Wil Wheaton as the evil Meat Puppet
| Meat Puppet — 1980 A young Wil Wheaton starred in this short-lived fantasy series that was a summer replacement for the Hudson Brothers Razzle-Dazzle Wow Power Hour. Created by Sid & Marty Krofft, it was their only venture into adult-themed programming. Considered one of the worst shows ever made, an apologetic Marty Krofft would later claim, “We didn’t know the writers were dropping acid and watching Lidsville.” Premise: In the strange world of Puppetopia, humans are the lifeless puppets and the puppets are alive. A young dummy, Charlie, finds a boy meat puppet hidden in a trunk in his grandfather’s attic. He uses the magical meat puppet to become a famous ventriloquist. But his dreams soon turn to nightmares as he discovers the meat puppet has the soul of an evil clown doll! |
Pilot
Strings of my Heart
Charlie, a dapper dummy-about-town, has his eyes on the beautiful marionette Marie. But she has fallen for the handsome and brave muppet, Milo Monkey. To win her heart, Charlie takes up ventriloquism with a magic meat puppet he finds in his grandfather’s attic. He soon discovers that the boy can come to life. Unfortunately, the meat puppet is cursed and, before Charlie realizes it, the evil boy kills his rival for the marionette’s affections. Charlie is forced to cover up the crime when the meat puppet frames him for the murder. Episode 2
Snuf Puf’n’Stuff
The evil meat puppet’s reign of terror continues as he kidnaps Marie Marionette and forces Charlie to assassinate Mayor Puf’n’Stuff. Episode 3
Puppet on a String
As part of his plan for world domination, the evil meat puppet forces Charlie to run for mayor. One by one his opponents meet horrible deaths at the hands of the meat puppet, who grows stronger with each grisly murder. Note: The violence of this episode had parents up in arms. But kids loved it and sales of puppet blood were strong that Halloween. Episode 4
Mr. Charlie Goes to Washington
The meat puppet’s evil plan continues as Mayor Charlie quickly gains a seat in the Senate. Charlie hatches a plan to rescue Marie Marionette and break the hold the meat puppet has on him. He frees Marie only to discover she has fallen under the evil meat puppet’s spell. Episode 5
Puppet Regime
One by one, the line of succession to the presidency falls, propelling Charlie into the White House. Can Charlie stop the meat puppet from destroying the world, now that he has his finger on the button that launches the dreaded termite bomb? Note: The gratuitous puppet nudity of this episode was the final straw. The series was cancelled and all copies were burned. Powered by AkoComment! |
