There hasn’t been a new episode of Nickelodeon’s teen Western Hey Dude — the network’s first live-action series! — produced for 20 years now, but today, the series finally gets its proper due with a much-anticipated season 1 DVD release. You heard me right: Now you can relive all the hormonal ranch antics from the late ’80s/early ’90s once again via your DVD player. (Yes, the sitcom’s first two seasons have been on iTunes for nearly two years now, but, well…I didn’t know that.)
The series was a favorite of mine as a young child, maybe because it was on during the years where I was about age six to eight and I was obsessed with all things Nickelodeon — and of course, all things that were beyond me in age. This was a series about teenagers, and yet, I was, comparably, very young while watching. (But then again, I always was watching things beyond my years: I started watching Beverly Hills, 90210 in second grade.)
It’s funny, though, because I can’t remember that much about what the series was about — just that I loved it dearly. I have fuzzy associations with it, and only vaguely remember that there seemed to be a cast of characters who worked at the Bar None Dude Ranch somewhere in the Southwest and they were — yes, you guess it! — always sort of getting into some sort of trouble. Shenanigans! I haven’t gone back to watch it yet, but I have a feeling that if I did — and will I really? let’s get real: probably not — it likely wouldn’t hold up as much as it does as a gleeful, frothy memory in my mind. Maybe I’ll just leave it that way.
Anyway, I had fond associations of this series and thought maybe some of you out there would, too. Do you remember Hey Dude? Do you care that it’s getting a second life here on DVD? You know what is still totally great, of course, is the show’s corny opening credits. “Hey, dude!” Indeed! Watch here:
Is Hey Dude ringing a bell for you yet? Are you going to rush out to watch the show, now that’s it out on DVD? Had you already downloaded a few of your fave episodes from iTunes? Tell me about your Hey Dude nostalgia below.
Tanner on Twitter: @EWTanStransky
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‘Hey Dude’ to finally get released on DVD
Christine taylor was without question my first crush thanks to this show. I was ready to move out west at the drop of a hat.
Old-school Nick was a goldmine for a 10-year-old boy just getting into girls. I can’t even begin to count how many crushes that network gave me (including Christine Taylor).
Not a huge fan of Hey Dude but I support any old-school Nick on DVD.
Also, please put “Salute your Shorts” on DVD too!!!
OMG!!! YES!!!
Also the soap “Fifteen”. Remember the vixen Ashley who had braces, and always tried to steal everybody else’s boyfriend?
Oh, Fifteen. I remember that show. It was so awesome in its early 90′s nickelodeon drama. An early version of Dawsons Creek, but without the cool writing.
Fifteen! Loved that show. Ryan Reynolds played Billy on that show.
Seconded so hard. That was the BEST Nick show. I miss the early 90s!
I was more of a SYS fan too. I liked Hey Dude but always thought SYS was just the better show.
I absolutely agree!
I’m definitely purchasing this DVD asap. Hey Dude has been at the top of my TV on DVD wish list for a long time now. I purchased both of the seasons available on itunes a while back, but lost them due to a computer crashing. I am excited to have at least the first season on DVD. I hope they continue to release the rest of the seasons and possibly some other Nick shows as well!
I loved this series so much in the 4th grade. It was my favorite show. But I agree that if I watched it again it probably willn’t hold up as well. So don’t think I’ll be checking it out, but the headline brought back good memories.
Willn’t?
Hahahaha ! I stopped reading to laugh at that too.
@Jenn i guess you didnt wipe your butt in the 4th grade if you watched this stupid show!
Why is there no moderation on these articles? At least a button to mark idiots like these as spam!
Hey Dude and Clarissa Explains it All were my favs in elementary school. Oh, and California Dreams.
I loved California Dreams!
Loved California Dreams!
I remember the show. I also remember changing the title when it came on.
I have never heard of this show.
Wow – 20 years – that makes me feel old!
That was my reaction too!!!
I felt old reading that the author watched 90210 in the second grade! (Please at least say it was the first season, Tanner.
Heeeey Dude! I used to love this show! I had no idea it was made 20 yrs ago. Sigh. I’m 29, so I guess that makes sense but its still depressing.
Salute Your Shorts needs to be next! Loved SYS, Clarissa and All That (with the good, earlier cast, before Britney’s sister joined)
I still know the theme song. lol!
OMG Ted. I absolutely adored David Lascher when I was a kid!
Saw the headline then went to Amazon to buy for my baby sister. Now I can read the article.
I loved this show! I can’t believe I was ten when this first came out. I had a major crush on Ted. Part of me does want to watch it, but I fear that my fond memories will likely be crushed if I do!