The Bugaloos is an American childrens television , produced by brothers Sidney Krofft and Martin Krofft, that aired on NBC on Saturday mornings from 1970 to 1972. The show featured a musical group composed of four British-accented teenagers, who lived in fictional Tranquility Forest. They wore insect-themed outfits with antennae and wings which allowed them to fly, though on occasion, they were shown flying on surfboards. They were constantly beset by the evil machinations of Benita Bizarre, played by comedienne Martha Raye. Bizarre, being untalented and ugly herself, was covetous of the Bugaloos musical prowess.\r
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Touted as the British version of The Monkees, The Bugaloos attred more than 5,000 young ors and resses to audition for the shows four lead roles, each having to demonstrate aptitude in dance, singing, and ing. Among those auditioning in spring 1970 were Elton Johns future manager John Reid, and Phil Collins, who joined the art-rock band Genesis later that year.\r
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Reid and Collins had been two of the three finalists for the role of I.Q. given to Scottish musician John McIndoe. If one of those guys had gotten it instead of me, rock-n-roll history might have changed, McIndoe later joked. Whenever I see them, I say, Hey guys, you were lucky you didnt get the part.\r
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The show was taped in Los Angeles, California. Seventeen s of thewere produced. Like its predecessor H.R. Pufnstuf (1969), The Bugaloos ran for only one season (1970–1971), with reruns airing the following year (1971–1972). Following production of the first, and only, season, the Kroffts tried shooting for a second season, and also had adeal in the works with Columbia Pictures. However, miscommunication between the Kroffts and the ors resulted in them returning to England that summer against the Kroffts wishes. As a result, a potential second season was ultimately scrapped, along with plans for awhich was shelved due to the bankruptcy of Columbia Pictures.[\r
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Like most childrens television shows of the era, The Bugaloos contained a laugh track. Cast members John Philpott and Caroline Ellis discussed its usage while viewing anof the show for DVD commentary.\r
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Wayne Laryea / Harmony (a bumblebee) / keyboards\r
John Philpott / Courage (a ladybug) / drums\r
Caroline Ellis / Joy (a butterfly) / percussion, lead and backup vocals\r
John McIndoe / I.Q. (a grasshopper) / guitars and lead vocals\r
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Sparky (portrayed by Billy Barty, in the first of many roles he would play from the Krofft Brothers), a firefly whom The Bugaloos took in.\r
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Though peace-loving and hippie-like, The Bugaloos were pursued by an ugly, evil, jealous old crone named Benita Bizarre (Martha Raye) who lived in a gigantic jukebox, and used it to broadcast her own brand of blaring, obnoxious, unpleasant music. A dreadful singer, she was furious at the popularity of The Bugalooss more melodic, upbeat sound, and she plotted elaborate, unsuccessful schemes to destroy or enslave them.\r
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Benita was aided by two bumbling henchmen, the anthropomorphic speakers Woofer and Tweeter (Joy Campbell and Van Snowden), and her chauffeur and chief flunky, the German-accented Funky Rat (Sharon Baird). She frequently made use of a powerful ultrasonic weapon called the Stereo Zapper, which could render its victim unconscious in seconds.\r
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The shows music director was Hal Yoergler, who also wrote many of the shows songs and produced the Bugaloos album released in 1970. The title songs lyrics were written by Norman Gimbel, and its music was composed by Charles Fox. Gimbel and Fox were also the songwriters of Killing Me Softly with His Song and the theme songs to films and programs such as Last American Hero (I Got A Name, sung by Jim Croce), Happy Days, Laverne and Shirley, and The New Adventures of Wonder Woman. A cover of the Bugaloos theme performed by Collective Soul is included on the 1995 tribute album Saturday Morning: Cartoons Greatest Hits, produced by Ralph Sall for MCA Records.\r
The music of the Bugaloos suffered the same typecasting fate which met the music of The Partridge Family, despite excellent production values in both cases. Just the Memory Stays Around, The Senses of Our World and Castles in the Air (not to be confused with other songs of the same title) deserve particular note. Their lyrics were far above typical childrens television fare:
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Touted as the British version of The Monkees, The Bugaloos attred more than 5,000 young ors and resses to audition for the shows four lead roles, each having to demonstrate aptitude in dance, singing, and ing. Among those auditioning in spring 1970 were Elton Johns future manager John Reid, and Phil Collins, who joined the art-rock band Genesis later that year.\r
\r
Reid and Collins had been two of the three finalists for the role of I.Q. given to Scottish musician John McIndoe. If one of those guys had gotten it instead of me, rock-n-roll history might have changed, McIndoe later joked. Whenever I see them, I say, Hey guys, you were lucky you didnt get the part.\r
\r
The show was taped in Los Angeles, California. Seventeen s of thewere produced. Like its predecessor H.R. Pufnstuf (1969), The Bugaloos ran for only one season (1970–1971), with reruns airing the following year (1971–1972). Following production of the first, and only, season, the Kroffts tried shooting for a second season, and also had adeal in the works with Columbia Pictures. However, miscommunication between the Kroffts and the ors resulted in them returning to England that summer against the Kroffts wishes. As a result, a potential second season was ultimately scrapped, along with plans for awhich was shelved due to the bankruptcy of Columbia Pictures.[\r
\r
Like most childrens television shows of the era, The Bugaloos contained a laugh track. Cast members John Philpott and Caroline Ellis discussed its usage while viewing anof the show for DVD commentary.\r
\r
Wayne Laryea / Harmony (a bumblebee) / keyboards\r
John Philpott / Courage (a ladybug) / drums\r
Caroline Ellis / Joy (a butterfly) / percussion, lead and backup vocals\r
John McIndoe / I.Q. (a grasshopper) / guitars and lead vocals\r
\r
Sparky (portrayed by Billy Barty, in the first of many roles he would play from the Krofft Brothers), a firefly whom The Bugaloos took in.\r
\r
Though peace-loving and hippie-like, The Bugaloos were pursued by an ugly, evil, jealous old crone named Benita Bizarre (Martha Raye) who lived in a gigantic jukebox, and used it to broadcast her own brand of blaring, obnoxious, unpleasant music. A dreadful singer, she was furious at the popularity of The Bugalooss more melodic, upbeat sound, and she plotted elaborate, unsuccessful schemes to destroy or enslave them.\r
\r
Benita was aided by two bumbling henchmen, the anthropomorphic speakers Woofer and Tweeter (Joy Campbell and Van Snowden), and her chauffeur and chief flunky, the German-accented Funky Rat (Sharon Baird). She frequently made use of a powerful ultrasonic weapon called the Stereo Zapper, which could render its victim unconscious in seconds.\r
\r
The shows music director was Hal Yoergler, who also wrote many of the shows songs and produced the Bugaloos album released in 1970. The title songs lyrics were written by Norman Gimbel, and its music was composed by Charles Fox. Gimbel and Fox were also the songwriters of Killing Me Softly with His Song and the theme songs to films and programs such as Last American Hero (I Got A Name, sung by Jim Croce), Happy Days, Laverne and Shirley, and The New Adventures of Wonder Woman. A cover of the Bugaloos theme performed by Collective Soul is included on the 1995 tribute album Saturday Morning: Cartoons Greatest Hits, produced by Ralph Sall for MCA Records.\r
The music of the Bugaloos suffered the same typecasting fate which met the music of The Partridge Family, despite excellent production values in both cases. Just the Memory Stays Around, The Senses of Our World and Castles in the Air (not to be confused with other songs of the same title) deserve particular note. Their lyrics were far above typical childrens television fare:
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