Bodger and Badger

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Bodger and Badger

Bodger (Andy Cunningham) and Badger on a recent trip to Aston University
Creator(s) Andy Cunningham
Starring Andy Cunningham
Country of origin Flag of United Kingdom United Kingdom
Language(s) English
No. of seasons 9
No. of episodes 124
Production
Running time 15 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel BBC One
Picture format 4:3
Original run 13 September 1989 – 29 March 1999
Links
IMDb profile
TV.com summary

Bodger and Badger is a BBC children's comedy programme which was first broadcast in 1989. It starred Andy Cunningham as Simon Bodger, who had a badly behaved companion, a talking badger with a love for mashed potato. The first series saw Bodger working at Troff's Nosherama, where his badger was unknown to the other characters. The second and third series were set in the Letsby Avenue Junior School (fans generally regard these as the best series; Bodger worked as the caretaker for the school and there was general antagonism between him and the schoolchildren - a large cast of children - and the headteachers Mrs Trout ('Fish-Face') and later Mrs Bogart ('Bogey'). Later series featured Bodger moving to other jobs and began to feature less of Bodger, concentrating more on Badger and his friend Mousey. She was a not overly intelligent mouse, who unsurprisingly had a fondness for cheese.

All 9 series were produced between 1989 and 1999 which included 124 episodes. Bodger and Badger have also made appearances on stage.

Contents

[edit] Series runs

Series No. of episodes Run
1 8 13 September-9 November 1989
2 13 9 January-27 March 1991
3 13 1 October-17 December 1992
4 9 17 September-8 November 1993
5 13 9 January-27 March 1995
6 12 15 January-15 March 1996
7 28 9 September 1996-24 March 1997
8 15 15 December 1997-30 March 1998
9 15 14 December 1998-29 March 1999

[edit] Episodes

Season One

Season Two

Season Three

Season Four

Season Five

Season Six

Season Seven

Series Eight

Series Nine

[edit] Main characters

  • Bodger - see above
  • Badger - see above
  • Mousey - see above
  • Mrs Dribelle - the poshly dressed businesswoman from whom Bodger rents his house. She has a distinct dislike for animals and tries desperately to find Badger, so she can get Bodger ejected. She is fond of cakes and biscuits, and likes to make lots of money from silly ideas. Also referred to as "Dribbley Bibbley" by Badger. She drives around in a car with the registration plate "DRIB 1".
  • Alec Smart - The sly and untrustworthy tennant of the apartment upstairs from Bodger's. Also has a dislike for badgers, especially when Badger messes up his garden. He was always thinking up schemes to make money, often tricking Mrs. Dribelle and Bodger in the process. Parents complained to the BBC when they criticised that Mr Smart was too unpleasant and sinister for a children's TV programme.
  • Vicky - Mrs Dribelle's niece. She was supposed to have been an accountant, but Vicky had dreams of being part of a band. She and Badger got on very well as they both love Mashed Potatoes, and ended up going on tour with a travelling band.
  • Mr Tucknott - A trainee bank manager who stayed in Bodger's Hotel in Series 8.
  • Mrs Bobbins - stayed in Bodger's Hotel in Series 8.
  • Miss Peake - another guest of Bodger's Hotel, who was rather rude and often threated Bodger a lot.
  • Mr Wilson - another trainee bank manager, who stayed in Bodger's Hotel in Series 9. Like most of the characters, he too despised Mashed Potatoes. He's a bit of a crybaby character, who gets upset over even the slightest things.
  • Mr Gripper - a short-lived character from Series 9, who had a crush on Mrs Melly.
  • Mrs Melly the bossy Tourist Information officer from series 9, she was also called Smelly Melly, due to her name's being Mrs S. Melly. She is highly suspicious and believes that Bodger has something to hide. She also dislikes people having fun on her beach and will do anything to prevent anyone having fun.
  • Miss Piper - a short-sighted birdwatcher who was featured in only one episode. She is played by Hilda Braid, who also played Nana Moon in Eastenders.
  • Mrs Trout - see above.
  • China, a dog owned by Millie in series 8 and 9 who worked with Badger and Mousey to cause chaos with mashed potato around Puddleford.
  • Millie, a milkwoman who is a friend of Bodger's in series 8 and 9. Helps out Bodger and Badger in numerous occasions, mainly allowing use of her Milkfloat to carry customers around, such as picking Mr Wilson up from the station. She owns a dog named China.
  • Luigi a badger who traveled from Italy and stayed at the flat of Bodger and Badger during series 7.

[edit] Popularity

A performance at a 'Mashed Potato Night', 2006.
A performance at a 'Mashed Potato Night', 2006.

Bodger and Badger has enjoyed something of a cult status, particularly among teenagers and those in their twenties who grew up with the programme. It has also found popularity amongst students, tuning into daytime re-runs. As such, it has led to a popular tour of UK universities; 'Mashed Potato Theme Nights' have been seen at Hull, Aston and BCUC amongs others. A DVD, 'Bodger and Badger: Live', was released on the 6 November 2006.

[edit] Theme tune

Only the first chorus was sung at the beginning of a show.

“  :Everywhere he goes, Bodger always knows,
Badger, his badger mate is never far away.
Bodger and Badger, Bodger and Badger.
La, La, La, La-lah,
La, La, La, La-lah
Everybody knows, Badger loves mashed potatoes;
He makes them into shapes and eats them everyday!
Bodger and Badger, Bodger and Badger.
La, La, La, La-lah,
La, La, La, La-lah
Bodger and Badger are never far away!
 ”

[edit] Cast

  • Andy Cunningham - Simon Bodger and Badger
  • Joanne Campbell - Mavis (series 1)
  • Roger Walker - Mr Troff (series 1)
  • Lila Kaye - Mrs Trout (series 2 & 3)
  • Selina Cadell - Miss Moon (series 2 & 3)
  • Andrew Fraser - Brains (series 2 & 3)
  • Neil Kattenhorn - Danny (series 2 & 3)
  • Jane Bassett - Millie/Mousey (series 5-9)
  • Carol Macready - Mrs Dribelle (series 6 & 7)
  • Ricky Diamond - Alec Smart (series 8)
  • Valerie Minifie - Miss Peake (series 8)
  • Jo Warne - Mrs Bobbins (series 8)
  • Bill Thomas - Mr Tucknott (series 8)
  • Sally Ann Marsh - Vicky (1996-97)
  • Carole Boyd - Mrs Melly (series 9)

The theme tune was sung by Tim Whalley, Simon Cross-Fancy and two other children.

[edit] Crew

  • Andy Cunningham - Creator / Writer
  • Wayne Jackman - Other Writer
  • Jane Bassett - Other Writer
  • Pierre Hollins - Other Writer
  • Claire Winyard - Director (series 2 & 3)
  • Judy Whitfield - Executive Producer, Producer (series 1)
  • Greg Childs - Producer (series 2)
  • Christine Hewitt - Producer (series 6-8)
  • Sue Morgan - Producer (series 9)

[edit] External link

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