The Mr. Potato Head Thread

[D'Snowth]

We need a thread for Hollywood's spuddliest stud... er... studdliest spud... er, whatever.

Either way, Mr. Potato Head's been a part of our lives for the past few decades, not just as a favorite childhood toy, but as quite the character in entertainment, whether appearing in the Toy Story movies, or in his own short-lived newspaper comicstrip that was co-created by Garfield creator Jim Davis.

As such, this guy deserves a thread all for himself.

 

[Xerus]

I have memories of Mr. Potato Head. How you could rearrange his body parts in the most crazy ways. Like an anything Muppet. And his wife Mrs. Potato Head.

Then in the 80's, they came out with the Potato Head Kids who later had their own cartoon series.

Then they had a Mr. Potato Head character in the Toy Story movies voiced by Don Rickles. I like how he said, "I'm from Playskool." And then a Mrs. Potato Head was added voiced by Estelle Harris.

And I believe Mr. Potato Head had a puppet series on Fox Kids for a while, but I didn't get to catch an episode though.

 

[Dearth]

I've got all of the Star Wars MPH's. Even the variant of Darth Tater with the chestplate, and all those which were exclusive to the Disney Parks.

I've got several others from over the years, too. Ever since I became a dad, seems like we've always bought MPH.

Dearth

 

[D'Snowth]

There's two things about the Potato Heads of my generation that I wish were different...

1. Like in the Toy Story movies, I wish they made them with separate eyes and feet/shoes... then you could've really made really wacky faces and such (I feel bad for not being able to see Toy Story 3 yet, but I understand there's a nod to the "One-Eyed Bart" bit from the first movie).
2. Bendable arms. The Potato Heads of the 80s had bendable arms, and seem like a better fit for the toy in general as opposed to the arms in fixed positions... but, apparently the bendable arms were permantently attached to the potato body, so that would've been a drawback... but still, I think it'd be nice to have removable bendable arms.

And you're right Cullen, playing with Potato Heads are almost like AMs... matter of fact, when you think about it, I guess Mr. Potato Head is like the AM of the toy world, lol.

 

[JJandJanice]

Mr. Potato Head is indeed a classic toy. Creator of Toy Story John Lasseter said when they were making Toy Story, the HAD to have the famous spud. He's AWESOMELY voiced by the legendary Don Rickles as well, can't forget that.

I remember having a few when I was a child, but sadly I couldn't keep the parts for long.

I'm loving some of the more "themed" Mr. Potato Head toys that's been coming out of late. There's even Woody and Buzz themed ones out now, which I have thought about picking up.

I've also started collecting those AWESOME "Toy Story Collection" toys from Thinkaway toys. Not much of a collection so far since I only have Woody and the three Space Aliens (Woody talks though his pull string, much like in the movie, but sadly the Aliens don't talk or even squeak, but since they were like 20 bucks cheaper, I guess I understand why...). Mr. Potato Head is included in these series of toys and he also talks, which is really awesome. But to be honest, I plan on getting Buzz, Jessie and Lots "O" Huggin Bead (aka Lotso) before him, actually I REALLY want that Lotso, but I'm getting off topic a bit. If you haven't seen in your local Toys "R" Us this Potato Head toy from the Toy Story Collection, check it out and the way he talks, sadly STILL NO double eye joints, though.

 

[Drtooth]

And I believe Mr. Potato Head had a puppet series on Fox Kids for a while, but I didn't get to catch an episode though.

I've seen it, and lemme tell you something... it's HIGHLY underrated. Unfortunately I can't really remember it all that well, but I have vague recollections of the series. Basically Mr. Potatohead and a bunch of other weird food type characters (and a bug) all have a TV studios and they have to make all these different programs which have to change when the studio execs (actual humans) start breathing down his neck. one time in particular they had a super hero show, and the studio heads wanted it to be educational, so Mr. Potatohead says, "I'll defeat you with this song that explains the Pythagorean Theorem." Very weird stuff.

I'm loving some of the more "themed" Mr. Potato Head toys that's been coming out of late. There's even Woody and Buzz themed ones out now, which I have thought about picking up.

I was, like, totally worried that when Mattel got the license for the toys, Hasbro wouldn't release a Mr. Potatohead Toy Story edition... and my fears were put to rest when there were 4 of them. Wonder if some of them were Disneyworld exclusives before the movie. Not to mention an Iron Man Potato. Shame they didn't make a Wolverine one last year. Hope we get a Thor or Captain America one.

 

[mr3urious]

Barbie was originally going to be Woody's girlfriend instead of Bo Peep, but Mattel declined. However, when sales of Mr. Potato Heads shot up (and to a lesser extent, the other toys featured in the movie), they were more than happy to allow them to use her in the sequel.

 

[D'Snowth]

Bo Peep seems to be a better match for Woody anyway... or at least I think so... a cowboy and a shepherdress? Yeah, it makes perfect sense.

And now, for some pwness vintage Potato Head commercials...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TY7VgzhBLC8
http://www.retrojunk.com/details_commercial/10022
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNxAS98Kt_w
http://www.retrojunk.com/details_commercial/9215

Growing up in the 90s like I did, I clearly remember those Burger King commercials... I can't find another one I remember, but it involved a class on a boring fieldtrip to a potato farm, but the farmer perked up the kids when he showed them Mr. Potato Head toys from Burger King.

Interesting to see that the features that made Toy Story Mr. Potato Head who he is were already in existence before the movies ever came along: watching the Bucket of Parts commercial, we see his derby hat, the orange human-shaped nose, and the bushy black mustache. I wonder if those features would be available today if they still made "Bucket of Parts"?

 

[JJandJanice]

I agree that Bo Peep is a better choice for Woody. Plus it worked out very well for furture Toy Story movies, since in the third one Barbie and Ken fell in love, I may sure, maybe there could of been more than one Barbie, one for Woody and one for Ken, but still I would say it worked out better the way it is now.

Thanks for the commericals too D'Snowth.

Another interesting note about the worlds' most famous spud, when he was first created and manufactored, a lot of parents actually HATED Mr. Potato Head, cause back than they didn't have the plastic potato they do now and kids had to get their own potato to put the body parts into, a lot of people thought that was a waste of food.

Plus it's also worth noting the Mr. Potato is in the "Toy Hall of Fame" and rightfully so.

 

[D'Snowth]

Another interesting note about the worlds' most famous spud, when he was first created and manufactored, a lot of parents actually HATED Mr. Potato Head, cause back than they didn't have the plastic potato they do now and kids had to get their own potato to put the body parts into, a lot of people thought that was a waste of food.

Yeah, I heard about that... I believe they mentioned that on that VH1 mini-series I Love Toys.

Plus it's also worth noting the Mr. Potato is in the "Toy Hall of Fame" and rightfully so.

RIGHTFULLY so indeed.