Interview: ‘What’s the Story, Wishbone?’ Documentary Proves PBS’ Favorite Jack Russell Never Really Left Us

I am not ashamed to let the people know that my love of reading came from a tiny Jack Russell dog with the cutest face. Here we are my fellow millennials, What’s the Story, Wishbone?, the new documentary celebrating the beloved PBS series is finally live and I got to speak to the people that helped define my childhood.

During an interview with yours truly, for The TV Cave, producer and voice actor Larry Brantley, writer Stephanie Simpson, and director Joey Stewart reflected on the making of the series and the surprising legacy the show continues to carry more than 30 years later. The biggest revelation? Nobody involved fully understood the mountain they were climbing while making it.

“We had to knock out a show every single week,” Stewart explained. “If I got offered this job again right now, I don’t know that I would take it.”

That production schedule sounds like a beast because it was, even by today’s television standards. The team filmed episodes in five-day stretches while simultaneously prepping the next episode. PBS got the tapes and like Britney Spears said, "gimme more" eventually ordering 40 episodes and a TV movie, leaving the cast and crew's mouth agape.

Brantley, who is best known as the voice of Wishbone, spilled the tea: he was physically on set every day during filming. The team built Brantley a custom “doghouse” box to record in between sound stages. I can't imagine how dope that felt being right there with everyone else and Soccer.

Before we move on, shout-out to Soccer who I believe is on a farm living out his best days.

Back to the interview:

There were different ways the team planned out how Wishbone would speak for the audience. There were talks about CGI lips moving but that was scrapped. The show trusted that the viewers could connect with Wishbone through performance and imagination. “The kids got it right away,” Brantley said. “It never bothered the kids that his lips weren’t moving.”

He's keeping to real because children (myself included) accepted Wishbone’s inner voice immediately while my aunt rolled her eyes at the concept.

The documentary also highlights something longtime fans already knew: Wishbone never really disappeared. The series continues to strike a chord with audiences who credit the show for sparking their love of reading, writing and storytelling. During the interview, Simpson shared how teachers still use the series in classrooms, while Brantley discussed meeting fans at conventions who are now introducing Wishbone to their own children.

We also touched on whether a Wishbone reboot could ever happen. Stewart admitted conversations have happened over the years, though they don't own the rights, aka do not hold your breath.

More importantly, What’s the Story, Wishbone? reminds audiences why the original series mattered in the first place. It wasn’t flashy. It didn’t rely on giant spectacle or cynical humor. It simply trusted storytelling, talented performers and one extremely expressive dog.

You can visit What's the Story Wishbone for information on how to purchase or stream the documentary.

Check out our full interview below: