Okay, let's be honest. Figuring out when The Wizard of Oz is on TV is like trying to catch a greased pig at a county fair.
It feels impossible! You’d think with all the streaming services, it'd be readily available. But no, it plays hide-and-seek with us.
The Annual Easter/Thanksgiving Hunt
The classic answer used to be: Easter or Thanksgiving. Those were the golden days, right? We'd huddle around the TV, glued to Dorothy's journey.
Now? Things are different. Networks treat it like a precious jewel. They only bring it out for the "right" occasion, or when ratings are desperately low.
Streaming Shenanigans
Don't even get me started on streaming. Is it on HBO Max? Peacock? Paramount+? The answer changes faster than you can say, "Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore."
You have to subscribe to everything to catch it. That's my unpopular opinion. Is it really worth another subscription just to see The Wicked Witch melt?
I am starting to feel like I must do research work just to find it.
The “Surprise! It’s On…Now!” Approach
My favorite is when it pops up completely unannounced. You are flipping channels, and BAM! There's Dorothy, skipping down the Yellow Brick Road.
No fanfare, no promotion, just pure, unexpected Oz-ian magic. This happens all the time.
It’s like the universe is testing our devotion. Are we truly worthy of witnessing the Emerald City?
So, When *Is* It On?
Honestly? I have no clue. And I think that's part of its charm. It's a special event when it does appear.
It’s a movie that rewards the patient and the lucky. And maybe those with a really, really good TV guide app.
Seriously, someone invent a "Wizard of Oz Alert" app. I'd pay good money for that.
My Unpopular Opinion (Brace Yourselves)
Here it is: The Wizard of Oz is overrated. Don't get me wrong. It's a classic.
But the anticipation of *finding* it on TV is often better than *actually* watching it. The search is half the fun!
The constant hunt turns it into this mythical creature. It becomes bigger, better, more wonderful in our minds.
The rare treat that we watch, and then forget until the next time.
Embrace the Mystery
Maybe the best way to approach it is to stop trying to predict it. Let Oz find you. Embrace the uncertainty.
That unexpected moment of stumbling upon it on TV? That's pure gold. It's like finding a twenty-dollar bill in your old coat.
So, keep your eyes peeled, fellow Oz enthusiasts! One day, you'll be clicking your heels and singing, "There's no place like home...on my TV screen!"
“Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.”
And until then, happy hunting!
