Countdown: Favourite British Puppets — Part One (7–6)
There was once a long‑standing tradition in UK kids’ TV: at some point, there’d be a bloke with his hand up a puppet’s rear end. What we were actually watching was a tradition. Puppets have been on TV almost as long as TV has existed. It’s undoubtedly an art form.
The rules for this countdown: The puppets have to be British — apologies to a certain infamous green frog. I promise you’ll get your day here at Retro Reaction in the future.
Let’s get started with number 7.
7: Bodger and Badger (1989–1999)
Looking back, I’m surprised this was on the air for so long.
Andy Cunningham plays Simon Bodger. The plot usually involved keeping his pet Badger a secret from most of the adults. When they did see him, they’d shake their heads and put it down to stress or something similar.
During its run, the series changed location a few times — a hotel, a school, even a theme park — while also introducing other characters. In this case, a mouse. That’s something we’ll see again later in the countdown. And yes, there were a lot of mashed potatoes ending up on faces from what I remember.
Then I completely forgot about it until years later.
I can’t remember which comic con I attended in Sheffield, but sat at one of the guest tables was Andy Cunningham (although I admit I only knew him as Bodger) and his puppet Badger. This caused a wave of excited… now fully grown adults.
Why doesn’t this duo appear higher? Because I missed a lot of the episode on the walk home from school — and it’s my totally subjective countdown.
It’s certainly better known than the next on our list.
6: The Riddlers (1989–1998)
Once again, I’m surprised at the length this one ran.
Our first entry had the traditional bloke with his hand up a puppet. This one was puppetry. I’m sure it wasn’t quite as popular as Bodger and Badger, but it’s one I watched with my late grandad, which automatically gives it points.
This was over on CITV — the children’s block on ITV that ran 3:30 to 5:15. Missed it? Well, that’s kids’ programmes done until tomorrow. Unless it was a Saturday.
This one centred on two magical creatures — Riddlers — who lived at the bottom of Marjorie’s garden well: Mossop and Tiddlup.
Most episodes involved Mossop misunderstanding something and getting things muddled, and Tiddlup or Marjorie putting it right at the end.
Mossop I can relate.
The next two on our list next time