Another classic from the 80's that I remember watching when I was growing up. Mr. Merlin is an American sitcom that ran for one season, from 1981 to 1982, about Merlin the wizard (played by Barnard Hughes), who is immortal, living in modern-day San Francisco, and disguised as Max Merlin, a mechanic. Mr. Merlin was produced by Larry Rosen and Larry Tucker, working as the Larry Larry Company, in association with Columbia Pictures Television.
Merlin the Magician is alive and well and living as an auto mechanic in San Francisco. Upon orders from his voluptuous boss Alexandra, Merlin attempts to train his teenage employee at the garage, Zac, as his heir apparent. Most of the show's comedy comes from Zac's inexperience with his powers and the characters' attempts to keep Merlin's identity a secret
In modern day San Francisco, Merlin the Magician, the ageless, 1,600-year-old sorcerer from the days of King Arthur's Court has settled as a crusty auto mechanic who takes 15-year-old Zac Rogers under his wing as his new apprentice to teach him the power and value of magic. But Zac almost always misuses magic and always has to call on 'Max Merlin' to bail him out of trouble. Leo Samuels is Zac's best friend who helps him out now and then, and the only other mortal aware of Zac and Max's powers. Alexandra is the powerful and beautiful 1,100-year-old sorceress and the liaison between Max and Zac, and the all-powerful, unseen sorcerers to whom they answer to.
The series ran for 22 episodes from October 1981 through March 1982.
Cast
Main
- Barnard Hughes as Max Merlin, Merlin the Magician who now works as a mechanic in San Francisco.
- Clark Brandon as Zachary Rogers, Merlin's apprentice.
- Jonathan Prince as Leo Samuels, Zac's best friend.
- Elaine Joyce as Alexandra, Merlin's fellow magician.
- Phil Morris as the Kid.
Guest cast
- DeAnna Robbins in "Pilot" (Episode 1)
- Richard Basehart in "A Moment in Camelot" (Episode 7)
- Stacy Keach, Sr. in "Take My Tonsils... Please!" (Episode 9)
- Scott McGinnis in "Not So Sweet Sixteen" (Episode 11)
- Mel Stewart in "Alex Goes Popless" (Episode 14)
- Catherine Mary Stewart and Rita Wilson in "Everything's Coming Up Daisies " (Episode 15)
- Eugene Roche in "Change of Venue: Part 1" (Episode 18)
- Holly Gagnier in "I Was a Teenage Loser" (Episode 22)
