Free Spirit (TV series)
A witch works as a housekeeper for a divorced lawyer.
Free Spirit is a fantasy sitcom from the United States that aired on ABC for the 1989–1990 season. The show follows Corinne Bohrer as a witch who moves in with a recently divorced father to look after his three kids. It was produced by ELP Communications and ran from September 22, 1989, to January 14, 1990.
The story centers on Winnie Goodwinn (Corinne Bohrer), a lively and mischievous witch. Ten-year-old Gene Harper (Edan Gross) summons her with a wish, and she ends up hired as a live-in housekeeper by his father, Thomas J. Harper (Franc Luz), a recently divorced lawyer. Winnie takes care of Thomas’s three children: Gene, his 13-year-old sister Jessie (Alyson Hannigan), and their 16-year-old brother Robb (Paul Scherrer). The kids are still getting used to their parents’ divorce and their move from New York City to suburban Connecticut. Thomas does not know Winnie is a witch, but his children do. Though Winnie means well, her magic often causes trouble, and she must work quickly to fix things without revealing her secret to Thomas.
In the unaired pilot, Christopher Rich played Thomas Harper and Shonda Whipple played Jessie Harper. The show was originally built around Edan Gross and Corinne Bohrer, so producers felt Rich and Whipple could be replaced. Only the second version of the pilot aired, with Franc Luz and Alyson Hannigan in those roles.
Free Spirit first aired as a preview on September 22, 1989, at 9:30/8:30c, on the first night ABC used the now-familiar TGIF Friday lineup. On September 24, it moved to its regular Sunday 8/7c time slot, airing between two other new shows, *Life Goes On* and *Homeroom*.
Critical reviews were mostly negative. In an *Electronic Media* poll, television critics named it the worst show on TV. The series also struggled in the ratings. When ratings did not improve, ABC canceled it in January 1990. The last of the fourteen episodes produced never aired in the United States.
- Genre
- Fantasy sitcom
- Network
- ABC
- Original run
- September 22, 1989 – January 14, 1990
- Number of episodes
- 14 produced (one unaired in the US)
- Main cast
- Corinne Bohrer, Franc Luz, Edan Gross, Alyson Hannigan, Paul Scherrer
- Production company
- ELP Communications
Lore & Background
Free Spirit follows the misadventures of a mischievous and vivacious witch named Winnie Goodwinn (Corinne Bohrer) who is summoned by 10-year-old Gene (Edan Gross) with a wish, and is subsequently hired as a live-in housekeeper by Gene's father Thomas J. Harper (Franc Luz), a recently divorced lawyer. Winnie looks after Thomas' three children: Gene, 13-year-old Jessie (Alyson Hannigan), and 16-year-old Robb (Paul Scherrer), 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 his three children do. Although Winnie is good-hearted and never means any harm, her powers frequently get her and the family into trouble. Winnie often has to scramble to get out of various situations while keeping Thomas from learning her secret.
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.
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.
Reader's Guide
Free Spirit is notable as a short-lived fantasy sitcom that aired during the inaugural TGIF lineup on ABC. Despite its premise of a witch working as a housekeeper, the series received generally negative critical reviews. In a poll conducted by Electronic Media, television critics voted it the worst show on television. The series struggled in the ratings, and after failing to improve, ABC canceled Free Spirit in January 1990. The last episode of the fourteen produced was never aired in the United States. The show is also remembered as an early role for Alyson Hannigan, who later gained fame on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and How I Met Your Mother. The casting change from the unaired pilot to the aired version, replacing Christopher Rich and Shonda Whipple with Franc Luz and Alyson Hannigan, reflects the show's focus on the child actor Edan Gross and star Corinne Bohrer.
Did You Know?
- Free Spirit aired on ABC from September 22, 1989, to January 14, 1990.
- The series was produced by ELP Communications.
- In the unaired pilot, Christopher Rich played Thomas Harper and Shonda Whipple played Jessie Harper.
- Television critics voted Free Spirit the worst show on television in an Electronic Media poll.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Free Spirit (TV series)?
Free Spirit is a short-lived American fantasy sitcom that aired on ABC during the 1989–1990 television season. The series blends everyday family life with supernatural elements, centering on a witch who becomes part of a single-parent household.
Who are the main characters in Free Spirit?
The show stars Corinne Bohrer as Winnie Goodwinn, a playful witch who serves as a housekeeper, alongside Franc Luz as Thomas J. Harper, a divorced lawyer, and Edan Gross as his ten-year-old son Gene. Alyson Hannigan and Paul Scherrer also appear in the main cast as part of the Harper family.
How does Free Spirit's story begin?
The premise kicks off when ten-year-old Gene Harper makes a wish that accidentally summons Winnie, a mischievous witch. She then ends up getting hired by Gene's father to live in the family home and help manage the household after his divorce.
How many episodes of Free Spirit were produced?
Fourteen episodes were made for the series, though only thirteen actually aired in the United States before the show was cancelled. The broadcast run stretched from September 22, 1989, through January 14, 1990.
Who produced Free Spirit?
The series was produced by ELP Communications and broadcast on the ABC network. It was a single-season effort that did not get renewed beyond its initial 1989–1990 run.
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