From The Scoop: Count Duckula

In 1988, Nickelodeon debuted a fabulous series centered on the exploits of a vegan, vampiric duck named (what else?) Count Duckula.

Never heard of him, you say? Well, if you weren't a child in the eighties and early '90s (or didn't have school-aged children) during that era, there's your reason. It certainly isn't because the show itself was short-lived. In fact, the UK-based series lasted a whopping five years (a great run by TV cartoon standards).

Count Duckula was a spinoff series of the widely successful Danger Mouse, which also aired on Nickelodeon. Set in the mystical Castle Duckula, the show focused on Count Duckula's many travels (his castle could teleport itself wherever he wanted to go) and the bizarre personalities of his employees.

Igor, his manservant, tried in earnest to get him to embrace his vampiric tendencies and leave all the veggie-chomping alone. Nanny, a huge hen whose wing is perpetually cast in a sling, tries to keep house without destroying the place in the process.

All in all, Count Duckula was pretty well-intentioned. Though arrogant and a bit self-involved, he did his best to dodge his vampire-hunting nemesis, Von Goosewing. And his efforts paid off. He and his housemates constantly avoided capture, even in 1993 when the show ended its five-season run.

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