WARNING! This article contains spoilers for The Fairly OddParents: A New Wish season 1, episode 11.
Summary
The Fairly OddParents: A New Wishhas updated Poof from the original series, proving both the characters and audience are getting old. I remember Poof’s first introduction in the hour-long special episode “Fairly Odd Baby,” which aired on Nickelodeon in 2008. In the episode, Timmy wishes for Cosmo and Wanda to have their own child, leading to the birth of Poof. However,Poof’s name is later changed inThe Fairly OddParentssequel.As the series' first and only baby fairy, Poof was memorable to the show and my childhood, having changed the set rules of the fairy godparent universe.
As a baby, Poof lacked autonomy, becoming more of a plot device than a personality. The other characters would have to clean up his mess in every episode instead of creating their own storylines. This caused some toblame Poof forThe Fairly OddParents’declinein its later seasons. After already bringing back original characters Cosmo and Wanda, theFairly OddParentsreboot has nowreintroduced an almost unrecognizable Poof midway through season 1. However, Poof now goes by a new name and appearance, making me feel like he grew up right before my eyes.
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Cosmo & Wanda’s Son Is All Grown Up In The Fairly OddParents: A New Wish
The Adult Peri Pays Tribute To His Baby Form
In theFairly OddParents' reboot,The Fairly OddParents: A New Wish, Poof appears in his adult form as Peri. He’s now traded out his lilac onesie for a purple outfit, looking the part of a full-grown fairy godparent. As an adult, the influences of his parents are clear, with business attire like Cosmo and coiffed hair like Wanda. Still,Poof is recognizable as his former self with his purple eyes and rattle-shaped walking cane. Unfortunately, it is also revealed that Peri hasn’t seen his parents in years, indicating just how much time has passed since the original series.
Clearly, the Poof we once knew has changed a lot over the years, going from merely mischievous to potentially evil.
The adult version of Peri has a smooth and showy personality, reminiscent of Cosmo from the original show’s early seasons.He comes off as charming and slick, almost like he might become an evil characterlater in the show. Peri’s evil potential is furthered by the fact that he and FOOP, Poof’s evil counterpart in the original show, are voiced by the same actor, Eric Bauza. Clearly, the Poof we once knew has changed a lot over the years, going from merely mischievous in the originalhit animated TV showto potentially evil in the reboot.
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Why Poof Changed His Name To Peri In The Fairly OddParents Sequel
Peri And Nickelodeon Both Matured
In his introduction, Peri explains that he now uses a new name, saying, “Hey kid! I’m Poof! Well… at least I was. I changed my name to Peri! Like- Periwinkle?“After more than a decade of Poof being the fairy’s canonical name, Nickelodeon made the switch to Peri. According to the show’s co-creator Ashleigh Crystal Hairston,“The former name is a slur in many countries and cannot be used.“I think the name change shows how much Peri has aged and maturedand just how much time has passed betweenThe Fairly OddParents: A New Wishand the original show from my childhood.
Poof’s last on-screen appearance was in season ten ofFairly OddParents, which ran from 2016-2017.
Fairly OddParents: A New Wish
Cast
Fairly OddParents: A New Wish follows ten-year-old Hazel Wells, who moves to Dimmadelphia and discovers her neighbors, Cosmo and Wanda, are fairy godparents. As they come out of retirement to grant her wishes, Hazel navigates loneliness and self-discovery in a new city without her brother, Antony.
