The Wizard

One 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.

I 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.

Like 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.

I loved this show and have been looking for it for 30 years. Does anyone know where I can watch it? Youtube doesnt have it.

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.