A Scare at Bedtime (also known as Podge and Rodge: A Scare at Bedtime)[1]was an Irish television show, produced by Double Z Enterprises and broadcast by RTÉ, featuring the two puppets Podge and Rodge as the hosts of a spooky tales and urban myths comedy show. It ran from 1997 until January 2006.
| A Scare at Bedtime | |
|---|---|
 Opening titles | |
| Created by | Ciaran Morrison Mick O'Hara |
| Developed by | Ciaran Morrison Mick O'Hara |
| Starring | Ciaran Morrison (Rodge) Mick O'Hara (Podge) |
| Country of origin | Irland |
| Original language | Englisch |
| No. of episodes | 150 |
| Production | |
| Running time | ~10 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | RTÉ Two (then Network 2) |
| Release | 1997 – 2006 |
A Scare at Bedtime was originally commissioned by RTÉ to fill a ten minute gap that was left before the 23:00 News due to the short running times of American shows that preceded it. This show took its name from the nightly RTÉ 1 show called A Prayer at Bedtime, which overlaid the text of a Roman Catholic prayer over serene images with choral music playing. A Scare at Bedtime, first aired in 1997, is close to being the polar opposite of this, with extremely adult content, lewd jokes and slightly obscene anecdotes being related by the two puppets and 'Tales of Caution' acted out in live action segments. Podge's origins on The Den is ignored, as the backstory gradually established on A Scare at Bedtime, presents Podge and his identical twin brother Rodge to be both in their sixties, and living in Ballydung Manor, a converted insane asylum for most of that time, with a lunatic nurse that they call "Granny" who practices the dark arts (since she is dating Satan, whom they refer to as the "quare fella" throughout the series) . They were also then given full names also: Padraig Judas O'Leprocy and Rodraig Spartacus O'Leprocy.
Each episode follows the same pattern: Rodge, the dumber of the two, arrives home. Originally the pair would get into bed but in later seasons they sat 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. Chris Peacock, Ulick McGee, Neil Down, Mickey Scratcher and Inspector Bush) 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 have mimicked Foster and Allen. The characters are called "Fester and Ailin'" and have been seen on A Scare at Bedtime satirically arguing with Foster and Allen, with each claiming the other copied their act. Fester states: "Ailin' here came out of the womb with that accordion on him". Fester and Ailin' also claim that Foster and Allen's song "Bunch of Thyme" was in fact a stolen copy of their original work "Bunch of Lesbians". Fester and Ailin's other songs include "Tropical Diseases", "The Monkey Song" and "Doing the Wife's Sisters on the Sly" as well as the classic yuletide number "Dead Man Up The Chimney".
The show has run for nine series as of January 2006, with the Five Complete Series on sale on DVD. The programme has aired in both the UK and Ireland on RTÉ Two, Tara TV, UK Play and the Paramount Comedy Channel. A Scare at Bedtime was nominated in the Best Entertainment Programme category of the Irish Film and television Academy Awards in both 1999 and 2000. Winning the IFTA for Best Entertainment Programme in 2000.[2]
'A Scare at Bedtime Collection' is an eight disc box set of all nine seasons of 150 episodes (including fifty never for sale before) that is scheduled for release to coincide with Halloween 2010.
Episode List
Season One
| S# | Ep# | Episode Title | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | The Quare Fella | 1997-11-24 |
| 1 | 2 | Hitch Hiker | 1997-12-01 |
| 1 | 3 | Lazybones | 1997-12-08 |
| 1 | 4 | The Cravings | 1997-12-15 |
| 1 | 5 | Black Xmas | 1997-12-22 |
| 1 | 6 | Pulling Me Leg | 1997-12-29 |
| 1 | 7 | Appendix | 1998-01-05 |
| 1 | 8 | Sunbed | 1998-01-12 |
| 1 | 9 | Lovers Peak | 1998-01-19 |
| 1 | 10 | Tractor of Doom | 1998-01-26 |
| 1 | 11 | The Eggtimer | 1998-02-02 |
| 1 | 12 | Brain Scooper | 1998-02-09 |
| 1 | 13 | Waster | 1998-02-16 |
| 1 | 14 | Vampire Leprechaun | 1998-02-23 |
| 1 | 15 | The Golden Arse | 1998-03-02 |
| 1 | 16 | The Stud | 1998-03-09 |
| 1 | 17 | Little Green Fellas | 1998-03-16 |
| 1 | 18 | Clones | 1998-03-23 |
| 1 | 19 | Banshee | 1998-03-30 |
| 1 | 20 | Tropical Diseases | 1998-04-06 |
Season Two
| S# | Ep# | Episode Title | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | Carmel Sutra | 1998-09-07 |
| 2 | 2 | Holiday in Hell | 1998-09-14 |
| 2 | 3 | Hell House | 1998-09-21 |
| 2 | 4 | Diet Pill | 1998-09-28 |
| 2 | 5 | G.O.B | 1998-10-05 |
| 2 | 6 | Living Canvas | 1998-10-12 |
| 2 | 7 | Bedsit | 1998-10-19 |
| 2 | 8 | The Beast | 1998-10-26 |
| 2 | 9 | Halloween | 1998-10-31 |
| 2 | 10 | Genie | 1998-11-02 |
| 2 | 11 | The Case | 1998-11-09 |
| 2 | 12 | The Mole | 1998-11-16 |
| 2 | 13 | Nasty Habits | 1998-11-23 |
| 2 | 14 | Phone Home | 1998-11-30 |
| 2 | 15 | Close but no Cigar | 1998-12-07 |
| 2 | 16 | The Break | 1998-12-14 |
| 2 | 17 | Floater | 1998-12-21 |
| 2 | 18 | Christmas | 1998-12-25 |
| 2 | 19 | Lonely Guy | 1998-12-28 |
| 2 | 20 | Hair | 1999-01-04 |
Season Three
| S# | Ep# | Episode Title | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 1 | Plughole | 1999-10-04 |
| 3 | 2 | Backdoor Man | 1999-10-11 |
| 3 | 3 | Laptop | 1999-10-18 |
| 3 | 4 | Foreplay | 1999-10-25 |
| 3 | 5 | Second Coming | 1999-11-01 |
| 3 | 6 | Porno Shop | 1999-11-08 |
| 3 | 7 | Black Brogues | 1999-11-15 |
| 3 | 8 | The Man in the Aran Mask | 1999-11-22 |
| 3 | 9 | Potion | 1999-11-29 |
| 3 | 10 | Love Triangle | 1999-12-06 |
| 3 | 11 | Prison Song | 1999-12-13 |
| 3 | 12 | Office Party | 1999-12-20 |
| 3 | 13 | Clamped | 1999-12-25 |
| 3 | 14 | Mr. Meat | 1999-12-26 |
| 3 | 15 | Splendercock | 2000-01-03 |
| 3 | 16 | Face Off | 2000-01-10 |
| 3 | 17 | Hunter | 2000-01-17 |
| 3 | 18 | Hand Luggage | 2000-01-24 |
| 3 | 19 | Tease | 2000-01-31 |
| 3 | 20 | Freakshow | 2000-02-07 |
Season Four
| S# | Ep# | Episode Title | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 1 | Colosto You, Colosto Me | 2000-10-09 |
| 4 | 2 | Blind Man’s Bluff | 2000-10-16 |
| 4 | 3 | Real TV | 2000-10-23 |
| 4 | 4 | Doggy Style | 2000-10-30 |
| 4 | 5 | Speed Trap | 2000-11-06 |
| 4 | 6 | Citric Acid Trip | 2000-11-13 |
| 4 | 7 | Femme Brulee | 2000-11-20 |
| 4 | 8 | Red Carnation | 2000-11-27 |
| 4 | 9 | Room Service | 2000-12-04 |
| 4 | 10 | Cock | 2000-12-11 |
| 4 | 11 | Black Spot | 2000-12-18 |
| 4 | 12 | Not What the Doctor Ordered | 2001-01-01 |
| 4 | 13 | Love and Straw | 2001-01-08 |
| 4 | 14 | Gail Force | 2001-01-15 |
| 4 | 15 | 911 | 2001-01-22 |
| 4 | 16 | Bargain Bride | 2001-01-29 |
| 4 | 17 | Duffy | 2001-02-05 |
| 4 | 18 | The Ardagh Phallus | 2001-02-12 |
| 4 | 19 | Crystal Balls | 2001-02-19 |
| 4 | 20 | On the Sly | 2001-02-26 |
Season Five
| S# | Ep# | Episode Title | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 1 | Headhunters | 2001-10-01 |
| 5 | 2 | Cops and Slobbers | 2001-10-08 |
| 5 | 3 | Rubbers | 2001-10-15 |
| 5 | 4 | Dick Rubbin’ | 2001-10-22 |
| 5 | 5 | Exam Pressure | 2001-10-29 |
| 5 | 6 | Dog Gone | 2001-11-05 |
| 5 | 7 | Monkey Do | 2001-11-12 |
| 5 | 8 | Gels | 2001-11-19 |
| 5 | 9 | Nobody | 2001-11-26 |
| 5 | 10 | Model Wife | 2001-12-03 |
| 5 | 11 | Fatal Fad | 2001-12-10 |
| 5 | 12 | Drive | 2001-12-17 |
| 5 | 13 | Changing Rooms | 2001-12-24 |
| 5 | 14 | Bike Lovers | 2001-12-31 |
| 5 | 15 | 4 to 1 | 2002-01-07 |
| 5 | 16 | I Dream of Murder | 2002-01-14 |
| 5 | 17 | Furry Tale | 2002-01-21 |
| 5 | 18 | RIP Mail | 2002-01-28 |
| 5 | 19 | Dead Ringer | 2002-02-04 |
| 5 | 20 | Pants | 2002-02-11 |
Season Six
| S# | Ep# | Episode Title | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 1 | Hell we go Again | 2003-01-06 |
| 6 | 2 | Second Sight | 2003-01-13 |
| 6 | 3 | Deadly Accurate | 2003-01-20 |
| 6 | 4 | Neighbourhood Crotch | 2003-01-27 |
| 6 | 5 | Trailer Trash | 2003-02-03 |
| 6 | 6 | Sleep Tight, Sleep Fright | 2003-02-10 |
| 6 | 7 | Upstairs Downscares | 2003-02-17 |
| 6 | 8 | Hell Spells | 2003-02-24 |
| 6 | 9 | Un-Fortune-ate | 2003-03-03 |
| 6 | 10 | Fourth Contact | 2003-03-10 |
Season Seven
| S# | Ep# | Episode Title | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 1 | Vent | 2003-11-17 |
| 7 | 2 | Con Air | 2003-11-24 |
| 7 | 3 | Cheat the Parents | 2003-12-01 |
| 7 | 4 | Fur Lover | 2003-12-08 |
| 7 | 5 | Painting by Murders | 2003-12-15 |
| 7 | 6 | Shelfish | 2003-12-22 |
| 7 | 7 | Sleep Fright | 2003-12-29 |
| 7 | 8 | Fado Homo | 2004-01-05 |
Season Eight
| S# | Ep# | Episode Title | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 1 | Raging Bullshit | 2004-09-06 |
| 8 | 2 | Mortal Embarrassment | 2004-09-13 |
| 8 | 3 | Last Man Standing | 2004-09-20 |
| 8 | 4 | Bee-otch | 2004-09-27 |
| 8 | 5 | Touching the Cloth | 2004-10-04 |
| 8 | 6 | Randy Peak | 2004-10-11 |
| 8 | 7 | Old Aquiltance | 2004-10-18 |
| 8 | 8 | Dead Spread | 2004-10-25 |
| 8 | 9 | Freezer Geezer | 2004-11-01 |
| 8 | 10 | Face 2 Face | 2004-11-08 |
| 8 | 11 | InStaine | 2004-11-15 |
| 8 | 12 | Triple X Christmas | 2004-12-24 |
| 8 | 13 | Dead Money | 2005-01-03 |
| 8 | 14 | Mad About You | 2005-01-10 |
| 8 | 15 | Nu U | 2005-01-24 |
| 8 | 16 | Dead Man Talking | 2005-01-31 |
Season Nine
| S# | Ep# | Episode Title | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 1 | Lottery Fogottery | 2005-09-05 |
| 9 | 2 | Taxi | 2005-09-12 |
| 9 | 3 | Flier | 2005-09-19 |
| 9 | 4 | Dead Funny | 2005-09-26 |
| 9 | 5 | Buzzin’ Buddy | 2005-10-03 |
| 9 | 6 | Caress Me Father | 2005-10-10 |
| 9 | 7 | Truth or Die | 2005-10-17 |
| 9 | 8 | Throwing in the Towel | 2005-10-24 |
| 9 | 9 | Will Feral | 2005-10-31 |
| 9 | 10 | Star Struck | 2005-11-07 |
| 9 | 11 | Send and Deceive | 2005-11-21 |
| 9 | 12 | Two Timer | 2005-11-28 |
| 9 | 13 | Funny Business | 2005-12-05 |
| 9 | 14 | Deatharazzi | 2005-12-12 |
| 9 | 15 | Something About Mary | 2005-12-15 |
| 9 | 16 | Faking the Law | 2006-01-09 |
TV Specials
Podge & Rodge's Christmas Log: A half hour Christmas Special featuring clips from the series broadcast on RTÉ 2 in December 2002.
An Audience with Podge & Rodge: An hour long precursor to The Podge and Rodge Show was broadcast on RTÉ 2 on 26 December 2005 with guests Ray D'Arcy and Amanda Brunker. Music from Ding Dong Denny O'Reilly and VT inserts from various Irish personalities including Gerry Ryan , Nell McCafferty, Foster and Allen, PJ Gallagher, Mary Black with their memories and opinions of Podge and Rodge. There were also clips from A Scare at Bedtime. The show was filmed in front of a studio audience of skeletons and one man and his dog.
Awards
Irish Film and Television Academy Awards:
- Best Entertainment Show - 1999 Nomination
- Best Entertainment Show - 2000 WON[3]
DVD Releases
| DVD Name | Release Date | Ep # | Zusätzliche Informationen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Series One | 2003 | 20 | Non - broadcast pilot, Outrageous Outtakes |
| Series Two | 2004 | 20 | Uncensored version of 'Phone Home', Promotional Ads, Fester 'n' Ailin's crappy Jukebox, Outrageous Outtakes, Hidden Easter Eggs |
| Series Three | 2005 | 20 | More Outrageous Outtakes, Spunky ' the smoking' Monkey Easter Egg, Fester 'n' Ailin's crappy jukebox Version 2.0 |
| 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 |
| Series Four and Five boxset | May 4th 2007 | 40 | Outrageous Outtakes, Commentaries, Hidden Easter Eggs |
| A Scare at Bedtime Complete | Oct 2010 | 150 | This eight disc boxset will contain the complete Nine Series of 150 'Scares' (including 50 never before released), a range of extras all in a special box set |