The Adventures of Teddy Ruxpin
Teddy Ruxpin was a groundbreaking toy manufactured in the 1980's. Built
with a cassette tape deep inside him, the friendly bear would tell
long, involved stories to his young playmates while his mouth and eyes
moved in connection with the tape. In order to boost sales of the
plaything, Teddy Ruxpin was given his own animated series in 1987.
In the cartoon, Teddy was an Illiop, a kind-hearted species of
talking bears. Together with his "Octopede" pal Grubby, T.R. traveled
from place to place searching for the secret behind a treasure of magic
chrystals, each labeled with words like loyalty and friendship.
Trekking into the land of Grundo, the bear and the caterpillar ran
across a goofy scientist named Newton Gimmick, who joined them on their
quest.
Floating from place to place in Gimmick's "Airship," the trio met
up with new friends such as King Nogburt, The Wooly Whatsit and the
other constituents of the Land of Grundo. They also ran into the
villainous organization M.A.V.O. (Monsters And Villains Organization),
headed by chief baddie Quellor, who wanted the chrystals for their own
nefarious purposes. Bumbling M.A.V.O. member Tweeg was the foot soldier
most commonly sent out to foil Teddy and his quest.
The Adventures of Teddy Ruxpin may have been a fine
companion for the doll of the same name, but by the time the series
premiered, the toy market was filled with Teddy Ruxpin imitators. With
few toy sales to support and a major 1987 Stock Market crash that left
Worlds of Wonder hurting, the animated version left the air after a
single 65-episode season.
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