The Magic Garden (TV series) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Magic Garden |
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Paula (Left) and Carole (Right), hosts of The Magic Garden
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| Created by | Carole Demas and Paula Janis |
| Starring | Carole Demas Paula Janis |
| Theme music composer | Carole Demas and Paula Janis |
| Opening theme | “The Hello Song” |
| Composer(s) | Alton Alexander, George Kayatta |
| Country of origin | United States (1972–1984) |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 12 |
| No. of episodes | 52 plus one holiday special |
| Production | |
| Production location(s) | WPIX studios, New York City |
| Camera setup | multi-camera |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Production company(s) | WPIX-TV |
| Release | |
| Original network | WPIX-11 |
| Original release | March 6, 1972 – September 14, 1984 |
The Magic Garden was a live-action children's television program that aired Mondays through Thursdays from March 6, 1972, to September 14, 1984, on WPIX-11 in the New York City metropolitan area. Produced and broadcast in the world's largest television market, the show became popular with millions of children. As characterized by The New York Times, The Magic Garden "was a cheerful, low-budget, inadvertently psychedelic half-hour show in which Ms. Janis and Ms. Demas sat on giant toadstools, spoke to flowers, sang songs and told stories."
Summary
Carole and Paula, the main characters and hosts of the show, sing several songs throughout each episode, often accompanied by Paula's acoustic guitar. The show takes place entirely within the Magic Garden, a colorful set that includes the Magic Tree, which lowers various objects from its branches. Also found throughout the garden are swings, a stone path, a shed, and the Chuckle Patch, a giggling bed of flowers that grows leaves with jokes on one side and the punch line on the other. Many conversations take place at a low stone wall with Sherlock (a mischievous squirrel puppet with a love for peanuts) and Flapper (a colorful bird who was a later addition to the characters in the garden). Stories are often acted out using costumes and props provided by the Story Box. In addition to songs, games, and jokes, the characters provide life lessons for viewers, and extend personal greetings to members of their television audience—for example: "Hello, Judy. Hello, Jeffrey."
The show aired on WPIX at various times during the day on weekdays but only four days a week Monday through Thursday from 1971 through 1984. At some points, it led out of morning cartoons, leading into religious programming. After 1975, it aired afternoons, leading out of religious and public affairs shows into the afternoon cartoons. On Fridays until 1981, in place of The Magic Garden, another children's show produced at WPIX called Joya's Fun School aired in its time slot. After that other children's shows would replace The Magic Garden in the Friday slot. Finally, WPIX dropped The Magic Garden altogether on September 14, 1984. WPIX wanted to be strictly entertainment programming during daytime hours and modernize their programming. In the year before, WPIX dropped The 700 Club and at the time they cancelled The Magic Garden, they ended their weekday non-commercial hour of public affairs programs as well.
Credits
- Carole Demas - Carole (Star)
- Paula Janis - Paula (Star)
- Cary Antebi - Sherlock/Puppeteer
- Alton Alexander - Writer, Composer
- Virginia Martin - Writer, Associate Producer
- George Kayatta - Composer
- WPIX-TV - Producer
