The Bugaloos

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The Bugaloos
Format 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 Flag of the United States 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
External links
IMDb profile

The Bugaloos was a children's television series in the United States produced by brothers Sid and Marty Krofft in 1970. The Bugaloos were a musical group comprised four British-accented characters who lived in Tranquility Forest. They wore bug-oriented outfits, including small wings which allowed them to fly (though on occasion flying on surfboards) The Bugaloos were:

Among the Bugaloos' many friends were:

    • Sparky (portrayed by Billy Barty, in the first of many roles he would play from the Krofft Brothers), a firefly who was taken in by The Bugaloos
    • Nutty Bird, local messenger who periodically delivered messages to and from the Bugaloos
    • Peter Platter, a DJ for radio station KOOK in nearby Rock City
    • Magico The Magician, magician & hypnotist extrordinaire
    • Gina Lolawattage, firefly singer & actress who becomes smitten with her #1 fan, Sparky

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).

Martha Raye as the outrageous Benita Bizarre.
Martha Raye as the outrageous Benita Bizarre.

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. Among those auditioning in spring 1970 was Elton John's former manager, John Reid, as well as rock musician Phil Collins, who joined the art-rock band Genesis later that year.[1][2] Reid and Collins had been two of the three finalists for the role of "I.Q." given to McIndoe, who has joked, "If one of those guys had gotten it instead of me, rock-'n'-roll history might have changed," McIndoe wrote. "Whenever I see them, I say, `Hey guys, you were lucky you didn't get the part.'"[3]

Seventeen episodes of the series were produced. An album of Bugaloos music was released in 1970, and their song "For A Friend" actually charted as a minor hit. The complete series was released on DVD in May 2006. Cast members John Philpott, Caroline Ellis, John McIndoe and creator Sid Kroftt added commentary tracks to several episodes.

[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)"
  • 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.
  • 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 covered by Collective Soul on the tribute album entitled Saturday Morning Cartoons' Greatest Hits (1995).

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Dave Itzkoff. "A Band With the Life Span of an Ant," The New York Times, July 30, 2006, page 28, column 1.
  2. ^ Phil Collins listing on imdb.com[1] (Accessed October 17, 2007)
  3. ^ Mike Hughes. "Phil Collins on 'Live By Request'," The Seattle Times, October 1, 1998, page E4.

[edit] External links