Funky And Loving It.

"What I liked about the series:" It also had a ghost as the title character, Australian animation, Daws Butler-as-Bert Lahr-as-Snagglepuss-as-Funky P.m and NO LAUGH TRACK OR CHASE SONGS!!

The Snagglepuss/Bert Lahr voice for ol' Muddsy was unmistakable. Almost expected Muddsy to say "Heavens to Murgatroyd" or "Exit State Right".

Skip and Augie were "friends" and partners in solving the mystery of the day but they shared a similar Archie Andrews/Reggie Mantle rivalry in trying to impress cute April (Kristina Holland) who never revealed who she liked the most. Augie (Tommy Cook) was a loud-mouthed show-off while Skip (Micky Dolenz) was the more of a timid soul. Augie's pet bulldog Elmo usually found himself harassed by Muddsy's ghost cat Boo often.

Funky Phantom is a complete favorite of mine. It was usually found in the early hours of weekday nights. (circa 2-4AM) I usually tried to stay up to see Mudsy in action. There's so much i like in this show. The main characters are all cool and likable, and Daws brings his Snagglepuss voice back for Mudsy (although getting technical the delivery of Mudsy is a bit less theatrical sounding but it's still the same voice just the actor using a different speech flow, something Daws had done quite a bit in the past too)

One major thing I notice now is the show's distinct "triangle" take. In the past relationships in HB were either in the background or part of a gag. Since after all no one thought Alexandra was a threat to Alan/Josie. But here we get to see two guys fight over one girl, yet appear to be pretty good friends in their own right and the girl very much openly enjoys both (heavens to redcoats that has some really intriguing implications, insinuations even!) Also do notice when April goes after the race car driver, Augie and Skip act like a unit that's been dumped no animosity. And again in Sleepy Hollow, both Skip and Augie gravitate to the girl as a unit and April is jealous.

All in all the group chemistry here is also really well done. This group is also so much more well-rounded then a lot of the other teen groups. Where most of the time everyone sticks to their style. The Funky Phantom kids often share the roles and end up sometimes where one of the guys are kidnapped as well and while Skip would appear to be the brains, Augie, April and Mudsy get moments to be the one to come up with the smart ideas. Little touches like that make this one stand out to me quite a lot. I like it because it has those little things that add to the appeal.

Needless to say when the DVD came it was one that had me jumping for joy. I have enjoyed reliving Mudsy again. I am a little sad these guys didn't get character after life at HB. Although Snagglepuss references "the Spirit of '76" in Yogi's Treasure Hunt so there's that. (And don't ask me about Cartoon Network influenced reboots, i don't hold back my thought on those if asked, but i try not to engage such things that fill me with less than nice feelings)