Ok, help me out here people.
Does anyone out there remember a kid's TV show called HOT FUDGE?
It aired from 1976-1980, created in Detroit. In my area it aired very early morning.
The show was sort of a cross between SESAME STREET and what would later be THE GREAT SPACE COASTER. Humans and puppets singing. Larry Santos (whose voice you would recognize as he sang countless TV jingles) was the human host.
It was a show I remember loving as a kid, yet has completely disappeared. Never shown since the 80's. Never released on VHS. There aren't even any clips of it on YouTube.
In fact, there is hardly anything on the internet about it at all. All I could find was this IMDB listing. And I was able to find this still shot from it.
In the mid 90's, a few soundtrack CDs were released. But, they didn't even include the only song I remember, the theme song (a sort of groovy 70's thing "Hot Fudge! Right on! Whoa!"). Now, those CDs are out of print and selling for over $100! So, there is a market for the shows.
There are a few message boards with people like me, just looking for some sort of confirmation that we didn't all imagine this show. That there wasn't some drug slipped into breakfast cereals in that time period causing kids to hallucinate this show. It was a rather trippy show, so that might make sense.
But, I am just surprised that this show has literally disappeared. It was a fun show, as I remember. I can't believe it hasn't been brought back in some way.
EDIT: Just posted on Youtube, this clip from the show!!!!
EDIT 4-4-09:
The Hot Fudge Show now has its own website!! You can find it here.
They also have a store where they sell CDs and even a DVD of the show!
Here are some more clips from the show.
I believe that is a complete episode.
Monday, March 26, 2007
FORGOTTEN TV: HOT FUDGE
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52 comments:
I always ask people if they remember. Apparently it was only aired in the Detroit area. I lived in Troy, MI when it was on. I loved it. I would describe it more as "Sesame Street meets acid(or some kind of substance)lol. I will never forget the "groovy" jingle "Hot fudge right on. Whooooa! Hot fudge right on. Come and Get me now." Or something like that
Actually, I lived in the Northeast at the time, and it aired there. From what I read, it was a national show. I watched it on a channel out of CT I believe.
Glad someone else remembers it!
I live in Warren, Ohio...close to Cleveland, and we saw "Hot Fudge" on WKYC Channel 3 in the early mornings. It was a bizarre program, and it would be nice to see it on DVD. I didn't realize that it was produced in Detroit.
Thanks! RON
I remember this show. That theme songs in stuck in my head forever. I was born in 1975 so I probably watched the last season. Good show though. I'm from the Detroit area too.
Great to hear there are still more people that remember it!
I have had an eerily similar experience when talking to my friends about this show. I'm 36, and I have fond memories of this show (grew up in NJ, watched it on Channel 9 WGN or Channel 11 WPIX at like 6:30 on Sunday mornings) but NO ONE I've mentioned it to has ever heard of it. I really want to hear the recording of the theme song again, because every time I hear the fading bars of Peter Gabriel's "Red Rain," the words "Hot Fudge" jump into my head: "Hot Fudge, coming down..." and I need to know if I'm nuts or if the TV song actually does sound like it...
Yes I remember the show. Especially the Mr Nasty bits. Yes, Yes, Give me the Boo's... Give me the Boo's... Ha, Ha, Ha...
It was a Detroit show that was syndicated nationally.
http://www.toonarific.com/show.php?show_id=4535
The Lexington Broadcast Service did the show which has since been bought out.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lexington_Broadcast_Services_Company
I grew up in Sarasota, Florida and we watched Hot Fudge every morning. I have also looked for reruns of the show to no avail. I would love to get copies if they are available!
wow! I remember that show, and am always asking people if they watched it..i wish there was a way to see it again, it was the best!
OMG!!!!!! Everyone I talked to says they have no idea what I am talking about. I'm glad someone knows about it , so I can stop believing I'm going nuts. I love the Holy Moly song and the theme song of course Hot Fudge, Right On, Whoa!!!!!! What fond memories. I lived in New York and watched it early in the morning. I was 9. If you go to you tube and type in Hot Fudge Show it will bring up a small excerpt from the show Name that felling with a commercial for Honey Comb cereal
Thanks for mentioning the YouTube clip!! I've added it to the post.
From Detroit still live in the Area, browsing through and saw your posting, WELL DONE brought back such memories i felt i was in a time warp
Hi, as of 7/3/07, I contacted Ch 7 in Detroit & talked to the program director. She said the station has the old footage of the HOT FUDGE SHOW! I expressed the growing interest to her that people had in the show & that they want to see it again! She said she would run it by her superiors. So hopefully something good can come out of this! Reairs on Boomerang or even DVD releases once it's converted over from film. Let's pray it happens!
Also I'm from NC. The HOT FUDGE SHOW did air national for about five years, so it didn't just stay in Detroit. And I'm glad it didn't! It was the best kids show ever!
That is great news!!!
Keep me updated if you find out any more information about the show.
I'm glad that others seem to remember it.
Hi there. I actually work at WXYZ Channel 7. I talked to a camera operator who worked on the Hot Fudge Show, and she informed me that Channel 7 does *not* have any footage of the show. Everything was done on tape, so they just taped over everything and re-used the tapes to save money. (Much like they do with the news now.) Bob Elnicky and Jim Santos have copies of the tapes; however, each person claims the other has them in his possession. Bob Elnicky officially owns the property.
Interesting tidbits: They taped two shows a day, one in the morning and one at night. After the show was done, they would hang the puppets on the microphone stands in the studio and set them aside... so when other shows were taping, there would be these puppets. :)
Hot Fudge was before my time, but I was asked to look into it by a friend. :P
Well Terry if that's the case, is there any hope you think of the show ever being copied into DVD form for release?
Sinosure
I was born and raised in Flint, MI and Every Sunday morming before Church I would watch Hot Fudge religiously, followed by Abbott and Costello. That was my routine every Sunday before church. I couldn't get enough of Hot Fudge.
J. Lill
How awesome,
I am orginally from MI and me and my cousins still talk about the Hot Fudge Show, and how we used to watch it every Sunday morning before church.
Does anyone know if they have the DVD series out for it. I hope so for it would be a great. Childhood memories, and part of my childhood memories was from the hot fudge show
Peace..Bobby
My father in law is Larry from the hot fudge show. I used to grow up watching it too! He's actually in detroit now, they are going to air old episodes of the show on PBS for a telethon and are in the process of putting up a website too. I'll find out when and post about it then. Cool huh?
Larry Santos is your father in law?!?!? That is very cool. I have been trying to find him on the internet for months. If you can let him know about this site and give him my email, I would love to talk to him about it.
This has become one of the most popular stories on the blog. Daily, I get people visiting the site because of it.
Like I wrote, I posted this story to see if there was anyone out there that remembers it. And, as you can see from the comments, there sure are!!
Detroit Public TV is going to be airing "Hot Fudge" wed. 12/05/07 8-9:30pm. This is a one time only deal!
GOD DAMN Channel 7 for erasing those tapes! That show was toddler comic GOLD! I was born in '78 and used to run around the room like a crazy man when that show came on. I pretty much only remember the guy that looked and sounded like Arthur P, but I know those tapes have to resurface. I have faith! Viva La Hot Fudge!
I should have figured PBS would have copies of that show, they probably bought them for $20. But one thing that just occured to me, thank God that show was syndicated, so i'm sure there are copies of every episode 'hiding' around somewhere..the only problem is they are probably in 50 different locations.
I've also been scrounging the internet for ANYTHING about this show. I LOVED it as a child and like many of you woke up at the crack of dawn on Sunday mornings to see it. Is it really going to be on in December?? I've asked my family that still lives in the area to try and tape it. Great memories!!!
Hot Fudge Fans-
Confirmation from Detroit Public TV says:
Hot Fudge is scheduled to air a couple times during our December pledge drive. There will be merchandise available (not for purchase) for free, in exchange for making a donation to Detroit Public TV. Don’t know what the items will be yet. DVD’s, CD’s, Books??
Anyway, as of now we will air HOT FUDGE on Wednesday, 12/05/07 from 8-9:30 p.m.
If it does well in terms of raising funds, we will repeat it on Friday, 12/07/07 from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m.
So please watch and if you are able to pledge, you may be able to see even more Hot Fudge and share it with your friends and family!
To all Hot Fudge enthusiasts,
The poster, CD and DVD will be available online at detroitpublictv.org today!
Visit this page and watch for the Hot Fudge link:
http://www.detroitpublictv.org/support/pledgejump.shtml
For those who view WTVS:
We are still planning to air the Hot Fudge pledge special on Wednesday, December 5 at 8:00 PM EST. Watch the schedule listings.
update to my last post.
To order pledge items for Hot Fudge visit detroitpublictv.org and click the "Pledge Now" button.
Oh, I'm watching the "pledge" show right now and having flashbacks galore!
I remember watching this as child. Oh, yes, folks, the show was produced in Detroit, for I knew Ron Coden (my parents were friends with him, and his children went to the same summer day camp that I attended at Oak Park Park). Ah the good olde daze!
"Hot fudge comin' atcha!"
d-still in town
My father worked for United Airlines at Metro airport in Det. One of the educational segments was about airline food service and my brother and some girl were in it. I'm 45 and we actually talked about it recently. I gotta see if i can find the episode he was in. I never watched it except for that but yeah....i always got up to watch Abbot and Costello every Sunday morning too.
I can't believe other people remember this show. The only one I know that has even heard of it was my friend, and I was shocked he had heard of it. In Detroit, I'd see it on Sundays on channel 7 at like 8:00-8:30. I was a heathen and didn't go to church, so I was able to watch this crazy show which preemptively desensitized me to the weirdness of the world.
Lance
To anyone that saw it, how was the PBS special? Was it interviews? Clips?
anyone remember sir ghastley graves? same era detroit based show.i loved hot fudge!
The PBS special was done very well. I am also from metro Detroit and watch this show before going to church. I was very excited to see there are people who remember this show like I do. Mona was my favorite. Hot Fudge right on!
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Moviezzz said...
Actually, I lived in the Northeast at the time, and it aired there. From what I read, it was a national show. I watched it on a channel out of CT I believe.
Glad someone else remembers it!
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Just so you all know, I used to watch it in CT when I was younger as well; I'm 35 now. I get the same thing you all do; no one knows what I'm talking about when I mention it. I want to say I saw it on one of the NY channels (WWOR-9 or WPIX-11).
Sidenote: I got here via YouTube and a Google search, so, yes, people ARE looking for this show.
Just thought I'd throw my .02 in.
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ThrashInc.Com
i live in the middle tn area and watched it in the mid 70's. i can't believe i found a clip! would love to have a dvd.
Hot Fudge Co-Producer thanks.
it is a joy to see that so many people enjoyed Hot Fudge. It laid the template for several future network shows. It was developed and co-produced by Bob Elnicky and Barry Hurd. Of course it's the entire team-cast that makes a show work and we had the best talent in the city. Larry Santos, Bob Taylor, Ron Coden, Marylin O'Connor, Yoland Williams and Brad Lowe, as well as a terrific production staff and crew. I always heard that nobody knows or likes the baby more than the parents. Thus I guess as one of the parents of the show that qualifies me to say we are humbled by your memories. As for availabilty of HFS properties our store will be open for business by the end of April, beginning of June 2008. The first of more to come of Hot Fudge Show merchandise will be available on TheHotFudgeshow.com web site. Keep an eye open and thanks for the kudos.
Co-Producer, Hot Fudge Show, Robert N. Elnicky. If you wish drop me a line please do so at eeinc@wowway.com
We love you guy and girls.
Bob
I thought I was the only Hot Fudge/Abbot & Costello combo fan out there! My husband, who was in Philadelphia when this show aired, thinks I must have made it up. Especially when I go around singing "Name that feeling, name that feeling, name that feeling now!" Looking forward to the website launch.
Hello everyone! Here is something I am surprised no one from the Detroit Area remembers. Chuck E. Cheese used to have a "Hot Fudge" Birthday room for semi private birthday parties that had remote controlled robots that sang songs from the show and did a birthday song. The robots could also be manually controlled and Mr. Cooch would usually talk to the birthday kids. I was a controller in the mid '80's and did voices for Mr. Cooch, Seemore and Mona although Mr. Cooch was by far the "MC" of the birthday programs and the voice I did most often. Chuck E. Cheese was owned by Michael Illich at the time, but let the franchise go sometime in the '90's and Michigan ones are owned by someone else now. I miss doing the voices and I will do them once in a while for my kids, but they don't have a clue what the voices really are! Thanks for bringing back great memories!
Born in 1971(still a Detroiter). Hot Fudge and Sir Graves....The good 'ol days!!!
This show ran in Cincinnati for years. I remember there was a profile of Larry Santos on "PM Magazine" or a similar-styled program, which focused more on his side work as a commercial jingle singer/producer, though they did mention and show some clips from "HOT FUDGE." They played some commercials that I recognized and I was surprised that it was the same guy I had been watching on "HOT FUDGE."
Glad to see other people remember and enjoy this scrappy indie kids show. What say, Seymour?
MikeRoberts said...
Hello everyone! Here is something I am surprised no one from the Detroit Area remembers. Chuck E. Cheese used to have a "Hot Fudge" Birthday room for semi private birthday parties that had remote controlled robots that sang songs from the show and did a birthday song. The robots could also be manually controlled and Mr. Cooch would usually talk to the birthday kids. I was a controller in the mid '80's and did voices for Mr. Cooch, Seemore and Mona although Mr. Cooch was by far the "MC" of the birthday programs and the voice I did most often. Chuck E. Cheese was owned by Michael Illich at the time, but let the franchise go sometime in the '90's and Michigan ones are owned by someone else now. I miss doing the voices and I will do them once in a while for my kids, but they don't have a clue what the voices really are! Thanks for bringing back great memories!
Wow! I thought I imagined that! I remember having a birthday party with Mr. Cooch & Seymour. I'm so glad that someone else brought this up! I wonder what happened to those animatronic puppets??? I'll bet you that Marvelous Marvin knows!
Sorry, noticed some typos after I first commented...
I'm from Chicago, and after twenty-some years of trying to remember the name of this program, just today I discovered that it was "Hot Fudge Show"! We most definitely got it here. I remember it from WFLD Channel 32. It was on at about 6:30 a.m. before the morning cartoon block (maybe only on weekends?).
For some reason, I always remembered it as "Hot Stuff," and I especially remembered a guy with a beard and top hat that looked like Dr. Demento - turns out it was Seymour. Everyone I've ever brought this show up to told me I was remembering "Gigglesnort Hotel," a Chicago-produced live action/puppet program. I knew they were wrong! Thanks for helping me solve this burning mystery...
FYI, you can see footage from an early "Hot Fudge Show" episode with Arte Johnson at www.fuzzymemories.tv. They claim the show was also on WLS Channel 7 and WSNS Channel 44. Search for the show title and you'll also see an '80s TV Guide commercial sung by Larry Santos - I remember this one, too. Ah, memories...
I caught some of the PBS special and managed to burn it to dvd. I also found out the Ron Coden sometimes appears at O'Mara's in Berkley, MI. He'll be there on St. Patrick's Day 6-8:30. I went there to see him (it turns out my friend's mom went to school with him) and brought my burned dvd and he autographed it. Professor Emotion!
Oh, I'll NEVER forget it! August, 1983, I had been in labor in a Detroit area hospital that was being remodeled and the labor ward was one giant room with all the moms in labor coming and going. I was admitted on Thursday a.m.with hard back labor.(57 hours! For real!)and on Saturday a.m.(still in labor...) one of my "roomates" turned that show on and the puppet characters sang a song "you can't take the easy way out!" over and over and OVER 'til I finally screamed at my husband to throw a shoe at the TV! (fortunately he didn't, but he did get them to turn it way down!) My sweet baby girl finally arrived that afternoon. But I could never stomach the thought of that show again!!! Oh yeah, damn that Hot Fudge........
It is so great to read these comments! It made me laugh to realize that others thought they were going crazy, thats just what I thought. My brother would say "yeah I kind of remember" I think just to pacify me. I live in the Detroit area and every Sunday morning while getting ready for church I would watch Abbott and Costello and Hot Fudge. I think I could only get through about 10 minutes of it before it would be time to leave aaahhh memories! Thank you to the creator of this website what fun! Now I can prove it to everyone who thinks I am crazy!
I grew up in Hawaii, and they showed Hot Fudge on weekday afternoon on the local CBS affiliate in the late 70's/early 80's. I'm glad to see other folks with memories of the show.
Do not forget "The Great Space Coaster" I was getting that confused with Hot Fudge for a while due to the puppets, but it had the more sci-fi element.
I wrote about THE GREAT SPACE COASTER here:
http://talkingmoviezzz.blogspot.com/2009/07/forgotten-tv-great-space-coaster-1981.html
My name is Jamie
Like Mike Roberts above I was the puppeteer and voice talent for a time at the Clawson Store. I loved my job doing Birthdays as both Mr Kootch, Seymore and Mona. More fun was the private adult parties, where we played the songs as a goof and joked with the people. That was a blast. I stayed in a booth with 2 way glass in the corner and could manually control the lights or any robot at any time even during a pre recorded song. Elnicky's people were geniuses
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