DefunctTV: The History of Fetch! with Ruff Ruffman

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In this episode of DefunctTV, Kevin explores the history of the PBS Kids Go! reality game show, Fetch! with Ruff Ruffman.
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[@traxagenda3445]

*Kids who grew up without cable understand how important PBS kids GO was. We all looked forward to it after school*

[@JoshuaR.Collins]

facts

[@logosrule]

Absolutely.

[@joeysolorzano8786]

Amen

[@JustinW332]

Cyber chase, Arthur and this show were my favorite shows. I always looked forward to them after school

[@zach7968]

On god

[@amethyst4578]

The fact that canonically the show only exists because PBS somehow accidentally hired a D O G is amazing

[@matthewbless3335]

To their alarm, a DOG had signed!

[@hannahfanning9585]

Best theme song ever

[@TimurTripp2]

I pitched my vision for a show, they loved it thought I was a pro. They got my contract back to find, to their alarm, a dog had signed!

[@amethyst4578]

YO DID KZbin ACTUALLY JUST NOTIFY ME THAT SOMEBODY LIKED MY COMMENT

[@sketchyAnalogies]

Especially with at will employment being the norm and that this was before doc-u-sign and other esignatures.

[@ashleyfrancis8037]

I used to love this show. I was pretty sick as a kid and I remember spending a few days in the hospital and missing a few episodes of Fetch. My mom emailed PBS and told them how much I loved the show and they sent me a care package with a note from Ruff Ruffman. It made me feel so special. This is still a comfort show for me.

[@JoMcD21]

That's awesome! 😄

[@jayramos8316]

Smaller to Barney & Friends, Kidsongs and Zoom

[@RTU130]

Hmm

[@papisuci0]

smash

[@frillydress]

That’s so sweet

[@nastya7415]

i loved this show because it talked to you not like a kid but as someone who knows and understands sarcasm and humor

[@isaiahmumaw]

This 100%. Sorely lacking in most kids shows unfortunately.

[@mr.x2567]

@@isaiahmumawThe Amazing World of Gumball would like a word.

[@alexac.9295]

@@mr.x2567MOST kids shows. not all

[@llewelynshingler2173]

So this time, the prize actually *was* the friends they made along the way

[@darkknight5541]

Well, they did get more physical prizes as well, so there's that.

[@cranklabexplosion-labcentr8245]

Wonder where they are at now

[@AmericanGirlGymnasts]

Crank Lab Explosion - lab central i know Madi from season 2 is a lawyer now

[@darkknight5541]

@@AmericanGirlGymnasts And I think WIllie was, don't know if he still is, an actor.

[@AmericanGirlGymnasts]

Darkknight55 interesting, also I follow Brian’s sister on TikTok haha, Erin McGoff

[@Omegapork]

"But Zoom was failing to capture children's attention." Online teachers everywhere: Sigh~

[@DyslexicMitochondria]

Lol finishing my final year uni via zoom was a pain in the arse

[@tomhappening]

@@DyslexicMitochondria Ur username made me click on ur profile. Ur channeI is a hidden gem bro

[@Marylandbrony]

Discord: *Stonks*

[@antigonesurefire888]

@@tomhappening Thank you for pointing out that channel. Just subbed to @Dyslexic Mitochondria

[@skykidddragonfly2812]

@@DyslexicMitochondria Hidden Gem! Y’all check this guy out! 💎

[@realsarang]

i want a “where are they now” of some of the cast especially the original. i was in the 3rd grade when this came out and always dreamed of being casted.

[@k49821]

I wanted to be on the show so bad!

[@erc6943]

I begged my parents to move to Boston so I could be in the show. They said no for some reason?

[@The-EJ-Factor]

Me too😅

[@beeninthisfandomlongerthan9500]

@@erc6943 lol

[@plasmoasis]

that sounds a little bit like an invasion of privacy

[@techno_tuna]

God I really didn't appreciate how creatively unique this show was as a kid. The amount of expression and energy in what is literally just a game show framing device is amazing.

[@SaltyAsTheSea]

I'm legit sitting here tearing up because there really was so much love and care put into this project. They genuinely cared about the cast of kids and made the experiences and learning so fun and entertaining to watch. And when ruff would tell you thank you for watching, it always really got to me. Like no, thank you Ruff Ruffman 🥲

[@Ben-vs7bq]

hearing somebody say “viewers like you” and not following it up with “thank you” just feels...wrong

[@chrisrockett5897]

Fax.

[@smt4090]

viewers like you should _turn into a goomba_

[@toageki843]

Yes

[@Dimondminer11]

Bruh you have NO idea

[@progrockdude2691]

90s kids had it weird for that reason lmaooooo

[@mayahope8782]

"Kids, do me a favor- If a viking in a purple duck boat ever shows up at your house? Just... just go back inside." -Ruff Ruffman

[@princessazulaofthefirenati5870]

I could not promise that as a child

[@jamesbajzer9436]

@@princessazulaofthefirenati5870 nor could your brother promise the fire nation to return to his honor

[@princessazulaofthefirenati5870]

@@jamesbajzer9436 yeah

[@jandm4ever716]

Lol the fact that I heard this in his exact voice and cadence 😂

[@robertocontrerasjr1075]

Wise Words…

[@kahnxo]

There was a point in time growing up where my family didn't have cable. I simply cannot put into words how hard Fetch! With Ruff Ruffman carried me for two years. The days where my brother would hog out Xbox all day and I had nothing else to do, I could always rely on the show to entertain me, or the games on the website. I lived vicariously through the kids, solving the puzzles along with them and choosing my favorite contestants. I remember being so excited when Jay won as I'd been rooting for him the entire season. Fetch! With Ruff Ruffman will always have a special place in my heart and I'll always look back on my time with PBS fondly due to this one show. Jim Conroy did a kickass job voicing all these characters and making Fetch! With Ruff Ruffman an experience to remember.

[@wescador]

No way! Jay was my favorite in Season 3, too.

[@vijnmusic4707]

Same here! We did not have cable for a year or two and fetch was one of the shows I watched! Also I remember Jay!

[@cristiancervantes3088]

i never had cable. '96 north tx. ive only known about 20 channels 4-49 lolll

[@thiccbaby2967]

I grew up with no cable at home. If i ever wanted to watch CN, nick, or mtv. I had to go to other people houses to watch. Which made a lot of awkward why are you in my house alone by parents. But at home pbs was goat. Till the news came on and i had to look through what else happens to be on.

[@plasmoasis]

and having no cable is supposed to be a struggle? do you want a cookie? there are people dying out there.

[@nathanpayson9859]

Fetch with Ruff Ruffman was MY SHOW. I genuinely loved it so much as a kid and grew up with it. I learned so much and adored every minute of it. As a kid I didn't always know when "new seasons" would appear, but I would always watch when I knew about them. The show is genuinely so incredible, and it disappoints me so much that there's never been a revival of the show. I always thought that one of the coolest things that could ever happen in my life would be doing this show. It seems like genuinely a life changing experience. To this day it has left an impression on me, and it makes me sad it hasn't returned.

[@jayramos8316]

Hate Show

[@daydream5120]

I loved this show as a kid and when watching this, I had the huge smile on my face. I still remember all the words to the theme song

[@professional.commentator]

They did make another show called "The Ruff Ruffman Show" but I never got a chance to watch it. It also didn't seem to feature any real life footage.

[@EpicCathoNerd]

I was today years old when I found out that FETCH is an acronym

[@babyboy8547]

Same

[@jadenbuck7108]

I was today years old when I understood Stu-D-O-G.

[@GraySlicerAnimations]

Same

[@otterpocalypse1003]

Same!

[@irishtaco9056]

p a r d o n ?

[@sydsvids]

MY WHOLE LIFE GOAL WAS TO BE ON THIS SHOW

[@samantharosario5682]

SAMEEEEEEEEEEEE

[@somebody.3363]

SAME HERE

[@solonsaturngaming3727]

Same tbh never did

[@huntrrams]

Same was too young and didn’t live in Boston

[@natethegr8174]

@@huntrrams I was of the right age but they denied me because i wasn’t a Boston native. Crushed my dreams. But hey I can always use my IMAGINATION

[@KaylaaJaee]

As a huge Zoom fan I was devastated when it was cancelled, but Fetch with Ruff Ruffman really rekindled the magic from that show for me and gave me a new cast of kids to look up to. The season 1 cast has a special place in my childhood memories.

[@gwenmloveskpopcecmore]

Yeah plus it had a host whereas on zoom the kids were the host

[@professional.commentator]

​@@gwenmloveskpopcecmore Yea Zoom was a little too chaotic for me to understand, but with Fetch it felt like it was its own school with a teacher (Ruff) and classroom (Studio G).

[@Donut-ke4vb]

I clicked on this video fearing that there would be hidden controversies, scandals, and just ugly and dark truths behind the show- just like lots of other childhood gems. Glad to know this isn’t the case.

[@gabe_s_videos]

"Many of the young cast members knew that the true prize of each season was not the karate trophies or the helmets of victory, but rather the opportunity to be on the show itself and to meet their fellow contestants." So the real prize really WAS the friends they made along the way.

[@tkayube]

At last, a reality show where you ARE there to make friends.

[@nicolasnunez7346]

In this case that's right!

[@efulmer8675]

Heck, that whitewater rafting trip had to have been a real blast for the kids, but whitewater isn't exactly an object you put up on your top shelf.

[@striker1918]

This made me actually laugh a little bit

[@kaylasilverstein4137]

True true, tbh to 10 year old me, just getting to be on tv would’ve been a huge prize in and of itself! When I was in 3rd grade our school had a fundraiser where the state news channel showed up and filmed some of it, and I was so hyped that I got to be on tv, even though it was just a 4 second video of me walking in a line of kids and for half of that it was just the back of my head XD

[@ryansmith1044]

"But is that all the points a dog can give?" "NOOOOOO" "What time is it?" *"BONE-US POINTS!!!!!"*

[@ethanlittlejohn2536]

bone us o.o

[@OneFinalAutumn]

Fuck that nostalgia hits hard

[@3asianassassin]

@@OneFinalAutumn hit me like a train

[@emmazig]

My dad still quotes that to this day 😭

[@shadowwolf610]

I can still hear this

[@LordMarlle]

The sheer quality of this show is really heartwarming

[@kentonbaker2930]

I remember being an awkward 9 year old and crying because when I learned I couldn’t audition for Fetch because I didn’t live in Boston. I wish that TV like this still existed.

[@QUARTERMASTEREMI6]

I still live near Boston and it was impossible to find any info on how to get cast! 🤔😅

[@screm1471]

“yeah, i don’t cry that easi-“ fetch with ruff-ruff man *immediate sobbing in the corner*

[@epicrapbattlesofhistorymrbeas]

lol

[@lukecoyle632]

Crying in the corner huh? Mind if I join ya?

[@natalieanimatedeadaccount1675]

@@lukecoyle632 go ahead, I’m crying too.

[@dartheleven2108]

I never realized how many people grew up with this masterpiece. The comments are so wholesome.

[@riokad5863]

i ask my friends about this show and they dont even know what this show was 😭 so glad there’s people out there who remember this

[@UwU-lm9or]

THEY AREEE also man lowkey though i hope they bring this show back cause man the fucking hallowen episodes too were just TOP TIER o and to add on too I HOPE the next generation can experience something like ruff ruffman :""D but anywyas im jsut glad im not the only one who remembers this show vividly

[@biokomixfantasy9360]

Yeah. I find it a great comfort that the series was preserved online.

[@hatty418]

I watched this show for the first two seasons, and really enjoyed it. Khalil is my all time favorite player.

[@fredharris6813]

Guess i'm one of them

[@thegeekgirl19]

I learned so much from this show. Literally years after watching it I still remembered the things I learned like carbon dating, buoyancy, how a lever works, and so much more. This show will forever hold a place in my heart

[@Vooblebooble]

Same. Despite my terrible-at-trivia memory, I've always been able to recall the year of the first moon landing (1969) simply because it was one of the details that led to one contestant winning the episode.

[@pamspray5254]

I loved this show. The science, the parody elements, the cartoon host, everything about it melded into a wonderful experience that absolutely made my day every time the show came on.

[@Josephox]

I dreamed about going on this show as a kid just to see how we would talk to Ruff Ruffman lol

[@VirtualKermrade]

Same thing

[@talosheeg]

Me too! I begged to be allowed to apply but mom said no

[@ForrestFox626]

I wanted to, but that would require living in Boston

[@maroonedexplorer6622]

@@odenmoffett8524 I imagine they would listen to the voice actor or something.

[@uainjansun]

If I'm correct wasn't there a podcast as well?

[@RiverdudeCovers]

Fetch with Ruff Ruffman was my SHIT when I was younger. Always wanted to get on the show somehow

[@mcp613]

Me too

[@yamatoyazuyuki7049]

I was about to comment on the same thing too.... *I Fucking Love that show XD*

[@kawaiiconcept7479]

me too, turning 13 was devastating for me

[@tylerrusnak7736]

Same! I think we all did!

[@alexhuynh1066]

OMG the Flashbacks!

[@Scarlett-Hofferson]

Fetch was my absolute favorite show as a kid. I was homeschooled and wasn't allowed to watch tv until I finished all my "classes" for the day. The only reason I managed to get through things on time (with my ADHD trying to sabatoge me) was because I needed to finish before Fetch started. This show taught me so much as a kid, it was so funny, and had some surprisingly heartfelt moments too. I remember one episode where the group was going to hang out with a scientist who studies spiders, and one of the girls started to panic due to her aracnophobia, and they immediately removed her from the group and found something else for her to do. It really touched me as a kid how, even though a lot of the show is the kids doing things that might make them uncomfortable, they didn't try to talk her into something that genuinely scared her.

[@professional.commentator]

Oh yea I remember that episode too! I also remember the episode where a girl fell off her bike and scraped her knee. She was bleeding and one of the fetchers in the group helped put a bandaid on her.

[@alexeidarling]

And there was one episode with SCUBA and Nina got scared, so she snorkled instead. She got the bonus points for the episode for still finding a way to participate! ETA: I was rewatching the Space Camp one, and they were doing a simulator. Julia was a little nervous, but she did end up trying it, had a great time, and earned bonus points for it. Meanwhile, Taylor said she was opting out, and that was that, no further comment. The show overall was great about getting the kids out of their comfort zones a little, while respecting their limits when it was too much of a stretch (Brian from Season 1's fear of bees comes to mind.)

[@dancingsun2]

Gosh, all the kids who spent some portion of their childhood with no cable probably knows this show *very* well. One of my (and my brother's) favorite kids shows to watch back then :')

[@ArekusaSan]

I NEVER CLICKED SO FAST, THIS IS THE CORNERSTONE OF MY CHILDHOOD

[@The-j-ester]

ME TOO

[@williampittard4633]

Ik right

[@ZoogWeekendz]

@@williampittard4633 I know!! 😁👍👍

[@brymiller17]

Literally same lol. I remember coming home from 4th grade and this was on at 4:00 and I would watch the fuck out of it

[@heyjeremiahwhite.]

ONGGGGBBROOO

[@krissvy779]

I kid you not, this show is the reason I chose my career path. I was 9 when I watched the episode. They did an episode about Ruff’s grandma regarding a note written in pen. They used a simple chromatography experiment in a forensics lab to identify the pen used. I’m 17 now, and am on my way to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Forensic Chemistry. Thank you Fetch! with Ruff Ruffman.

[@coreylineberry8557]

Good luck!

[@jazzpetz5]

Dude me too! I’m getting my Bachelor in FS biology tho! Props to you for doing chem! You can do it

[@henryg.8762]

I loved that episode!

[@hailiesbong2734]

That's great

[@yarnjplays2028]

Good luck! You're very beautiful

[@Catbattle]

As others have said, this show is an all-time classic for kids without cable. As a kid, I wished I could have been casted, and played along to the intermediary quizzes. The theme song still occupies at least 10% of my childhood memories. Great retrospective.

[@lovelylostlenore2781]

So much nostalgia here. As a nerdy, homeschooled kid who watched almost exclusively PBS, this show was probably my favorite. My sister and I used to watch the whole programming block, but we were really waiting for Fetch to come on. It’s wild how much I remember from this show even now. Grateful for everyone who worked on it.

[@word69420]

I remember being incapable of imagining Ruff’s human VA as a kid. His character was so life-like and filled with so much personality. Kudos to Jim Conroy.

[@catherinetyndale1734]

Understandable. It's like knowing a faceless KZbinr did a face reveal but being unable to imagine the face at all without the knowledge that there was a voice actor for it in the first place.

[@fairydraws]

Same!! Although i was pretty young when the show was on and i watched it (i was probably 5 or 6) so i didn't really understand the concept of voice actors yet.

[@Alansaurus]

Jim conroy did a wonderful job. He deserves more recognition!

[@AlphaPizzadog]

Im sorry WHAT he was a kid this whole time? Edit: i forgot ruff ruffman isn't real and that you meant when you were a kid

[@maxiwaxipads]

Same here, though I may had known voice actors existed and was in denial? I don't remember the timeline of when I watched the show

[@DanielGoldhorn]

"There is no good reality television" *reminded of Fetch!* "There is one good reality television"

[@reillymcwriting]

Also Survivor, The Challenge, Kitchen Nightmares, and Canada's Worst Drivers.

[@rtlthemusician5598]

Also Pawn Stars

[@lalehiandeity1649]

@@reillymcwriting Survivor went downhill after season 3.

[@jackreiter7291]

I mean there’s some pretty good stuff over in the National Geographic archives

[@timd4524]

The only reality tv is the news. The rest are jokes. Reality doesn't walk around with a camera.

[@Formoka]

Fetch was legitimately one of the best bits of reality tv I’ve ever seen. Educational, creative, bond-forming. It was everything I was taught that reality tv couldn’t be.

[@prettypic444]

I wanted to be on Fetch! SO BAD, I tried to convince my parents to let me spend the summer with my cousins in new jersey. Little west coast me didn't 100% understand that Boston is hundreds of miles away...

[@OfficialMaxBox]

Good GOD the theme song is great. This show was fantastic, so pleased to see an episode about it.

[@shortbanjos8522]

Well, pleasure seeing you here Mr. Max Box.

[@myxolydian8778]

Hell yeah Max, great take

[@thatguybrody4819]

childhood's quite the thing isn't it?

[@upgoingG]

I didnt understand what ruff said when i was a kid untill now

[@foundry6715]

Box

[@ingridlopez8546]

I’m loosing my mind at how little those kids are....I was so little when this came out that I thought they were practically grown ups 😭

[@alexamjenn]

Same! I thought the kids were in high school 😭😂

[@mattybrunolucaszeneresalas9072]

Yeah there was always someone I had a crush on every season

[@evanmacaroni14]

Yea it's crazy. They seemed so old when I first watched it.

[@mr.peanut2096]

Same! I was so shocked to see that they're little kids. I guess since they were older than me at the time, I always rembered them being slightly older than me.

[@ZDoreTyr]

Sameeee 😭

[@SantaquinBacon]

This show was magical to me as a kid. I looked up to the contestants in awe as they overcame challenges and became close friends. I dreamt of being on the show and would even pretend to go on missions with my siblings. Fetch inspired an intrigue in science inside me at a young age which persists to this day. Reading the comments on this video has been amazing because of how much we have in common as childhood fans of the show. Thank you for making this video and reminding me of these magical memories 💛

[@aimanraza]

I grew up watching this show, and I have to say, this was one of the reasons I developed a passion for science and I am a biology grad student now :) Eternally grateful to have grown up with this amazing show

[@EMBEEAY]

Fun fact: *everyone who clicked on this video was an AVID fan of this show*

[@putinsthirdtoe8800]

I don't remember watching it but I love the show

[@SovietChicken64]

I’ve never heard of this show before. I was from the Where in the World/Where in Time is Carmen Sandiego demographic

[@emmab23791]

@M ummm yea i loved this show

[@roland_the_cursor]

I only saw the show in National Geographic Kids but had no idea what it was because I'm Canadian lol.

[@kimd7835]

I just really love Defunctland and I was curious I'd never heard of this show before - but now I honestly want to watch all the seasons, even though I'm way too old for it.

[@mizFahrenheit]

We clearly need a "Fetchers: Where Are They Now?" follow up episode!

[@oliviarts8778]

yes yes yes

[@booberfraggle]

Fr! I was like three when this show started- I’m 17 now, so these kids are already in their mid-twenties!

[@lilo5010]

I've followed Taylor Garron for a while on twitter! she's a comedian now and very funny

[@chrisrockett5897]

Y E S !

[@silvervoid8906]

@@lilo5010 kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWioeWpmirV9fq8

[@baileycash6196]

This show was incredibly inventive. I wish it went on just a little longer than it did, but it was a highlight of my childhood

[@walkingthetightrope6637]

I just got so nostalgic over this. I remember loving this show as a kid. Its so entertaining and educational

[@JustInDisney]

where have I heard of edutainment before? I’m looking at YOU, EPCOT!

[@thisisasupersayin376]

"National Science Foundation" "Arthur Vining David Foundation" "Arby's" "Viewers like you" Mmmm, one of these things iS NOT LIKE THE OTHERS

[@aidankocherhans9861]

Three of those things are permanently ingrained in my memory. I swear they never mentioned arbys on the show.

[@Dimondminer11]

@@aidankocherhans9861 same

[@lvlHive]

Clearly it's the National Science Foundation because it doesn't start with A.

[@shrimpsushi763]

But viewers like you also doesn't start with an a.

[@gev7046]

I'm just gonna guess Arby's provided the food for everyone

[@mustdieproductions]

I'm so glad that the show ended the way it did. It's a show that literally grew with it's audience, from beginning to end.

[@NerdOwlLover487]

Yeah, although I kinda wish they didn't do Humble Media Genius and The Ruff Ruffman Show, they didn't feel nostalgia

[@youraveragedude9325]

@VECTORMan the flash game where ruff ruffman was sick?

[@syra1541]

@@youraveragedude9325 yeah I wish they hadn't removed that site I loved those games

[@rygyhs3552]

God, this appeared on my feed now and I just got hit with a wall of nostalgia, not a wave or a wash, a wall of it. It's absolutely amazing how great this show was. Plus the fact I've been to some of the places now helps haha...

[@tripz710]

Me too 😢😢

[@hopepapernacky]

I absolutely loved this show as a kid. It is legitimately good and I don’t know why I don’t hear more people talking about it.

[@Lostinmyhead23]

I used to be so embarrassed growing up because I didn’t have cable but, now that I’m older, I really cherish the fact that I got experience this show and many more on PBS kids.

[@cyclops8238]

I was a little bit embarrassed as a kid but at the same time it didn't bother me too much because I wasn't too familiar with cable unless I went to my God sister's house.

[@creativeartsygirly]

Me too

[@theduck22]

The only chance I ever got to watch cable was going to my friend's place, PBS KIDS IS GOATED

[@cantfiteveryheart]

Same. But honestly, it was thanks to tv like this that I did really well in school. My parents were not supportive about school and we were poor, so we never got to go to museums or things like that. Everything I knew and learned outside of school came from PBS shows full of math and science. 🥲 I owe PBS a lot ❤️

[@ssun9074]

Totally agree. Not to sound stuck-up or anything but looking back, the shows that were airing on Disney channel etc. at the time absolutely pale in comparison to PBS shows, they're vapid trash. I can't stomach any of those shows nowadays but PBS shows hold up *so well* that I regularly go back and watch them. I addition to Fetch!, shows like The Electric Company, Martha Speaks, Arthur, and probably half a dozen more that I'm forgetting were formative for me in helping me through school and even in developing my sense of humour. I can't imagine how different a person I would be if I didn't watch PBS growing up. All my love to PBS, for real

[@dillonkeller4477]

"Pluto, still considered a planet at the time..." I felt that

[@picklerick_91]

Same 😭

[@RheasRubix]

Same

[@engideergaming]

engideer gaming

[@mattybrunolucaszeneresalas9072]

Still is

[@mems9953]

It technically still is, but Pluto really did get it's planet status downgraded

[@another-eli-1685]

I really appreciate this deep dive! I’m born & raised in MA & was so into these shows. My older sister auditioned for ZOOM but I was too young and so auditioned for fetch! as soon as I could (it came out when I was 9). Neither of us got on the show but a few years later in middle school, a classmate of mine did and when it aired I felt so much jealousy I could never watch it again lol

[@maximoescobar964]

that's actually amazing! which season was it and which fetcher was it?

[@SarahLovesJapan]

This was my favorite show growing up and I wanted so badly to be a contestant!!! I always wanted to go into the entrance to the studio. I wish more people talked about it. Thanks for this video ❤️

[@beetlesaretrying4621]

I love how all the kids got the grand prize. That just makes me feel all fuzzy and preserves the sense of team work the show sought to foster.

[@GideonFoxo]

Honestly I think its even more amazing that they all became what appears to be really good friends and I wonder if any of them are still in touch today

[@kaitlynreynolds5192]

@@GideonFoxo That's what I was about to say. This just seems like a fun bonding experience.

[@plutonium09]

i feel like this show never had a first episode like it just came out of nowhere one day and existed since randomly appearing, pbs just decided to continue airing it/didn’t know it was there

[@professional.commentator]

Well maybe for you but I vividly remember the first episode premiere as well as the promotions leading up to that first episode. It wasn't like a super crazy promotion on PBSKids but I still remember it all these years later. I can link you the video if you want to see it.

[@ytbvdshrtnr]

@@professional.commentator I want to see it

[@anonymous5401]

@@professional.commentator i wanna see it too, i just remember watching it one day. i had no clue the space race was the first episode

[@professional.commentator]

Did my link get deleted? I swear I posted it on here like a few days ago and now it's gone.

[@professional.commentator]

Okay KZbin search, "fetch with ruff ruffman promo 2006" and click the first video that pops up. I don't know why my link was deleted.

[@Judahmangi]

I'll never forget Khalil rhyming "triskaidekaphobia" with "it takes a lot to be like ya."

[@zerokiryuu3387]

I actually remember signing up and being brought to the Auditions for Fetch with Ruffman in Boston as a kid. There were so many kids there, and when I had to remember my lines I got so nervous. I didn't pass, and the experience was terrifying and even now a little sad. But the support and hope from my family to become a member was nice.

[@quirkemovez]

The production of this show is actually genius. They increasingly relied on animated segments as the show went on, ensuring that it could be continued as an animated show if the budget ran out.

[@xxSk8ing4christxx]

I totally forgot, this was on PBS so it was essentially crowd funded.

[@YowLife]

I hope you'll talk about WordGirl next.

[@gnerdeek5362]

I remember that show lol. I never thought about it much as a kid, but in hindsight, wasn't it weird af that the kid that had a crush on wordgirl was literally her brother? LMFAOOO

[@sketchpad7116]

Yo my older sister used to have a little dance she would do whenever the theme came on, and would like run around our couch spin and all kinds of stuff. Nostalgic

[@pandementia4099]

Dude yes, that show was strangely self aware at times.

[@selselsky]

@@gnerdeek5362 God it's been years since I saw Wordgirl so at first I was like "What Toby isn't her brother the fuck kind of show are you watching?" And then I remembered. I remembered. Why did they do Tj like that?

[@gnerdeek5362]

@@selselsky How tf did TJ not realize it was HIS OWN SISTER?!?! And why is he attracted to a girl that looks just like her sister anyways?!?! lmao

[@alexreid1173]

Watching this has made me realize that I didn’t remember this show almost at all. I was mostly around for the first couple of seasons when I was 5-7ish. For some reason, I remember the online games more. Specifically, there was one where you built rollercoasters and one that I think was some kind of murder mystery? I guess inspired by the second season. I would love to see what I don’t remember about Cyberchase!

[@trashgarbage7234]

Same! I can confirm the rollercoaster and the mystery (iirc it was actually that Ruff's duck or something was stolen?) -- there was also a dim sum drop thing that played a bit like plinko and one where you had to launch food through a geyser to cook it (and probably more that i don't remember) I was _so bad_ at the rollercoaster one lol

[@ladyinsect6444]

Loved the sound effects of the roller coasters when you would send them out 😭

[@beeeeans311]

EXACTLY!! i remember the first season or two pretty well, but mostly i remember the game where you were a germ invading ruff’s immune system, and the one where you cooked hot dogs on a geyser. good times.

[@GrayRam-my3lb]

God this show was my childhood. it shaped me immensely and i cant imagine where i would be as a person without it

[@abbycollins]

"Life was missing its mystique My squeaky toys had lost their squeak And then, out of the blue, I saw the phone and BAM! My destiny is calling me!"

[@masonpim]

“Pitched my vision for a show They loved it! Thought I was a pro They got my contract back to find To their alarm a dog had signed”

[@Ash-uo8sp]

After that I couldn't wait, found 6 contests, all were great!

[@daphnerogers4277]

@@Ash-uo8sp And now I'm on the road to fame, I've got a game show and it's name is

[@jacobcoburn3269]

It's very catchy, it rolls off the tongue... Wait, stop! Someone wanna tell me why we've got cats singing?

[@Ash-uo8sp]

@@daphnerogers4277 FETCH! WITH RUFF RUFFMAN! WITH RUFF RUFFMAN! FETCH!

[@Splatatat]

Alternate title: The History of the best show on PBS Kids

[@Midtermsmi]

It's in contestant with wild krats

[@LilacZ373]

It’s between This and Arthur 💯

[@SirBlackReeds]

@@LilacZ373 Eh, Arthur isn't what it used to be.

[@Dimondminer11]

So fucking true

[@Dimondminer11]

@@Midtermsmi Oh and that

[@ethanmarquardt2760]

I LOVED this show as a kid. None of my friends seem to remember liking it but I thought it was the coolest thing ever that these regular kids just got to go do all this fun stuff all the time. Plus ruff ruffman was super funny. Thanks for all the memories

[@wheresmymuffins]

amazing how vividly I still remember watching the one about how clean dog's mouths are and also playing the roller coaster building game on the website

[@Iwillstealeurcats]

Yes!!! The roller coaster game!! Also I believe there was a geyser one as well?

[@tangy6451]

This, Cyberchase, Word Girl, Zaboomafoo, we’re all gems of my early childhood.

[@peoniibud]

How could you forget Martha Speaks

[@tangy6451]

@@peoniibud omfg im sorry that too

[@adenmitchell7633]

@@tangy6451 what about Arthur

[@kimmy1325]

Can you tell me what Zaboomafoo was? I remember all the shows that you and Peonii mentioned, except that one. Could you maybe jog my memory?

[@tangy6451]

@@kimmy1325 zaboomafoo was the animal show with the krat brothers and the lemur. They got their own cartoon called wild krats a while back

[@Mr_Mimestamp]

I will always respect this show for having an overarching story throughout Season 5 before plot-heavy cartoons like Gravity Falls or Steven Universe started.

[@KingsBard]

PBS did that a few times, Like with Cyberchase

[@catherinetyndale1734]

@@KingsBard yeah understandable.

[@matthewl5434]

Agreed, it gave the show some flair at the time. Plot-based shows always seem to be the best imo

[@erravi]

>steven universe lmfao

[@heartstorngrose958]

@@erravi Even if you don't like it, it was plot heavy.

[@Charbacca]

I was born in 2003 and PBS was my childhood. This show gave me so much creativity growing up and will forever have a warm spot in my heart

[@kaperjuice]

I have very fond memories of this show, specifically because of the online games. Literally one of them was being a private investigator, with the suspects being photos of real ass people 😭 Your reviews of each season made me go “oooh” bc I’d realize a new detail that was in the games lol

[@wombattakat]

When he said “the scoring was arbitrary” and i knew my life was a lie

[@1337_bean]

fr lol winning was nothing. it was about the game, the journey, and friendships made along the way.

[@xxSk8ing4christxx]

@@1337_bean some of these kids got to go to Six Flags for free. That’s enough in my books.

[@hyde5213]

@@1337_bean Maybe the real Fetch! With Ruff Ruffman was the friends we made along the way

[@Che8t]

It's not like that was some secret or anything. That was part of the humor and jokes of the show. That the scoring didn't really matter

[@tuberoy70]

You all are terrific. I didn't realize how many comments are on this thread. I can't respond to them all tho I would. I still voice Ruff here and there but you can't replace Fetch! With Ruff Ruffman. Season 1 will always be the most special because we were making it up as we went along. Usually, with animation, you will go line by line and read each a few times and so on. But the show had such a spontaneous improv atmosphere. Shot out of sequence and assembled by the editors. The amount of footage and dialogue they had to sift thru. The hours of work. Can't imagine how hard that was. I would go to Boston for a few weeks to shoot the in-studio scenes. The intro, the halftime quiz show, and then the points and endings. The challenges were already done. Then later I would be in a studio in NYC and watch the footage of their challenges while the microphone was on and just Mystery Science Theater my way through the scenes. If I gave them 5 min of useful commentary in an hour I was happy. You don't get that kind of freedom as a voice performer often. It will always be my fav. This has been incredible to sift thru. Thank you again and GOOOOOOOOOOOOO FETCH!!!!!!!

[@jlagerholm]

Awesome work. I hadn't heard about Fetch before this episode as it was a little after my time, but it was cool to learn about and seemed like such a fun and positive show for all involved. It's impressive how it was all able to come together so smoothly in the end.

[@sarad9626]

I remember so vividly this show coming on at 3pm on PBS and it being the only show I religiously tuned in to as a kid. I hope you know I still hear Ruff Ruffmans voice in my head from time to time. Cheers :)

[@gaysetokaiba]

this is amazing to read. thank you for voicing ruff! really shaped my childhood and my love for learning and puzzles/thing along those lines :p

[@moonwatcher4047]

Fetch was my LIFE when I was younger, I was always fascinated by his Doghouse and the creative settings and appearances of Fetch’s scoreboards and halftime shows. Is there any place I can go to rewatch it?

[@Zardo_Zap]

ThAnk you thank you to everyone who saw the spark and fetched the idea ;0 so brilliant and funny

[@lisah-p8474]

I was in my 20s living outside Boston when Fetch with Ruff Ruffman aired and my bf and I adored the show. It was so wholesome and genuinely funny, even if you weren't the target audience. Plus we loved seeing all our nearby landmarks. Thanks to Ruff I can still name drop sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia whenever someone mentions "brain freeze". 🤓 Gotta shout out WGBH for being the OG of some of the best PBS shows ever.

[@tackyoptic]

I fking loved Fetch when i was younger... I still do, and it'll always have a special place in my heart. The haunted house episode was my favorite, I rewatched that shit over and over and never got sick of it. It was something really special for its time, I remember being bummed when it ended, but I was still really happy that I got to watch and grow up with something so good. Also, the intro had no business being such a banger.

[@ricardomartinez8430]

It’s a fact that everyone wanted to be on the show

[@Dimondminer11]

yes

[@destineer6256]

Yup

[@noahsepicgamingandstuff]

Yeah

[@cantgetitupanymore3244]

Absolutely

[@andrewschannel4259]

They don't make kids shows like this anymore. This was one of my favorite PBS shows when I was in 3rd-4th grade. I loved it, and so did my parents.

[@madamebluebell4597]

Yeah

[@wyatthall683]

Fr

[@StumpyFunnel]

Yeah, now it’s all about milked kids shows with a random animal going on “wacky” adventures which a season later it gets a lot of criticism

[@Ari180_RE]

Also the fact that shows aren't made to be educational anymore. Executives and corporate leaders believe that kids aren't smart enough to understand various topics as it's clear that most shows explain virtually everything. I would love for new education shows because ruff ruffman was genuine in its ability to teach with limited funding of certified programs and kids didn't need to truly act for the camera.

[@budywudy9]

@@Ari180_RE exactly this kids content only has the primary focus of money now. Yeah it might have still been money then but they also prioritised learning and interactivity. ngl one of the best kids shows to date was nina and the neurons - it was entertaining, presented science in a really fun and engaging way, and had cute funny animated cohosts that also helped keep kids watching. That show is the primary reason i grew up loving science in general so much and its kind of worrying that current kids arent getting the same opportunity to find something they love

[@stressedpeach7749]

This was my FAVORITE show to watch growing up. I basically memorized the schedule and watched as much as I could, even when I was older than the kids LOL

[@Damariobros]

I remember SO MANY of these episodes! The nostalgia is KILLING ME!

[@DgShadowChocolate]

Y’all remember when Grandma Ruffman was on trial, and the fetchers were her defense attorneys? I dunno what that had to do with science, but I REMEMBER it!

[@RozyPoyo]

Detective science. They tested ink.

[@corpsecartoonist7400]

and Rosario was one of the jurors

[@ananonymoushuman8258]

I wanted to be a forensic scientist so badly after that!!

[@h.poirot7788]

@@ananonymoushuman8258 same!!!!

[@TF2Fan101]

@@corpsecartoonist7400 ‘Huh, that young man looks EXACTLY like Rosario...’ Blossom: *Facepalm*

[@gokaiorange9576]

Fun fact: The younger sister of Brian from season one was one of the kids who participated in Kid Nation, that one controversial reality show that had a bunch of kids run their own town. She actually showed up in a few episodes of Fetch, as well.

[@manny_menin022]

Omg that's crazy

[@hbmento8102]

One of the biggest and most controversial experiments of Mid 2000s TV. What a crazy time lol

[@happyfacefries]

haha, I liked that show, believe it or not. Now I feel bad that I did. I was a kid at the time though.

[@charlottehobday4495]

Now I want Jontron to do a video on Fetch!

[@ollierowan9767]

omg really? we watched Kid Nation in my 8th grade social studies class lol

[@dave_dynasty]

I rewatched the entire show and it's still very good. I love how they start adding plots to each season, making it more interesting.

[@WethebestK]

This show is truly something i will NEVER forget. A show that brought me so much nostalgia and memories is BEYOND me. I miss this generation. This was my FAVORITE show and i would repeat every episode, every season (even as a rerun) if it was still available anywhere. Id watch it and itll bring a smile on my face. ❤

[@TheHoneyMeadow]

"Not only do I host my own television show BUT-" that plug for the website is ENGRANED into the deepest depths of my memory

[@ritzexists2201]

I felt transported back in time by those words o ___ o

[@the_beast183]

those games are a serious throwback... so sad I’ll never get to see them again without flash 😔

[@SupaKoopaTroopa64]

One of my earliest memories of using the internet was visiting that site

[@garretteulett8600]

@@the_beast183 Germinator was my game! Could never get very far, though, cos I sucked at games. Still do

[@Dimondminer11]

Same here buddy. Back in the day when we all had Pentium 4s in our Windows XP computers with our CRT displays. Good memories man

[@lemmixyt]

This show was EVERYTHING- I literally had dreams of being in this show with my friends and I couldn’t even fathom the idea of it being canceled because of low ratings. I hope it makes an awesome comeback though, as I think it’ll be really fun for kids now too.

[@analogstic1972]

I wanted to be on this show so bad too. I was obsessed with it, watching this video brought back so many good memories

[@Princeofapril]

Sameeeeeeeeee

[@crashlandon7957]

friends? can't relate

[@chibbychaps6445]

I literally also had dreams about being on the show with my friends.

[@DomPeriod]

No thanks. It'll turn into woke shoehorning like most kids shows nowadays.

[@chileanyways196]

This show is so important to me, I loved the episode where they designed a roller coaster with imagineering and it’s one of the things that inspired me to pursue a career in it

[@samheston4192]

I remember rushing to the tv after school and turning on PBS to watch Fetch specifically! I looooved this show and it’s so great to see this little doc about it.

[@YowLife]

Fetch was one of my favorite shows as a kid. I heard about it after seeing a commercial for it on Cartoon Network. My brother despised educational shows and made fun of it at every chance. It got to the point where he would delete the new episodes I recorded from the DVR just to spite me. Granted I was also deleting his Southpark episodes for the same reason. Yeah this show was difficult to watch, you can't even get it on DVD.

[@emmab23791]

Do y’all remember when it ended and they said it was going to be on Netflix? I was so sad that’s it’s not on there anymore

[@samuelaviles824]

>south park yea you did the world a service

[@Noobprepro]

why u need to comment twice? and six hours later? sounds like attention grab to me

[@foshio1598]

@@emmab23791 it was in Netflix for a while, I remember binging the entire snow when I was younger. Although one season was missing and when I found out my heart broke 😭

[@feliperuiz4884]

Fetch! is on Amazon Prime Video if you want to re-watch it.

[@Aabbannanananaa]

I'm glad we all agree that "FETCH!" was a great show. But can we also agree that the theme song IS TOP TEIR???

[@nunyabusiness42069]

*absolutely*

[@crunchii891]

Obviously! I remember always humming and dancing along to the theme song whenever I watched the show lol

[@lilithhyde1592]

It slaps so hard for no reason

[@RandysaurusRex]

Considering I started singing the theme song when I saw this video in my recommended, I gotta agree

[@kaitlynm4771]

It did not need to go as hard as it did but it was awesome

[@ninjamage5215]

Man I loved this show as a kid. I remember there being a “spy” cast member in one of the later seasons for the cat organization or whatever, like they had to interview people and figure out who was lying. My sister and I would watch together all the time

[@libby7242]

I *LOVED* this show as a kid. It was my dream to be on it. I specifically remember the episode where they went to the Boston Aquarium and I was like hey that looks familiar. My mom said yes bc thats the aquarium we go to. I looked it up and you can imagine my pure shock to learn the show was filmed where I live. My heart broke into a million pieces, my dream was so close yet so far away. Also the kid that won that episode got a stuffed penguin that smelled like tuna and i was jealous.

[@darkknight5541]

Man, imagine being told you'll be on the latest season of your favorite tv show...only for it to get cancelled before you can ever get on camera.

[@Yourfavoritespoon]

Did that really happen

[@darkknight5541]

@@Yourfavoritespoon Auditions for Season 6 had begun, though I can't remember if anyone had been cast. I'm pretty sure they had the six fetchers, though.

[@LaurenImbriano]

I submitted an audition tape (even tho I didn’t leave anywhere near where the show was filmed) and was convinced I would get cast only for the show to end

[@TrialByDance]

When they started introducing story arcs in the later seasons, I was addicted. Holy hell this brings me back.

[@waluigihentai]

SAME. i need to rewatch it all

[@xxSk8ing4christxx]

@Caralena Lindberg Yeah I’m from the New England/Boston area. I remember walking the freedom trail and was like “wait this was on Fetch” lol

[@UnicornBAZOOKA]

The Le Purr arc still holds strong in my mind oh my god

[@skymin963]

@@xxSk8ing4christxx literally I went on a field trip back in like 5th grade and all I could think of was this show. I miss it real bad

[@nat_c_crow]

Sir you literally unlocked a memory from my childhood that I pretty much completely forgot until now !! Thank you so much for this short docuseries over this !! It brought back a lot of fond memories from when I was about 4-7 🖤

[@ThomasFerguson22]

Fetch had a huge impact on me as a kid. I loved getting to see all their challenges and adventures, especially since I was about their age when I watched the show. I'm graduating soon with a degree in mechanical engineering next year, and that's probably thanks in part to the stem concepts I became familiar with because of this show.

[@Anna-tk7ui]

I watched this religiously as a kid. I got emotionally invested in Ruff's journey. The "haunted" castle episode was my absolute favorite. I can still sing that theme song with perfect clarity. I was surprised to see this in my recommended lol. I'm glad it's still remembered a bit. It was so enjoyable for kids.

[@infamous.beans.]

Yes the haunted castle episode is totally the best one! It's the one I remember the most

[@morgue.n444]

I also remember the water park episode the most and I have the faintest memory of the Fetchers going to a beach to watch baby turtles hatch

[@jakespacepiratee3740]

I barely watched this show, but I saw the Haunted House episode and "DID YOU SEE ANY GHOST CATS?!" was burned into my brain and idk know why.

[@Alansaurus]

Omg that episode was also one of my favorites!!! My favorite was the one on the weird cat and dog island thing, it was so much fun

[@emmakirton]

The haunted castle episode was sooo memorable

[@Stereo6400]

Me: heh I’m not nostalgic 2 secs later: LIFE WAS MISSING IT’S MYSTIQUE MY SQUEAKY TOYS HAD LOST THEIR SQUEAK, THEN, OUT OF THE BLUE, I SAW A PHONE, AND BAM-

[@NT-Amusing]

MY DESTINY WAS CALLING ME.... >phone beeps

[@wafflefalafel9442]

Pitched my vision for a show-they loved it! Thought I was a pro.

[@noemirios7902]

They got my contract back to find, to their alarm a DOG had signed!

[@AutomaticVoiceMessageSystem]

FETCH! ooo I like that name- with Ruff Ruffman!

[@ivanbautista1084]

I didn't wait to renovate, found 6 contestants ALL WERE GREAT!

[@NightHawk9912]

This was my childhood. I remember my brother and I sitting at the tv in our basement every week night at 5:30 to watch this. Thanks for this blast from the past ❤

[@larissas.1205]

fetch! with ruff ruffman was such a huge part of my childhood and i'm so happy to see that it also had a positive impact on many others. i miss watching fun and educational shows like this

[@Reticulating-Splines]

anybody else automatically say "Thank You" after he said "Thanks to Viewers Like You" real PBS stans know

[@chrisrockett5897]

Yep.

[@dell99]

Yup

[@figs-oliomedley]

here here.

[@Dimondminer11]

yes. So much yes

[@EulogyPlaigerism]

There were so many moments in this defunct episode. The "viewers like you," "squeaky toy has lost their squeak," half time quiz show. This was such a nostalgia trip and I love it

[@jif635]

When I heard the last episode aired in "2010" I was like, oh that wasn't too long ago...checked my computer date of 2021 and had to realize that was 11 years ago..

[@professional.commentator]

Yea and the craziest part was how this show ended right before social media and smartphones took over our lives.

[@urielc918]

they kept rerunning it for a while, no?

[@professional.commentator]

@@urielc918 Possibly. I'm not too sure, I stopped watching the show right after Season 4. But I heard there was another TV show on PBS simply called The Ruff Ruffman Show and it was basically Fetch with Ruff Ruffman but without the contestants and the reality portion of it.

[@DreamDear]

I remember when this came out. I would’ve been 8 years old. This video brought back so much nostalgia that I didn’t know I had lol

[@urielc918]

@@DreamDear me too

[@GeneralLiuofBoston1911]

Thank you Mr. Rogers for keeping that early funding of PBS going. I am sure he is smiling down at the beauty of Fetch With Ruff Ruff Man to keep kids engaged in learning new ideas.

[@moviemoment247]

I've always been into animation so the character Ruff Ruffman was what truly drew me into this show. It blew my mind seeing kids interact with an animated character. I wanted to do the same. A plump dog with glasses as eyes is the most adorable thing to me to this day, I love his design!