The Magic of ABC starring David Copperfield originally aired Wednesday, September 7th 1977.

Although certainly not a new concept, the idea of a fall preview special was given a different kind of treatment here when the ABC television network signed on magician David Copperfield to host. This program was not too unlike many of the variety shows from the era and featured comedy skits, music and dancing numbers and of course lots of magic. Scores of stars from the ABC network came aboard for the fun and to help introduce ABC's new shows and schedule for the 1977-78 season. Along for the ride were Kristy McNichol, Cindy Williams, Penny Marshall, Donny and Marie Osmond, Dick Van Patten with Adam Rich, Abe Vigoda, Hal Linden, Kate Jackson, Fred "Rerun" Berry, Shaun Cassidy and Parker Stevenson, and Monday Night Football's Howard Cosell. Several of the new shows introduced that year included: Soap, Carter Country, Operation Petticoat, The Redd Foxx Comedy Hour, The Love Boat and The San Pedro Beach Bums. And since the main sponsor for this program was Pillsbury® it gave Mr. Copperfield numerous opportunities to sing the praises of their tasty, gooey concoctions. Altogether this is an entertaining and nostalgia filled look back at a long forgotten time in American television history.

Kristy McNichol (along with Shaun Cassidy and Parker Stevenson) is in a cute little comedy/magic skit that is a takeoff on the classic The Maltese Falcon. It seems that Kristy must save her "Maltese Canary" from "Mr. Big" (Fred Berry), and "Private Magician" Copperfield is her only hope.

Buying note: This television show has never been available on commercial home video; there are however other sources for this as well as other rare Kristy McNichol appearances that you might be looking for.

3-30-2007