Free Spirit (TV series)

infobox television
show_name = Free Spirit


caption =
format = Sitcom
Fantasy
developer =
runtime = 30 minutes (approx. 22 min)
executive producer = Richard Gurman
creator = Leslie Ray
Steven Vail
starring = Corinne Bohrer
Franc Luz
Paul Scherrer
Alyson Hannigan
Edan Gross
country = USA
network = ABC
first_aired = September 22, 1989
last_aired = January 14, 1990
num_episodes = 14
imdb_id = 0096589
tv_com_id = 343

"Free Spirit" is a short-lived American fantasy sitcom series that ran on ABC during the 1989-1990 television season. The series was originally produced by Buena Vista Television. It ran from September 22, 1989 to January 14, 1990.

Overview

"Free Spirit" followed the misadventures of a very meek and mischievous blonde named Winnie Goodwinn, who was hired by lawyer Thomas J. Harper as a live-in housekeeper to keep an eye on his three children after the family moved from New York to a suburban Connecticut town. What Thomas doesn't know is that Winnie is actually a witch. The three children, oldest son Robb, middle sister Jessie and young brother Gene, already knew her secret, since it was Gene who was responsible for summoning her.

Although Winnie is a good witch (which may explain her last name being Goodwinn) and doesn't mean any harm, her powers do get her in hot water with the kids in more ways than one and Winnie has to scramble to get out of various situations while keeping Thomas from knowing the truth about her, and at times succeeding.

Cast

Production notes

*The series would be the launching pad for actress Alyson Hannigan.
*In the unaired pilot, clips of which were seen in the 1989 ABC Fall Preview Show, Christopher Rich played Thomas Harper and a different, unknown actress had the role of Jessie Harper. Since the show was originally conceived as a vehicle for Edan Gross and Corinne Bohrer, the producers felt that Rich and the original Jessie were more replaceable. Only the second version of the pilot aired before the rest of the series, with Franc Luz and Alyson Hannigan in their respective roles.
*"Free Spirit" was also the second fantasy sitcom series about a witch that was set in Connecticut, the first being "Bewitched", which was produced by Columbia Pictures Television and also aired on ABC.

Episodes

Cancellation

The series was canceled in January 1990, after 13 of the 14 episodes produced were aired. The show ranked #78 in the Nielsen ratings that season.

DVD Release

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment currently has no plans to release the show on DVD at this time.

External links

*imdb title|id=0096589|title=Free Spirit
* [http://www.tv.com/free-spirit/show/343/summary.html?q=Free+Spirit Free Spirit at TV.com]
* [http://epguides.com/FreeSpirit/ Episode guide at Epguides.com]