"Zapped!" - where "Facts of Life" meets "Free Spirit"

['80sSitcoms]

So we already knew that "our Nancy" (Felice) starred in the 1982 film Zapped!, but I had no idea it also featured Corinne Bohrer---whom I absolutely love as Winnie Goodwinn, the delightfully quirky/awesome housekeeping witch on ABC's Free Spirit. And, her name in that film was---Cindy! I had no idea these 2 beloved sitcoms of mine ever connected!

Now, Free Spirit is extremely obscure, so I don't know if anyone here will know it (though my money is on, if anyone, Retro). But I recently binged on all 13 aired* episodes, which I do about once a year, and fall in love with it all over again.

I LOVE Free Spirit, and I wish at least a whole season had been greenlit. Both Free Spirit and The Facts of Life began with very low-rated 13-episode first seasons. While Facts went on to a long televised life, sadly, Free Spirit faded away after it's half-sized first season. Poor Winnie, even her magic couldn't save the show to conjure up at least one full season!

*(there was also 1 USA-unaired episode, which did air in Australia. It is now on YouTube).

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[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

So we already knew that "our Nancy" (Felice) starred in the 1982 film Zapped!, but I had no idea it also featured Corinne Bohrer---whom I absolutely love as Winnie Goodwinn, the delightfully quirky/awesome housekeeping witch on ABC's Free Spirit. And, her name in that film was---Cindy! I had no idea these 2 beloved sitcoms of mine ever connected!

Now, Free Spirit is extremely obscure, so I don't know if anyone here will know it (though my money is on, if anyone, Retro). But I recently binged on all 13 aired* episodes, which I do about once a year, and fall in love with it all over again.

I LOVE Free Spirit, and I wish at least a whole season had been greenlit. Both Free Spirit and The Facts of Life began with very low-rated 13-episode first seasons. While Facts went on to a long televised life, sadly, Free Spirit faded away after it's half-sized first season. Poor Winnie, even her magic couldn't save the show to conjure up at least one full season!

*(there was also 1 USA-unaired episode, which did air in Australia. It is now on YouTube).

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I remember Free Spirit, of course. I had semi-forgotten it until I caught a few episodes on YouTube a couple of years ago. I even mentioned it as a show I had watched regularly in 1989, here.


It was kinda cheesy, like a reboot of Bewitched.


I had no idea the star had appeared on Zapped! The "Cindy" connection, what with "Nancy" being on Zapped!, is kinda funny!

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

I had no idea the star had appeared on Zapped! The "Cindy" connection, what with "Nancy" being on Zapped!, is kinda funny!

Yup! lol

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

I remember Free Spirit, of course.

Well, your'e one of very few! (along with myself)

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

I had semi-forgotten it until I caught a few episodes on YouTube a couple of years ago.

Oh, not me. I'm a loyal fan. lol I have this vivid memory of watching the show and absolutely LOVING it. I remember Winnie in the kitchen with the kids, doing magic. That's what really stands out. Unfortunately, I also remember feeling crushed when it was canceled.

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

It was kinda cheesy, like a reboot of Bewitched.

Well, look at season 1 of "Facts", many folks would attack that for cheesiness, and worse (and have, lol). I never really watched "Bewitched", but an article I read last night panning the show said it was like "The Sound of Music" and "I Dream of Jeannie" (which I did love in syndication growing up) and "Bewitched".

Anyway, yes it has its flaws, but I adore it. I rarely say this about a television character or show, but Winnie absolutely MAKES that show.

Just look at the effect Winnie has on an impartial objective viewer!

http://www.platypuscomix.net/darkvault/freespirit.html

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