Freakies Cereal



Freakies was a brand of sweetened breakfast cereal produced by Ralston and sold in the United States. The cereal entered the marketplace in 1973 and was taken off the shelves in 1975. That same year Ralston sold the remaining toys that were to be inserted into the now defunct cereal to a company that supplied Dime and Grocery stores vending machines. For years you were still able to get Freakies figures for .25 and the turn of a knob.
The Freakies were made up of seven creatures named Hamhose, Gargle, Cowmumble, Grumble, Goody-Goody, Snorkeldorf and the leader BossMoss.

In the mythology of the Freakies, the seven went in search of the legendary Freakies Tree which grew the Freakies cereal. They found the Tree, realized the legend was true, and promptly took up residence in the Tree which then became the backdrop for all the TV spots and package back stories.

Ralston tried to reintroduce the cereal in 1987. It failed twice as fast as the original.
In the mid-80s, after launching several unsuccessful cereals with different characters
(including Casper, the Friendly Ghost), someone at Ralston Purina remembered the Freakies. And, since Ralston owned the rights to the characters, they decided to launch a new Freakies cereal. Ralston gave the assignment back to the advertising agency that had handled the creation of the original Freakies.
Unfortunately, the person who had created the Freakies was no longer at the agency and so other people were assigned to the project.

No one knows why these people decided to change the Freakies. Maybe it was because they wanted to put their own mark on the new cereal. Or maybe it was because no one was left who really understood what had made the original Freakies so successful.

In any event, the cereal was re-introduced with characters that only barely resembled the original Freakies. Their names were now more simplistic and expected. They had lost the quirky aspects of their personalities. Even the environment they lived in had been changed.
If they’d been able to consult anyone who had been involved with the original Freakies, they would’ve known that the success of the Freakies was based on very specific things. For instance, each Freakie was a basic personality type anyone could recognize - but with added quirks and flaws. This made the Freakies more real and more appealing. And it was the interaction of these personalities that made the commercials and the package back stories so interesting to kids.

The names of the Freakies were important, too.
They were as quirky and specific as the Freakies. For instance, Hamhose liked ham sandwiches and lived in a garden hose so he could take long walks all by himself. Grumble had bad feet and so he’s always complaining. Snorkeldorf had a long nose, so snorkel is part of his name. Goody-Goody – well, we all know about Goody-Goody.

In contrast, the Freakies of 1986 didn’t have distinct personalities at all. And so the plotlines of the TV commercial and the package backs were pretty thin. And their names were changed to simple words that - if connected to the character at all - only highlighted an obvious physical trait. So Hamhose became Hugger because of all his arms. Snorkeldorf became Tooter because once, in the 70s, he had blown his nose like a trumpet. Cowmumble became Sweetie because she’s nice. But then, Goody-Goody, that apple-polisher without equal, mysteriously became Hot Dog. And Gargle, the Freakie who could bore an insomniac into a prolonged and restful sleep, became Ace! And equally mysterious, BossMoss and Grumble kept their names.

Finally, the environment of space, with the Freakies riding surfboards in said space, was completely arbitrary with no relation to the characters or the cereal at all. But perhaps more important than all these differences was the fact that the original Freakies material was written to amuse adults as well as children. And the new Freakies didn’t have that edge.
Ultimately, the sales of this new Freakie cereal were so disappointing, Ralston discontinued it before the year was even up.

They Always Come Back:
Order your Freakies Shirts and autographed "Wacky Wobblers" Here.

37 comments:

Timo said...

hilarious. I found the orange one with the spread legs ( although Green ) in a box in my parents basement last week. I wondered where he came from. i remember all the toys but i don't really remember this cereal. sad times.

Dave said...

Oh my god. There really was a Freakies cereal. I thought I had dreamed that or something.

Ladrón de Basura (a.k.a. Junk Thief) said...

I want my Freakies!

Anonymous said...

I visited my Mom last week with my two girls (9 and 6). She pulled out my old jewlery box from when I was a kid. I found all of the original Freakies magnets (they are on my fridge now) and was able to name all of them off the top of my head! It was a bit Freakie.

Anonymous said...

I still have 2 of the magnets on my fridge and my sister has 2. I saw a box of Freakies in the background on "Swingtown" and it made me think of them.

Anonymous said...

I remember Freakies.... the song.. I
still sing it! I miss my little charactors!

Unknown said...

As a very little girl, I had a giant Freakies wall clock that was in the shape of a huge wrist watch. Boy, I wish I still had that today.

Anonymous said...

I recently found a original freakies cereal clock in the shape of a wrist watch...mint condition...not in a box but with registration card...anyone interested in purchasing it form me?..booboo_m_1967@yahoo.com (if interested)

Anonymous said...

I can remember opening up a box of Freakies and finding 20 or 30 prizes, about half a box full. This was a life long memorable experience for a 7 year old kid!

woodelf said...

I LOVED Freakies!! I've got a patch and a toy still, but what I'd give anything for is to taste them again! They had a really good flavor I've never found in another cereal.

Unknown said...

I have all but one plastic figurine. Does anyone know of someone in the market for these 40 year old nastalgic figurines?

Anonymous said...

Freakies was my FAVORITE cereal!!! I wish Ralston would come back with a cereal that tastes identical to it!

Freakies said...

i would like to buy a complete set of freakies magnets. Would consider partial or individual magents. Anyone want to part with them?
email me at norm@wimerfuneralhome.com

Becky Hill said...

If Freakies cereal come back I would buy it. Snorkeldorf was my favorite. I had a T shirt of him and I wore that sucker out! Please bring them back... Our kids would love them.

Michael Payne said...

I was a huge Freakies fan back in the earlie 70′s when the cereal first came out.. I remember my mom buying box after box of the cereal just to get the cool prizes inside..I had a few of the magnets which I had eventually lost over the years but collected the plastic figures and to this date I still have everyone of them..I also bought a full set off of ebay for around $50.00 which I couldn’t pass up on..I gave that set to my daughter and kept my original set for myself from the 70′s..They are in perfect condition and I love them now as much as I did back then..I now own the Boss Moss Bobblehead and the Air-bulb Cars now as well..I also have a replica box of the original Freakies with the price stamped on the box top..It looks like the real deal and will cherish it forever.. I am 47 now and still a huge Freakies fan and hopefully some day that they will bring back the cereal as it will bring back even more memories with every tasty bite.. The Freakies will forever be with me and will always be a huge part of my life.. Thank You Jackie For Creating The Best Of The Best..

Anonymous said...

This was my absolute favorite cereal. My older brother and I got into so many fights over the toys. Remember the little bulb cars?

Anonymous said...

I have my original Freakies figurines collection on my desk, magnets on the refrigerator, and my old tattered t-shirt in a memorabilia box. Aside from the cute little characters, the cereal was pretty great - tasted like original Captain Crunch from what I remember. (Captain Crunch has since changed their formula so it is no longer tasty).

I wish Freakies would come back as they originally were so my kids could have this wonderful memory.

Anonymous said...

I was so happy to find this site-to see others my age remember The Freakies! I was singing the song, which has never left me..."We are the Freakies! We are the Freakies! This is our Creamy tree! We never miss a meal! Cuz we love our cer-ee-eal!"

Bossac pas said...

We would sample just about any new product on the market because budget-obsessed mom couldn't resist the attractive intial pricing of such items and Freakies was one of those items. The magnets, or any freebie included with a product, was always great but I really liked this cereal. It was sort of a cross between Captain Crunch, Honeycombs and Chex cereals (wheat, rice and corn). Mom liked it 'cause it wasn't so overpoweringly sweet. Of course, the price went up after ahwile and we went back to the bargain plastic bags of puffed wheat, rice and corn, etc. This is a product I would give another try if it was available in my area.

Anonymous said...

I can't believe they were only on the market for 2 years! This is the only cereal, not still on the shelves at the store, that I can remember. I don't remember exactly what they tasted like, but I know I LOVED them as a kid and used to have collecting 'wars' with friends to try to beat each other to the full collection! As many have said, I, too, want this cereal to come back in its original form, but there's a major problem with that happening. If you watched the videos of the old commercials you'll notice a word that was used in everyone of them: SUGARY. Unfortunately, with today's "holier than thou" attitude, there's no way any company would bring something out, AND say that word to help describe it, because they would fear the wrath of people who can do nothing but stick their noses in other peoples' businesses and try to tell them what they can or can't do, eat, or drink! As an example, I'm sure you've heard of "Smacks" cereal? How many here remember that they used to be called "SUGAR Smacks"? Our society is so sad, now. :(

Anonymous said...

I want to get all the freakies figures for my brother for Christmas! Please help! I will buy them for a good price! I;d also like a tee shirt and clock! And the magnets. Whatever freakie merchandise I can find! COntact me at debracashdollar@yahoo.com
thanks

Anonymous said...

This was actually my favorite cereal. I think I'll petition ralston to bring them back. Who's with me?

woodelf said...

Would happily sign a petition!

JP said...

Freakies Cereal is making a comeback! https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Freakies-Company/206876312663442

Kelly Cross said...

I have a boss moss tshirt-a little tattered on the collar. Anyone know where I could sell it-besides Ebay?

Michael Payne, Jackson, Michigan said...

Bring Back The Freakies!!! I Left A Post Back On March 15th 2011 And Now Have Aquired A Freakies Mouse Pad (A Picture Of The Original Box) And A Coffee Mug From A Friend Of Mine Who Bought Them Off Of E-Bay From A Seller Named Traci..I Now Own 2 Sets Of The Plastic Figure Freakies, One I Collected As A Kid And Put Away In A Safe Place And One From E-Bay For $50.00 Which I Bought For My Daughter.. I Also Own The Boss Moss Wacky Wobbler And The Airbulb Cars As Well, As A Replica Box Of The First Freakies Cereal Shrinked Wrapped With A Price Stamped Of .69 Cents On The Top It..It Looks Like The Real Thing And Still Brings Back So Many Memories As A KId Eating Freakies Cereal Every Day And Especially While Watching Saturday Morning Cartoons..Planet Of The Apes Cartoons, Pink Panther, Scooby Doo, The Wacky Racers, The Herculoids, Land of The Lost, Bugs Bunny, Sigmond And The Sea Monsters Ect, Well, I Think You Get The Idea..Anyway I Would Love To See Them Make A Comback The Original Tasting Cereal Before It Was Pulled From The Shelves..I Do Miss Them And Enjoy Watching The Commercials On You Tube..Bring Back The Freakies Jackie, They Are Priceless..

Chris "Bah'glenn" Negri said...

I never heard of this cereal, but as I'm watching the Tom Hanks movie 'The Burbs', I saw a box of this on the table while Tom Hanks & Carrie Fisher are watching Jeopardy in one scene about 30 minutes in. Looked like a cool cereal though! :-D

Anonymous said...

I was devestated when I was 5 or 6 and they discontinued that cereal. I ate it every day for breakfast. I used to get mad if we ran out of the cereal and my mom had forgotten to restock. Makes me chuckle thinking about it. We had a rule that whoever got the last bowl got the prize. We never dug it out of there until it landed in someones bowl. When that box was close to empty, I would heap my bowl to get that magnet or whatever they were. I remember the toys in the box, but I dont recall what they looked like or what they were exactly. Good times. Would love to see it on the shelf again so I could buy it and see if it was good or if I just liked it for the commercials and toys. Hahaha.

Anonymous said...

I at that cereal back home in Connecticut. Asked people here in north Carolina and no body had ever heard of it.just like the movie pinnochio in outer space lol

Unknown said...

I am 47 and we loved this cereal. Only for the toy though. But...we had eight kids and no money so it was hard pressed to get the toy. Looney tunes and freaky cereal. Dose any body know where I can get an un opened box of freaky cereal? And the the figures. Please email me at jewelmservices@gmail.com. I would send it to my brother who I havent seen in year's. He would smile and laugh. And remember our youth. What a smile that would be. I love him and miss him thanx.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kili Fujiwara said...

Hi all! It warms my heart reading all of these. It was my fav cereal. But then I had an edge. My dad, Huygene K. Fujiwara, was the food scientist that developed the cereal. True. It was only on the market 2 years because Ralston was chasing the next big thing. It was aimed at a specific market. Cookie Crisp, GI Joe, Cabbage Patch, Rainbow Bright, Gremlins..I may be missing some. Those were all my father's projects as well. Oh, Statwberry Shortcake too. So whatever was the rage at the time was the new cereal. My dad died in 1997. It is so nice to read what others thought of his hard work. Thanks!

Unknown said...

Was just talking with my older brother about freakies cereal and found your comment. He loved the cereal and has one of the toys that he has carried around forever! Lol "Bring it back!" He says!! Thank you!

Unknown said...

Was just talking with my older brother about freakies cereal and found your comment. He loved the cereal and has one of the toys that he has carried around forever! Lol "Bring it back!" He says!! Thank you!

Karin V. said...

Freakies was my favorite cereal growing up! I had collected every one of them. Unfortunately, I lost all of them. Those were the original ones from the 70's! I wish it could come back as it originally was.

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