Bud Gleeful

Buddy "Bud" Gleeful is the father of Gideon Gleeful and the accompanist at the Tent of Telepathy. In addition to owning a factory that produces Li'l Gideon merchandise, Bud is a used car salesmen at Gleeful's Auto Sale.

History
In "The Hand That Rocks the Mabel," Bud is first heard narrating the commercial for the Tent of Telepathy. He is first seen in person at the Tent itself, joyfully welcoming spectators and asking them to place their money in Gideon's "psychic sack." He also plays the piano for Gideon's show. Later in the episode, Stan meets Bud when he goes to Gideon's home to stop Mabel from interacting with Gideon. Bud is very friendly towards him, and shares a cup of imported coffee. Bud proposes that they could merge their businesses and monopolize the entertainment sector if Mabel were to marry Gideon. However, this plan fails when Dipper helps Mabel break up with Gideon. Afterwards, Gideon decides to release his frustration of the break up on the furniture in his room, Bud hears this and angrily opens the door, then yells at Gideon ordering him to clean up his room. Gideon then intimidates him, in response Bud quickly forfeits the argument with his son. Near the end of the episode after Gideon is defeated by the twins, Bud sides with him in the ensuing argument, causing Stan to steal one of their paintings and run away despite Bud's yells of protest.

Later, in "Little Dipper," it is revealed that Bud sells used cars, although most of the vehicles are worn out and broken. While Bud's wife seems to be terrified by her own son, Bud thinks otherwise, even though Gideon often manipulates his father and verbally abuses him. Later in the episode, after Gideon's plan to take over the Mystery Shack fails, Bud tells his son he'll get his revenge on the Pines family one day, but Gideon angrily tells him it's not just about revenge; he wants the Shack because of the hidden secret inside.

In "Dreamscaperers," Bud is heard once again narrating a commercial for Tent O' Telepathy. Far later in the episode he partially destroys the Mystery Shack sign with a wrecking ball on his son's orders.

In "Gideon Rises," Bud is first seen playing the piano for Gideon when he unveils the Mystery Shack's Grand Closing and their new temporary mascot Waddles. Soon after, he retrieves his clown painting that was stolen by Stan, and asks Gideon why isn't he celebrating his new gained property instead of spending his time reading Journal 2. Gideon then reveals to him the secret behind the journals and what his true intentions are. Afterwards, when Gideon is searching for the other journals he tells him that he has "guests" which are actually Dipper and Mabel trying to regain the Mystery Shack by force. After this fails, Gideon runs in the Shack with Journal 3 and yells at Bud and his wife to get out, they are then frightened and quickly leave without hesitating. Later, right after the explosion of the Gideon-bot, he is seen trying to sell a Gideon t-shirt. Near the end of the episode, Bud is quoted on the newspaper supporting Gideon's arrest, implying that it was time for his son's attitude to change.

In "TV Shorts 1," Bud provides the voiceover when "Li'l Gideon's Big House!" experiences "technical difficulties," telling viewers that the show will return after the prison riot has been contained.

Personality
Unlike his son, Bud is very polite, kind, and friendly. He isn't afraid to act like a father towards his son, from nurturing him to yelling at him, but he usually gives up and sides with Gideon by giving him whatever he wants. It is hinted that Bud could be scared of his amulet, as this was most noticed when Gideon was ruining his room with the amulet's power. It is also hinted that he was starting to get annoyed with his son's behaviour, telling by his quote in an article of the Gravity Falls Gossiper, where he quotes: "He could use a time out".

Appearance
Bud Gleeful is a large, slightly portly man with long brown sideburns going down his face. His eyebrows appear to be very bushy. He has a Southern accent and wears a salmon floral button up shirt with a collar, a white undershirt, a straw hat, tan pants, and white pointed shoes.

Quotes
"Step right up here, folks! Put your money in Gideon's psychic sack!"

- Bud Gleeful to Tent of Telepathy attendees

"Why, Stanford Pines! What a delight!"

- Bud Gleeful greeting Stan Pines

"From now on, it's all name brand food and clown paintings!"

- Bud to Stan after they became allies

"Friends, I wish I was a highway so I could be rode upon by automobiles as fine as these ones right here. *pats a car, which causes it to break* Engine possums for no extra charge."

- Bud Gleeful

"I've been meaning to ask you boy. Shouldn't you be celebrating Gideonland instead of sticking your head in that there book all day?"

- Bud Gleeful to Gideon

Trivia

 * Bud Gleeful narrated Gideon's commercial for the Tent of Telepathy.
 * Bud plays the piano in Gideon's shows.
 * He is also able to operate a wrecking ball.
 * Bud Gleeful and his auto sales store was inspired by a commercial of a cheap car dealership in Melbourne, FL, that Alex Hirsch saw while he was on his family vacation to Orlando.
 * Bud secretly wants to run for mayor.