It's been a long time but I still can remember watching some of the popular kids programs of my youth like Captain Kangaroo, Mr. Dressup, The Friendly Giant, and of course H.R. Pufnstuf. I really liked H.R. Pufnstuf as a youngster because it featured life-sized puppets in fantasy adventures on a live-action television show which really brought characters like Cling and Clang, Dr. Blinky, the friendly dragon H.R. Pufnstuf and the villainous Withchiepoo to life. This gang's high jinks on Living Island made for a cutting edge show at the time and have made the television series a cult classic. I have fond memories of the show but don't recall seeing much about H.R. Pufnstuf and its cast of characters since I was about 6 or 7 years old so when I noticed Nickelodeon was bringing its characters back to television that news caught my attention.
Sid and Marty Krofft who in addition to creating H.R. Pufnstuf are known for other popular 1970s era television shows such as the Donnie & Marie variety show, Land of the Lost, Sigmund & The Sea Monsters, Doctor Shrinker and Wonderbug have recently embarked on a new venture with Nickelodeon producing a new live-action preschool series called Mutt & Stuff. Set in a unique school for dogs, Mutt and Stuff stars Calvin Millan and his dad Cesar (the original star of Dog Whisperer), interacting with a cast of both real dogs and puppets. Based upon the popularity of the new series this year, Nickelodeon is expanding its first season by an additional 20 episodes. In celebration of this expanded season, one of the new episodes will pay tribute to Sid and Marty Kroft's beloved characters from H.R. Pufenstuff bringing them back for their first new television show appearance since the 1980s. Featuring H.R. Pufnstuf, Cling and Clang, Freddy the Flute, and the Rescue Racer, H.R. PUFNSTUF COMES TO MUTT & STUFF is currently being filmed and will have a premiere date in early 2016.
In "H.R. Pufnstuf Comes to Mutt & Stuff," Stuff, the over-the-top canine companion of Calvin, is paid a special visit at the canine school by his favorite uncle H.R. Pufnstuf. When H.R. Pufnstuf arrives with his friends from Living Island, Stuff goes overboard in an attempt to impress him and make sure everything is perfect. This episode promises to be a nostalgic moment for fans of the original H.R. Pufnstuff and an opportunity to introduce these characters to a new generation of both parents and children who may not be familiar with this cast of characters because of their long hiatus from television.
"H.R. Pufnstuf was the first TV show my brother and I created, so it has always held a special place in our hearts," said Marty Krofft in a press release provided to A Geek Daddy. "Our fans constantly ask us to bring pack Pufnstuf and we feel the vibrant world of Mutt & Stuff is the perfect setting to revitalize these colorful characters and build excitement for new fans."
"H.R. Pufnstuf's wildly imaginative characters made an indelible impression on an entire generation, and now preschoolers and parents will see the two fantasy worlds of Sid and Marty Kroft come together on Mutt & Stuff through the same creative storytelling that defines both series," noted Russell Hicks, President, Content Development and Production, Nickelodeon Group.
"It has been an amazing experience to be part of Mutt & Stuff with my son Calvin," added Cesar Millan. "The show is an amazing platform to educate kids on the responsibilities of being a dog owner and we are excited to be bringing it back for another 20 episodes."
Mutt & Stuff follows Calvin Millan and his best friend Stuff, a larger-than-life dog with the personality to match, as they take preschoolers inside the doors of Mutt & Stuff, a school for dogs, to explore the daily lives of these canine companions. Each episode features incredible tricks, training lessons and high-spirited humor. With the help of 15 playful puppies and charismatic puppets, Calvin educates preschoolers on how to train and guide their dogs, as well as showcase the friendship and loyalty that puppies can provide. The series has a social-emotional curriculum that helps preschoolers identify and manage emotions, build interpersonal awareness and develop social skills. Mutt & Stuff also carries a message of pet adoption and responsible pet care based upon Cesar Millan's philosophies.
If you want to check out re-runs H.R. Pufnstuff they are broadcast on the Me-TV television network and streamed at metv.com. We've also included an episode of the show you can watch below:
