Podge and Rodge
This article describes a work or element of fiction in a primarily in-universe style. (October 2009) |
Podge and Rodge | |
---|---|
A Scare at Bedtime character | |
First appearance | The Den (Podge) (1990) Christmas Crisis II (Rodge) (1996) |
Last appearance | The Den (Podge) (2020) The Podge and Rodge Show (Rodge) (2019) |
Created by | Ciaran Morrison and Mick O'Hara |
Portrayed by | Ciaran Morrison and Mick O'Hara |
Pádraig Judas O'Leprosy and Rodraig Spartacus O'Leprosy (born 1941)
Character history
Origins
Podge originally appeared as a "villain" character on the children's programming block,
During one of these shorts an unidentified voiceover can be heard saying to Zag, "aren't you a smelly stupid ugly alien". The character of Podge was then revealed to be alive to the audience, with the ability to speak and move. He also acted as an antagonist to Zig, often bullying him, or encouraging him to commit acts of nuisance such as stealing a bike.
Other characters, such as Zag and the presenter Ray D'Arcy remained oblivious to Podge's true nature for some time; Podge can occasionally be seen to be moving in the background during continuity announcements between programmes, or be seen scheming on his own, and letters and pictures would pour in from the viewing children trying to let them know that the little puppet was evil.
Eventually, after Zig finally told Zag and Ray the truth, Podge made a power play and took over the programme for a day, revealing that he had been brought to life by a magician, but then sealed away when he turned evil. Podge also possessed some magical powers of his own that he'd learned from the magician, and turned one of the crew members into a teapot. He was finally dealt with when the magician arrived at the end of the programming day, hypnotized Podge (who the magician called "Albert"), and took Podge away.
As a recurring villain
Following his initial "story arc," Podge became a recurring presence on The Den over the next six years, causing trouble by using one of many paper-thins disguises that the gang could never see through, despite his constant insults and use his catchphrase, "Oh really?" Over the years, he posed as a child named "Patrick Egdop," a postman also named Patrick, a leprechaun, a trick-or-treater, a health inspector, a taxi-driver, and a builder named "Diglas McDoug." He physically fought with
Podge's most daring scheme was 1992's "Christmas Crisis," in which he tried to ensure that Zig would receive no presents from Santa Claus, using his postman disguise to enter their home, break one of the presents, for which Zig would be blamed, and also make off with a bottle of "Scent of Man", a cologne which would be a recurring motif for the character, often revealing his identity. Zig was able to prove his innocence, but Podge in his right mind, was still intent on ruining Christmas, taking the gang's Christmas letters and not delivering them to Santa. When The Den crew set out to do the job themselves, Podge kidnapped Santa and took his place but was thwarted in the end.
Eventually, in 1996, Podge was finally well and truly caught by the Den gang, only to be freed by his never-before-seen twin brother, Rodge, posing as a policeman, who escorted him away. The "Dastardly Duo" continued to make trouble for the gang over the following year, mostly on the holidays; they staged "Christmas Crisis II" in 1996 to try and ruin the gang's Christmas once again. Rodge's precise origins were never gone into (the young children who were the programme's target audience had not been around for Podge's own introduction years before, after all, so it didn't really matter), but he possessed the same "vanishing" power Podge did, as well as the same fondness for Scent of Man and taste for dog. The brothers had particular contempt for Echo Island, especially the version broadcast in Irish. Podge then later returns to The Den during the 2020 series where he first appeared as a Policeman that threatens to shut the whole show down, and then he came back during Christmas 2020 where he came back as a elf where he kidnapped Zag to the props room to get him trapped and make Podge being a temporary replacement, until Santa arrives where Podge didn't want to invite him around but Santa has other plans where he thinks that the elf (Podge) is a imposter and then teleporting him to the snow globe as a punishment and the gang saves Zag out from the props room.
Ballydung
In 1997, Podge and Rodge were transitioned from the Den to their own, adult-oriented comedy show, A Scare at Bedtime. The show ignored their established history from their earlier, child-friendly appearances, and created a new one for them: in this series, the aged brothers live in Ballydung Manor, a fictional estate located their fictional hometown in Ballydung (off the bypass past Ballywank) in County Ring, a converted asylum which they share with an insane old nurse they call "Granny," as well as their disease-ridden pet cat Pox, and a nicotine-addicted monkey named Spunky. By this show's telling of events, the two brothers have lived together for decades, and hate one another, but Podge has repeatedly sabotaged any attempts by Rodge to leave him and improve his life.
Ballydung Manor may be reached by dialling Ballydung 666 from a telephone. In the earliest seasons of the show, the brothers' shared bedroom was the only part of the manor shown, but in later years, their kitchen was also used. This remained largely the case during the follow-up series The Podge and Rodge Show, although the living room was featured in the Bogmannay special on New Year's Eve 2006. The underground dungeon of Ballydung Manor was also shown in an episode of the chat show when Podge and Rodge invited guest Sheana Keane to partake in a gruesome game of Operation!.
Another location known to be in Ballydung is "The Stickitt Inn", which features on the chat show. Ballydung also has a bypass which was blocked off by a swarm of locusts on the Christmas Special of 2006, A Frightmare Before Christmas, thus preventing any of the guests attending the show.
Television and radio shows
A Scare at Bedtime (1997–2006)
A Scare at Bedtime took its name from the nightly RTÉ show called A Prayer at Bedtime, which overlaid the text of a
Each episode follows the same pattern: Rodge, the dumber of the two, arrives home. Originally the pair would get into bed but in recent seasons they sit at the kitchen table. They talk about what Rodge was doing, with Podge usually insulting him. This leads Podge on to telling a story (acted out by live actors) about some people (whose names are usually sexual innuendos, e.g. Enda Meshank, Chris Peacock, Ulick McGee) who inevitably come to an unpleasant end. Rodge interrupts the story with stupid comments and/or reference to masturbation. It ends with Podge punishing Rodge for no reason.
Podge and Rodge's TV Bodges (2000)
In 2000, Podge and Rodge hosted a series made up of ten eight-minute episodes entitled Podge & Rodge's TV Bodges for
Ballydung Radio (2000)
Podge and Rodge were commissioned by
RTÉ Two relaunch (2004)
Podge and Rodge hosted the relaunch of Network 2 as RTÉ Two in 2004.[2] They introduced the night's television programming which consisted of The Premiership at 20:00 followed by a highlights reel of Network 2, new comedy sketch show Stew at 21:30, a repeat broadcast of the final episode of Paths to Freedom and the television premiere of the film Spin the Bottle.[2] The relaunch was part of an RTÉ initiative to promote "edgier" and "riskier" viewing that would "push the boundaries", which included a gay theme night.[2]
The Podge and Rodge Show (2006–2010)
First aired on 6 February 2006, The Podge and Rodge Show fulfilled the duo's main aim by being their first chats how. It was co-hosted by
Christmas special
Podge and Rodge hosted a special show from Ballydung Manor on 19 December 2006, entitled A Frightmare Before Christmas. It celebrated Christmas from their perspective, a reality where none of the intended guests turned up, and imaginary scenarios where the worst possible guests did. In reality Podge and Rodge and Lucy were left in the darkness of Ballydung Manor as the thunder raged outside, imagining their nightmare guests.
New Year's Eve specials
Podge and Rodge rang in 2007 on 31 December in a special programme lasting over forty minutes instead of the usual thirty-minute format. The New Year's Eve show was called Bogmanay (a play on
On it the boys looked back at some of the highlights of their year. They also handed out their very own Feckin' Eejit of the Year Awards (FEEJITs) to celebrate the great tradition of Irish Feckin' Eejitry. There were nine nominees chosen from the worlds of TV, entertainment, sport and politics.
Guests included Edele and Keavy Lynch of B*Witched fame, Mary Black, Jason Donovan and Freddie Starr returned as the Ballydung Butler for the evening.
Such was the success of the original Bogmanay, Podge and Rodge hosted a second Bogmanay to ring in 2008. It featured guests Miss Ireland, Bláthnaid McKenna and boxer Frank Bruno as well as Mr. Gest who was unable to be interviewed as Lucy Kennedy, venturing into his dressing room, discovered he had turned into an ape. Instead, a number of previously unseen clips which were not allowed to be shown before midnight were shown, including some in which Lucy Kennedy swore. A number of "Half- Arse Hero" awards were handed out, although none of the recipients (who included Steve Staunton) were present to accept them.
People in Need Telethon 2007 special
On Friday 26 October 2007 for the
Best of The Podge and Rodge Show
From 21 July 2009, RTÉ began showing a compilation of the best moments of the first three series of The Podge and Rodge Show. Ten half-hour episodes were produced and aired on
Podge and Rodge's Stickit Inn (2009)
As part of the new Autumn line-up on RTÉ Two it was announced that the Ballydung brothers returned in a new venue of a pub set.
The Podge and Rodge Show (2018)
It was announced on 16 August 2018 that Dorieann Garrihy would be joining Podge and Rodge as their new co-host. The series began broadcasting on 22 October 2018.
Live
"Desperate for Housewives"
In April 2006, radio ads played on RTÉ radio stations revealed that the personas Podge and Rodge would be appearing in their first ever live stage show entitled "Desperate for Housewives" in Vicar Street in Dublin. The show took place in Autumn 2006 for an initial run of 12 dates. The tickets for the first six dates sold out in a record hour and a half on the day of release. Six days after the release of the release, and all the tickets were sold out.
"It's a Podge and Rodge Show...Get Me Outta Here!"
Podge and Rodge returned to Vicar Street with a brand new stage show in April 2008. Tickets went on sale on 6 December 2007. Initially 12 dates were announced,[5] with a further 3 dates added for May 2008. A total of fifteen nights were played.
2007 Meteor Awards
Podge and Rodge hosted the
were among the bands who performed on the night.Newspaper column
A Politically Incorrect Broadcast by Podge and Rodge
Podge and Rodge have a page published weekly in The Irish Daily Star newspaper. Every Wednesday the pair write lewd and satirical columns.
Charity magazine editing
RTÉ Guide
They've also edited an edition of the
Awards
- Irish Film and Television Awardsinclude:
- Best Entertainment Show: A Scare at Bedtime – 1999 Nomination
- Best Entertainment Show: A Scare at Bedtime – 2000 WON
- Best Entertainment Show: The Podge & Rodge Show – 2007 Nomination [7]
- BSE/IFB & NIFTC Breakthrough Talent Award for Lucy Kennedy for her role as co-host – 2007 Nomination
- Best Entertainment Show: The Podge & Rodge Show – 2008 WON[8]
- Best Entertainment Show: The Podge & Rodge Show – 2009 Nomination[9]
- TV Now Awards include:
- Favourite Television Programme: The Podge & Rodge Show – 2006 WON
- Favourite Television Programme: The Podge & Rodge Show – 2007 WON
- Favourite Television Programme: The Podge & Rodge Show – 2008 Nomination [10]
- 7th Annual Digital Media Awards:
- Best Viral Marketing Campaign 2009 – 'Podge and Rodge on a PC'[11]
- 31st John Caples International Awards:
- Best Microsite 'Silver Award' 2009 – 'Podge and Rodge on a PC'[12]
- Goss.ie - The Gossies:
- Best TV Show - The Podge & Rodge Show - 2019 Nomination
- Best Female TV Presenter - Doireann Garrihy- 2019 WON
DVDs
The Podge and Rodge Show
DVD Name | Release Date | Bonus Material | Ifco |
---|---|---|---|
The Podge and Rodge Show – The Best of Series One | 3 November 2006 | Unseen pilot interview with sports presenter Martin King , Pole Dancing Competition.
|
15 |
The Podge and Rodge Show – The Cream of Series Two | 2 November 2007 | Miss Ballydung Pageant, Ballydung Idol, Sex Toy Show with Margo, A Load of Pointless Games, Photo album, Hidden Easter Eggs. | 15 |
The Podge and Rodge Show – The Best of Series Three | 14 November 2008 | Jack Charlton half-hour special Uncut, Rock N Roulette jukebox, Secret Bloopers tape. | 15 |
The Podge and Rodge Show – The Best of Series Four | 13 November 2009 | Podge and Rodge's Family Album, The Ballydung Jukebox. DVD cover design by Jim Fitzpatrick | 15 |
The Podge and Rodge Show – Poxy Box | 9 April 2010 | The set features all four previous 'Best of' DVDs in a collectors box set. | 15 |
A Scare at Bedtime
DVD Name | Release Date | Ep # | Additional Information | Ifco |
---|---|---|---|---|
Series One | 2003 | 20 | Non – broadcast pilot, Outrageous Outtakes | 15 |
Series Two | 2004 | 20 | Uncensored version of 'Phone Home', Promotional Ads, Fester 'n' Ailin's crappy Jukebox, Outrageous Outtakes, Hidden Easter Eggs | 15 |
Series Three | 2005 | 20 | More Outrageous Outtakes, Spunky ' the smoking' Monkey Easter Egg, Fester 'n' Ailin's crappy jukebox Version 2.0 | 15 |
Series One and Two boxset | 2005 | 40 | Non – broadcast pilot, Outrageous Outtakes, Uncensored version of 'Phone Home', Promotional Ads, Fester 'n' Ailin's crappy Jukebox, More Outrageous Outtakes, Hidden Easter Eggs | 15 |
Series Four and Five boxset | 4 May 2007 | 40 | Outrageous Outtakes, Commentaries, Hidden Easter Eggs | 15 |
Series Four | 2008 | 20 | More Outrageous Outtakes, Podge & Rodge commentary for 'Bargain Bride' episode. | 15 |
Series Five | 2008 | 20 | Fester 'n' Ailin's Top 10 Greatest Hits | 15 |
A Scare at Bedtime Complete | 15 October 2010 | 150 | This eight disc boxset contains all Nine Series of 150 episodes (including 50 never before released), including a range of extra features. | 15 |
Book
The Ballydung Bible
Podge and Rodge's first book, entitled The Ballydung Bible, was released on 5 October 2007. It reveals much about the history of Ballydung and the surrounding areas. One excerpt reveals that their last day spent with their mother was at the age of seven on 11 May 1948 after which they were locked away in Ballydung Asylum.[13]
References
- ^ The Ballydung Bible. (Dublin: Solo Books). 2007. pages 37–38.
- ^ a b c Battles, Jan (26 September 2004). "Network 2 goes gay for ratings". The Sunday Times. London. Retrieved 30 July 2009.
- ^ "New Autumn line-up". RTÉ Arts. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 13 August 2009. Retrieved 13 August 2009.
- ^ "Mamma Mia!Podge and Rodge line up Italian barmaid to replace Lucy". Evening Herald. Independent News & Media. 7 August 2009. Retrieved 7 August 2009.
- ^ Aiken Promotions – Podge & Rodge Extra Dates @ Vicar St. May 1st – 4th
- ^ "Podge and Rodge edit the RTÉ Guide". RTÉ News. 17 October 2007.
- ^ Pluto leads Irish awards race
- ^ IFTA nominees announced
- ^ IFTA nominees 2009 announced
- ^ TVNow nominees 2008 Archived 15 March 2009 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Digital Media Awards 2009
- ^ John Caples International Awards 2009
- ^ The Ballydung Bible. Pages 37–38.
External links
- Official RTÉ page for The Podge and Rodge Show
- WWW.THEPODGEANDRODGESHOW.COM Popular Fansite
- Official 'Podge and Rodge' site on MySpace
- Comprehensive fansite
- A Scare At Bedtime on rte.ie, with detailed biographies
- Fan site recounting the program's genesis
- Buy DVDs online
- The Weirdos Beyond The Pale (an interview with the Irish Independent)
- A Scare at Bedtime on the IMDb
- Most recent viewing figures
- SligoZone.net
- Podge & Rodge talking figurines[permanent dead link]
Articles
- YouTube Brings Gem from Ireland – 1 November 2006 MP3 Newswirearticle wonders if YouTube can be a catalyst to bring Podge and Rodge to American TV.