Bigfoot and Wildboy – An Unsung Krofft Show

Maybe it was because ‘Krofft’ was in the name. Maybe it was because of Kaptain Kool and the Kongs. Or, maybe because of the multiple show segements, but The Krofft Supershow is one the ultimate definition of the Krofft body of work. Bigfoot and Wildboy was one of those segments. And today at they have an article on the Krofft gem.

Science fiction/fantasy sculpturist Vincent Villafranca turned us on to Bigfoot and Wildboy the other day, and now we’re obsessed with watching all the episodes on Youtube. It’s just so wrong, from the Sean Cassidy-haired Wildboy to Bigfoot’s penchant for leaping high up in the air so that his shaggy crotch occupies the dead center of the screen. THis is the reason our formative years were more like deformative years.

Many of the Krofft shows are given unfair criticism. These people tend to forget that “C.H.I.P.S.”, “Starsky and Hutch” and “The Six Million Dollar Man” were top shows at the time. If you watch those shows today, they suffer from the same dated feel as “Bigfoot and Wildboy”.

Of all the Krofft shows, I remember watching this one the most as a 6-7 year old boy. I remember this was the only Saturday Morning show besides Land of the Lost that my father would watch with me. It had the same feel and story as some primetime hits of the day.

I think I need to bring more Bigfoot and Wildboy to KROFFT.NET. Anyone with who wants to contribute is welcome, just either post in the comments or send me an email.

Handmade H.R. Pufnstuf Birthday Card

Etsy is marketplace for selling handmade item on the internet. One of the sellers, KreepyKids, has created a birthday card featuring our favorite major:

For sale is one Happy Birthday Handmade Card featuring “Kreepy Kids H.R. Pufnstuf, Mayor of Living Island, with the Magic Flute and Jimmy” from Kreepy Kids Get Kroffty Series.

This card is blank inside, comes with a matching colour envelope, measures 6″ by 4″, and comes wrapped in a cellophane bag.

Go on over to Etsy and check it out.

Review: Love to Love You Bradys

Up until now, “The Brady Bunch Hour” was one of those one-off shows that only Krofft-fanatics and Brady-ologists even remotely remembered…and many would have liked to forget. Variety shows in the 1970s were like reality-shows are today; occasionally there was a good one, but most of them were very bad. The Brady Hour was no exception.

I heard about this book (Love to Love You Bradys) two years ago when I was contacted by author Ted Nichelson. As a Krofft Fan, I was excited to hear a new book based on one of their properties was in the works, but at the same time wondered if was more a Brady book, than a Krofft book. The closer we got to the release, I started wondering if if my expectations were too high. I’m glad to say, they were too low.

I read this 300 page book in one sitting….I just couldn’t put it down. Nichelson’s over 7 years research and development pays off with a very engrossing, and well written book that pulls you in and won’t let you go. It’s a ‘coffee table book’, but structured well to tell a story from start to finish. What I found particularly interesting was the history of the show told from the writers’ point-of-view. Their insights provide us with a unique perspective of a Krofft production as well as 70s TV in general.

Being a coffee table book allows for lavish imagery throughout the book. Some pictures you’ve seen before, but more than not there is something new on every page. The show was such a visual experience that the photos are a must to experience the surreal-ality that was The Brady Hour. Also, the side notes by Susan Olsen (Cindy Brady) really put it over the top.

If you have any interest in the Brady Bunch, Sid and Marty Krofft, or just TV show business in the 70s in general, this is the book to get. This is the story from start to finish on how the Brady Hour came to be, and how it faded away. I loved every minute of it…twice.

GET YOURS NOW

Lost Comic Cancelled and Brady Book Comes Early

Just recently I reported on a Land of the Lost comic available from Things From Another World. It appears that my concerns were justified as I received this from them:

Your pre-order for Land of the Lost #1 (APR090647F), which was scheduled to be released on 2009-06-24, has been canceled. The release of this item has been canceled by our supplier, and we are unable to obtain it at this time. We are terribly sorry for the inconvenience.

So it appears that the comic is dead. I can only assume it was because of the lackluster performance of the movie at the box office. It is a shame as I believe it could have been a good way to continue the story of LOTL.

In better news….
The highly anticipated book from Ted Nichelson and Susan Olsen which was originally to arrive on September 1st, looks as if it may be coming sooner than expected. This morning, Amazon sent me the following:

Ted Nichelson, et al “Love to Love You Bradys: The Bizarre Story of The Brady Bunch Variety Hour”

Previous estimated arrival date: September 03 2009

New estimated arrival date: August 19 2009

Do you have your order in yet? If not, what are you waiting for?

Land of the Lost Original Series Comic

If your looking to relive your Land of the Lost memories after the recent Will Ferrell comedy (good or bad), now here is your chance. A comic based on the original 70s TV series is coming:

By: Sean O’reilly, Tony Lee

Type: Comics
Genres: Action-Adventure
Series: Land of the Lost
Publisher: Arcana Studio
Pub. Date: June 24, 2009
Availability: Pre-Order
UPC: 89808400139209001

I’ve pre-ordered copy, but am a little concerned. It was supposed to be released on July 24th, and there is no cover art available. We’ll see when (if) I finally ships.

I’d expected more press for this comic (not even mentioned on the Krofft MySpace page) but only stumbled across it myself. Hopefully it’ll be release soon.

New Witchiepoo Doll Available

For all you Krofft Kollectors out there, Huckleberry Toys just released a new Witchiepoo Toffeedoll. The doll is currently available, and will also be available at ComicCon 2009. Huckleberry Toys provided the following press release:

TOFFEE DOLLS make their debut at San Diego Comic Con

Los Angeles, CA (July 3, 2009) – Hailing from the Land of the Rising Sun and the fertile imagination of artist Riri Fukuju comes TOFFEE…a mix of both human and animal attributes in a being unto themselves. The inaugural limited edition series of TOFFEE dolls by Huckleberry are making their debut at the 2009 San Diego Comic Con.

Available at select fine retailers in August, the TOFFEE dolls are a plush, mixed medium doll that is meticulously hand-made with special attention to details in hand painting the facial expression, hand applying the hair, sewing the body and outfit. Each doll is articulated with 5 poseable joints (neck, legs and arms) and are hand numbered limited editions. The TOFFEE dolls also come with doll stands, certificates of authenticity and custom designed backdrop dioramas that can be displayed with the dolls.

In celebrating the inaugural series of TOFFEE dolls, Huckleberry has created three limited TOFFEE’s for summer conventions they are attending around the world. The first of these very limited dolls is HELLBOY™ FAN TOFFEE…a different twist on a much beloved character….taken from the inspiration of Mike Mignola’s comic artwork, HELLBOY™ FAN Toffee embodies something many a fan can relate to….dressing up in their own unique style to emulate a character they love. HELLBOY™ FAN TOFFEE is limited to 500 pcs.

The second summer convention exclusive is WITCHIEPOO TOFFEE. From the wildly fantastic and out of this world minds of Sid & Marty Krofft came the classic children’s television show H.R.PUFNSTUF in 1969. How can anyone forget that wicked laugh of Billie Haye’s Withciepoo and her quest to get her hands on Freddy the Flute from do-gooders Jimmy and Pufnstuf. WITCHIEPOO TOFFEE comes with a hand signed certificate of authenticity by creators Sid Krofft, Marty Krofft and actress Billie Hayes and is limited to 300 pcs.

The final summer convention exclusive is a TOFFEE original…JESSICA. JESSICA TOFFEE is limited to 300 pcs.

The inaugural series of TOFFEE dolls and summer convention exclusives will go on sale July 3, 2009 at www.huckleberrytoys.com while supplies last. TOFFEE creator Riri Fukuju will also be on hand to meet fans and sign dolls at the Huckleberry booth # 4449 during the San Diego Comic Con.

Huckleberry is a company dedicated to designing imaginative toys to foster fun, creative play for kids of all ages.

Honestly, this is the first time I’ve heard the term “Toffee doll”, but the doll does look cool. For the collectors out there, this would make a fine showpiece.