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11 Books That Definitely Wouldn't Have Been Made Into 'Wishbone' Episodes

The story is inappropriate for children, Wishbone. That's what.

If you grew up in the '90s, you probably watched the beloved TV show "Wishbone" on PBS. (If you didn't, you truly missed out, and I feel sorry for you.) It followed the exploits of an adorable Jack Russell Terrier as he shared his love of reading with young viewers. Basically, it was the best show ever and NEEDS TO HAVE THE COMPLETE SERIES OUT ON DVD ALREADY.

Anyway, there were like 50 or so episodes, each featuring a different novel or novella. Most of the books, such as "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" made sense, but others, such as "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame" were probably not the best choice for children. FYI, the 1996 Disney animated version was NOTHING like the original novel by Victor Hugo.

PBS

wishbone-as-robin-hood

A dog who can shoot a bow and arrow. Your argument is invalid.

We decided to come up with several books that 100% would have never made it past the producers as potential episode fodder. Although, if PBS ever wanted to do some kind of sequel show for an older audience, feel free to use this list for suggestions.

"The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger

Wishbone would play Holden Caulfield, but after like the fourth or fifth F-bomb, the censor would just give up.

"Lord of the Flies" by William Golding

Wishbone would play Ralph, who does his best to avoid violence, even though all the other boys decide to kill one another and completely turn into feral animals. C'est la vie.

"The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins

Wishbone would play Peeta Mellark, but no one wants to watch a bunch of people try and kill a dog. Therefore, the book's odds are not in its favor of being turned into an episode.

"The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" by Stieg Larsson

Wishbone would play Mikael Blomkvist, the man accused of libel. Of course, the producers would have to nix all the sexual assault, torture, and murder scenes, which is probably like half of the book.

"The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" by John Boyne

Wishbone could either play Bruno or Shmuel; either way he's going to die, and we're all going to ball our eyes out. :(

"The Shining" by Stephen King

Wishbone would, of course, play Jack Torrance, who slowly goes insane and tries to kill his wife and son. If that doesn't scream "family fun for all ages," then I don't know what does.

"Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women's Prison" by Piper Kerman

Wishbone would probably end up playing either John Bennett or George "Pornstache" Mendez. Even though the book is tamer than the TV show, we still don't want to see Wishbone in a prison setting, thank you very much.

"The Stranger Beside Me" by Ann Rule

Wishbone would play infamous true-crime serial killer Ted Bundy... That's a sentence I never thought I'd write.

"Lolita" by Vladimir Nabokov

Wishbone would play European professor Humbert Humbert, who begins a relationship with his 12-year-old stepdaughter. Um, how about no?

"Sex" by Madonna

Wishbone would embody various male roles, all characters who, um, spend some time with Mistress Dita.

"Fifty Shades of Grey" by E.L. James

Wishbone would play Christian Grey (duh) and things would just get really weird, really fast.

But seriously PBS, let's get this show out on DVD already — or least on Netflix!

PBS

Wishbone dog

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