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Q: "Creepy" 70's Children Show ( No Answer,   7 Comments )
Question  
Subject: "Creepy" 70's Children Show
Category: Arts and Entertainment > Television
Asked by: pennynyc111-ga
List Price: $15.00
Posted: 04 Jul 2006 15:39 PDT
Expires: 05 Jul 2006 14:58 PDT
Question ID: 743362
I grew up in New York City in the 70's.  I vaguely remember a show
that was a sketch show (kind of like Sesame Street meets the
Munsters).  I remember on particular sketch -   a comical witch was
always brewing up some sort of potion in her kitchen - and she would
inevitably bang her forehead into some overhanging pots and pans while
maneuvering throughout her kitchen.  And, she would always say "bubble
buibble 'toilet' trouble" as well....which eventually gave ME trouble
in High School Literature class.

It may have been a local show.  

Any info greatly appreciated!

Request for Question Clarification by pinkfreud-ga on 04 Jul 2006 16:19 PDT
I believe you may be remembering "H.R. Pufnstuf," a wild and funny
children's show from the late '60s and early '70s (it aired NBC from
9/6/69 - 9/4/71 and on ABC from 9/16/72 - 9/1/74). The show featured
an inept, bumbling witch named Witchiepoo (played by Bille Hayes) and
many Muppet-like characters.

There's a synopsis of the show here:

http://www.70slivekidvid.com/pufn.htm

From the site linked above, here's a picture of Witchiepoo:

http://www.70slivekidvid.com/puff/witchie1.jpg

Does any of this ring a bell (or stir a cauldron)?

Clarification of Question by pennynyc111-ga on 04 Jul 2006 17:21 PDT
It definitely stirs a cauldron...but it's not the nail on the head.

From what I remember,  the entire show was devoted to a "Munsters"
theme... there were Frankenstein characters and Dracula characters -
etc.

It probably was a local NY station production.

I remember H.R. Pufnstuf fondly - but it was a Saturday morning show.

The show I am trying to recall was on in an early afternoon weekly
timeslot, when I'd come home from school  - then again,  I was 9 so my
memory may not serve me too well in this case.

Request for Question Clarification by juggler-ga on 04 Jul 2006 19:24 PDT
Could you be thinking of "The Monster Squad" which ran on NBC in 1976-77?
http://www.70slivekidvid.com/msquad.htm
http://www.tvacres.com/horror_vampires_monster.htm

Clarification of Question by pennynyc111-ga on 04 Jul 2006 20:54 PDT
Very close again.  The show I am recalling was a sketch type show. 
Like Sesame Street.  No animation.  Just sketches with different
"horror" characters.

The witch sketch stands out because it cracked me up.  Enough so that
at 36 - I can still remember that particular segment.

Again,  I grew up in the NYC area....so this may very well be a local
station concoction!

This is a tough one, I know!  I've been asking about it for years and
no one seems to remember...only vague recollections...like me :(

Request for Question Clarification by pinkfreud-ga on 05 Jul 2006 13:51 PDT
Be sure to read the comment by jodijill, below. I think she's got it.
Answer  
There is no answer at this time.

Comments  
Subject: Re: "Creepy" 70's Children Show
From: thursdaylast23-ga on 05 Jul 2006 13:28 PDT
 
All right, this is an outside shot, since some of the details you
remember don't match: not all "creepy" characters and some brief
animated "cartoon" segments. But The Electric Company (PBS, 1971-77)
was a Monday-Friday kids' show based on sketch comedy, and was
intended (according to Wikepedia) for the "graduates" of Sesame
Street. There was a regular "witch" character (played by Judy
Graubart) for all the seasons, and in 1976, they did run an episode
entitled "Witch in the Kitchen." Also, among other regular sketches,
two were based around characters called Dr. Frankenstein and Count
Dracula (both played by Morgan Freeman, btw).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Electric_Company#Visuals

Script of the "Witch in the Kitchen" episode:

http://www.tv.com/the-electric-company/witch-in-the-kitchen/episode/395639/recap.html
Subject: Re: "Creepy" 70's Children Show
From: jodijill-ga on 05 Jul 2006 13:46 PDT
 
I think it's Grizelda, The Ghastly Gourmet, from Billy Van's genius
program, The Hilarious House of Frightenstein.
http://www.frightenstein.com/characters/grizelda.html
Subject: Re: "Creepy" 70's Children Show
From: pennynyc111-ga on 05 Jul 2006 14:01 PDT
 
THAT'S IT !!!!

Grizelda!   The Ghastly Gourmet!!!  The memories of the rest of the
show are flooding back!

Funny, the little things that stick with us from childhood..

THANK YOU!  Thanks for all of the repsonses !!!!!!!
Subject: Re: "Creepy" 70's Children Show
From: pennynyc111-ga on 05 Jul 2006 14:19 PDT
 
By the way - I now work as a professional chef. 

I wonder if the vague memory of Grizelda had anything to do with that :)
Subject: Re: "Creepy" 70's Children Show
From: cynthia-ga on 05 Jul 2006 14:26 PDT
 
Penny,

Occasionally a question is answered by a commenter that is not an
authorized researcher, when that happens, the asker receives an answer
for free...  Since this has happened here, I suggest you close the
question.

One of the many benefits of using our service!

Glad you found your show!

~~Cynthia
Subject: Re: "Creepy" 70's Children Show
From: thursdaylast23-ga on 05 Jul 2006 14:35 PDT
 
I just discovered that this show is still in reruns in Canada. If you
have any Canadian friends, you might get them to tape Grizelda for
you!

http://driveinclassics.ca/shows/frightenstein.asp
Subject: Re: "Creepy" 70's Children Show
From: pennynyc111-ga on 05 Jul 2006 14:50 PDT
 
Thanks everyone!!!

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