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Entertainment • TV Series

Wishbone

Wishbone is an American live-action children's television series that aired on PBS from 1995 to 1997.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Wishbone is an American live-action children's television series that aired on PBS from 1995 to 1997. The show follows Wishbone, a Jack Russell Terrier who daydreams about starring in stories drawn from classic literature. The series combined live-action storytelling with literary adaptations aimed at children.

Premise

Wishbone follows a Jack Russell Terrier living in the fictional town of Oakdale, Texas. In each episode, events from the dog's everyday life trigger daydreams in which he plays a character from classic literature.

Production and broadcast

The series was created by Rick Duffield and produced by Big Feats! Entertainment for PBS. The show aired during the mid-1990s and ended in 1997.

Format and educational approach

Each half-hour episode mixed live-action scenes with literary dramatizations. The series introduced young viewers to books and stories from world literature through contemporary parallels and fantasy sequences.

Reception and legacy

Wishbone is remembered as a notable educational children's series and has been cited for its appeal to both entertainment and literacy. Later retrospectives and documentaries have highlighted its cultural impact on viewers who grew up with the show.

Key facts

  • The series centers on a dog named Wishbone who imagines himself as characters from classic literature.
  • It was produced by Big Feats! Entertainment, a division of Lyrick Studios.
  • The program aired on PBS and premiered in the United States in October 1995.
  • The series ran for two seasons and 50 episodes.
  • The show combined live-action storytelling with literary adaptations aimed at children.
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Canadian context

Wishbone aired in Canada on some PBS-affiliated or imported children's television schedules and remains familiar to Canadian viewers who watched PBS-era educational programming.

Frequently asked questions

What is Wishbone about?
It is about a Jack Russell Terrier who imagines himself in roles from classic literature while living in the town of Oakdale, Texas.
When did Wishbone air?
It aired on PBS in the mid-1990s, with sources placing the run from 1995 to 1997.
Who created Wishbone?
The series was created by Rick Duffield.
How many episodes did Wishbone have?
The series had 50 episodes across two seasons.
What kind of show is Wishbone?
It is a live-action children's series with educational, adventure, comedy, and family elements.
Was Wishbone based on books?
Not directly on one book series; instead, each episode adapted or referenced classic literature and other well-known stories.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wishbone_(TV_series)
    Supports: Premise, production company, PBS broadcast, original run, episode count
  2. TV Guide — https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/wishbone/1030138060/
    Supports: Premise, episode format, literary daydream structure
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/wishbone
    Supports: Network, genre, original language, synopsis
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112225/
    Supports: Country of origin, release date, language, filming location, title details
  5. Common Sense Media — https://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/wishbone
    Supports: Educational focus, premise, literary references, audience orientation
  6. Reelgood — https://www.reelgood.com/show/wishbone-1995
    Supports: Series premise, episode count, run dates, awards mention