After the news of the passing of Mary Tyler Moore, the iconic episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show titled “Chuckles Bites The Dust” has gone viral.
Chuckles The Clown was the popular host of WJM-TV block of children’s programming, hosting the cartoons and performing sketches. He portrayed a range of characters on his show, including “Peter Peanut”, “Mr Fee-Fi-Fo”, “Billy Banana” and “Aunt Yoo-hoo”, and was known for his slapstick humor. He was frequently referred to by the newsroom staff, but seldom seen on The Mary Tyler Moore Show.
His character is best known for his off-camera death in the episode “Chuckles Bites the Dust”.
“Chuckles the Clown brought pleasure to millions. The characters he created will be remembered by children and adults alike: Peter Peanut; Mr. Fee-Fi-Fo; Billy Banana; and my particular favorite, Aunt Yoo-Hoo. And not just for the laughter they provided—-there was always some deeper meaning to whatever Chuckles did. Do you remember Mr. Fee-Fi-Fo’s little catchphrase? Remember how, when his arch-rival Señor Kaboom hit him with a giant cucumber and knocked him down, Mr. Fee-Fi-Fo would always pick himself up, dust himself off, and say, ‘I hurt my foo-foo’? Life’s a lot like that. From time to time we all fall down and hurt our foo–foos. If only we could deal with it as simply and bravely and honestly as Mr. Fee-Fi-Fo. And what did Chuckles ask in return? Not much. In his own words, ‘A little song, a little dance, a little seltzer down your pants.’”
This episode was ranked #1 on TV Guide’s 1997 100 Greatest Episodes of All Time.
