It’s the 1970’s, and my parents invest in cable television. At the time, the biggest thrill cable television provided for me was the ability to watch stations like WSBK in Boston, as well as three New York stations – WNEW, WOR and WPIX. All four of these stations had some sort of children’s programming in the afternoon – when it wasn’t digitally blocked by the cable company due to rebroadcast rights by the local stations.
One of the shows that didn’t get blocked, however, was this 30-minute sweet program from WPIX in New York City. This is The Magic Garden, and featured two folksingers – Carole and Paula – and their time in a little magical backyard.
It’s hard to explain. You just have to watch an episode.
Luckily, I have one right here.
Yep. The songs, the cutesy characters, the soothing aesthetic – this show was well-loved by New York City children. So much so, in fact, that even though the show only aired four days a week, those episodes ran for nearly 15 years on WPIX.
I mean … wow. Can you imagine a show like this airing today? No, it’d be shuffled off to some 5:30 a.m. slot where no one would find it.
The show was even celebrated as part of WPIX’s 75th anniversary.
And, as seen below, there’s some plans to bring The Magic Garden back as a digitally animated series. Complete with this proof of concept video.
Sounds like fun. I’m ready to watch. For sure.
Chuck The Writer 
Yes, cable installation day was truly a magical event.
Sadly, the service has since grown into something much like government – bloated, useless content, and comes with an outrageous price tag.
Does a truly 100% wholesome, mind-twisting message-free children’s program even exist anymore?
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4 days a week, with Joya’s Fun School on Fridays, but only 10 weeks of episodes were produced, and recycled ad infinitum. Carole Demas would later land a gig singing the Promise margarine jingle. In the 80’s. Magic Garden would bounce back & forth between mornings & afternoons, with Joya along for the ride, of course, before ‘Pix took it off the air.
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