Movieline Remembers: 65 Years of Television Pets
Comet, Full House (1987 - 1995)
Played By: Buddy
Classification: Dog (Golden Retriever)
Memorable Storyline: In season eight's "Comet's Excellent Adventure," the titular Golden Retriever gets loose from Michelle and roams free in San Francisco. While Danny and the others search for Comet, he falls in love with a coy, but horny Collie. A mysterious crowd "awwws" on an audio track. At the last minute, Michelle creates a missing dog report that says she misses Comet and wants him to come back. Comet sees this and returns home.
Elvis, Miami Vice (1986 - 1987)
Played By: N/A
Classification: Alligator
Memorable Storyline: After Sonny adopts Elvis, the retired mascot of the University of Florida Gators, and brings him aboard his houseboat, the alligator destroys Sonny's Buddy Holly record collection. In return, Sonny threatens to throw Elvis's prized possession -- a fuzzy pink blanket -- overboard.
Side Note: As Movieline's resident Nickelodeon expert Louis Virtel pointed out, Clarissa's pet baby Caiman alligator on Clarissa Explains It All was also named Elvis.
Fred, Sweetheart, Baretta (1975 - 1978)
Played By: Lalah, Weird Harold (Stunt Bird for flying sequences)
Classification: Sulphur-crested Cockatoo,
Memorable Storyline: Tony Baretta's roommate Fred has many talents, including being able to drink liquor from the bottle, answer the telephone with a perky "Hello" and squawking "Freeze" whenever Baretta enters his apartment. Despite being an undercover police detective, Baretta strolls around the streets with Fred on his shoulder.
Tiger, The Brady Bunch (1969 - 1974)
Played By: Tiger
Classification: Dog (Mixed-breed)
Memorable Storyline: Although the Brady family hosted a menagerie of animals in their original five-year run, the boys' dog Tiger was the most memorable. In the first season episode "Katchoo," Jan's sneezing is traced back to Tiger to the family's dismay. Just as the family is about to take Tiger away to their grandparents though, the Bradys conveniently discover that Jan is just allergic to Tiger's flea powder.
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Comments
where is Brandon?! What about Punky Brewster... i'd like to speak to the manager.
What about Florida's own Flipper? He outswam a tidal wave in one memorable episode.
yes! Marcel is included and thus, mes amis, is how i came up with my nom de snark. Marcel was always the smart one amongst the friends. the smart monkey.
I've got a call into PETA to see if it's acceptable to classify a horse as a pet, but, if it is, where the heck is Mr. Ed on this list?
No Mister Ed?
How do you honestly forget Scooby-Doo?
I still remember Matthew with Ross, and when Matthew grab Ross`s finger. They are happy when having each other.
Scooby-Doo is a pretty big ommition. Nonetheless, it's rather interesting how forgettable the characters are at first glance, then realizing when they are showcased like this list, just how big of a role these animals really had on their respective shows.