The Patchwork Family

In January 1972, WCBS-TV replaced their long-running Sunday morning kids show Around the Corner with a show that also aired on Saturdays titled The Patchwork Family. The show was hosted by Carol Corbett, who I remember from the mid 60s when she hosted a lunchtime show on Channel 11. She had a puppet sidekick named Rags, who was voiced and operated by Cary Antebi. He also handled the puppets Flap and Sherlock on another successful kids show The Magic Garden.

Getting to the show, it was a nice mix of entertainment and education. The were exercise and musical segments as well as a rebus puzzle. Unfortunately, I didn't see a lot of episodes because I moved that summer from New Jersey to Minnesota but I also remember an instrumental in one of the episodes that was also used on the Jack Barry game show Hollywood's Talking as well as in commercials.

The Patchwork Family was one of the last memorable New York kids shows before most of them left the airwaves in the late 70s and 80s. Interesting note, after both Patchwork Family and Magic Garden left TV, Antebi dropped out of show business and became a rabbi.

I'll always remember the theme song that ended with this line: "It's certified and stated, That everyone's related in The Patchwork Family."

Loved the show as a child. Miss it dearly. It seems like a world away. Sure it was cheesy, but even as a 4 or 5 year old, i remember thinking the host was a normal, down to earth woman (not over-the-top corny). I remember her side-kick loving jelly beans. Is this right??? This and the other "local" kid shows should be released in some format (itunes, DVD, etc) Heck....I'd take a you tube clip at this point. I need my P.F. fix. As a parent i now realize the importance of these one-on-one television programs. They were more personal, slow paced and most always taught a basic life lesson. The fact that rediscovering The Patchwork Family speaks volumes to its impact on my childhood and life in general.

Oh my God!!! I wish wish wish this would come out on DVD! I loved this show on Sat. mornings. Rags was this yellow puppet thing that loved jelly beans. It was a real basic cheesy early 70's show for kids, but it was the best.

Why can't shows like this be brought onto DVD or even brought back to TV? I'm sure there would be a following once again.

The show was similar to the Magic Garden, which I also loved. Even though there is a huge cheesiness factor, the memories of this show are all worth it!

Bring this to DVD!!! Please!

Every Saturday for I can not remember how long, I would get up without fail and watch "Patchwork Family" on Channel 2 WCBS here in New York. It was what I looked forward too every Saturday. The show ran well into the 1980s on WCBS. As another reviewer stated , it was a simple show. Not a lot of flash. However, very educational. I would love to find it on DVD.HOwever, I do not think that will ever happen. The show was hosted by Carol Corbitt with her muppet sidekick, Rags. Rags had a thing for jellybeans. Each show had a rebus that was shown throughout the show to be solved by the end. Segments centered around local environmental, exercise, animals, crafts, math, spelling, etc. It was a wonderful show. As I see a clip of it has made its way to Youtube. It warms my heart to see just a small part of what was a great childhood memory. Thank you to Carol Corbitt for great memories you and your show gave me.