For twenty years Buster and Me racked up awards and delighted television audiences with an inter-species sitcom designed to entertain, delight and educate children by bringing them into the world of two chimps and their human mother. Robin, played by writer/puppeteer Robin Goodrow, does her best as a struggling single mom to bring up young Buster, played by writer/puppeteer Chris Pray, and his little sister Vanilla, also performed by Goodrow. Buster's best friend Russell, a young orangutan, is played by John Gilkerson. Christina Metcalfe served as the show's producer.

Bridging serious themes and hilarious comedy, Buster and Me has addressed many important issues, from divorce and telling the truth to world peace. Along the way it has collected, in addition to two Parents Choice Awards and four local Emmys, the prestigious Iris Award, given by The National Association of Television Program Executives for "The Best Local Children's Show in America".

In a world of televised junk food, Buster and Me has proven to be a nutritious addition to children's media that will endure for generations to come.

 

Buster appearing in the movie Mrs. Doubtfire with Robin Williams.

 

 

 

Robin Goodrow plays the friend and parent to the simian siblings Buster and Vanilla, on "Buster and Me". She also serves as the shows writer, co-producer, songwriter and puppeteer behind Vanilla. As early as her elementary school years, Robin performed skits, songs and puppet shows for children's parties. She has continued to delight the young and old at Bay Area schools, theaters, hospitals, libraries and parties, and also as volunteer performer for "Bread and Roses" for over 25 years. Robin was hired at KRON-TV in 1977 to create and perform eight pre-school specials called "Small Wonders" which later evolved into "Buster and Me". She received a 1979 musical composition Emmy for her "Small Wonders" medley as well as numerous awards for her contributions to "Buster and Me". Her music CD "Amazing" (featuring Tower of Power, Kenny Rankin and Richard Elliot) won The National Parenting Magazine Gold Award and received rave reviews. "This is one of the best children's albums I've ever heard." Mark Jaffe, President, Children's Music, A & M Records. Robin created "Bingo and Molly" for the Discovery Channel which aired internationally for 5 years. She is now writing a novel.

 

 

Chris Pray, who plays Buster, is an actor, writer, and puppeteer. Born in San Francisco, he studied acting while in high school at S.F.'s world famous The Committee. At the age of 19 and with no college experience he was hired to teach Physical Culture at a private progressive elementary school because of his repore with kids. A troubled kid himself he was especially in touch with the subtle pain many children quietly felt. This allowed him to connect with them emotionally. He left teaching to go into show business full time. He was a founding member of The Pitschel Players and went on to tour with Country Joe MacDonald, appear in as many as 20 movies including, The Candidate, American Graffiti, and Dirty Harry. Finally, after two disillusioning years in Hollywood, he moved back to S.F. and went to work for KRON-TV's Children's Programming Dept. He was later joined by Robin Goodrow whose profound love of children meshed with Chris' theatrical background to create Buster and Me. He now lives near Napa where he writes plays, children's books and letters to the editor.

 

 

John Gilkerson is the designer/creator as well as the hands and voice for Buster's best friend, Russell the orangutan. He also constructed the new Buster and Vanilla puppets. In addition to his work with "Buster and Me," John taught puppetry and drama in the Piedmont Unified School District and served as program coordinator for Children's Fairy Land in Oakland, California. He currently designs Christmas window displays for Gump's department stores using his own original puppets. John performed with and designed costumes for the Lamplighters, the Pacific Arts Theatre and the Diablo Light Opera Company.

 

 

 

 

Christina Metcalfe. When Action for Children's Television Director Peggy Charren was asked how she'd go about producing a children's show, she replied "I'd hire Chris Metcalfe." Because of her expertise in the field, KRON-TV's Director of Children's Programming, Chris Metcalfe, was invited to take part in the 1980 FCC hearing on children's television in Washington D.C. Her prior experience includes producing public affairs and children's programming in the Bay Area including "Like it is," "Young Audiences," and "Git Box Tickle." From 1971 to 1979, she wrote and co-produced KRON-TV's critically-acclaimed "Kidwatch" and currently serves as the producer of "Buster and Me."