show was Simon McKay (portrayed to perfection by the great David Rappaport), a little person with a vast array of engineering skills which he puts to use as a toymaker. Rappaport's portrayal of Simon McKay was that of a refined British intellectual with a wise compassion, and the fun-loving spirit of a child. Though under the protection of FBI agent Alex Jagger and in the care of Tillie the housekeeper, he often runs afoul of nefarious business men and scheming opportunists exploiting the weak. Upon seeing the first episode at the age of six, I immediately wanted a friend like Simon McKay. There was no way to avoid his endearing persona, and what kid could resist the plethora of high-tech toys and heavenly stash of sweets he kept behind a secret wall in his basement workshop? I was sad to see this show canceled. It bounced around from time slot to time slot, and I never knew what night it was going to be on. 20th Century Fox didn't seem to like to show, and did everything it could to knock it off the schedule.
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ShadeGrenade7 November 2010We can all name at least one television programme that got cancelled by the network before it had a chance to fulfill its potential. Four in my case - 'Dark Skies', 'A Man Called Sloane', 'Amos Burke Secret Agent' ( 'Police Squad' does not count because it became a movie franchise ), and 'The Wizard'. The latter was created by Paul Radin, Michael Berk and Douglas Schwartz as a starring vehicle for the late and vertically challenged David Rappaport, who came to the attention of the American public via Terry Gilliam's 'Time Bandits'. It cast him as 'Simon McKay', a brilliant, eccentric maker of hi-tech gadgets for the U.S. government. Concerned that 'foreign powers' might want to put his skills to use for themselves, it assigned an agent - 'Alex Jagger' ( Douglas Barr ) - to be his minder. So off they went round the world, trying to elude their pursuers whilst having incredible adventures. In 'Reunion', a Lex Luthor-type villain tries to obtain buried gold by starting an earthquake. 'Haunting Memories' revolved around a haunted toyshop. In 'Trouble In The Stars', a boy believes he is getting messages from outer space, while in 'The Tribe', Simon comes to the aid of an Indian tribe terrorized by bikers. With its special effects, chase sequences and action, it was a hybrid of 'MacGyver' and 'The Fugitive'.
The show gave Rappaport a chance to display his comedic talents without having to continually make fun of his height. His character did not believe in violence, preferring to use his brains to come out on top.
Following the pilot, cast changes were made. Roy Dotrice came aboard to play regular villain 'Troyan' and Fran Ryan became Simon's cook and housekeeper 'Tillie Russell', while Cheryl McFadden ( who played Barr's partner 'Darcy Stafford' ) and Billy Jacoby were dropped. Reaction to the show in the States was shaky at first, but eventually a full season of 19 episodes was completed. It was never shown in Britain. The B.B.C. denounced it as 'tasteless'! This was around the time they were making 'Allo, Allo', a sitcom which made fun of the French Resistance in World War 2, and 'A Small Problem', a would-be spoof on apartheid in which short people got denigrated instead of blacks. 'The Wizard' was far better than some of the imported rubbish to be found on British screens at that time, such as 'Dallas', 'Dynasty' and 'The Dukes Of Hazzard'. The B.B.C. mistook it for another 'Terror Of Tiny Town' ( an infamous B-movie Western starring a cast of restricted growth ) whereas it was a fun, family show starring a talented British actor.
We can only guess at how 'The Wizard' would have fared on British screens, but it was not given a chance. The show's abrupt cancellation was reportedly the start of Rappaport's long descent into depression. In 1990, at the age of 37, he took his own life. -
jfg1-14 December 2004One night I was looking for a TV show I could watch with my two small daughters, and found "The Wizard". Simon McKay (David Rappaport) was a small man with a giant heart and immense intelligence, Tillie Russell (Fran Ryan) was his gruff yet kindly housekeeper, and Alex Jagger (Doug Barr) was the FBI agent that had to keep up with them, and protect Simon. Someone else has compared "The Wizard" to "MacGyver", and I suppose that is fairly accurate. Simon had developed weapons for the government, then decided that he couldn't do that any more, and disappeared for several years. Once he returned, he created wonderful toys. Of course, there would always be a bad guy, and Simon would use his toys to defeat him without guns or violence. My daughters and I remember this show with great fondness.
I, too, regret that I never wrote to David Rappaport to tell him how much we enjoyed this lovely, gentle show and the characters they created. -
samuel-clough20 July 2010I was sure this show was called The Wizard. I had tried to look on the internet before but had no luck. Finally proof of what I had been searching for years for. I watched this when it first aired I was around 5 or going on 6. Loved this and I remember the time I went to watch it and found it gone from it's normal time slot. Never to be seen again. I remember the episode where a car got stuck and the used "Grunt" a ball that turned in to a strong man, as a jack to lift the car out of the mud. I can see it in my mind like it happened yesterday. When will this come to DVD? I guess there is hope as they finally put Phantasam 2 out on Region1 DVD so there is hope.
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amandanw-7313118 July 2023This was my favorite TV show when I was in the first grade. I barely remember it now, but I remember how much I loved the show. The episode I remember most is the one that had the little girl in it. She was standing in front of a mirror. The little girl surprised one of the other characters by stepping through the mirror, because it wasn't actually a mirror and wasn't actually just one little girl; they were twins. I found out years later that the actress who played the twins was the same little girl who played Alice in the 1985 Alice In Wonderland that I'd seen on TV a couple years earlier; I wonder if that's why they did the mirror trick...
Coincidentally, at the time this show was popular, my dad had a friend who was also a short-height man and was a toymaker. My dad took me to visit his friend. I don't know his real name, because my dad told me he was Simon. Maybe the man's name was also Simon; I don't know. I didn't think he was the real Simon, though. Anyway, this "Simon" gave me a little wooden toy he'd made. I wish I still had the toy; my mom threw it away at some point. (My mom never understood which things were the most special.) I wish I could find this show airing somewhere online. I've found low-quality versions of some episodes on YouTube, but I wish I could see all of them again in full quality. -
Muldernscully31 January 2002I 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.
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Texaswondergirl4 June 2021I loved this show and have been looking for it for 30 years. Does anyone know where I can watch it? Youtube doesnt have it.
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AngelM5819 September 2004In 1986 I was pregnant with my first son, and I had a high risk pregnancy, I had to stay in bed and was scared that I might lose my baby. It was a very stressful time for me and one night I turned on the TV and there was this wonderful show The Wizard. And for 1 hour I could relax and forget my problems and my worries. It helped looking forward to this show every week.
I was really upset when they cancelled the show, I really wonder if we had the internet system up like we have now if we could have saved the show. One of the biggest regrets that I have is that I never did write to David Rappaport and let him know what a big help this show was during a time in my life when I most needed hope and a little peace of mind. It is a shame that he took his life, I wonder if he ever realized what an impact he had on some of us out there. -
Taz-5915 April 2000I 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. -
jarrod-229 August 1999Like 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.
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mep4y28 February 2002The 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!