7.2 /10 1 Votes
6.8/10 TV Created by Leslie Ray
Steven Vail Directed by Art Dielhenn Final episode date 14 January 1990 Number of episodes 14 (1 unaired) | 7.8/10 IMDb Genre Fantasy sitcom Developed by Tim O'Donnell First episode date 22 September 1989 Number of seasons 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Written by Kevin Abbott
Phil Doran
Mark Fink
Howard Meyers
Susan Meyers
Bob Rosenfarb Starring Corinne Bohrer
Franc Luz
Paul Scherrer
Alyson Hannigan
Edan Gross Network American Broadcasting Company Cast Alyson Hannigan, Corinne Bohrer, Franc Luz, Edan Gross Similar Who's the Boss?, Mr Belvedere, Just the Ten of Us, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Bewitched | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Free Spirit is an American fantasy sitcom that aired on ABC during the 1989–1990 television season. The series stars Corinne Bohrer as a witch who moves in with a recently divorced father to help care for his three children. Originally produced by ELP Communications, Free Spirit aired from September 22, 1989, to January 14, 1990.
Contents
Overview
Free Spirit follows the misadventures of a mischievous and vivacious witch named Winnie Goodwinn (Corinne Bohrer). Winnie is hired as a live-in housekeeper by recently divorced lawyer Thomas J. Harper (Franc Luz). Winnie also looks after Thomas' three children, 16-year-old Robb (Paul Scherrer), 13-year-old Jessie (Alyson Hannigan) and 10-year-old Gene (Edan Gross), who are still adjusting to their parents' divorce and their move from New York City to suburban Connecticut. Thomas has no idea that Winnie is a witch, but all three children are aware of her secret since it was Gene who was responsible for summoning her. Although Winnie is a good witch and doesn't mean any harm, her powers frequently get her and the family into trouble. Winnie has to scramble to get out of various situations while keeping Thomas from learning that she is a witch.
In the unaired pilot, Christopher Rich portrayed the role of Thomas Harper and Shonda Whipple portrayed Jessie Harper. Since the show was originally conceived as a vehicle for Edan Gross and Corinne Bohrer, producers felt that Rich and Whipple were replaceable. Only the second version of the pilot aired with Franc Luz and Alyson Hannigan in their respective roles.
Broadcast history
Free Spirit premiered as a preview broadcast on September 22, 1989, at 9:30/8:30c, on the first night in which ABC's Friday lineup used the now-popular TGIF format. On September 24, the series moved into its regular time slot of Sunday at 8/7c, airing between two other freshman series, Life Goes On and Homeroom.
Cast
Guest stars
Reception and cancellation
Critical reviews of Free Spirit were generally negative. In a poll conducted by Electronic Media, television critics voted it the worst show on television. In addition to poor critical reception, the series struggled in the ratings. After ratings failed to improve, ABC canceled Free Spirit in January 1990. One episode of the fourteen produced never aired in the U.S.