For a generation of kids, classic literature came alive thanks to a plucky Jack Russell Terrier named Wishbone. Now, 30 years after the beloved PBS series first aired, a new documentary is pulling back the curtain on how the show found its four-legged star. What's the Story, Wishbone? offers an exclusive look at the audition process that led to the discovery of Soccer, the dog who would become a cultural icon.
In a sneak peek shared exclusively with Collider, series creator Rick Duffield and his team head to Hollywood to audition dozens of dogs for the lead role. They saw a whole litter of candidates, but none had the spark they were looking for—until their final audition of the day. That's when Soccer, a Jack Russell Terrier with a résumé of commercials, walked in and stole the show with a signature jumping backflip. His expressive face, brimming with intelligence, sealed the deal. The producers knew they had found their Wishbone.
But landing the role was just the beginning. The documentary promises to reveal the challenges of filming with a canine actor and how Soccer's personality shaped the series. For fans who grew up watching Wishbone daydream his way into The Odyssey, The Tempest, or Sherlock Holmes mysteries, this behind-the-scenes story is a must-see.
What Was 'Wishbone' About?
Wishbone followed Joe Talbot (Jordan Wall), a preteen in the town of Oakdale, and his dog Wishbone. In each episode, a real-life situation would remind Wishbone of a classic work of literature. Viewers could hear Wishbone's thoughts (voiced by Larry Brantley), though the other characters couldn't. The show would then cut to a condensed reenactment of that story, with Wishbone in adorable, era-appropriate costume playing the lead role.
The series covered an impressive range of works, from Homer's The Odyssey to Shakespeare's The Tempest, Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories, and even African folktales and Dakota mythology. Filmed on location in Allen and Plano, Texas, the show ran for 50 episodes plus a feature-length finale, Wishbone's Dog Days of the West. Soccer passed away in 2001 at age 13, but the series lives on in reruns and the hearts of fans.
The documentary What's the Story, Wishbone? is directed by Joey Stewart, one of the original series' directors, and features contributions from Duffield, Brantley, producer Betty Buckley, head writer Stephanie Simpson, trainer Jackie Kaptan, and actors Mary Chris Wall, Angee Hughes, Jeanne Simpson, and Matt Tompkins. Comedian Mo Rocca, who got his start as a writer on the series, also appears, along with notable Texans Dan Rather and George W. Bush.
For those eager to relive the magic or discover it for the first time, the documentary airs on local PBS affiliates and makes its worldwide digital debut on June 10. It's a fitting tribute to a show that introduced millions to the joys of reading—and to a dog who proved that sometimes the best star is the one who jumps highest.
If you're a fan of nostalgic TV deep dives, check out our analysis of why 'Lost' captivated millions and our list of the best movies by directors under 25.
