Howdy

Howdy was a small time caterpillar who wanted to start his own business, of which he accomplished in Home as a much larger caterpillar. His bodega was named Howdy’s Place and alternatively known as a “Bugdega” by Barnaby, of which he is their most loyal customer. Howdy was said to have originated from an apple core in a tree alongside his plentiful brothers and sisters, many of whom Howdy would offhandedly mention a plethora of by name throughout the show’s run.

Illustrated material typically depicted Howdy standing behind the counter of his bodega and at the open window along the side, especially when he is apart of skits with other residents. Howdy is rarely seen in the neighborhood sets beyond special occasions, with one of the only other instances being to visit or deliver goods to Poppy himself.

Howdy would often exchange goods for funny jokes, silly observations, one-dollar ideas, and unique gadgets. Noted formerly as being his favorite customer, Barnaby would often appear regularly at Howdy’s Place. He would supply Howdy with a daily laugh in exchange for a hot dog. As such, old scripts would provide strange lingo to describe the various ways Howdy would prepare this hot dog, such as “paint a bow-wow red and yellow in the winter and make sure its got legs,” or “a full house with a couple of bloodhounds.” Howdy’s puppet was rotated between a live-hand puppet and a walk-around puppet in order to keep him in frame with his fellow residents. Howdy was one of the taller Neighbors, standing at 7 or 8 feet tall[2]. He had four arms and legs, green fleece skin, and blue hair styled into a pompadour. He had a large red nose, two red and yellow striped antennae, and small eyebrows. He was often drawn wearing a rainbow hat, a striped blue button-up with white cuffs and a rounded collar, a plain red tie, cuffed red pants, brown work shoes, and a scalloped orange gradient apron adorned with a name badge.

He’s confident, but very oblivious to what he is doing. He doesn’t really understand personal space or flustering people- and doesn’t realize that his size is definitely larger than average, on every aspect of his body. He’s also quiet muscular.