Mr. Merlin

I really enjoyed this series growing up. it's charming story plots are wonderful and the majority of the cast are VERY lovable (unlike what's out today). Like everyone else, I really HATED that it lasted only one season!! what's up with that?! it had Clark Brandon (the only guy I've seen to have buck teeth, button nose, and BIG blue-eyes, and still looked damn awesome). it had the momentum to run at least for another few seasons. I had seen Clark Brandon in various TV roles (Jo's BF from Facts of Life, for one), but really liked that this show revolved around him. I've seen his later performances (ex: Fast food--though i really didn't care for it--Zack's personality really fit Clark for me... but then again, so did Eddie's). I hated that he faded into obscurity. he was just as talented as others in that time period, and it's a shame that studios didn't make more use of him. as a kid, i wanted to be like him.. except my eyes are hazel.

I think Mr Merlin`s great even if its just to gaze into Zach`s big blue eyes!!! There seems to be a moral to each of the episodes. I loved watching it as a child and now that I have most of the episodes, my children also love watching it! Better than Sabrina! Its nice to have a handsome wizard for the ladies!!!

Humor, magic, life lessons and people we wish we had in our lives. Okay, who wouldn't want a down-to-earth dude that can perform true magic??

This is a show meant for the whole family to watch together. Think there's something for everyone here. The charming Barnard Hughes plays Mr. Merlin, who teaches Zachary Rogers (Clark Brandon) not just magic, but right and wrong while giving the viewers some laughs along the way. Joining Hughes is Elaine Joyce as Alexandra, an assistant or go-between for Merlin and a council we never see.. She tries to give Zac a helping hand whenever he is at his wit's end. All these actors/actresses are just fantastic in their roles.

But something that seems to get overlooked in other reviews are the special effects in this show; they're quite impressive. Considering the time period, budget, it's amazing what they pulled off. You'll see some creativity in these effects, some of which are just flawless.

Even the theme music is A+

Max Merlin (Barnard Hughes) is the actual Merlin. He's over 1600 years old and running a small garage gas station in San Francisco. His constant companion is 1100 years old popping spirit Alex (Elaine Joyce). He's ordered to get an apprentice. He selects high school student Zachary Rogers (Clark Brandon) who pulled the crowbar. Leo Samuels (Jonathan Prince) is Zach's best friend.

This was 8pm on CBS leading in the last season of WKRP. It is a family friendly sitcom. It reminds me a little of Sabrina the Teenage Witch. This is less teenie but maybe it should be more. It needs to spend more time at the high school. There's no logic in Merlin being a car mechanic and it separates him from the school. He should be the school janitor or librarian. Either one would allow him to have a secret magic room. At the very least, there should be more main characters at the school other than Zach and Leo. In one episode, Janine Turner plays an evil cheerleader. She could have been a recurring character. Zach should be chasing the impossible hot girl while a sweet girl is his Girl Friday. Instead, the school is only story material for individual episodes. This is a fine family friendly network sitcom, but it has more potential than that.

I think they ripped off the idea from The George Burns Oh God film with John Denver. It's extremely light fair for the easily amused.