The Legacy and Return of ‘Wishbone’

During the 1990s, a unique canine actor captured the hearts of viewers as the star of the PBS series ‘Wishbone’. Soccer, the dog portraying the title character, brought to life classic stories with humor and earnest charm across 50 episodes and a concluding movie, ‘Wishbone’s Dog Days of the West’. This series entertained audiences of all ages with adaptations of tales such as ‘Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’, ‘Robin Hood’, ‘The Phantom of the Opera’, among others.

Decades later, the original team has reunited to produce a documentary, ‘What’s the Story, Wishbone?’. This film explores the development and unexpected cancellation of ‘Wishbone’, crafted by those who were involved from the start. The documentary offers a comprehensive look into the show’s history, aiming to satisfy fans until potential new stories might emerge.

Producer Betty A. Buckley, involved in both the series and the documentary, shared insights into the production process and emphasized the importance of respecting the show’s audience. Treating children as deserving viewers contributed to ‘Wishbone’ becoming a lasting cultural icon, remaining relevant long after its original airing.

I was fortunate to speak with Buckley, who recounted experiences from the original ‘Wishbone’ sets and provided details on creating this documentary. Her respect for the audience and dedication to thoughtful storytelling helped cement ‘Wishbone’ as a timeless show.

‘What’s the Story, Wishbone?’ is airing on Public Television Stations and will be available for digital purchase starting June 10.