Crusty the Cat was one of the first Pizza Time Players. He was dubbed "The Cat's Meow" in singing and joke telling, and he was Chuck E. Cheese's straight man.[1]
He debuted alongside the rest of the Pizza Time Players at the first PTT location in 1977, as well as appearing in several showtapes, before being replaced by Mr. Munch in late 1978.
History[]
Crusty debuted with the other Pizza Time Players at the grand opening of the first PTT location. Crusty was voiced by John Widelock in the demo shows, but would be replaced with Ed Bogas in later showtapes.[note 1]
Crusty was noted to be a prominent character in the early days of PTT. A pizza on the menu was titled "Crusty's Vegetarian Delight". He also appeared on promotional material or posters from the first location.
During development, Crusty was meant to be an unlucky character, hence the number 13 and black fur. He was apart of a baseball team called "Swingers", as seen on his jersey. His first animatronic consisted of whiskers, taller ears, eyebrows, and was fixed to a 2D backdrop. This animatronic would later be upgraded sometime between late 1977 to mid 1978 to Crusty’s second (and last) animatronic, which had no whiskers, more realistic cat-like eyes, shorter ears, and was now a 3D figure.
When the second PTT location came around, Crusty would be replaced by Mr. Munch permanently. Crusty would be retired from showtapes in 1978, but stayed at the first location until the animatronics were switched to Cyberamics in 1980-1981, in which Crusty would officially be marked extinct. He was the first retired CEC character.
The only guest stars he starred with were Helen Henny, Madame Oink, and Foxy Colleen. Despite the character being retired, Crusty's voice actor continued to work for PTT, such as voice acting Chuck E. Cheese in the Great All-American Pizza Show radio ad.[2]
Trivia[]
- Crusty was referenced in the "Halloween Hijinks" special in a reversed message.[3]
- As quoted: "I have tickets to see the Wingers baseball game tonight to see Crusty the Cat hit a home run, go Wingers!"
- However, his baseball team is called "Wingers" instead of "Swingers", the correct name.
- As quoted: "I have tickets to see the Wingers baseball game tonight to see Crusty the Cat hit a home run, go Wingers!"
- In the US catalog records, a costume for Crusty is trademarked. Which suggests that he possibly had a walkaround.[4]
- In "Jukebox Skit" Crusty reveals that he is a mama's boy.
- Despite being able to sing in French in "The Can-Can" skit from the demo showtape, Crusty later wishes he learned how to sing in a foreign language in the "Frere Jacques" skit of Madame Oink's first showtape. In the former skit, Crusty also reveals his great grandfather was French, as with his ex-wife, Fi-Fi.
- Crusty once had a girlfriend, named "Lucile Blackbird", who left him after a seven course meal - one slice of pizza and a six pack.
Gallery[]
Notes[]
- ↑ It was unknown who replaced John Widelock as the voice of Crusty until it was revealed to be Ed Bogas in 2024.
References[]
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|---|
| Main Characters |
 Chuck E. Cheese  Helen Henny  Mr. Munch  Jasper T. Jowls  Pasqually  Bella Bunny |
| Secondary Characters |
 Nigel the Sasquatch  Ronaldo "Ronnie" Sagittarian  Justin Beaver  Mike Wolf  Copernicus  Horseface  Gary Ghost  Dino Summer  The Lamb  Phil |
| Tertiary Characters |
 Minor Characters  Movie Characters  Whatnots |
| Prop Characters |
 The Wink  Munch Jr.  Building  Moon  Pizzacam  Bird |
| Retired Characters |
 Rick Rat  Crusty the Cat  The Warblettes  The Mopsey Sisters  Dolli Dimples  The Clapper Board  Madame Oink  Foxy Colleen  Sally Sashay  Harmony Howlette  Artie Antlers  B.B. Bubbles  Dr. Quack  The Four Little Shavers  The Beach Bowzers  The Beagles  Wolfman Zapp  The King  King Kat  Singing Flowers  Charlie Rockit  The Bullhorns  Mr. Mouth  R.O.S.E.  Larry the Technician  Mike Manley  Wick Ladderback  Hank Howdy  Steve Waters  Betty  Marvin the Technology Guru  Hard Hat Hank  Zoey |