Children’s TV favourite Dick And Dom In Da Bungalow celebrates 20 years of mayhem, mischief and “bogies” today (August 31, 2022).
The chaotic CBBC programme, which saw presenters Richard McCourt and Dominic Wood take part in a series of surreal challenges including Make Dick Sick, Pants Dancers and Bogies, became a favourite amongst a generation of children after it launched in 2002.
However, the programme met the wrath of many parents who were left horrified by the duo’s antics.
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Its sketches even caught the attention of MPs in parliament, who called for the programme to be axed from our TV screens.
On the 20th anniversary of Dick And Dom In Da Bungalow, Daily Star takes a look back at the show’s biggest controversies.
Bogies ban
If there was one part of Dick And Dom In Da Bungalow that was famous as the presenters themselves, it had to be “Bogies.”
The sketch would be see Dick and Dom visit public places including museums and shopping markets, before shouting the word “Bogies” increasingly loud without getting into trouble – or until one of them was too embarrassed to continue.
Their antics also caused fury among members of the public too, with Dom telling Heart Radio that they upset a parent during a visit to London’s Sea Life world.
“Rich went up to a man who was looking at some fish and screamed bogies, but there was a newborn baby strapped to him.”
The baby began to cry and needless to say, the man who they screamed bogies at was furious at the duo.
An entire generation of children copied their antics after watching the Bogies sketch – much to the distaste of parents and adults across the country – with some schools even banning the game as a result.
Birth sketch outrage
(Image: BBC)
In 2005, over 40 viewers submitted complaints to the BBC, following a sketch that showed presenter Richard “Dick” McCourt pretending to give birth.
Dick pretended to go into labour and give birth to dozens of babies, while buckets of gunge – known as “creamy muck muck” on the show – were thrown onto him and the programme’s young contestants.
The pretend babies were then thrown around the room, causing an outrage among viewers.
(Image: BBC)
Addressing the complaints, a statement from a BBC spokesperson said at the time that the programme was intended as “pure fun and entertainment” and complaints had to be “addressed in the context of the target audience for the show”.
“It is pure fun and entertainment, aimed at eight- to 12-year-olds, so it is unsurprising that it doesn’t appeal to some adults.
“It gives children a chance to laugh and enjoy themselves at the start of the weekend – and we have many letters and emails of appreciation for the show, from both children and their parents.
“We take our responsibility to children and their parents very seriously: any criticisms are always looked into, but have to be addressed in the context of the target audience for the show and its remit to entertain children.”
Lavatory-gate
(Image: BBC)
The birth sketch was not the first time that Dick and Dom In Da Bungalow came under fire, after viewers complained about multiple segments of the show.
These included Make Dick Sick, Pants Dancers and a sketch where the presenting duo appeared to be almost naked, wearing nothing but overalls and hats.
As such, their antics were even brought up in parliament, with MP Peter Luff asking the culture secretary to consider if certain elements of the show actually made for appropriate viewing, saying: “Is that really the stuff of public service broadcasting?”
He also criticised the humour and content of the programme as “lavatorial.”
Although the programme was defended by the BBC, it was taken off air one year after the MP’s statement in parliament.
TikTok ban
Over 20 years since Dick And Dom In Da Bungalow first aired on our TV screens, it seems that the show – or more so – its name is still causing a bit of controversy.
The popular TV duo revealed that they tried to make a TikTok account for themselves, but were unable to, as the show’s name is considered “too rude” for the social media platform.
Dick and Dom’s official Instagram account shared a screenshot of a search for the phrase “Dick And Dom” on TikTok, which displayed the message: “This phrase may be associated with behaviour or content that violates our guidelines. Promoting a safe and positive experience is TikTok’s top priority.”
The duo expressed their surprise that their name is considered “too rude” for TikTok, saying in the Instagram post caption: “How the hell are we supposed to join TikTok? We can’t sign up and no one can search for us.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
