Free Spirit "Love and Death" (found unaired episode of ABC fantasy sitcom; 1990): Difference between revisions

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{{#ev:youtube|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ys1EBou7_I|320x240|right||frame}}
{{InfoboxFound
When TGIF made its debut on ABC in the fall of 1989, it had in its lineup ''Full House, Perfect Strangers'', the new ''Family Matters'' -- and, just once, a show called ''Free Spirit.''
|title=<center>"Love and Death"</center>
|image=Free spirit.JPG
|imagecaption=Partial cast of ''Free Spirit''.
|status=<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|datefound=27 May 2015
|foundby=casanoc
}}
''Free Spirit'' was an American sitcom series that aired on ABC from September 1989 to January 1990. The series revolved around Winnie Goodwin, a spunky young witch who worked as a housekeeper for three children who kept her secret, and their father who remained unaware.


It is regarded as a "lost" TGIF program as it fit the tone of the other shows on the block, yet ran on Sunday evenings instead after ''Life Goes On,'' where much of the intended young audience did not find it. Miller-Boyett Productions, which created a lot of TGIF's mainstays over the years, wanted control over Friday nights, and ''Just The Ten Of Us'' was contractually obligated to keep its time slot. As a compromise of sorts, ''Free Spirit''<nowiki/>'s pilot aired as a "special preview" during the very first TGIF broadcast on September 22, 1989. It received high ratings there, but much lower numbers in the Sunday slot.
In addition to thirteen regularly available episodes sourced from ABC's broadcasts, a fourteenth episode titled '''"Love and Death"''' ended up unaired in the United States, making it a sought-after item for fans of the series.


''Free Spirit'' revolved around Winnie Goodwin, a spunky young witch who worked as housekeeper for three children who kept her secret, and their father who remained unaware. The series grew a cult following after its cancellation.
==Broadcast and Cancellation==
Although ''Free Spirit'' earned satisfactory ratings when first broadcast on September 22nd, 1989 as part of the ''TGIF'' Friday evening block which also included ''Full House'', ''Perfect Strangers'' and the new ''Family Matters'', it was moved to Sunday evenings after ''Life Goes On'' a slot where much of the intended young audience did not find it due to the intervention of Miller-Boyett Productions and the contractual obligation of ''Just the Ten of Us'' keeping its time slot. This resulted in much lower numbers, leading to the show's cancellation and a lack of reruns in the United States. Despite this, ''Free Spirit'' has since grown a cult following.


A typical thirteen episodes ran their course and the show disappeared. It was never released on any home video format, but all thirteen have been circulating the bootleg market in sharp condition. However, in an interesting twist, a fourteenth episode exists. ABC did not count the pilot as part of the episode order and they were allowed one more show.
A total of thirteen episodes ran their course and the show was pulled from ABC's schedule. It was never released in any home video format, but recordings of the entire series have been circulating in the bootleg market. "Love and Death" the fourteenth and final episode – remained unaired, despite being announced.
[[File:Googlenewspapers6.jpg|thumb|402x402px]]
Not only does the episode '''"Love and Death"''' exist, it was complete and scheduled to air on January 21, 1990. It was listed in all TV print guides, including newspaper listings the day it was to appear. It was [http://www.platypuscomix.net/darkvault/hallowinnie.html mentioned] as following'' America's Funniest Home Videos'' in a TV promo spot (though no footage was shown). Instead, a ''Full House'' rerun appeared in its place and the show never aired again.


What happened? ''The Simpsons'' happened. When ''AFV'' made its first appearance ''Free Spirit'' was shoved to 8:30, when "Bart the Genius" first aired on Fox. ABC was faced with an [https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/alt.tv.simpsons/Fnt1BpGhK6Y/7FrktVMfUUAJ 80% ratings drop] for the next several weeks no matter what they put there -- ''Free Spirit, Full House,'' a movie, a drama about a young Elvis (in that order).
==The Episode==
[[File:Googlenewspapers6.jpg|thumb|320px]]
Scheduled to air on January 21st, 1990, it was listed in all TV print guides, including newspaper listings the day it was to appear. It was mentioned as following ''America<nowiki>'</nowiki>s Funniest Home Videos'' in a TV promo spot,<ref>[http://www.platypuscomix.net/darkvault/hallowinnie.html Hallowinnie! Platypus Comix.] Retrieved 30 Aug '17</ref> with no footage being shown. However, a ''Full House'' rerun was aired in its place, and ''Free Spirit'' was never aired again.


Currently, despite ample evidence of its existence, no footage of "Love and Death" can be found. It may have aired in foreign markets such as Canada. A more detailed description of the episode's plot than was printed in TV Guide can be found [http://www.tv.com/shows/free-spirit/love-and-death-24851/ at TV.com] -- but whoever put it there, and when, is unknown.
This schedule change was motivated by the premiere of ''The Simpsons'' on Fox. When ''AFV'' made its first appearance, ''Free Spirit'' was moved to 8:30, facing the first broadcast of "Bart the Genius". This resulted in ABC dealing with an 80% ratings drop for the next several weeks<ref>[https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/alt.tv.simpsons/Fnt1BpGhK6Y/7FrktVMfUUAJ alt.tv.simpsons - Google Groups May 7th, 1990.] Retrieved on 30 Aug '17</ref> no matter what was aired in that timeslot.
 
Never aired in the United States, "Love and Death" would not surface online until May 27th, 2015, when YouTube user casanoc uploaded a recording of the elusive episode, sourced from an Australian broadcast. It has since been mirrored on Dailymotion and can be viewed below.
 
==Gallery==
{{Video|perrow  =1
  |service1    =dailymotion
  |id1          =x2vu0l7
  |description1 ="Love and Death"
}}
==References==
{{reflist}}
 
[[Category:Found media]]
[[Category:Found TV]]

Latest revision as of 03:13, 10 April 2023

Free spirit.JPG

Partial cast of Free Spirit.

Status: Found

Date found: 27 May 2015

Found by: casanoc

Free Spirit was an American sitcom series that aired on ABC from September 1989 to January 1990. The series revolved around Winnie Goodwin, a spunky young witch who worked as a housekeeper for three children who kept her secret, and their father who remained unaware.

In addition to thirteen regularly available episodes sourced from ABC's broadcasts, a fourteenth episode titled "Love and Death" ended up unaired in the United States, making it a sought-after item for fans of the series.

Broadcast and Cancellation

Although Free Spirit earned satisfactory ratings when first broadcast on September 22nd, 1989 as part of the TGIF Friday evening block which also included Full House, Perfect Strangers and the new Family Matters, it was moved to Sunday evenings after Life Goes On a slot where much of the intended young audience did not find it due to the intervention of Miller-Boyett Productions and the contractual obligation of Just the Ten of Us keeping its time slot. This resulted in much lower numbers, leading to the show's cancellation and a lack of reruns in the United States. Despite this, Free Spirit has since grown a cult following.

A total of thirteen episodes ran their course and the show was pulled from ABC's schedule. It was never released in any home video format, but recordings of the entire series have been circulating in the bootleg market. "Love and Death" the fourteenth and final episode – remained unaired, despite being announced.

The Episode

Googlenewspapers6.jpg

Scheduled to air on January 21st, 1990, it was listed in all TV print guides, including newspaper listings the day it was to appear. It was mentioned as following America's Funniest Home Videos in a TV promo spot,[1] with no footage being shown. However, a Full House rerun was aired in its place, and Free Spirit was never aired again.

This schedule change was motivated by the premiere of The Simpsons on Fox. When AFV made its first appearance, Free Spirit was moved to 8:30, facing the first broadcast of "Bart the Genius". This resulted in ABC dealing with an 80% ratings drop for the next several weeks[2] no matter what was aired in that timeslot.

Never aired in the United States, "Love and Death" would not surface online until May 27th, 2015, when YouTube user casanoc uploaded a recording of the elusive episode, sourced from an Australian broadcast. It has since been mirrored on Dailymotion and can be viewed below.

Gallery

"Love and Death"

References

  1. ↑ Hallowinnie! Platypus Comix. Retrieved 30 Aug '17
  2. ↑ alt.tv.simpsons - Google Groups May 7th, 1990. Retrieved on 30 Aug '17
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