No. Not Art Clokey, Dammit.
January 9, 2010 by admin
Filed under living with me
Gumby creator Art Clokey dies at 88
I’ve had a crazy love affair with Gumby for as long as I can remember. The fascination never ceased. This tall man has held my heart in his firm green hands for decades. I’ve got Gumby clothes, and Rug Barn Gumby throw (thanks Bev), a Gumby collection right by my kitchen sink, and a Gumby cookie jar.
You would expect someone with a gingerbread man body and a perpetual yellow smile to have a signature fragrance, but it never happened. Maybe now would be the time to introduce a slightly spicy scent in a commemorative decanter for those who are just starting to appreciate Gumby.
I understand that the death of Art Clokey is going to cause a flood of Gumby interest. A new generation will learn the history of that is “Gumbasia.” I want to go on the record now stating I’ve been doing my part to keep Gumby’s image fresh and crisp.
Don’t even get me started on Pokey. Damn Pokey is what held Gumby back all these years. Gumby coulda been a contender, he could have been someone. Pokey’s drug addiction is what kept Gumby from accepting roles which may have included these famous lines:
- “Gumby, we have a problem.” –Apollo Thirteen
- “If you build it, Gumby will come.” –Field of Dreams
- “Beam me up, Mr. Scott.” –Star Trek IV
- “Frankly Gumby, I don’t give a damn.” –Gone with the Wind
- “I love the smell of Gumby in the morning.” — Apocolypse Now
- Gumby, you’re trying to seduce me. Aren’t you? –The Graduate
- Fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a Gumby night. –All About Eve
- “Soylent Green is Gumby!” –Soylent Green
- “Nobody puts Gumby in a corner.” –Dirty Dancing
- “Dear eight pounds sux ounces… new born infant Gumby, don’t even know a word yet. –Talladaga Nights.
- “They call me Mister Gumby!” –Heat of the Night.
- “I’m as mad as Gumby, and I’m not going to take this anymore!” –Network.
- “You know how to whistle, don’t you, Gumby? You just put your yellow lips together and blow.” –To Have and Have Not
Yeah, don’t even get me started on Pokey.
Rest in peace, Art Clokey.
My condolences.
R.I.P.
Carrie, Candid Carrie, Care Bear – it’s me, the guy who used to bring you roses on Valentines Day, brought you lunches on Tuesday, let you win in card games, stood up in your wedding, made a sacred pact with – here I am at your amazing web site – you’ve become so big (I say that in the best sense) it’s like you are a celeb and I don’t know how to penetrate the layers (Champ says that in the best sense also) and reach my beloved Care Bear. I can only hope one of your acolytes will see my plight and get this message to you – that I’ve missed you, think of you often and wonder if you still honor our agreement in your heart . . .
Oh Carrie, now my comment is awaiting moderation?!!! Yet another layer of seperation from my Care Bear? I feel so insignificant, small, not the Champion I once was in your life. Somehow I have to get you back!
Care Bear,
Forgot to tell you the latest excitement for ‘Auntie Rie’. Seems after Nicole had her second child the agreement was for Ben (now known as Ben the Bull) to have his potency checked. Ben, like a lot guys, was a little slow on the job and in the meantime an ambitious little swimmer managed to elude all defenders and took it to the house, so to speak. So if you get a chance, you might want to congrat Rie on Colly’s GFA.
I also forgot to mention that Champ wanted me to say ‘hello’ to you. It’s been really nice that he’s been staying with me at the park ranger house this winter. It gets awfully lonely here during the winter and Champ has been wonderful company. The only problem is he drinks, many times, too much, to the point where it seems he’s stiff most of the time. Often during those times he wants to talk about you, the promise that you made and stuff like that. As I’m sure you’ve heard, he can be a hard guy, but he’s got a good heart. On all other fronts things are going well.
Tommy K
Art is a close family friend of ours. No joke. I was in Gumby commercials when I was younger and my dad handles all of Art’s financial affairs. So sad, he was the bomb. Gumby shall live on though