Cousin Skeeter

Cousin Skeeter
The Cousin Skeeter logo.
Created by	Phil Beauman Alonzo Brown Brian Robbins
Starring	Robert Ri'chard Rondell Sheridan Meagan Good Angela Means Bill Bellamy as the voice of Skeeter
Country of origin	United States
Original language(s)	English
No. of seasons	3
No. of episodes	52 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)	Brian Robbins Mike Tollin Joe Davola Brad Kaaya Jerry Perzigian
Camera setup	Film; Single-camera
Running time	24 minutes
Production company(s)	Tollin/Robbins Productions Nickelodeon Productions
Release
Original network	Nickelodeon
Picture format	NTSC (480i)
Audio format	Stereo
Original release	September 1, 1998 (1998-09-01) – May 19, 2001 (2001-05-19)

Cousin Skeeter is an American children's comedy television show, which ran on Nickelodeon from 1998 to 2001. It starred Robert Ri'chard as Bobby, a young boy whose life changed when his strange cousin Skeeter came to live with his family. With Skeeter's help, Bobby learns life lessons and tackles the ups and downs of growing up. The show also included Meagan Good as Bobby's friend Nina, Rondell Sheridan as Bobby's father Andre, and Angela Means as Bobby's mother Vanessa. Skeeter is portrayed by a hand puppet with Bill Bellamy providing his voice, and Drew Massey performing the puppetry, assisted by Alice Dinnean. Within the show, Skeeter is treated like a regular human and no mention of him being a puppet is made. Although the series was shot in a single-camera format, the show used a laugh track.

The show's theme song is an alternate version of 702's 1996 hit "Steelo", written by Missy Elliott.

Characters

• Skeeter (performed by Drew Massey, voiced by Bill Bellamy) - Skeeter is a puppet whose life changed when he moved from Atlanta, Georgia to New York City to live with his cousin Bobby. He is a loudmouthed, impulsive, and reckless ladies' man, who spends each episode getting Bobby into trouble. Skeeter is also friends with several notable celebrities, including Michael Jordan, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte (whose life he apparently saved), and Dennis Rodman. He does not anger easily, unless someone remarks on his extreme shortness, which causes him to fly into a rage. The fact that he is a puppet is never acknowledged on the show.
• Bobby Walker (portrayed by Robert Ri'chard) - Originally from Inglewood, California, Bobby is smart and well-behaved. Often the victim of his cousin's mischief, Bobby often gets mad at Skeeter, but Bobby likes him nonetheless.
• André Walker (portrayed by Rondell Sheridan) - Bobby's dad who is a record producer.
• Nina Jones (portrayed by Meagan Good) - Nina is Bobby's best friend. She and Bobby seem to have a crush on each other. She is a fast talker and Nicole's best friend.
• Vanessa Walker (portrayed by Angela Means) - Bobby's mom, a lawyer, is often annoyed by Skeeter just like Bobby is. She and Andre can't wait for the boys to go to college, and the couple will do anything to get Skeeter and Bobby out of their hair.

Additional characters

• Nicole (voiced by Tisha Campbell-Martin) - A female puppet character, Nicole has more class and manners than Skeeter. She first appeared as a new student in the second season's television movie, "New Kids on the Planet". Nicole quickly became friends with Nina and they are like sisters. She is depicted as tough, once wanting to join the high school football team, and threatening to hurt the school bully if he hurt Skeeter.
• Duke - Bobby's pal Duke appeared in the first and second seasons of the series.
• Geoff - One of Bobby's friends from school, Geoff always seems to be a bad role model for the boys.

Episode list

Award nominations

• 1999
  • Young Artist Award nominated for best performance in a TV Drama or Comedy series - Leading Young Actor: Robert Ri'chard
  • Outstanding Performance in a Youth or Children's Series/Special: Bill Bellamy
• 2000
  • Outstanding Youth or Children's Series/Special
  • Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children's Programs: Johnathan Winfrey
  • Best Performance in a TV Comedy Series - Guest Starring Young Performer: Rachel Glenn
  • Best Performance in a TV Comedy Series - Leading Young Actor: Robert Ri'chard
• 2001
  • Outstanding Youth or Children's Series/Special
  • African American Achievement award for supporting actresses - Rissa JB Milhouse (episode 14)
  • Best Performance in a TV Comedy Series - Leading Young Actor: Robert Ri'chard

External links

• Cousin Skeeter at TV.com
• Cousin Skeeter at the Internet Movie Database