Top 10 Stories/Episodes

[TRO Admin]

I LOVE Top Ten lists (Unfortunately I can't stand David Letterman, so I can't get my daily dose of them on late night TV...)

I don't think we've ever done this here before. We will start out with a Top 10 Stories/Episodes. This can be TV episodes, stories from the Adventure Series or any mix thereof. Keep matching titles to one entry (i.e. The Day Teddy Met Grubby is a TV episode and a book so it would only count as one)

Something I realized while thinking about this list- there are probably 2 or 3 stories tied for #10 and a couple dozen tied for #11 had it been included.... so picking the top 8 or 9 or so was fun while the last couple was difficult, leaving out so many great stories. TR really is just a great overall property.

Here Is mine:

1) Grubby's Romance
TV Episode & Book

A nice guy gets the girl, and when life gives them no other option but to part ways they do it in a very warm, bittersweet way. That story molded my own future 'romantical' dreams from 1987 to this day.

2) The Day Teddy Met Grubby
TV Episode & Book

The Grubby/Teddy backstory was intriguing.. and something I hope we learn even more about when there is a sequel series or movie. I particularly liked the animation in the TV episode as well, it just had a very warm look to it and the characters' look had improved leaps and bounds over some of the earlier episodes.

3) The Surf Grunges
TV Episode

Was a very climactic episode that didn't involve any bad guys
(well, other than Tweeg... but not sure he qualifies anyhow)
Tweeg and LB's relationship was at maybe it's most humorous of the whole series in this episode, too... or it at least ties for the best Tweeg/LB subplot. I also love the way it ended, with the Trio adventuring out into the night, following Tweeg to MAVO, being beckoned by their ever persistent mission to do what is right.

4) The Mushroom Forest
TV Epsiode

I haven't watched this episode in a couple of years, otherwise it would probably rank at #2. It is that great of an episode for me that I try to watch it only on occasion, almost as a treat. The storyline is very heartfelt and touching, and I don't know how even the most hardened cynic couldn't feel somehow better about life and themselves after watching it.

5) The Journey Home
TV Episode

My Dad and his father parted ways when My dad was 3 years of age. By the time this story aired in 1987, I had already heard my dad speak many times of how his own father had went missing and (at that point) had yet to be found. At that young age I didn't understand all the circumstances of my own Grandfather's disappearance, so the Burl Ruxpin story seemed to me to be exactly what happened to my Grandpa. The Burl Ruxpin episodes (at Leeky Lake, Saving Teddy, and this block) are ones I quite vividly remember watching when they aired on first-run syndication in the late 80's, which makes them even more special. This is just a really good, feel-good story. As a side note, I found my Grandpa in the fall of 1997 through the magic of the internet. I was able to meet him twice before he passed on a few years later.

6) Teddy Ruxpin Sings Love Songs
Adventure Series

I heard this for the first time just weeks ago, and it's already in place in the top 10. The artwork was great, Phil Baron (Teddy's) voice was excellent and the song selection was awesome. Plus, I got to open this brand new out of the shrinkwrap- the first and only time I've had the chance to open a brand-new WoW era product since i was a child in the 1980s. (any other brand new WoW merchandise I've aquired I have been to reluctant to open!)

7) Take A Good Look
TV Epsiode/Book

This is the book or TV episode I advise parents to introduce their children too even before "The Airship". It is the closest thing to everything Teddy was about in a nutshell (the only exception being the good vs. evil elements, which don't come in until a bit later) The themes of friendship and adventure and the characters' depth are all solidified here. After this, children will be hooked and will be that much more interested and therfore able to absorb the remainder of the storyline.

8) The Airship
Adventure Series

*The* Teddy Ruxpin origin storybook, it came packaged with (so far) all 4 Teddy Ruxpin releases and for most of us (including me) is the first Teddy Ruxpin story we ever heard. For that alone it deserves a spot in the top 10.. but it also can't be overlooked because of the groundwork it lays for pretty much everything to happen later.

9) Captured
TV episode

The turning point of the TV series, it was quite literally right in the middle - episode 33 - where MAVO is solidifed as a nasty enemy and the Tweeg character and his relationship with LB change quite dramatically in the storylines they are featured in for the next 20 episodes or so before getting back to their more uniform roles in the final episodes of the series. Vincent did a great review of this episode which explains why it's by far the best climactic episode of the series. I suspect it will be even higher on his list than it is on mine

10) LB's Wedding
TV Episode

I like happy endings- even if upon deep inspection we may not classify this as one for either of the wedding's participants based on our own standards. This inches out several other stories which could have very well taken the spot and been just as worthy.. including but not limited to the All About Bears book, which was a great story with good music, the episode "To The Rescue" which is one of my favorites and The Animatronic Movie.

I look forward to seeing everyone else's entries.

[Deleted]

My top ten Teddy list looks like this:

1) "Wooly and the Giant Snowzos"
TV Episode and Book
I loved this episode/book as it revealed the Wooly What's-It's backstory and taught the lesson that you shouldn't believe everything you hear. Also, I loved in the episode how Tweeg kept trying to make ordinary snow into a magic crystal, and then tried to make a snowman come to life.

2) "Tweeg and the Bounders"
Adventure Series book
I only heard this for the first time a few weeks ago and I absolutely loved it. It focused on Tweeg and his attempts at making gold out of buttermilk. It also gave an early backstory to Tweeg. Basically I loved it because it was a great Tweeg story.

3) "Guests of the Grunges"
TV Episode
This was the first episode of Teddy Ruxpin that I ever got on VHS and it was the one that I watched the most. I loved how the Grunges made fun of Teddy's name by calling him "Teddy Dustpan, he's a Lollipop".

4) "Grundo Springtime Singtime"
Adventure Series book
Of all the sing-along books, this is my favourite. The music is catchy and really brings the fresh vitality of spring to the listener, at any time of the year. My favourite songs are "Happy Sing-Along Song" and "Honorary Grunge".

5) "Tweeg Gets the Tweezles"
TV Episode and Adventure Series book
This was my third favourite episode after "Wooly and the Snowzos" and "Guests of the Grunges". Mrs. Maggotheart was a riot, while she was harassing Tweeg. And of course, the sheer hilarity of Tweeg learning why he changed colors. Plus, L.B. got Tweeg's name right for the first time.

6) "The Do-Along Songbook"
Adventure Series book
Again, I like this story because of the music. "A-Round" and "The Teddy Hop" were my favourite songs on this collection and it was great to hear Grubby introducing the story instead of Teddy.

7) "The Adventures of Teddy Ruxpin"
Animatronic Movie
While it's not up there with some of the cartoon episodes, or the earlier stories, this made my top ten list because it told the entire origin story without adding too much, or taking away from the original material. It was a great introduction to Teddy Ruxpin and his friends, while invoking the feel of "Welcome to Pooh Corner".

8) "Teddy Ruxpin Lullabies"
Adventure Series book
Like "Grundo Springtime Singtime" and "The Do-Along Songbook" the music in this story was great. My favourite song is "This Lovely Night", by far the best love song I have ever heard.

9) "Lost in the Boggley Woods"
Adventure Series book
The Wogglies are my favourite creatures in Teddy Ruxpin. They're bouncy, trouncy, flouncy, pouncy and full of fun fun fun fun fun. I loved how friendly and open they are in contrast to the Anythings.

10) "The Mushroom Forest"
TV Episode & Adventure Series book
This episode introduced the Anythings and it's always reminded me that I can be anything that I want to be, if I try my best and am willing to work hard to reach my goals.

There are so many fantastic episodes and stories that I wish I could've included all of them in my top ten list. Some honorable mentions are "All About Bears", "Grubby's Romance" and "The Missing Princess". But I love everything about Teddy Ruxpin that choosing a single top ten list of favourite episodes and stories is a difficult thing to do.

[indigodragon]

Ah, I love doin' these Top Ten Lists. Though, I might do a Top 11 List, for I'm a fan of the Nostalgia Critic though I don't always agree with EVERYTHING he says.

Though, I'll have to get back to this one for I'm waiting for DVD set Vol. 3 (Return to Rillonia) to get here and I can fully watch episodes on my TV. I ordered it MLK Day but it was delayed for two weeks and was estimated to be shipped this week, but the other day, I got word that it's delayed another two weeks. Darn you, Amazon!

[kaylathehedgehog]

Ooh, tough question.

1) "The Airship" (book)
It was my first Teddy book, so it has to go in my number one spot. Teddy was quite the smooth talker and showed just how charismatic he was.

2) "The Do-Along Songbook" (book)
This book is awesome because it's full of ear worms. I still occasionally catch myself humming 'The Teddy Hop'. So if anyone just happens to have a MP3 of it, and it just happens to land in my PM box, I won't complain.

3) "Quiet Please" (book)
This book is a very accurate description of my personality. I'm an unashamed book fanatic and alone time is one of my favorite times. Sometimes there's no better person to be around than 'Me, Myself, and I'.

4) "Lost in Boggley Wood" (book)
Bunnies! Bunnies with prehensile tails! Bunnies with prehensile tails who speak in rhyme! Yeah, the book goes on the list solely because of the Wogglies. Did I mention that it has bunnies?

5) "The Mushroom Forest" (book/episode)
Admittedly, I'd had the book and tape for a while but wasn't able to listen to it, cause it wouldn't work. Fortunately, I found a way to listen to it about ten years after I got it, but I digress. The Anythings were just adorable, though not quite as adorable as the Wogglies. I did take a shine to the one with the long neck, however.

6) "MAVO Costume Ball" (episode)
Four words: Teddy. Is. A. Bad___. The episode was Teddy's Crowning Moment of Awesome. Seriously, he single-handedly fought off the entirety of MAVO's hoard and stopped the storm of evil. Beware the nice ones indeed.

7) "King Nogburt's Castle"
I have to admit, this makes the list solely because of King Nogburt and Queen Lillibet. Apparently, nothing rattles these two.

Teddy and Aruzia come storming through the banquet hall with entire stampede, and the only comment Nogburt makes is that it reminds him of when he was their age. Then they come through a second time, and the only comment Lillibet makes is to remind Aruzia to play with the animals outside. Now we know where Arin and Aruzia get their levelheadedness from. My favorite lines from the episode:

Aruzia: Excuse me, Father. Good day, Mother. Teddy, meet my parents.

Nogburt: (after getting down from the chandelier) Can I help you down, dear?
Lillibet: Just move over so I don't land on you.
*Stampede comes barreling through.
Nogburt: On second thought, maybe you'd better stay up there.

8) "Uncle Grubby" (book/episode)
I squeed a lot when I first saw this episode and squeed some more when I read the book. The baby Fobs were uber adorable, and I loved how protective Grubby was towards the triplets throughout the remainder of the series. He'll make a great daddy someday.

9) "The Big Escape"
Go Team Octopede!

The Octopede sailors really shined in this episode. One of the most action-packed episodes and a treat to watch. Remember, kids, electricity is not a toy and all wires should be properly grounded before use. Facts that Quellor painfully figured out.

10) The entire Wizardweek Arc (episodes)
Okay, I know it's a block of episodes, but I can't choose which one I like the most. This arc is probably the most fun in the series. Not only did we have a water ballet (granted I'm sure most people could've lived without seeing Tweeg in a bathing suit ), but we also got a hilarious ground race with vehicles that would make Mario jealous.

Though, I'll have to get back to this one for I'm waiting for DVD set Vol. 3 (Return to Rillonia) to get here and I can fully watch episodes on my TV. I ordered it MLK Day but it was delayed for two weeks and was estimated to be shipped this week, but the other day, I got word that it's delayed another two weeks. Darn you, Amazon!

That's why I got mine through Best Buy.

[Deleted]

MY TEDDY RUXPIN TOP TEN LIST

So after a little deliberation, I've finally come up with a list of my top ten favorite Teddy Ruxpin stories (episodes and books). I first ranked my top five favorite episodes (a VERY difficult feat, indeed), then followed with my top five books, a few of which, thankfully, cross over to cover episodes of the television series as well.

I've tried to rank them in order, but let's be honest, there's great stuff in these top ten lists, and trying to rank one over the other is almost impossible for many of us.

So, without any further ado:

*****MY TOP TEN TEDDY RUXPIN STORIES*****

1.) "Captured"
Television Episode #33

Josh called this perfectly. This is by far my favorite Teddy Ruxpin episode of all time, and it deserves a little history.

My father had religiously taped the entire series onto three VHS during their original run. I guess knowing how much I enjoyed the toy, my family knew I would love the television show as well. The second tape was long lost, so I used to simply rewatch the first five episodes (which were the only episodes I had for a long time), and then the first twenty episodes or so. My older brother had seen many of the episodes I hadn't, and would tell me stories about Teddy falling off Rainbow Falls, finding his father, about the Sorcerer of Ying and the Black Box, and Teddy falling off the M.A.V.O. Airship, the latter of which intrigued me to no end as I held the Airship so reverently in Teddy Ruxpin canon (and still do). At the time I had no idea who Quellor was (except for his cameo in the opening title sequence), and the idea of an arch villain excited me. One day I found the tape that went from Episode 6 to Episode 32. It was an amazing feeling to start putting all these pieces together.

The build-up to "Captured" is so incredibly well-done. When I saw the Eclipse for the first time at the end of "Anything in the Soup", I was in complete awe and shock. I was now 8, so this was around 1993, when the series had long been off the air. At the end of the episode was a preview of "Captured" that showed the Airship chase and Teddy falling off the Eclipse. I was thrilled to see this episode when--the tape stopped. "Captured" was on another tape that I wouldn't find for years as it was in my cousin's possession. Two years later I found it and was blown away at this episode. It was incredible and still holds such exciting and fond memories. It was then that I began to piece together the lore of Teddy Ruxpin as the tape went on through most of the series, but missed the last fifteen episodes or so. Another VHS would pick up with "The Journey Home" through "The Mystery Unravels". Nothing compares to finding this episode, and it is by far my favorite in the series.

From a narrative standpoint, this is an incredible episode, and shows some real humanity. One of my favorite moments is when Gimmick offers to tell Quellor where the Crystals are if he will keep Teddy from walking the plank. There are some very true lessons about friendship, loyalty, and responsibility here, and Teddy's sacrifice is a powerful example of all three.


2.) "The Airship"
Adventure Series Book

I could never make a Teddy Ruxpin list without including this. Most people probably get bored with it, but that is only because we've all heard it so many times. For me, as for many, this was my introduction to Teddy Ruxpin.

There is an old VHS tape from Christmas 1986 (a video I have since transferred to my computer), that shows me sitting on my sister's knee when suddenly this large package is placed before me. My sister slowly tears away the paper to reveal Teddy Ruxpin. A moment later, I hear music and this bear starts singing. It is amazing to watch as we are about the same size in the video, as this bear looks at me and says, "Hi, my name is Teddy Ruxpin. Can you and I be friends?"

Little did I know Teddy Ruxpin would be my best friend for a very long time.


3.) "The Mushroom Forest"
Adventure Series Book / Television Episode #31

This is, in my mind, one of the most important stories in the entire canon. Even 20 years later, the story and its message still resonate with me. I tend to favor the Adventure Series more simply for the voices of the Anythings (This in particular has an adorable voice) and I think the music is a bit deeper.

This is important to me simply because I was a very shy kid. I was a Nothing. It took me many years to realize I am, in fact, an Anything, and I think that is a message that children need to hear. The final song is still an incredibly touching number.

As for the episode, much of the goings on in the Mushroom Forest remain the same. Where the episode really shines is in the launch of Quellor's relentless search, climaxing with the plans for the Airship falling into his hands. That alone sends a shockwave through the show that will carry it far beyond this block of episodes.


4.) "Teddy Ruxpin Lullabies"
Adventure Series Book

What an incredible collection of music.

I don't know how Ken Forsse managed to write so many amazing, heart-warming songs, but I'm so glad he did. These songs have comforted me through so much of my life, and I still sing them to myself when I'm feeling lonely. "This Lovely Night" is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard and still sends a shiver down my spine and brings tears to my eyes. Every song here is a Teddy Ruxpin classic that I will never forget.

As a side-story, I remember being on a camping trip years ago when I was about 7, and I woke up in the middle of the night with "Will You Go To Sleep Before I Do?" in my head. Without warning I began to cry because my Teddy Ruxpin was at home and I felt almost naked without him. I still remember my brother trying to calm me back to sleep.


5.) "The Medicine Wagon"
Adventure Series Book / Television Episode #12

This is just a great Tweeg story. Both voice actors are in their element in this story. The Medicine Wagon song is one of my favorite in the whole series. This was one of my favorite books (probably because blue is my favorite color). This story has such an important message, and some great music, and L.B. as Tweeg's wagon-puller is hilarious.


6.) "The Mystery Unravels"
Television Episode #65

This is a wonderful finish to the series, summing up "the adventure so far" while filling in much of the empty history.

This episode was special to me because it revealed much of what I'd missed in that fifteen or twenty episode block that were lost on my old VHS tapes. Much of what I knew from Teddy I knew from flashbacks here (particularly the "M.A.V.O. Costume Ball" block of episodes). The episode does a great job of leaving you wanting more, and I think there was a pang of disappointment for all of us when we realized it was the end of a great ride. We can only hope the story continues in some form over the next few years. All in all, it was a great send-off for a great series.


7.) "M.A.V.O. Costume Ball"
Television Episode #60

The climax of the entire series. Next to "Captured", this is the most exciting episode for me. The unthinkable happens: M.A.V.O. has the Crystals, and Teddy must save Grundo, apparently by himself since all his friends seem much more susceptible to the threat of evil than he is.

This episode also presents an interesting situation, with Quellor and Teddy being locked in the M.A.V.O. dungeon, in adjacent rooms, no less. It is the only time that Quellor and Teddy share a song, and, if to my knowledge, the only time a hero and his nemesis share a duet.

My favorite moment here is, of course, when Teddy infiltrates the War Room and announces, "Hi, my name is Teddy Ruxpin! Can you and I be friends?" Hearing that introduction out of the context of "The Airship" is a great homage to Teddy's roots in his most dire hour.


8.) "Secret of the Illiops"
Television Episode #24

This is another of Teddy's most exciting exploits. This entire block of episodes is a lot of fun and introduces a sophisticated espionage element to the series. The entire kingdom's well-being depends on Teddy and his friends, and it is up to them to save the castle from a Gutang siege. The Gutangs become even more mysterious and threatening than we thought, and this time, Root Stew will not do the trick. Wooly shows up yet again to save the kingdom, and even the king's life. We also get to learn more about Teddy's ancestry and it plants the idea that Illiops were once major players in Grundo's history. This essentially sets the tone for Teddy Ruxpin's mythology and much of the backstory that would follow.


9.) "All About Bears"
Adventure Series Book

This is a collection of some great music and is actually the first time Teddy mentions that he's an Illiop, not a bear. Some of Teddy's catchiest tunes are here, and the Teddy Bear song is a wonderful homage to what Teddy Ruxpin is.

On a personal level, I had always wanted a Grubby, and my parents found one at a garage sale one year and gave him to me for my 8th birthday. The connector cord was damaged, and my dad had to fiddle with it for a while one night before calling me down from my room to see the two of them singing on the dining room table. It was a magical moment I will never forget.

10.) "The Surf Grunges"
Television Episode #9

This is a fun episode that also begins the quest for the Crystals by M.A.V.O. It also features "Surfin' Grundo", one of the best songs in the franchise.

This episode has a GREAT cliffhanger ending, as mentioned in other lists. The Trio sets off to M.A.V.O. Headquarters to retrieve the Crystals, and Teddy and the group begin to understand what it means to be the sole protectors of these powerful treasures.

[indigodragon]

Sorry it took me forever to get to this but I finally got the Teddy Ruxpin DVD vol. 3 "Return to Rillonia" back in March and didn't get around to doing this until now. But I think I've determined my favorite episodes. I'll make a Top 11 list like the Nostalgia Critic.

No. 11: The Airship
This is the first in the books I actually looked at, when I was six or seven, I saw it in the dentist waiting room and looked through it. Though, up until I actually got into reading, with books I just ignored the words and just looked at the pictures.

No. 10: Live-Action film
It's really interesting to see the characters and story in this kind of format. I liked Will Ryan as Tweeg, and Tweeg seemed almost cuddly. Also Leota voiced by a fave voice actress of mine, Russi Taylor.

No. 9: The Ying Zoo
The song "The Land of Ying" is quite catchy and the episode is exciting.

No. 8: Tweeg Gets the Tweezles
A fun Tweeg episode and the first appearance of Mrs. Maggotheart. I like the bit when Tweeg answered the door and she was at it, he said "You're not L.B. Who are you? A doctor?" She's like "Oh no." And Tweeg said "Then get lost!" slamming the door at her. It's also nice to see the trio actually trying to help Tweeg.

No 7: Sign of a Friend
It taught me a good bit about sign language which I'm really trying to memorize. It was also a fun episode.

No. 6: The Surf Grunges
The first appearance of the Surf Grunges, a fun episode with awesome surfing and great songs. I also really liked the Ballad of Elroy Tweeg how he was one of the greatest surfers around and his greatest mistake in marrying Eleanore who turned out to be a terrible person. Now that I think of it, it's no wonder he became long-lost.

No. 5: In the Fortress of the Wizard
An enjoyable episode with the Wizard and Louie's first appearances. I like Grubby's interpretation of the sound effects, when hearing the tambourine "She must've run off with a band of gypsies." And when hearing the drum, "Uh-oh, she ran away from the gypsies and joined the army." I would've stayed with the gypsies. lol Also Tweeg's plan of hitching a ride on the Airship wearing his late grandmother's dress, I like the Red Riding Hood reversal role. Rather than a young girl delivering a basket of goodies to her sick grandmother, it's an old lady delivering a basket of goodies to her sick granddaughter. I like the Gutangs song and Arin and Aruzia's reunion.

No. 4: Teddy and the Mudblups
An adventure involving Teddy and Co. and Tweeg, L.B. and Eleanore getting captured by the Mudblups. The Mudblup King's crush on Eleanore is real funny, also how Tweeg duped both Eleanore and the Mudblups.

No. 3: Wooly and the Giant Snowzos
Wooly being united with his relatives is so nice also the Snowzos are fun. Also seeing the Wogglies. It's funny how Gimmick said Snowzos are a myth whereas the Snowzos believed Perloons were also a myth. Also Tweeg trying to make crystals out of snow and an army of living snowmen.

No. 2: Winter Adventure
Really gives you that holiday spirit even when's it's off season, everyone coming together and giving and exchanging gifts. Even by the end, Tweeg gets into the spirit by giving the Bounders gifts after the Trio bring him muffins and hot chocolate for warmth and a shovel to dig him out of the snow that fell on his tower. Also how Quellor and his goons were duped.

No. 1: tie between Father's Day and The Journey Home
In "Father's Day", it's nice to see Teddy and L.B. begin to develop a friendship, also when Gimmick, Grubby and the Hermit aka Burl chased L.B. out, I think L.B. was just messing with them. I also like when the Fobs thought minion meant a million evil onions. What was really meaningful was the reunion between Teddy and Burl as well as Tweeg and Elroy.
For "The Journey Home", it was an exciting ride back to Rillonia for the Trio and Burl. Also was lovely to see the Ruxpins back together as a big happy family. I really liked the subplot where Elroy tries to teach Jack surfing and his first wipe-out, I like when Elroy carries him over his shoulder. It was also great seeing Tweeg actually succeed in something and being truly happy.

Whew! I finally got that out of the way. Also some episodes worth mentioning are eps. 5, 7 & 8, 11, 14-16, 19-26, 31-35, 37, 41 & 42, 50. The last three eps. I really liked yet I don't know if they'd make my top 11.

[Deleted]

It's funny that you mentioned Louie's first appearance being in "In the Fortress of the Wizard", since his actual first appearance was two episodes earlier in "Beware the Mudblups" when Teddy, Gimmick and Prince Arin were in the Mudblup dungeon and Louie was lurking around the Mudblups' cave, videotaping everybody. Speaking of which, I wonder what Louie did with the footage of Teddy, Gimmick and Arin in the Mudblup cave?

[indigodragon]

Oh yeah, you're right. Duh! Though, we didn't realize it was Louie and that he works for the Wizard until two episodes later. Hmm, that's a good question on what he did with the footage of the group in the Mudblup caves. He probably still has it lying around.

[Deleted]

Yeah. I mean, obviously nobody would be looking for Teddy, Grubby and Gimmick, so he would've only have used the footage had somebody from King Nogburt's court came to the Wizard for help in finding Prince Arin.

[tdickensheets]

1. Grunge Music

2. All About Bears

3. Uncle Grubby

4. Airship

5. Take Good Look

6. When Teddy Meet Grubby

7. Teddy Christmas

8. Lyabyes

9. Woody What's It

10. One More Spot