Feeling Good (lost PBS health series; 1974-1975)

Title card.

Status: Lost

Feeling Good is an American adult television series hosted by Dick Cavett, and produced by the Children's Television Workshop (CTW, now Sesame Workshop). The series aired on PBS from November 20th^[1], 1974 to 1975 with two seasons. It was the first TV series produced by the CTW for adults instead of children. The series is now lost, with no episodes being available online and images exist.

Plot

Mass-appeal guest stars were used each week along with a cast of regulars that congregated in a general store called “Mac's Place”—a kind of antiseptic “Hot I Baltimore.” The first season covered such diverse matters as mental health, prenatal and nutrition^[2]. Through the health problems and behavior of its residents, and through songs, sketches and animation, documentary segments and tips on staying healthy were presented.

Availability

The show aired on PBS from November 20, 1974 to 1975. After the show was revamped, it later aired on Channel 13 Wednesdays at 8 P.M.—with a repeat Sundays, at 6:30 P.M.

No episodes have surfaced online and are lost. It never had a home media release, making it hard to find.

The only proof of its existence are the poster, articles of the New York Times about the series, storyboards for the promo, images of the Feeling Good newsletters and promotional images of the series. On December 6, 2015, Stephen Lawrence uploaded a video on YouTube of Bernadette Peters singing "The Nicest Parties" from the series. The promo was later reanimated by Jonathan Katav for the Lubalin 100 project, and was uploaded on May 29, 2018 on Vimeo. As of now, these are the only videos that are related to the series.

In addition, there was an outdoor event called Feeling Good Health Festival that was held in the plaza of Lincoln Center on April 29, 1975. The festival featured booths from 30 different health organizations with information, counseling and test administration.

The event included a live appearance by Big Bird from the CTW's flagship series Sesame Street, introduced by Dick Cavett, the show's host. Loretta Long, who played Susan, also performed. Footage of the live live appearance is lost.

Gallery

Poster of the series.
From left to right: Dick Cavett, Joseph Catano, Karen Kline and Dr. Peter Peacock conducting stress tests^[3].
A screenshot featuring Dick Cavett and Julia Child.
Dick Cavett and the show's logo.
A page of the New York Times featuring an article about the series premiere.
Another page of the New York Times featuring another article of the series.
An image of the newsletter^[4].
CTW newsletters featuring the show's logo.
Another image of the newsletters.
Joe Morton (right) and the cast of Feeling Good.
Big Bird with Dick Cavett at the Feeling Good Health Festival.
Storyboards for the promo by Herb Lubalin.