"Wishbone" (1995) TV series 1995-1998

User Rating:

8.8/10   

Writers:

Vincent Brown (writer) (1996)
Susan B. Chick (written by)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 4 | unknown

Release Date:

9 October 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Family

Plot:

An intelligent and witty dog imagines himself in the role of characters from classic books and gets involved in similar real-life adventures.

Plot Keywords:

Dog | Talking Dog | Teen | Talking Animal | Television

Awards:

8 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Soccer the Dog	...	Wishbone (29 episodes, 1995-1998)
Bear the Dog	...	Wishbone (19 episodes, 1995-1996)
Phoebe the Dog	...	Wishbone (19 episodes, 1995-1996)
Slugger the Dog	...	Wishbone (19 episodes, 1995-1996)
Larry Brantley	...	Wishbone / ... (18 episodes, 1995-1998)
Mary Chris Wall	...	Ellen Talbot (17 episodes, 1995-1998)
Christie Abbott	...	Samantha Kepler (17 episodes, 1995-1998)
Brent Anderson	...	Townsman / ... (17 episodes, 1995-1998)
Jordan Wall	...	Joe Talbot (16 episodes, 1995-1998)
Adam Springfield	...	David Barnes (13 episodes, 1995)

Runtime:

30 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

USA:Not Rated (video rating) | USA:TV-G (1995-1996) | USA:TV-Y (1997-) | USA:TV-Y7 (some episodes)

Filming Locations:

Dallas, Texas, USA

Company:

Big Feats! Entertainment (a division of Lyrick studios)

Trivia:

There were actually five "Wishbones". One dog named Soccer, the main actor, and four "stunt" dogs named Phoebe, Bear, Slugger, and Shiner.

Quotes:

Wishbone: I found a hole!
Samantha Kepler: He found a hole!
Wishbone: Thank you.

Movie Connections:

Followed by Wishbone's Dog Days of the West (1998) (TV)

So, What's the Story?

Filled with wit, wisdom and a great showcase of classic literature, "Wishbone" is one of those shows that just will not be repeated. It will not be topped, in any form or fashion. It was a highlight of my childhood, and I hope that someday it will be a joy for my own children.

It was the 1990s, an era when children's programming was beginning to wisen up and realize that kids needed to learn more than just numbers, letters and how to play fair. "Lamb Chop's Play-Along" was teaching kids origami and magic tricks; "Magic School Bus" and "Bill Nye the Science Guy" were enlightening us to the wonderful worlds of science and nature; and "Wishbone" was covering a previously-unharvested part of the learning landscape, literature.

In a world where the average child would've been far more content to play Nintendo than crack open Charles Dickens, the clever Jack Russell terrier, Wishbone, was sharing classic stories in a fresh and exciting manner, and instilling a fascination for books into the new generation. But what made "Wishbone" work so well was that it was not only educational, it was INTERESTING. It grabbed your attention with an exciting story that didn't necessarily seem like school stuff. It was a charming, endearing program that has certainly--in my opinion--lasted the test of time.

I'm a young woman now, and for a lark I went and popped in my old "Wishbone" VHS. It made me interested in classic literature all over again. I suppose that ought to indicate SOMETHING. Now let's give a big cheer for the little dog who taught us all how to love reading. WHOOCHA!