Canada is not exactly known for its quality original TV programming.  In fact, historically speaking, it's pretty bad.  But every now and then, in the gloomy shadows of The Littlest Hobo and Danger Bay, there's a glimmer of light.  Yes, we're responsible for such dreck as Hangin' In and The Trouble With Tracy, but that doesn't mean we can't crank out a decent show or two, right?  Ever heard of Corner Gas?  Canadian.  Kids in the Hall?  Also Canadian.  Puppets Who Kill?  Pure, unapologetically Canadian!

Now I know what you're thinking.  "What's Hangin' In", you may ask.  It's a horrible, horrible 'sitcom' set in a youth centre in Toronto.  Because there's nothing funnier than at-risk youth.  "What's The Littlest Hobo?" you may be asking the person to your immediate left.  It's an ultra-low budget show about a German Shepard who wanders the country helping people in need, but then leaves when his work is done.  Maybe tomorrow he'll wanna settle down, but until tomorrow he'll just keep movin' on.  And "What's Trouble with Tracy?" you may be asking the second to last person to the right of your old college roommate's sister's ex-boyfriend's lab partner. I don't really remember but it used to come on right after The Flintstones but before AgriNews when I was about 6 years old and it was terrible.

But I digest...

Puppets Who Kill is one of those rare Canadian TV shows that's... what's the word I'm looking for... oh yeah... GOOD!  It's about this guy who has this thing and then there's some puppets. 

Wait... lemme clarify that a little... 

A regular "Joe" (Dan) and a bunch of misfit delinquents (who happen to be puppets), all share residence at a half-way house. It's Dan's job to keep an eye on four 'menaces to society' and help them to rehabilitate - Bill the homicidal dummy, Rocko the cigarette smoking dog, Buttons the nympho teddy bear, and Cuddles the comfort doll. The five of them find themselves in all sorts of odd predicaments. Despite their homicidal, and often overtly perverse sexual tendencies, it's hard not to find them loveable.

I'll admit, this show is not for everyone.  But if you have a slightly skewed sense of humour (like I do), an affinity for puppets (like I do), and enjoy under-appreciated, micro-budget Canadian programming (like I do) then this show is for you.  The first episode can be found at the link below.  Enjoy.

I had heard of this before but never seen an episode. The puppetry is really good. Haven't gotten through the first episode yet due to a sluggish internet connection but really liking what I've seen so far.

Don't be so hard on Canada... there are several shows I know where filmed in up there that I like. Then again they where actually for American audiences and not Canada so perhaps that is the difference.

Thats very cool!!
also, i beleive that the littlest hobo was about a jack russel dog that went aroud helping people, the german shepherd was called kelly and was a different show all together, this officially makes me a geek!!

Maybe there are different versions.  I know for sure that here in Canada the Hobo was a shepherd.  Corner Gas (another great Canadian show) did an episode about it.  There's a ton of those shows though, the British version or the Canadian air US version.  Is the UK version equally terrible?  Because ours is notoriously bad.

Hmmm... Perhaps this explains it. http://www.dogsrule.co.uk/blog/general/littlest-hobo-theme-tune/  It sounds like there was an advertising campaing in the UK that had a cartoon jack russell in it that featured the theme song from the Canadian show.



There is also this. http://lilythelittlesthobo.wordpress.com/about/

There isn't a Canadian over 30 who doesn't know that song.  Try watching an episode.  I dare ya!

I like the fact that there are different types op puppets used here.  I thought I was the only one breaking the rules.  Vents and hand puppets can get along.

And was the dog catcher following Hobo so he had to keep on the run?

No, I don't think anyone was chasing him.  He was just a hobo.  A wanderer.  A doer of good deeds.

I remember the littlest hobo from when I was growing up here in England - he would wander to someone in need and then move on when they no longer need him. Which was conveniently about as long as an episode! He was the K9 equivalent of Michael Landon in Highway to Heaven!! Really enjoyed the Puppets Who Kill episode, did they make many of these? I like the mix of different kinds of puppets, it adds to the stories premise of a rag-tag mob of nutters! I even like the fact they interact with real people. I going to have to watch more of these... I'm off to make a brew and get settled!