Peppermint... STINKIN...Park. Terrible Kid's show

[Mynameisdean]

Okay guys, so I've recently been researching the series and found a horrifying discovery.

So as I was looking at my tape I found that on the back description it said this:

COPYRIGHT 1987, TELEVIDICS PRODUCTIONS, INC.
MARK V INTERNATIONAL INC., NORTHRIDGE, CA 91324

So first I looked up the information on Mark V International and found a website that apparently had info on the company. There were only a few facts.

It was registered on March 23 1987, it is suspended (probably due to bankruptcy or what your about to hear), it's entity number is C1402511, it's specific address is 19770 Bahama Street, and the owner was Robert D. Genova.

I instantly looked this guy up and found an article that said Genova worked with some adult-filmmaker called Ted Snyder in a company calledVideocassette Recordings Inc. However according to the article, they were both tied to a mob and Snyder was killed in August 1989, and Genova was a suspect. Also where was the address of VCR? 19770 Bahama Street in Northridge, California.

So is it just a coincidence that a murderer who betrayed his partner created a TV show with puppets that resemble carcasses? Realistically, yes, but you never know. Maybe those puppets weren't made of rubber or metal...

That's some nightmarish stuff that makes this show SO much worse, as if it was close to other bad shows in the first place.

 

[Drtooth]

So first I looked up the information on Mark V International and found a website that apparently had info on the company. There were only a few facts.

It was registered on March 23 1987, it is suspended (probably due to bankruptcy or what your about to hear), it's entity number is C1402511, it's specific address is 19770 Bahama Street, and the owner was Robert D. Genova.

I instantly looked this guy up and found an article that said Genova worked with some adult-filmmaker called Ted Snyder in a company calledVideocassette Recordings Inc. However according to the article, they were both tied to a mob and Snyder was killed in August 1989, and Genova was a suspect. Also where was the address of VCR? 19770 Bahama Street in Northridge, California.

I would not doubt for a minute this show was made by someone who would have done adult videos or had mafia connections. Just...it would have to be. I'd almost tend to think something like this only exists for a tax dodge or to cover someone's gambling debts. No one would logically slam their fist down and say "Daggnabbit! The world needs a not very good Sesame Street type show with all the charm and fun drained out of it and replaced by more realistic looking puppets, and by God we're going to release them on a couple low quality VHS you can only find in the bargain bin at a Caldor!" There's not enough cocaine in the world to make that sound like a good idea. Not even in the porno industry run by the Mafia.

 

[D'Snowth]

Seriously Drtooth, you really need to write for your own show, your cerebral and cynical sense of humor has me in stitches all the time.

 

[MikaelaMuppet]

Well, according the descriptions of a lot of these PP videos posted on YouTube, it was a educational series that was produced especially for VHS, and seeing as how a lot of those direct-to-video series are "underground" and hard to come by, it's probably VERY obscure at best. Anyone remember from the late 90s, that VHS series you saw advertised on TV from time to time about fish puppets teaching kids about music?

TEACHER FISH: What is music made of?
FISH STUDENT 1: Sound!
FISH STUDENT 2: Pitch!
FISH STUDENT 3: Singing.
*Everyone stares at him*
FISH STUDENT 3: La-la-la and stuff like that.

Ironically, that other video presentation that actual admits to being "the next Barney", is kind of like the DVD release of Hey Vern, it's Ernest! actually says on the back that the show was supposed to be like Pee-wee's Playhouse.

What was the name of it?

 

[Pig'sSaysAdios]

I would not doubt for a minute this show was made by someone who would have done adult videos or had mafia connections. Just...it would have to be. I'd almost tend to think something like this only exists for a tax dodge or to cover someone's gambling debts. No one would logically slam their fist down and say "Daggnabbit! The world needs a not very good Sesame Street type show with all the charm and fun drained out of it and replaced by more realistic looking puppets, and by God we're going to release them on a couple low quality VHS you can only find in the bargain bin at a Caldor!" There's not enough cocaine in the world to make that sound like a good idea. Not even in the porno industry run by the Mafia.

I agree with D'Snowth, you really should right something. Whether it's a TV show, a book, a web comic; I'd read it/watch it.

 

[Mynameisdean]

I would not doubt for a minute this show was made by someone who would have done adult videos or had mafia connections. Just...it would have to be. I'd almost tend to think something like this only exists for a tax dodge or to cover someone's gambling debts. No one would logically slam their fist down and say "Daggnabbit! The world needs a not very good Sesame Street type show with all the charm and fun drained out of it and replaced by more realistic looking puppets, and by God we're going to release them on a couple low quality VHS you can only find in the bargain bin at a Caldor!" There's not enough cocaine in the world to make that sound like a good idea. Not even in the porno industry run by the Mafia.

I agree too.
Heck, if I ever get into filmmaking, and I need a writer or co-writer, I'm coming right here and contacting you.

 

[Drtooth]

Seriously Drtooth, you really need to write for your own show, your cerebral and cynical sense of humor has me in stitches all the time.

At the risk of sounding rude, yeah...I could write it and send it to my butt.

I really can't find anyone who'd want me to collaborate with them, I've been trying for years to get the kind of equipment to even get a crappy flash cartoon on Youtube that I know no one's going to watch or even care about. You think I'd've wasted my time on fan arts and YTP's if I could do something better? The least I could do is throw another animation fan blog out there into the world, but I've put that off so long it wouldn't matter. That one's all on me, I admit. I really should have started sooner with that. There's stuff that was my fault I'd admit, but most of everything has been beyond my control. If you know anyone who'd love to get a script to film together for something, by all means help me.

I could make the joke about pulling a better such and such out of a private area, but truth is, I just don't have the means to.

 

[D'Snowth]

Same here, same here.

 

[Mynameisdean]

I've never tried to make a show or something as much as reaching out to someone to collaborate, but for years, I've had 2 concepts that I've developed on and off. One of them is a Sci-Fi Film, "Soul Tag", regarding a planet we have no knowledge about, with Aliens who have had Intel on us for years, and with a Cripped Planetwide Economy and Civil Wars everywhere, they look to us, America, for help, and that plan is completely botched. Also, I have thought about tweaking it to become a "Independence Day" prequel, if the sequel to ID is successful, I'm considering doing that. Am I giving too much info?
The other is a project I call "Howard the Gluestick" that could be anything from PG to R.
I'll just end there.

 

[Mo Frackle]

Yeah, I'm honestly not surprised that this Genova character had a shady life, and likely zero professional involvement in either entertainment or education.

Peppermint Park was clearly a quick, albeit unsuccessful, cash-grab. There was an obvious mindset of "it's letters, numbers, and puppets. Any idiot can pull that off." At least a lot of the local kiddie shows were done by people who cared. Then again, they had to - public access television isn't exactly something to pursue if you want to pay the bills on time.

There are some LA Times articles from 1989 on Genova's buddy out there. I'd post links, but the subject matter might not sit well with the mods. So Google them if you're curious.