Until an hour before I began writing this post, I was planning to induct another TV couple in keeping with the Gemini theme. However, I realized that this couple was so iconic that they deserved to be the monthly showcase when they are inducted.
Good Lord willing, you’ll see them as the inductee for the month of June 2021.
Instead, we’re going with another puppet and again from overseas.
EDD THE DUCK
From Wikipedia:
Edd the Duck (originally Ed the Duck) is a puppet duck which appeared on the CBBC interstitial programme ‘The Broom Cupboard’ alongside presenters Andy Crane and Andi Peters. His movements were performed by Christina Mackay-Robinson, an assistant producer employed by the BBC. He also had a severe allergy to ham.
He made his debut in late 1988, originally with a bald head until Mackay-Robinson added a green woollen mohawk, salvaged from an old Blue Peter 'Punk Teddy'. His co-star and enemy was Wilson the Butler, a character who was off screen apart from his arm visible to the viewers.
Edd the Duck starred in a number of pantomimes and short films alongside actors including Bill Oddie and Gorden Kaye.
Edd made a guest appearance on the CBBC Channel on Easter Monday 2009 alongside Ed Petrie. In 2014 Edd made an appearance on ‘Celebrity Juice: The Big Reunion’ special which also included Andi Peters in the Broom Cupboard.
Edd the Duck released a single, "Awesome Dood!", in 1990.
Edd was the official UK Olympic team mascot at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
In 2015, Edd along with Andi Peters appeared on Hacker's Birthday Bash to mark 30 years of CBBC.
From the CBBC Wiki:
Edd the Duck is a puppet who appeared in the interstitial programmed ‘The Broom Cupboard’, alongside presenters Andy Crane and Andi Peters, between 1988 and 1992. His movements were performed by assistant producer Christina Mackay-Robinson.
Edd is a tiny duck with a bright green mohawk, which was salvaged from an old teddy bear. His co-star and rival was Wilson the Butler, who apart from his arms is never seen on screen.
Along with Gordon the Gopher, Edd was an extremely popular figure in the late 80s and early 90s, with lots of merchandise released during that period. He also makes reappearances to anniversary events and in 1992 was the UK mascot for the Barcelona Olympics.
Edd the Duck is a multiversal. Beside his Toobworld appearances, he made live appearances, was featured in two video games (both poorly received), on records, and in children's books.
If I’m not mistaken, this induction marks the most puppets entered in the TVXOHOF in any given year. (Fozzie Bear was the April showcase and Roland Rat was inducted two weeks ago as the June 2020 showcase. We have another inductee scheduled for October who might be considered a puppet.)
Welcome to the Television Crossover Hall of Fame, Edd, you awesome dood! You should find it slightly more roomy than the Broom Cupboard. (And best of all, Wilson the Butler is nowhere to be found here.)
