I really tried to like the children’s Saturday morning TV series H.R. Pufnstuf recently when I purchased the series on DVD. Unfortunately, it must be one of those shows that is not so entertaining now if you didn’t once watch it as a kid. It was aired just a bit before my time so I had never had the pleasure of viewing it as a little boy. So unlike other output from Sid and Marty Krofft – namely one of my favorite examples of mindless Saturday fare Land of the Lost – I found this show rather annoying. The character that really bugged me was Witchiepoo. She really grated on my nerves – so even though I enjoyed the occasional Jack Wild tune, it wasn’t worth sitting through these episododes. I sold my DVD set.
However, this did not stop me from posing for a photo with the very kind Billie Hayes, who played that ever-annoying character Witchiepoo in the series. She was appearing at the October 2005 Hollywood Collectors Show and Bob and I had orders from our friend Steve Cox to get some items signed for him. This allowed us to get our pictures snapped with Ms. Hayes. As you can see from the resulting snapshot, she was quite friendly indeed – not at all like her mean, screechy character…
When I met up with Billie Hayes again almost three years later at the Hollywood Show on July 18, 2009, I decided to go ahead and purchase one of her nice photos. Afterall, she was a Saturday morning TV icon of the 70s – and I was a child of 70s Saturday morning TV. It only made sense. I picked up a photo of her in costume and got an updated picture with her.
Incientally, after getting my solo photo with Billie, her former boss wandered over as did another Krofft co-worker, Jerry Maren. I quickly passed my camera off to a nearby photographer and got a phot of me with Billie Hayes, Marty Krofft, and Jerry Maren – as seen here.
Celebrity encounters from the 2005 HCS will continue…
This concludes the celebrities of the 2009 HCS. Return to original posting here…
Too bad. The show was a little before my time as well, but I must have caught re-runs while in the right mood and frame of mind. I actually think it’s humorous.
Susan
October 18th, 2007
I just caught a 1969 episode and watched it with a 5 year old. We both loved it. Witchipoo is so over the top and energetic. I will have to get the DVD set now.
David
May 28th, 2016