The Adventures of Teddy Ruxpin

Did You Know?

• The series was one of the first Western animated series broadcast in Bulgaria in the late 1980s, influencing the post-punk band REVIEW and inspiring the name of Sofia's first underground music shop, MAVO.
• The 2017 film Brigsby Bear featured an animatronic bear suit similar to the one in the animatronic pilot for The Adventures of Teddy Ruxpin, with magical crystals and creatures.
• The partnership between Worlds of Wonder and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children led to the 'Protect Yourself' segments in each episode.

Characters

The three main protagonists, often called The Trio by fans, are Teddy Ruxpin, Grubby, and Newton Gimmick. Teddy, voiced by Phil Baron, is a teenage Illiop of about 15 whose father disappeared when he was young. He travels to Grundo following a treasure map and is kind, friendly, and adventurous. Grubby, voiced by Will Ryan, is Teddy's best friend, an Octopede of similar age with a large appetite for root-based foods, though his cooking often tastes unpleasant to others. He is not the bravest or smartest but remains loyal. Newton Gimmick, voiced by John Stocker, is a balding Perloon inventor with a severe stutter and a loose definition of science; his inventions frequently fail or lack purpose, and he is absentminded. Prince Arin, voiced by Robert Bockstael, is the brave Illiper son of Grundo's king and queen, who meets the trio while searching for his kidnapped sister. Princess Aruzia, voiced by Abby Hagyard, is his sweet younger sister who does not mind working. The Wooly Whatsit, voiced by Pier Kohl, is a large, furry purple creature who is helpful but not very bright, later revealed to be a Snowzo, a legendary yeti-like species. Leota, voiced by Holly Larocque, is a strict but kind Woodsprite teacher. Louie, voiced by Will Ryan, is a Grunge filmographer. Burl Ruxpin, voiced by Phil Baron, is Teddy's long-lost father who lost his memory and lived as a hermit before regaining his identity. M.A.V.O. (Monsters and Villains Organization) terrorizes Grundo, led by Quellor, voiced by Les Lye, a Supreme Oppressor who seeks six crystals to achieve darkness.

Episodes

The series is mostly serialized, broken into weekly story arcs that explore different parts of Grundo or major plot threads, often ending in cliffhangers. Some storylines were taken directly from the toy's book-and-tape sets, with secondary plots added to extend runtime. Each original syndicated episode included a short segment called 'Protect Yourself', featuring an animated Teddy Ruxpin on a live-action set introducing child stars who gave advice on safety topics like avoiding strangers and handling emergencies.

Development

In mid-1986, Atkinson Film-Arts in Ottawa was commissioned to co-produce a 65-episode animated series with Worlds of Wonder, Alchemy II, and DIC Entertainment, following a failed attempt at a live-action series that proved too difficult and expensive. Atkinson Film-Arts handled principal animation and casting. Only Phil Baron and Will Ryan from the previous voice cast traveled to Canada; most other characters were recast with Canadian talent. A second set of episodes was planned but not produced due to economic problems at Worlds of Wonder, the primary financial partner. The series ended its run on a cliffhanger, and interest remains among owners and fans to continue the story. The pilot for the abandoned animatronic series aired as an ABC Weekend Special in two parts in 1985 and later in syndication, using mostly the same voice talent as the toy software, with most replaced by Canadian actors for the animated series.

Home media

Hi-Tops Video released twelve VHS volumes containing seventeen episodes, often with live-action Teddy Ruxpin hosting. In August 2000, EnterTech Home Entertainment and Blue Steel Releasing issued a VHS titled 'Teddy Ruxpin: The Movie', which edited the first four episodes into a film. First National Pictures released two DVD volumes (11 episodes) in February 2006, with two more planned but never released. Mill Creek Entertainment acquired rights in January 2008 and released all 65 episodes in three volume sets, then a complete series box set the following year; these went out of print by 2010. Image Entertainment acquired rights in 2012 and released a ten-disc set, 'The Complete Adventures of Teddy Ruxpin', on DVD in Region 1.