Pufnstuf & Other Stuff: The Weird and Wonderful World of Sid & Marty Krofft
Web Watch is a huge Sid & Marty Krofft fan.
From Sigmund and the Sea Monsters to H.R. Pufnstuf, to even their later efforts like D.C. Follies, Sid & Marty Krofft were always ahead of the curve in coming up with things that will appeal to kids (yet still have a little subversiveness to help draw in the parents).
We highly recommend the PUFNSTUF & OTHER STUFF book for a history of what the Kroffts have done, although more intellectual minds may want to take a gander at Sid and Marty Krofft: A Critical Study of Saturday Morning Childrens Television.
So you can only imagine how thrilled Web Watch was when we ran across this press release in the Hollywood Reporter that said that the complete H.R. Pufnstuf series was going to be released on a 3-DVD set (with or without a Pufnstuf Bobblehead).
To be honest, we really shouldn’t be that surprised, actually — a lot of this was announced a few months ago when Vivendi bought the Krofft library.
But the big news, buried in all the talk about the DVD releases is that LIDSVILLE was going to be made into an animated film (by DreamWorks Animation), and that a new live-action H.R. Pufnstuf film was currently in development at Sony.
Let’s hope that they keep Will Ferrell away and they can avoid making the same mistakes done with LAND OF THE LOST, by making it into a parody of what the film could have been.
Which could have been awesome.
So the question is — who should play Wichiepoo? Need someone who can do physical comedy AND sing (Oranges, Smoranges!). Jane Lynch? Kristen Wiig? Who would you put on your dream cast list?
How about Justin Bieber as Jimmy? That might work… if he’s not to old for the part. And if you think about it, Jack Wild was the Justin Bieber of the day back then, starring in musicals and other popular entertainment.
Yeah, Bieber may be perfect for the role. (Remember, you heard it here first, if it happens…)
UPDATE: Wouldn’t you know it? The Krofft’s are already on top of who they want cast in the new Pufnstuf movie, and they’re already thinking about trying to cast Justin Bieber! Fine. You heard it here second.