Updates from Elm Street

Remembrances, Announcements & Updates (oh my!)

May 2, 2009 marked the 19th anniversary of David Rappaport's passing.  This anniversary has seen the usual remembrances from fans, & the outpouring of love & support to David's family, friends, & loved ones.  Thank you to everyone who has sent messages, whether in public or in private!!

New this year is the unveiling of the official website for David Rappaport - http://davidrappaport.co.uk .  Created by The MGT. in association with David Rappaport's family, this website will showcase all of David's work & legacy as he would wish it to be.  We are all very proud of the Critical Acclaim page, which showcases many quotes from journalists & those who worked with David.  The picture page has several new pictures.  More information will be added to the site.  We hope you learn something new each time you visit.

As you may have noticed, there is now a Twitter feed appearing on The Wizard website homepage.  Although Twitter isn't for everyone, it has been extremely helpful in allowing The MGT. to keep everyone updated on the latest news, additions, trivia, etc.  The feed is also now appearing on The MGT.'s MySpace page, as Facebook Status Updates, on David's website About page, & on this blog's page.  If you are on Twitter, you are most welcome to follow this feed.

Most certainly thanks to the fabulous Rescue The Wizard video, the Petition has now reach 428 names.  The Rescue The Wizard Facebook Group has reached 42 members.  The more the merrier!!!

Presenting: "The Wizard" Official Video - Rescue The Wizard Campaign

We are pleased and proud to announce the premiere of the first and ONLY Official video for "The WIzard" since March, 1987.

Rescue The Wizard is a video created and developed by Jessica Markoff Chaney and Nabil Shaban, with Michael Berk.  This video is produced by Nabil's Sirius Pictures production company.

With the help of the Wizardly magical setting of Glasgow, Scotland's Sharmanka Museum, Nabil Shaban takes viewers on an amazing and informative journey into The Wizard's series and campaign to rescue it from the vaults of 20th Century Fox Studio.

Michael Berk makes a special appearance.  There is also a Very Special appearance by David Rappaport, himself.  David's appearance is with the full knowledge and consent of the Rappaport family.

The link below will go to the current home of this video on YouTube.  But, very soon it will have a permanent home on The Wizard website.

Everyone with The Wizard and the Rappaport family are all so very grateful to Nabil Shaban, Sirius Pictures Productions, and the Sharmanka Museum for donating so much time, energy, and immense magical talent to help Rescue The Wizard from the vaults of 20th Century Fox.

Thanks a million, Nabs!!!!!

Rescue The Wizard - The ONLY Official Wizard Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-z-Ezg2fTk&feature=channel_page

Important Request from Fox: Please Suggest The Wizard to HULU

During a recent meeting, The MGT.'s contact at 20th Century Fox Studios asked for help in convincing the folks at Fox's video website HULU to add The Wizard to their lineup.  Just like the home video release, HULU needs to know that viewers want to watch The Wizard before they spend the money to add the series.

HULU also wants to know about the desire for The Wizard, & all of their content, to be available for viewing internationally.  If ever there was a reason for HULU to invest in an international audience, The Wizard is surely it.

To check out HULU's website for yourself, please visit: http://www.hulu.com/

Hulu's Contact Page: http://www.hulu.com/support/contact

An email to HULU's Suggestion email address - feedback@hulu.com - can be something as simple as "Please add "The Wizard" (1986 Television) to your lineup so we can watch the series again.  Thank you!!", or as detailed as you wish to let them know what adding The Wizard would mean to you.

You are also welcome to send a copy of this message to Michael Berk & Douglas Schwartz via the Wizard website email addresses to save with all of The Wizard's records.

Thank you very much from everyone with The Wizard, and 20th Century Fox!!!!

Homepage Twitter Feed

Some visitors may have already noticed the addition of Twitter to The Wizard website's homepage.

What is Twitter?
Much like this blog's host, TypePad, Twitter is a website which allows users to set up a free blogging (web log) account. The difference being that Twitter posts only allow a maximum of 140 characters per post. Hence, a single post is referred to as a "Tweet". Some people use these tweets as a way to quickly keep in touch with family &/or friends who are far away. Some people use this as a part of Internet networking. Some people have found this useful for keeping track of their day to day business affairs, including surgeons. Profiles can be private or public.

The MGT. decided this might be a great way to keep everyone informed as to any additions/updates to The Wizard website & campaign. The great news is that Twitter also provides a way to add a profile post feed to several networking sites, as well as individual websites. So that is exactly what The MGT. did. This feed is in HTML format, so no downloading of additional freeware is required.

Will every single Tweet be about The Wizard?
No, but it will be worth perusing to find out what has been added or updated recently. All Tweets, no matter their subject, will be suitable reading for general audiences. Fear not! The Tweets will not outline every second of The MGT.'s life. You will, however, find quotes & references & announcements, etc. which The MGT. is free to share with the general public. If you find your interest & curiosity peaked enough to check out something or someone new, then it will all be worth it.

Anyone interested is welcome to subscribe to the feed, but Twitter does require you to create an account.

Share & Enjoy!!!!!

Rescue The Wizard Stats (3/23/09)

Making fun of yourself at someone else's expense is not intelligent, funny or cool.

The Rescue The Wizard Campaign has reached new heights.  Here are the latest stats:

Rescue The Wizard Petition: 414

TVshowsonDVD.com (Region 1 Only): 277

FaceBook Rescue The Wizard Group: 31

Many thanks to everyone who has been sending messages & adding their names & support to each entry.  This is exactly what 20th Century Fox needs to help make everyone's dreams come true.  Rather than list each individual name (or rating in the case of TVshowsonDVD.com), below are links to view each page for yourself:

Rescue The Wizard Petition: http://www.thewizardtvfansite.com/petition.htm

TVshowsonDVD.com: http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/shows/Wizard/4706

Facebook Rescue The Wizard Group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=55354989541&ref=nf

FYI: TVshowsonDVD.com only allows registered users to view the stats.  But we are more interested in accentuating the positive, which is why only the total number of votes to date is recorded above.

Infinite Thanks to everyone who is taking the time to help Rescue The Wizard no matter where they are in the world!!!

Special Olympics "Joke" Made By President Is Haunting Reminder For Us All

Viewer letters sent to The Wizard & David Rappaport clearly show that this series made important strides towards disability/different-ability awareness & putting a stop to bigotry & discrimination. For so many viewers, it was a refreshing & empowering change to finally see themselves portrayed as real people through characters who neither exhibited, nor were treated in, the stereotypical manner to which the non-disabled community remains so securely accustomed to. The Wizard's dedication to keeping it as real as they could was refreshing & empowering to non-disabled viewers, as well.

Obviously, one of the effects of removing The Wizard from the airwaves was the undoing of so much of the series' strides towards diversity, awareness, & the realization that disability does not equal lesser-than, and caring & pity are 2 entirely different things.

The continuation of discrimination through ignorance, & the unfortunate delusion that it is OK, has most recently been demonstrated by US President Barack Obama who, during an appearance with talk show host Jay Leno (March 19, 2009), attempted to make a joke by equating his skills at American bowling to the Special Olympics to prove how badly he bowled. The White House quickly released a follow-up statement swearing this wasn't meant to make fun of or discriminate against the Special Olympics or their atheletes, & that the President has nothing against the Special Olympics.

Everyone with The Wizard is deeply disturbed by both of these statements, which we would not consider intelligent, funny or cool no matter who expressed them.

Fact is, the only thing either of these remarks prove is that discrimination is very much alive, well, & accepted in America, especially towards the disabled/differently-able community. That the chasm between the disabled & non-disabled community has not narrowed in the past 23 years. It is long past time for a change.

We sincerely hope that if President Obama really truly wishes to see an end to bigotry & discrimination during his presidency, he will start with himself - as should we all. Discrimination against, & making fun of, anyone who is different in any way is not only beyond ignorant, but also still bigotry. This, believe it or not, includes those who are disabled/differently-able.

"You don't judge a person by their height. It's the size of their heart that really matters. And, you know we've all got something in common. We're all different." - Simon MKay to Brian in "El Dorado"

The Wizard Is All A-Twitter / jessica_theMGT

In order to continue bridging the chasms between The Wizard & everyone else, we will be joining as many online communities as possible. If you already belong to an online community which does not yet have authorized entries foe either David Rappaport or The Wizard, please write to The MGT so we can help you get one established. Stealing from this or any other website to start your own is just not cool, & very un-Wizardly.

For our latest trick, The Wizard has officially appeared on Twitter via The MGT. Everyone is welcome to subscribe to that RSS Feed as well as this one, but it is not required.

News on Twitter will include an eclectic assortment of news, links, & updates from The MGT.

https://twitter.com/jessica_theMGT

Facebook | Rescue The Wizard Campaign - To Free The Wizard (1986) from the Vaults

The campaign to Rescue The Wizard has grown to include Facebook. This group will allow anyone from anywhere in the world to leave a new/ additional message for 20th Century Fox, as well as getting to meet other fans, friends, & even cast/crew members of "The Wizard".

Admins & Officers for this group are Michael Berk & The MGT.

We hope you can join us.  The Facebook fun has only just begun!!!!

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=55354989541&ref=nf

Stopping The Ignorance of Discrimination

The Wizard broke new ground & dispelled many stereotypes. Most notably, the stereotype that an actor with dwarfism - or anyone with dwarfism, or anyone who is disabled/differently-able, or very different in appearance - could not possibly be a "real" person, "real" actor, hero or superhero. That such individuals were only suitable for pity, scorn, ridicule, sight gags, verbal gags, tossing, or roles calling for elves, pixies, leprechauns, villians, monsters, or "special" pity/sympathy/pluck appearances due to celebrity status obtained before becoming disabled &/or disfigured, etc.. Relegated to the roles of secondary & usually mythical characters, their characters only being able to help the "real" hero" to "find their way" to victory &/or true love.

The Wizard also helped dispel the myth that such "abnormal" individuals could not become sex symbols in Hollywood or elsewhere. There are plenty of marriage proposals & love letters among David Rappaport's fan mail to dispel this. (rest easy, girls. The MGT. is not about to name names.) Yes, Simon McKay, thanks to the intelligence, understanding & principles of David Rappaport, turned Hollywood & the entire entertainment industry upside down by proving that anyone with dwarfism or anyone who is diabled/differently-able can be a star, a leading character, a sex symbol, & be completely accepted by audiences of all ages, abilities & backgrounds around the world as not only a hero, but also a superhero.

This dispelling of stereotypes was just taking hold when The Wizard was unceremoniously cancelled at the end of its first season. Because the truth behind this cancellation & the truth about The Wizard's success with audiences would not surface for over 20 years, one of the effects was the erroneous assumption that cancellation equals failure. Sadly, most people, especially in the entertainment industry, were all too eager to believe this assumption & go back to embracing all of those stereotypes & socially accepted discriminations.

David Rappaport would certainly not be happy that things have not changed in over 20 years.

One particular occurence, happening right now, is one that hits close to home for The Wizard, so The MGT. is taking this opportunity to say something about it loud & clear.

The BBC's family network, CBeebies. has suddenly started to receive random letters from "concerned" parents regarding the continued appearance of favorite CBeebies presenter Cerrie Burnell. Is it because Cerrie is dressing/acting too provacitively or filling the airwaves with messages of hate, violence, or encouraging kids to use drugs & alcohol? No. It's simply because Cerrie Burnell has only 1 hand.

Yes, really.

These so-called "concerned" parents are writing in because they are worried that Cerrie's continued appearance on CBeebies will "frighten" their children. This is not concern, but rather ignorance, which they are passing on to their children. What's worse is that it is possible the BBC is actually considering to, once again, bow to stereotypical ignorance & err on the side of discrimination by firing Cerrie rather than promoting intelligence & diversity on the one channel that needs it the most. The BBC has issued statements that they have no intention of firing Cerrie, but this discrimination has been acheived through the "loophole" method before.  Everyone with "The Wizard" would like to do our part to ensure that it doesn't happen again.

The MGT. had the pleasure of meeting Cerrie Burnell this past June in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England where she was appearing in Nabil Shaban's play "The First to Go". Cerrie is a wonderful, kind, lovely person both inside & out. She is someone The MGT. would most certainly want to to be an influence on the children in her life. Everyone with The Wizard would like to take this opportunity to show our very public support for Cerrie Burnell, & ask the BBC to take this very important opportunity to promote intelligence & diversity on their networks by refusing to give in to the ignorance of a few.

It is long past time to end discrimination in the entertainent & media industries,

To show support for Cerrie Burnell, please send a message to CBeebies at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/contact/forms/tv_form.shtml

To show support on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=51841632298

The Wizard / Baywatch Connection Clarification

One of the most rampant misconceptions in all of Wizardom is that the series has a direct connection to an episode of Baywatch entitled 'Shortsighted'.

This particular Baywatch episode centers around a young boy dealing with the adolescent angst of being embarrased by his dad. In this instance, the dad (played by Ed Gale) just so happens to be both physically different & disabled/differently able due to dwarfism. I won't outline the entire episode, but the boy gets the chance to find out who his dad really is, & finds a new respect for him. The episode, written by Douglas Schwartz & Michael Berk, was dedicated to David Rappaport. As an added tribute, they chose to name the dad character 'Simon McKay' because David's character on The Wizard belongs to him in more ways than one.

They had no idea that this simple choice in character names would turn into a piece Wizard folklore that would, in turn, take on a life of its own.

For the record, Simon McKay in The Wizard & the Simon McKay appearing in the 'Shortsighted' episode of Baywatch are two separate characters sharing the same name. This was not a resurrection of either The Wizard or it's main character/hero.

The General Trivia & FAQ pages will have entries added to them to cover this topic. And we will also do our best to make certain that as many instances of this connection around the internet as possible are updated to set the record straight.

We want the tribute recorded. Just in the correct places.

"I always think it's important to get to the truth of the matter.", The Wizard's Simon McKay in 'Daydream Believer'