The Bugaloos

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The Bugaloos
Genre	Children's television series
Starring	John McIndoe Caroline Ellis John Philpott Wayne Laryea Martha Raye Billy Barty Sharon Baird Joy Campbell Van Snowden
Country of origin	United States
No. of episodes	17
Production
Producer(s)	Sid and Marty Krofft
Running time	0:25 (per episode)
Broadcast
Original channel	NBC
Original run	September 11, 1970 – September 2, 1972
Links
IMDb profile

The Bugaloos was a children's television series in the United States produced by brothers Sid and Marty Krofft. The Bugaloos, a four-piece British musical group who lived in idyllic Tranquility Forest, had outfits with slight bug-oriented themes, including insect-like wings that allowed them to fly. Their names were Harmony (keyboard, Wayne Laryea), Courage (drums, John Philpott), Joy (tambourine, backup vocals, Caroline Ellis) and I.Q. (lead guitar and vocals, John McIndoe). Their firefly pal is named Sparky, played by Billy Barty, one of the first of many roles he would play in Krofft Brothers' productions.

The name and styling of the Bugaloos show is not related to the Latin dance and music genre, Boogaloo; it is probably a pun with the word "bug". Though the group bore little resemblance to the Beatles, the name appears to be partly inspired by them.

Though peace loving and almost hippy-like, The Bugaloos were pursued by an evil, jealous old crone named Benita Bizarre, played by Martha Raye, who lived in a gigantic jukebox, and used it to broadcast her own brand of blaring, obnoxious, unpleasant music. A terrible singer, she was furious at the popularity of The Bugaloos' more melodic, upbeat sound, and she plotted elaborate, unsuccessful schemes to destroy or enslave the titular protagonists. Benita was aided by two bumbling henchmen, Woofer and Tweeter (Joy Campbell and Van Snowden), and her chauffeur and chief flunky, Funky Rat (Sharon Baird).

The show was produced by Sid and Marty Krofft, and aired on NBC from 1970 to 1972. Like its predecessor H.R. Pufnstuf (1969), The Bugaloos ran for only one season (1970-1971), with reruns airing the following year (1971-1972).

Touted as the British version of The Monkees, over 5,000 aspiring Bugaloos auditioned to cast the four leads, each having to demonstrate aptitude in dance, singing, and acting. Seventeen episodes of the series were produced. An album of Bugaloos music was released in 1970, and their song "The Senses of Our World" actually charted as a minor hit. The complete series was released on DVD in May 2006.

[edit] Album

The Bugaloos released an album in 1970 (Capitol Records), featuring studio recorded versions of the songs performed on the show. The track list is as follows:

1. If You Become a Bugaloo
2. The Senses of Our World
3. For a Friend
4. Believe
5. It's New to You
6. Fly Away With Us
7. Older Woman
8. Just the Memory Stays Around
9. Gna Gna Gna Gna Gna
10. Castles in the Air
11. The Bugaloos (Theme Song)

The LP was re-released on CD in January 2000 by "Vivid Sound" in Japan and in 2006 by "Cherry Red Records" of London.

The Bugaloos' theme song was also covered by Collective Soul on "Saturday Morning - Cartoons' Greatest Hits (1995).

Note: The track "Just the Memory Stays Around" did not appear in any episode, and is available only on the LP. Also, not all the songs featured on the show were included on the LP.

[edit] Trivia

• Rock musician Phil Collins auditioned for The Bugaloos in 1970. Later that year, he joined the art-rock band Genesis, which was fronted by Peter Gabriel at the time.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] External links

• Tranquility Forest -- The Bugaloos!!
• The Bugaloos at the Internet Movie Database
• World of Krofft - Krofft Kollectibles Museum