CBS's 1982's Mr. Merlin Mr. Merlin was an American sitcom that ran for one season, from 1981 to 1982, about Merlin the wizard, who is immortal, living in modern-day San Francisco, and disguised as Max Merlin, a mechanic. Plot: Merlin hires Zachary Rogers to work in his garage, and when Zac pulls a crowbar out of a bucket of cement, the crowbar is revealed to be Arthur's sword Excalibur and Merlin must reveal himself to Zac and make him an apprentice to or lose his powers and immortality, Trivia: