Apparently Arnolds two best friends were named after writers of the show. During one of todays episodes on TNN Arnold introduces Dudley and Robbie as " Dudley Johnson and Robbie Jayson" to his new teacher. During the closing credits it lists Robert Jayson and A. Dudley Johnson Jr. as writers. I thought that was interesting.

yea. thats true.

The thing I don't understand is that Dudley and Robbie first appeared in the second season but those 2 writers didn't start writing episodes until I think the fourth season.

Maybe they took the characters names to use instead of their own?

nah, the characters were named after the 2 men.

As far as the character that played dudley remembers, the 2 writers Robbie and Dudley were always there