The Mighty Boosh (series 1)
| The Mighty Boosh (series 1) | |
|---|---|
|
DVD cover art | |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| No. of episodes | 8 |
| Release | |
| Original network | BBC |
| Original release | 18 May – 6 July 2004 |
| Series chronology | |
The Mighty Boosh's first series was originally broadcast between 18 May 2004 and 6 July 2004. The series features five main cast members; Julian Barratt, Noel Fielding, Rich Fulcher, Michael Fielding and Dave Brown. The first series centers on Howard Moon and Vince Noir (Julian Barratt and Noel Fielding), and the adventures they have whilst working at a zoo. A DVD of the series was released on 29 August 2005 in Region 2. Series 1 began to air in America on Adult Swim from 29 March 2009.
Overview
Setting
The series is set in a run-down, dilapidated zoo in England known as the "Zooniverse". Howard Moon and Vince Noir work there as zoo-keepers under manager Bob Fossil and owner Dixon Bainbridge. Naboo the Enigma also works there as the resident shaman.[1] Howard and Vince often leave the Zooniverse for various adventures throughout the series, visiting locations such as Limbo, Monkey Hell, and the Arctic tundra.[2][3][4]
Production
The BBC commissioned the series in May 2003.[5] Rehearsals took place throughout 2003, and filming took place in Studio 11 of Three Mills Studios in London, England from January 2004, directed by Paul King. Certain scenes from the pilot were reused in the episode "Tundra". The pilot was directed by Steve Bendelack.[6]
Reception
The series was a nominee for The Best Newcomer at the British Comedy Awards 2004.[7]
Episodes
| No. in series |
No. in season |
Title | Directed by | Original air date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "Killeroo" | Paul King | 18 May 2004 |
|
Howard is blackmailed by Bob Fossil into participating in an illegal underground boxing match with a violent kangaroo. Howard thinks that by winning the fight he will impress Mrs Gideon, Head of Reptiles, so Vince decides to help him by training him up. Oly Ralfe, vocalist of the Ralfe Band makes a cameo in this episode as Jimmy the Reach. He is seen in both the gym and at the very end of the episode. Supporting characters: Vince's Uncle/Gym Owner, Jimmy the Reach, Mickey the Fist, The Coy Carp, The French Duke, Ralph. | ||||
| 2 | 2 | "Mutants" | Paul King | 25 May 2004 |
|
Animals at the Zooniverse are rapidly disappearing without trace; when Mrs Gideon's python goes missing, Howard and Vince decide to investigate. They soon discover Dixon Bainbridge's secret laboratory within the zoo and find out the terrible secret of the missing animals. Supporting characters: Mr. Rogers, Max and Cindy, Jitwak, Aoarde, Jet, Patrick, The Windy Man. | ||||
| 3 | 3 | "Bollo" | Paul King | 1 June 2004 |
|
Bollo becomes terminally ill, but when the Grim Reaper comes to take him away, he mistakenly takes Howard, who is dressed as an ape, so that Bob Fossil can continue to accept sponsorship money for the gorillas. Vince travels to Limbo and Monkey Hell to save him from death. Supporting characters: The Grim Reaper, The Ape of Death, Davey and Nemo, Jack Cooper, Mr. Susan, Pete, The Old Lady/Bollo's Sponsor and Colin | ||||
| 4 | 4 | "Tundra" | Paul King & Steve Bendelack | 8 June 2004 |
|
Dixon Bainbridge boasts to the Zooniverse staff about his adventures in the arctic tundra, so Howard travels there with Vince to retrieve the Egg of Mantumbi and prove that he is more of a man. They come face-to-face with hideous ice demon Black Frost. Noel Fielding later revealed that he modelled the Black Frost character on professional golfer Ian Poulter. Supporting characters: The Black Frost, The Polar Bear, The Parka People, The Interviewees, Biggie Shackleton, Gary Numan, Karlolak, The Monkey, Wind. | ||||
| 5 | 5 | "Jungle" | Paul King | 15 June 2004 |
|
Bainbridge is selling the Zooniverse so that a road can be built through it. Howard is determined to stop this, so he and Vince venture into the mysterious Jungle Room in search of Tommy, the missing former owner of the zoo. It has been noted by many people that the Mod Wolves may represent each original member of the Rolling Stones; mainly noticed because of the instruments used, although the guitar identified as a Vox Mark VI (as played by Brian Jones) is in fact a midnight blue Rickenbacker 330 (difficult to see clearly in the dark due to the colour) as used by both Pete Townshend of The Who and Paul Weller of The Jam. Supporting characters: Tommy Nookah, Fire, Rudi van Disarzio, The Locksmith, The Mod wolves, The Business people. | ||||
| 6 | 6 | "Charlie" | Paul King | 22 June 2004 |
|
Howard attempts to write a novel in order to impress Mrs Gideon. At the same time, Vince's illustrated stories about a hideous bubble-gum creature named Charlie are suddenly discovered by a publisher, instantly turning him into a famous writer. However, his dream is quickly shattered by Dixon Bainbridge. Meanwhile, Howard undergoes psychiatric help from resident shaman Naboo, and Bob Fossil uses Vince to start a new breeding program for the zoo's pandas. Supporting characters: Charlie, Hamilton Cork/Simon McFarnaby, Phillip the Kitten, Chi Chi the Panda, Fu Fu the Panda, Eric Phillips, The Inuit, The Posh Hammer. | ||||
| 7 | 7 | "Electro" | Paul King | 29 June 2004 |
|
Vince joins an up-and-coming electro band called Kraftwork Orange, but causes Johnny Two-Hats, the band's keyboard player, programmer, songwriter and manager, to leave the band in disgust. Out of desperation, he calls on Howard to overcome the Spirit of Jazz and help him out for an important concert. The episode features guest stars Sue Denim and Dee Plume of Robots in Disguise. Supporting characters: The Spirit of Jazz, Leroy, Electro Girls (Ultra and Neon), Johnny Two Hats, Marcus Hoffman, Jazz Club Manager. | ||||
| 8 | 8 | "Hitcher" | Paul King | 6 July 2004 |
|
After a bear named Ivan goes wild and attacks Bob Fossil, Howard and Vince are tasked with transporting him to The Zoo for Animal Offenders. On the way, they get lost in the forest and encounter the Hitcher, a mysterious hitch-hiker. Supporting characters: Ivan the Bear, Bryan Ferry, Jim and Jackie Piper, Trevor Robinson, The Nazi Turtle, The Ku Klux Goose, Columbo, Jahooli the Leopard, Kalooli, The Monkey King, Baboo Yagu/ The Green Man-Witch, The Hitcher. | ||||
Notes
- ↑ "Series One". Episodes. The Mighty Boosh. Retrieved 2008-01-04. External link in
|publisher=(help) - ↑ "Bollo". The Mighty Boosh. Season 1. Episode 3. 2004-06-01. BBC Three.
- ↑ "Tundra". The Mighty Boosh. Season 1. Episode 4. 2004-06-08. BBC Three.
- ↑ "Hitcher". The Mighty Boosh. Season 1. Episode 8. 2004-07-06. BBC Three.
- ↑ Turnbull, Susan (2003-05-03). "Boosh TV Is Go!!!". The Mighty Boosh News Updates. Blogger. Retrieved 2007-12-17.
- ↑ The Mighty Boosh: Inside the Zooniverse (Documentary). Baby Cow Productions. 2005-08-25. Retrieved 2008-01-09.
- ↑ Turnbull, Susan (2004-11-10). "British Comedy Award Nomination". The Mighty Boosh News Updates. Blogger. Retrieved 2007-12-17.