Bug Alert

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Bug Alert is a British TV children's show, first shown on GMTV in 1998. It featured the antics of a range of "bug-like" characters who lived in the kitchen of an unnamed house. These creatures apparently only came out when the resident humans were "not about". In the third and final series the characters moved out of the house and opened a somewhat seedy restaurant ("Bug Bites") where they set about serving Weasel Curry to their regular clientele. 78 episodes were made in total and are repeated regularly on GMTV.

After the first two series the show format was bought by Channel 4 who commissioned 26 further episodes. These, and the previous series, were aired in their weekend morning slot. The show was characterised by its somewhat adult references and themes, most of which went way above the heads of watching children.

[edit] The Characters

There were 9 regular featured characters -

Grub Bug

The father figure of the family. Pompous, red and fat, he had a rather military manner and a fondness for popping down to his shed to "tend his vegetables". He was sensitive about his incipient balding and once sought to hid it under a ginger wig. Very fond of Mystic Mug, they holidayed together at Frinton-on-sea.

Mystic Mug

Originally loosely modelled on celebrity fortune teller "Mystic Meg", her metier was crystal ball reading, where (in the first two series) she would retail "Mystic Mug's Amazing Facts". Increasingly eccentric as the series progressed, she often teetered uncertainly on the edge of sanity.

Doodle Bug

Ill-tempered Mr Fixit who would design and buld all manner of gadgets with which to wreak havoc over a twenty minute time slot. Somewhat of a sadist.

Plug Bug

Doodle Bug's close chum, a craven coward and somewhat flowery in nature. Good to his mother.

Buggins

Orange worm-like creature. Irritatingly enthusiastic and jolly. Regularly beaten into line by the previous two, he generally came up smiling,...until the next time.

Grunge and Slopp

A pair of dirty, green, hairy hippy types. They told jokes, sang songs and generally sneered at events. Very rarely referred to by name. They also occasionally got involved in the main action.

Gorgon and Zola

Hushband and wife team. Aggressive to all and sundry, they were also resident jokesters. Background dancers for most of the songs.

Alongside the regulars there were appearances by several occasional visitors -

The Customer

Arrived in series 3. Real name; Roy, he lived in a mobile home on the side of the A3. Spent a lot of time in the cafe but rarely seemed to actually eat anything.

The Health Inspector

Came and went in the course of one episode. Got stuck to Grub Bug and, after various threats, posted a glowing report on the cafe.

The Genie

Came, offered wishes, left.

Baxter

Plug Bug's dear chum, a practical joker. Came unstuck when he played one joke too many on Mystic Mug. Left after one episode.

Bernard

A robot built by Doodle Bug with a nice/nasty switch on his back. Wrought havoc over two episodes.

Henri

A French chef to whom Mystic Mug took rather a shine. Tied up Grub Bug and then came to a violent end.

Doodle Bug's Granny

Appeared in Series 2, transpired it was Doodle Bug dressed up all along.

Squelch

Buggins' cousin. So called because that was the noise people tended to make when he sat on them.

[edit] Regular strands

Raid the Fridge

A short interstitial sequesnce where Grub Bug would show how to make some unspeakable culinary confection.

In the Bin"

Ditto, but involving Doodle Bug creating something out of the items he found in his bin.

Through the Washing Machine

Short sequence where some child demonstrated something of interest.

Through the Cat Flap

Short sequence shot from a cat's point of view as he tramped about obseriving humans.

Mystic Mug's Amazing Facts

Series 1 and 2 only. Mystic Mug presents items of trivia related to the day's topic.