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Feb 12, 2023

The Male Ladybug and His Biceps


17 episodes of The Bugaloos aired during the 1970-71 season, and were rerun in 1971-72.  That's a little short, even for a Sid and Marty Krofft live action-animatronic series: Sigmund and the Sea Monsters had 29, and Land of the Lost had 43.











But millions of Boomers fondly recall the 17 episodes, and the infinite array of tie-in merchandise: a record album, a lunchbox, a board game, a 4-issue comic book series, costumes for Halloween, 3 novels.





The Bugaloos were a hippie family/rock band composed of  British insect people, all named after virtues.

1. I.Q. (John McIndoe), a gangly blond grasshopper
2. Harmony (Wayne Laryea) a black bumblebee
3. Joy (Caroline Ellis) a female butterfly
4. Courage (John Philpott) a muscular male ladybug.

Very muscular.  Always wearing a tight red shirt that highlighted his pecs and lay bare his arms and shoulders.

And exceptionally tight pants.










Unlike most Krofft shows, they were not trapped far from home: they lived in a hippie commune, the Tranquility Forest, singing, dancing, flying, and displaying no heterosexual interest

But their Eden was threatened by Benita Bizarre (Martha Raye), who hated their youth, their beauty, their freedom, their talent, and. . .well, their tranquility.  She stole Joy's voice and IQ's wings; she kidnapped and branwashed Courage; she tried to drive them out of their forest.

Establishment fear of the youth counterculture,but from the counterculture's point of view.  Clash of innocence and experience, age and. . um, obviously a metaphor for. . .um. . .

Who could think about anything but the male ladybug, with his sleeveless shirt and obvious bulge?







Update: The Bugaloos was John Philpott's only acting gig.   He performed in several bands and as a cabaret singer, and is now retired and living in France.  As far as I can tell, only his family and friends had the opportunity to see his muscles close-up.

See also: Pufnstuf


5 comments:

  1. This was my favorite of all the Krofft shows. I had no idea it lasted for just 17 episodes.

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  2. This show was before my time (going off the air the year I was conceived), but I remember catching reruns of this on Nick @ Nite back in the 1990s and thinking that Johnny Philpott was HOT.. Like you said, the muscles, the skin-tight pants, and the "fairy" wings......whew, is it getting hot in here??

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  3. Loved the Bugaloos and as a boy I had such a crush on both John's,especially Courage and that tight outfit,woof so HOT.a total fox.

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  4. Did John ever show off those muscles? Even in maybe another show or interview? FLAH1025@yahoo.com

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  5. Saturday morning fun

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