Hot Fudge facts for kids

Hot Fudge (also known as The Hot Fudge Show) was a fun American TV show for kids. It was made in Detroit by a TV station called WXYZ-TV. The show became very popular!

It first aired only in Detroit in 1974. Then, from 1976 to 1980, it was shown all over the country. Some other TV stations that belonged to ABC (the same company as WXYZ-TV) also showed Hot Fudge.

What Was The Hot Fudge Show?

The show was full of music, songs, and funny skits. It had both real actors and cool puppets. The puppets were called the "Mits."

At first, the show was hosted by Arte Johnson. After the first season, a musician named Larry (Larry Santos) and a green, fuzzy puppet named Seymour took over. Seymour's voice was done by the show's producer, Bob Elnicky.

The show was so popular that some music albums were released! One album was called Glenn Denver Sings Country Songs from the Hot Fudge T.V. Show. Glenn Denver was a puppet who made fun of a famous singer named John Denver. Other albums included Rock 'N Roll from the Hot Fudge T.V. Show by The Electric Fuzz, and Larry and Seymour Sing Songs from the Hot Fudge T.V. Show.

Hot Fudge was even recognized for being a great show. In 1974, an episode was sent to the University of Georgia for a special award called the Peabody Award. While it didn't win that award, it was kept in the university's special collection. In 1976, the show won another award called the Puppeteers of America ACT AWARD.

Fun Sketches and Characters

Hot Fudge had many memorable characters and funny skits. Here are some of them:

• Holy Moley!: This skit featured a simple man (played by Ron Coden) who tried to solve problems. But things usually went wrong for him!
• Name That Feeling: Professor Emotion (played by Ron Coden) hosted a game show. It was like a parody of Name That Tune. Puppet contestants watched video clips of other puppets and tried to guess how they were feeling. This skit usually had a fake commercial in the middle.
• Write On!: In this part of the show, many puppet characters read jokes or riddles that kids had sent in.
• Newsreel: This segment showed real film footage of things like how paper is made. Different kids would narrate the footage, just like in an old newsreel.
• Unreasonable Report: These were news skits with a character named Harry Unreasonable. He was a funny version of a real news anchor named Harry Reasoner.
• Hot Fudge Gang/The Mits/Happening!: These were different skits that featured both children and adults.
• Detective Tomato (played by Ron Coden) gave advice to kids. After giving advice, he would leave through a door behind him. But something funny would always happen to him when he went through the door!
• Elton Seymour: This was Seymour the puppet dressed up like the famous singer Elton John. He would play a tune, usually at the beginning of the show.
• Mr. Nasty (played by Ron Coden) loved it when his audience booed him. He would give tips on how to be as nasty as him. But in the end, his landlady would always turn the tables on him, making the audience cheer instead!
• Amanda Caruthers (and later Yolanda Williams) played different characters in the skits. They often gave kind advice to the puppets who asked questions.

A Special Reunion Show

On December 5, 2007, a TV station in Detroit called WTVS aired a special 90-minute reunion show. Many of the original cast members were there, including Larry and Seymour! The special shared memories from the show and included clips from old episodes. A rerun of this special aired on December 14, 2007.

Music from the Show

The Hot Fudge show also released some music for its fans:

• Music From The Hot Fudge Show - a single record released in 1974.
• Hooray For Friendship And 9 Other Hits From The Hot Fudge T.V. Show - an album released in 1996.