Make a Wish (TV series)

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."