MeTV Kicks Off 5th Annual BOO-Nanza With ‘Wizard of Oz’ & a Special ‘Collectors Call’
Somewhere over the rainbow, one may be wishing they could watch The Wizard of Oz at home on broadcast TV, and MeTV is here to grant that wish! For the first time in almost 30 years, MGM’s timeless classic The Wizard of Oz will return unedited and back on free broadcast television on Friday, October 2, on MeTV.
First, the road to Oz begins on Sunday, September 27, with an all-new episode of MeTV’s original series Collector’s Call, featuring collector Victoria Calamito, a leading authority on The Wizard of Oz with a collection spanning more than a century of Oz history. Check out our exclusive sneak peek of the episode below.
This is just the start of the month-long programming event. Next up after Collectors Call is a 1990 documentary hosted by Angela Lansbury titled The Wonderful World of Oz: The Making of a Movie Classic, which features rare behind-the-scenes footage from The Wizard of Oz plus fascinating reminiscences from the cast members and their families.
Then, on October 2, comes the main event, where Lisa Welchel will host The Wizard of Oz’s triumphant return to Network TV. Don’t worry if you miss it; there will be plenty of opportunities to view it, as Svengoolie will also throw his own spin on the beloved classic on October 5, and multiple other rewatches will be available throughout the month. You can view the whole schedule below.
MeTV’S The Wizard of Oz Programming Highlights
All Times ET/PT
Sunday, September 27
6:30 pm – Collector’s Call – “Meet Victoria Calamito”
MeTV
Tori Calamito is a social media content creator and a leading authority on The Wizard of Oz. And in addition to podcasting about all things Oz on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram, she’s assembled a collection of Oz memorabilia that spans more than a century – from the first edition of the original Oz book to stage-worn costumes from the Wicked musical, and beyond.
Host Lisa Whelchel has invited pop-culture expert and Collector’s Call favorite John Ragusa to appraise Tori’s entire collection – including such show-stopping pieces as autographs of the stars of the classic 1939 movie, a limited-edition Wicked-themed makeup kit from Ariana Grande‘s cosmetics company, and a vintage Tin Man squeeze-toy so rare that, in John’s words, it “barely exists.” John also tries to tempt Tori into making a trade, offering a beloved item from her childhood in exchange for a much more modern Oz artifact. Find out if the dream that he dares to dream really does come true – or whether it turns out to be a horse of a different color.
7 pm – The Wonderful World of Oz: The Making of a Movie Classic
Hosted by Angela Lansbury, this 1990 documentary offers rare behind-the-scenes footage from The Wizard of Oz plus fascinating reminiscences from the cast members and their families.
Friday, October 2
Premiere Broadcast Event!
Everett Collection
7 pm – The Wizard of Oz (1939) – Hosted by Lisa Whelchel, starring Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, and Ray Bolger.
Young Dorothy Gale and her dog Toto are swept away by a tornado from their Kansas farm to the magical Land of Oz and embark on a quest with new friends the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion to see the Wizard, who can return her to her home and fulfill the others’ wishes. Lisa Whelchel hosts the special presentation, which will also include original vignettes featuring exclusive interviews with experts, performers, and designers who all have had a hand in bringing Oz’s stories to screen, stage, and page.
Saturday, October 3
7 pm – Svengoolie Presents The Wizard of Oz
Young Dorothy Gale and her dog Toto are swept away by a tornado from their Kansas farm to the magical Land of Oz and embark on a quest with new friends the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion to see the Wizard, who can return her to her home and fulfill the others’ wishes.
Monday, October 12
7 pm – The Wizard of Oz (1939)
Hosted by Lisa Whelchel, starring Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, and Ray Bolger.
Sunday, October 25
11 am – The Wizard of Oz (1939)
Hosted by Lisa Whelchel, starring Judy Garland, Frank Morgan and Ray Bolger.
1:30 pm MeTV Premiere! The Wiz (1978), starring Diana Ross, Michael Jackson and Nipsey Russell
Everett Collection
When Harlem schoolteacher Dorothy is miraculously whisked away to an urban fantasy land called Oz, she goes in search of the Wiz, a wizard who can help her get back to Manhattan, along with the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion.
4:30 pm – The Wonderful World of Oz: The Making of a Movie Classic
5:30 pm – The Wizard of Oz (1939)
Hosted by Lisa Whelchel, starring Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, and Ray Bolger.
Saturday, October 31
Special Svengoolie Event!
7 pm – Svengoolie Presents The Wizard of Oz
Remind 
Hollywoods Golden Year
April 2024
Return with us to the year film fans acknowledge as the finest in Hollywood history, 1939.
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