Wizbit, 1986
More than just a TV magician Paul Daniels was the voice and co-creator of this children’s TV show.
The show was created by Barry Murray, who had formerly been Mungo Jerry’s record producer, with assistance from top TV magician Paul Daniels. The theme tune was based on a song by Lead Belly, named “Ha-Ha This A Way”and was sung by Daniels, who retained all rights to characters and designs, with the music rights retained by Murray.
The show was partly educational, with puzzles (often lateral thinking) set to Wizbit, often being presented to the audience at home, where the solutions would be revealed towards the end of the episode. Wizbit’s magic word was “Ostagazuzulum”, and he came from the planet WOW, an acronym for “World Of Wizards”
The series ran in two blocks 12 episodes of 25 minutes and 15 episodes of 10 minutes between 1986 and 1988.
Summary
The series is set in Puzzleopolis, a town inhabited by walking, talking sponge-balls, dice, magic wands, playing cards and rabbits, where the protagonists must solve puzzles. Wizbit is an alien magician on a year-and-a-day mission is to find out all about planet Earth.
Clips
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Cast
Paul Daniels – Himself (3 episodes, 1986-1987)
Vicky Licorish – Gate Keeper (2 episodes, 1986-1987)
Debbie McGee – Herself – Magic Assistant (3 episodes, 1986-1987)
Norman Bowler – Wooly (1 episode, 1986)
Martin Daniels – Squidgy Bog (1 episode, 1986)
Alan Bodenham – (1 episode, 1987)
Adrian Hedley – (1 episode, 1987)
Rob Inglis – Professor Doom (1 episode, 1987)
Colin Rose – (1 episode, 1987)
Gerald Staddon – (1 episode, 1987)
Details
Channel: BBC1
Created By: Barry Murray and Paul Daniels
Original Transmission Dates: 8th January 1986 – 10th February 1988