text:
Wishbone formation

The wishbone formation, also known simply as the bone, is an offensive formation in American football. The style of attack to which it gives rise is known as the wishbone offense. Like the spread offense in the 2000s to the present, the wishbone was considered to be the most productive and innovative offensive scheme in college football during the 1970s and 1980s.

History
While the record books commonly refer to Emory Bellard developing the wishbone formation in 1968 as offensive coordinator at Texas, the wishbone's roots can be traced back to the 1950s. According to Barry Switzer, it was Charles “Spud” Cason, football coach at William Monnig Junior High School of Fort Worth, Texas, who first modified the classic T formation in order “to get a slow fullback into the play quicker.” Cason called the formation “Monnig T”. Bellard learned about Cason's tactics while coaching at Breckenridge High School, a small community west of Fort Worth.

Earlier in his career Bellard saw a similar approach implemented by former Detroit Lions guard Ox Emerson, then head coach at Alice High School near Corpus Christi, Texas. Trying to avoid the frequent pounding of his offensive line, Emerson moved one of the starting guards into the backfield, enabling him to get a running start at the opposing defensive line. Bellard served as Emerson's assistant at that time. During his high school coaching career in the late '50s and early '60s, Bellard adopted the basic approaches of both Cason and Emerson, as he won two 3A Texas state championships for Breckenridge in 1958 and 1959 and a 4A state title at San Angelo Central High School in 1966, using a wishbone-like option offense.

In 1967 Bellard was hired by Darrell Royal and became offensive coordinator a year later. The Texas Longhorns only scored 18.6 points per game in a 6–4 season in 1967. After watching Texas A&M—running offensive coordinator Bud Moore and Gene Stallings' option offense—beat Bear Bryant's Alabama team in the 1968 Cotton Bowl Classic, Royal instructed Bellard to design a new three-man back-field triple option offense. Bellard tried to merge his old high school tactics with Stallings' triple option out of the Slot-I formation and Homer Rice's variations of the Veer, an offensive formation created by Bill Yeoman.

When Texas introduced the new offensive scheme at the beginning of the 1968 season, Houston Chronicle sportswriter Mickey Herskowitz stated it looked like a “pulley bone”; Royal agreed but changed the name to “wishbone”. Royal quickly embraced the idea of the wishbone, though it did not immediately work, as the Longhorns tied their first game running the new offense and went into halftime of their second game against Texas Tech trailing 21–0. This led Royal to make the first of two changes which proved key to the future success of the wishbone. He replaced initial starting quarterback Bill Bradley, who proved to have trouble with the reads and pitches that were key to the new formation, with James Street, who nearly led the Longhorns to a comeback win. Then, while analyzing film from the Texas Tech loss, an assistant noticed that fullback Steve Worster was reaching the line of scrimmage too soon. At the assistant's suggestion, Royal and Bellard then had Worster start a step farther back from the quarterback. According to Bradley, "When we moved Worster back and James took over, we just caught fire." Texas won its next 30 games, leading to two national championships using the formation. In 1971 Royal showed the offense to Bear Bryant, who was so enamored with it that he installed it at Alabama complete with his own touches.

Bellard later left Texas and – using the wishbone – guided Texas A&M and Mississippi State to bowl game appearances in the late 1970s. At Mississippi State Bellard “broke the bone” and introduced the “wing-bone”, moving one of the halfbacks up to a wing formation and frequently sending him in motion. Another variation of the wishbone formation is called the flexbone.

Ironically, the longest running wishbone offense was run not by Texas but by their arch-rivals, the University of Oklahoma, who ran variations of the wishbone well into the mid-1990s. Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer has been credited by some for having “perfected” the use of the wishbone offense and former OU quarterback Jack Mildren is often referred to as "the Godfather of the wishbone" by University of Oklahoma football fans. In 1971, the Oklahoma Sooners wishbone offense set the all-time NCAA single-season rushing record at 472.4 yards per game, a record which still stands to this day.

The wishbone's reliance on execution and discipline, along with its ability to eat up the play clock, make it a favorite of programs that routinely play opponents with superior size and speed, such as the three service academies. Air Force saw tremendous success running the option game out of the wishbone. In 1985, Air Force climbed to #2 in the country, just barely missing the national championship game, under head coach Fisher DeBerry. Army saw success using the wishbone under head coaches Jim Young and Bob Sutton in the 1980s and early 1990s, leading to the school's first four bowl appearances (10–6 win over Michigan State in the 1984 Cherry Bowl; 31–29 win over Illinois in the 1985 Peach Bowl; 29–28 loss to Alabama in the 1988 Sun Bowl; and a 32–29 loss to Auburn in the 1996 Independence Bowl) and the first of the program's two 10-win seasons.

Phil Jack Dawson, then head coach of Westbrook High School in Westbrook, Maine, developed an effective defense against the wishbone offense then in use by Texas, called “backbone defense”. Dawson contacted Ara Parseghian, then head coach of the University of Notre Dame, and convinced him to use it against Texas in the 1971 Cotton Bowl Classic. Notre Dame beat Texas 24-11.

In the National Football League, during the strike season of 1987, the San Francisco 49ers used the wishbone successfully against the New York Giants to win 41–21. Coach Bill Walsh used the wishbone because of his replacement quarterback's familiarity with a similar formation in college. The Cleveland Browns also utilized the wishbone at the pro level in a 2018 28–16 win over the Atlanta Falcons.

While run-based option offenses, including the wishbone, are now used only by a small number of NCAA Division I programs—mainly the service academies—wishbone principles still influence college football to this day. The original architects of the pass-oriented Air Raid offense, Mike Leach and Hal Mumme, explicitly employed wishbone principles in the offense's creation. In a 2018 ESPN story, Ken Niumatalolo, then head coach of Navy, noted that modern spread option offenses also conceptually borrow from the wishbone. Some coaches are convinced that the wishbone could still work in the modern college game. One of them is Switzer, who in the aforementioned ESPN piece specifically named 2016 Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson as a quarterback who would be "perfect in the Wishbone", adding, "There's a lot of them [quarterbacks that could run the formation] out there, with the great speed and quickness that can also throw the football. They're out there by the dozens. They're just playing different positions." In the same piece, Leach said, "Nobody has ever truly stopped the Wishbone. There's a point to where people have lost interest in the Wishbone. But nobody ever really successfully stopped it."

Athletes required
The Oklahoma playbook describes the quarterback, the architect behind the Wishbone, as, "a running back who can throw." They must also have an aptitude for the option and the decision making that lies within the play design as well as durability (cannot miss a practice).

The fullback is required to be able to handle a physical pounding because he is frequently hit without having the ball; he must also be quick with excellent stamina, and be a good blocker.

Running the wishbone offense

The wishbone was designed to run a triple-option with a lead blocker. The purpose of an option is to eliminate one defender without blocking him. Ideally, the defender must make a choice to eliminate one of two offensive players. This is a double option. This option offensive scheme forces a defender to choose one of two offensive players who can advance the ball and then allows the other offensive player to carry the ball, making whatever choice the defender made the "wrong" choice. Because of this aspect of the defensive player taking himself out of the play by his choice, the offensive player that would otherwise block that defensive player can now block a different defender, placing severe pressure on the defense to cover the dive, the quarterback run, the pitch or the pass to a receiver.

The triple-option, then, eliminates two defenders without blocking them. This frees two offensive linemen to block different defenders, usually inside defenders. This isolates the dive key and the pitch key for the QB to "read" and should leave only an outside support defender (usually a safety) and the cornerback to cover the End, who is running a deep pass route. As Pepper Rodgers and Homer Smith stated in "Installing Football's Wishbone T Offense", "To run a Triple Option with a lead blocker is the reason for the Wishbone formation." It is the "extra blocker" concept that drives the success of the wishbone and its derivatives. The cornerback must cover the outside receiver. The support/safety must support the run defense and (usually) covers the pitch back. The defensive end typically attacks the quarterback and a defensive tackle is assigned the fullback dive. These assignments must be made before the play begins and that totals eight defensive players to both sides of the ball.

As stated above, however, the offense now has linemen that can be released to block other defenders, usually inside. The play is designed to handle five defenders on either side of the ball. Thus, the defender least able to affect the play, the offside cornerback or deep safety, is not blocked by design. The offensive linemen, now free to block inside, can block the first down lineman to the playside and the first linebacker to the playside. Emory Bellard once said, "If the threat of the fullback can be applied to the defense, the offense is sound.". Then, the lead back principle takes over. The lead back can block the defensive end or the safety and there is then a one-on-none possibility for the offensive player with the ball. In order to stop this attack, the defense must defeat blocks or flow defenders to the playside.

This makes the wishbone a "complete" offense. The offense expects to get a one-on-none in the running game and a one-on-one in open space with the passing game. The safety, who must support the run and also defend against the pass, is under tremendous pressure in this attack. The basic wishbone triple option play accounts for every defender on the field. Every defender is threatened before the basic play begins. There is an invitation to overplay or compensate on the basic play and overplaying or making a misstep on the basic play leaves the defense open for counters that leave no one to make up for the mistake.

The wishbone has the quarterback taking the snap from under center, with a fullback close behind him, and two halfbacks (sometimes called tailbacks) further back, one slightly to the left, and the other slightly to the right. The alignment of the four backs makes an inverted Y, or “wishbone”, shape. There is typically one wide receiver and one tight end, but sometimes two wide receivers, or two tight ends.

The wishbone was designed to facilitate a running, option offense. It allows the quarterback to easily run the triple option to either side of the line. The quarterback first reads the defensive tackle or linebacker who is unblocked. As he reads the tackle/linebacker, he rides the ball in the fullback's gut. If the defensive tackle/linebacker looks to tackle the fullback the quarterback pulls the ball out and runs down the line to his next option read, usually the defensive end/outside linebacker. If the end/linebacker looks to tackle the quarterback, the ball is pitched to the trailing halfback. The lead halfback is a lead blocker usually looking to block the outside defensive player, a safety or corner. The tight end to the option side 'arc' releases to block the safety.

Teams using wishbone

 * 1968 Texas Longhorns [9–1–1]
 * 1969 Texas Longhorns [11–0] AP and UPI national champions
 * 1970 Texas Longhorns [11–1] UPI national champions
 * 1971 Alabama Crimson Tide [11–1]
 * 1971 Oklahoma Sooners [11–1] 4 players ran for over 625 yards
 * 1971 Texas Longhorns [8–3]
 * 1972 Alabama Crimson Tide [10–2]
 * 1972 Oklahoma Sooners [11–1] 8 players ran for over 240 yards
 * 1972 Purdue Boilermakers [6–5] Ran for 2,592 Yards
 * 1972 Texas Longhorns [10–1]
 * 1972 UCLA Bruins [8–3]
 * 1973 Alabama Crimson Tide [11–1] UPI national champions
 * 1973 Oklahoma Sooners [10–0–1] 3 players ran for over 880 yards
 * 1973 Purdue Boilermakers [5–6] Ran for 2,124 Yards
 * 1973 Texas Longhorns [8–3]
 * 1973 UCLA Bruins [9–2]
 * 1974 Army Black Knights [3–8]
 * 1974 Florida Gators [8–4] 4 players ran for over 398 yards
 * 1974 Oklahoma Sooners [11–0] AP national champions; 6 players ran for over 375 yards
 * 1974 Texas Longhorns [8–4]
 * 1974 Texas A&M Aggies [8–3]
 * 1975 Florida Gators [9–3] 5 players ran for over 244 yards
 * 1975 Kansas Jayhawks [7–5] defeated Oklahoma 23-3, the Sooners' first loss under coach Barry Switzer, who was 28-0-1 to that point
 * 1975 Oklahoma Sooners [11–1] AP and UPI national champions; 6 players ran for over 322 yards
 * 1975 Texas Longhorns [10–2]
 * 1975 Texas A&M Aggies [10–2]
 * 1976 Florida Gators [8–4] 6 players ran for over 233 yards
 * 1976 Holy Cross Crusaders [3–8]
 * 1976 Kansas Jayhawks [6–5]
 * 1976 Kentucky Wildcats [8–4] 4 players ran for over 504 yards
 * 1976 Oklahoma Sooners [9–2–1] 5 players ran for over 443 yards
 * 1976 Texas A&M Aggies [10–2]
 * 1977 Florida Gators [6–4–1] 4 players ran for over 353 yards
 * 1977 Holy Cross Crusaders [2–9]
 * 1977 Kansas Jayhawks [3–7–1]
 * 1977 Kentucky Wildcats [10–1] 5 players ran for over 338 yards
 * 1977 Oklahoma Sooners [10–2] 5 players ran for over 354 yards
 * 1977 Pennsylvania Quakers [5–4]
 * 1978 Oklahoma Sooners [11–1] 4 players ran for over 408 yards
 * 1979 Kentucky Wildcats [5–6] 3 players ran for over 460 yards
 * 1979 Mississippi State Bulldogs [3–8] 4 players ran for over 378 yards
 * 1979 Oklahoma Sooners [11–1] 4 players ran for over 358 yards
 * 1980 Mississippi State Bulldogs [9–3] 4 players ran for over 438 yards
 * 1980 Oklahoma Sooners [10–2] 7 players ran for over 292 yards
 * 1981 Air Force Falcons [4–7] 5 players ran for over 235 yards
 * 1981 Auburn Tigers [5–6] 3 players ran for over 442 yards
 * 1981 Mississippi State Bulldogs [8–4] 4 players ran for over 258 yards
 * 1981 Oklahoma Sooners [7–4–1] 3 players ran for over 442 yards
 * 1982 Air Force Falcons [8–5] 5 players ran for over 404 yards
 * 1982 Auburn Tigers [9–3] 4 players ran for over 284 yards
 * 1982 Mississippi State Bulldogs [5–6] 5 players ran for over 349 yards
 * 1982 Oklahoma Sooners [8–4] 4 players ran for over 621 yards
 * 1983 Air Force Falcons [10–2] 3 players ran for over 767 yards
 * 1983 Auburn Tigers [11–1] 3 players ran for over 604 yards
 * 1983 Mississippi State Bulldogs [3–8] 6 players ran for over 232 yards
 * 1983 Oklahoma Sooners [8–4] 4 players ran for over 369 yards
 * 1984 Air Force Falcons [8–4] 6 players ran for over 232 yards
 * 1984 Army Black Knights [8–3–1]
 * 1984 Auburn Tigers [9–4] 5 players ran for over 299 yards
 * 1984 Mississippi State Bulldogs [4–7] 6 players ran for over 234 yards
 * 1984 Oklahoma Sooners [9–2–1] 4 players ran for over 465 yards
 * 1985 Air Force Falcons [12–1] 4 players ran for over 492 yards
 * 1985 Army Black Knights [9–3]
 * 1985 Colorado Buffaloes [7–5] 5 players ran for over 269 yards
 * 1985 Oklahoma Sooners [11–1] 7 players ran for over 240 yards
 * 1985 Wyoming Cowboys [3–8]
 * 1986 Air Force Falcons [6–5] 4 players ran for over 275 yards
 * 1986 Army Black Knights [6–5]
 * 1986 Colorado Buffaloes [6–6] 4 players ran for over 224 yards
 * 1986 Oklahoma Sooners [11–1] 9 players ran for over 283 yards
 * 1987 Air Force Falcons [9–4] 6 players ran for over 384 yards
 * 1987 Army Black Knights [5–6]
 * 1987 Colorado Buffaloes [7–4] 6 players ran for over 332 yards
 * 1987 Michigan Wolverines [8–4]
 * 1987 Missouri Tigers [5–6] 3 players ran for over 552 yards
 * 1987 Navy Midshipmen [2–9]
 * 1987 Oklahoma Sooners [11–1] 6 players ran for over 683 yards
 * 1988 Air Force Falcons [5–7] 5 players ran for over 576 yards
 * 1988 Army Black Knights [9–3]
 * 1988 Colorado Buffaloes [8–4] 5 players ran for over 257 yards
 * 1988 Michigan Wolverines [9–2–1]
 * 1988 Missouri Tigers [3–7–1] 5 players ran for over 242 yards
 * 1988 Navy Midshipmen [3–8]
 * 1988 Oklahoma Sooners [9–3] 6 players ran for over 308 yards
 * 1989 Air Force Falcons [8–4–1] 3 players ran for over 703 yards
 * 1989 Army Black Knights [6–5]
 * 1989 Colorado Buffaloes [11–1] 6 players ran for over 213 yards
 * 1989 Michigan Wolverines [10–2]
 * 1989 Navy Midshipmen [3–8]
 * 1989 Oklahoma Sooners [7–4]
 * 1989 Yale Bulldogs [8–2]
 * 1990 Air Force Falcons [7–5] 5 players ran for over 228 yards
 * 1990 Army Black Knights [6–5]
 * 1990 Colorado Buffaloes [11–1–1] 4 players ran for over 325 yards
 * 1990 Oklahoma Sooners [8–3] 6 players ran for over 262 yards
 * 1990 Yale Bulldogs [6–4]
 * 1991 Air Force Falcons [10–3] 6 players ran for over 353 yards
 * 1991 Army Black Knights [4–7]
 * 1991 Colorado Buffaloes [8–3–1] 4 players ran for over 301 yards
 * 1991 Yale Bulldogs [6–4]
 * 1992 Air Force Falcons [7–5] 6 players ran for over 310 yards
 * 1992 Army Black Knights [5–6]
 * 1993 Air Force Falcons [4–8] 6 players ran for over 301 yards
 * 1993 Army Black Knights [6–5]
 * 1993 Oregon State Beavers [4–7] 5 players ran for over 338 yards
 * 1994 Air Force Falcons [8–4] 6 players ran for over 435 yards
 * 1994 Army Black Knights [4–7]
 * 1994 Oregon State Beavers [4–7] 5 players ran for over 295 yards
 * 1995 Army Black Knights [5–5–1]
 * 1995 Oregon State Beavers [1–10] 6 players ran for over 251 yards
 * 1996 Army Black Knights [10–2] 7 players ran for over 229 yards
 * 1996 Oregon State Beavers [2–9] 4 players ran for over 387 yards
 * 1997 Army Black Knights [4–7]
 * 1998 Army Black Knights [3–8]
 * 1999 Army Black Knights [3–8]
 * 2018 Army Black Knights [11–2]

title: Wishbone formation


text:
User:Norma Jones

Howdy! I enjoy this place and I am finally going to create a log-in name. No more anonymous editing for me.

Rise up Wikipedians! We shall gain the Earth.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: User:Norma Jones


text: User talk:68.41.67.57

title: User talk:68.41.67.57


text:
Talk:Cotabato City

Language
Do they speak Chavacano? What is the main language? Is there a distinct Cotabato language?--Jondel 02:10, 27 May 2005 (UTC)

Cotabato City split from where?
When did Cotabato City split from which province? Example, Isabela City split from Basilan. jlog3000 (talk) 21:15, 20 March 2008 (UTC)

There is a discussion regarding the removal of the word "city" from the article titles of Philippine cities. For city names which are not unique, disambiguation alternatives are also being presented. Formal request for page move may follow after a reasonable time of discussion. If you wish to participate, please post your comments here. --JinJian (talk) 05:15, 21 October 2010 (UTC)

External links modified
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Standardization
Hi, was this edit made in relation to WikiProject Cities or WikiProject Tambayan Philippines? Thanks, Dawnseeker2000  04:00, 2 February 2017 (UTC)
 * That edit was made in relation to the fact that all 1634 cities and municipalities in PH are standardized with the same map. Before changing that, I would like to see a discussion and consensus at Wikipedia talk:Tambayan Philippines. -- P 1 9 9 ✉ 14:30, 2 February 2017 (UTC)
 * Thanks, I'm all for standardization. Will comment there. Dawnseeker2000  14:58, 2 February 2017 (UTC)

NOTDIRECTORY / PROMO
Wikipedia is not a directory or a place for promotion. AHM22's edits have done nothing but add promotional content and/or violate WP:NOTDIRECTORY. — JJMC89  (T·C) 03:30, 16 May 2017 (UTC)
 * I agree with above. Your edits add nothing of value to the artcle, merely cruft which bloats the article- as well as reintroducing copyrighted material which is illegal! There is a dicussion concerning your editing at taking place here. Please, talk to us either here or there- but do not keep reverting. Thanks,  —  O Fortuna   semper crescis, aut decrescis  07:46, 16 May 2017 (UTC)

External links modified
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I have just modified one external link on Cotabato City. Please take a moment to review my edit. If you have any questions, or need the bot to ignore the links, or the page altogether, please visit this simple FaQ for additional information. I made the following changes:
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A Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for deletion
The following Wikimedia Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for deletion: Participate in the deletion discussion at the. —Community Tech bot (talk) 19:29, 5 September 2020 (UTC)
 * DavaoSkyline.jpg

A Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for deletion
The following Wikimedia Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for deletion: Participate in the deletion discussion at the nomination page. —Community Tech bot (talk) 19:08, 6 September 2020 (UTC)
 * Cotabato City Grand Mosque Bird eye view.jpg

Proposal to Semi-protect this Page
For quite some time, I've been noticing edits that were not encyclopedia in nature. It is being written like this page is for a tourist information. Hence, I would like to get an opinion if this page should be nominated to be semi-protected from unregistered accounts. Marwan_Khan (talk) 05:31, 16 February 2021 (UTC)

A Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for deletion
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 * Zamboanga City Skyline 2016.jpg

Language included on the local name of Cotabato City
Rlamundao (talk) 20:05, 1 January 2022 (UTC) Since one of the de facto official regional languages of BARMM is Arabic, it is better that having specific languages [i.e. Maguindanaon and Iranun] on giving local name on the article about Cotabato should not included. Why? Cotabato City is the regional center of BARMM as it already mentioned on that article.

 * Then how about Tagalog it's also one of the official languages in the region?, It would be better to make the official regional languages be neutral among Bangsamoro tribe. Tbh Bisaya majority areas are even more worse because everything in their city is in their language without even thinking about the minority languages... Bangsataw (talk) 07:51, 25 June 2022 (UTC)

And then, BARMM has different ethnicities. Hence, it would be unfair to different ethnicities in Bangsamoro if non-Maguindanaons and non-Iranun speakers read that article that has local name in Maguindanaon and Iranun Language. To make the local name on this article simple, better if the language use is English, Tagalog [Filipino], and Arabic, since they are recognized on the 1987 Philippine Constitution as one of official and/or auxiliary official languages.

The effect on it is that, non-Maguindanaon and non-Iranun-speaking readers who live in BARMM will not unfair to them if they read the article about Cotabato City since the language used in local name is not exclusive to a specific group. Hence, that article must avoid any ethnocentrism. So that, I have a plan to put the other languages local name of that article with the languages of English, Filipino, and Arabic.

A Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for speedy deletion
The following Wikimedia Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for speedy deletion: You can see the reason for deletion at the file description page linked above. —Community Tech bot (talk) 12:51, 18 June 2022 (UTC)
 * Grand Mosque of Cotabato.jpg

 * how did it even violate the copyrights??? Bangsataw (talk) 07:48, 25 June 2022 (UTC)

Historical Claims About Cotabato City During Sultanate of Maguindanao
"By 1515, after a successful Islamic colonization in Sulu, Muslim traders went to Maguindanao and converted many of the natives to Islam. Those that did not accept the arrival of the Muslims went into higher ground or the interior of the island and became the Teduray, as well as other lumad groups. During the same year, the Sultanate of Maguindanao was formally established, with Kuta Watu as its capital, and ruled a vast territory in Mindanao from until its total collapse in 1898."

My question right now is that where are the historical proofs that Cotabato City separated to Sultanate of Maguindanao? The phrase on above has no citation. Remember, making historical claims is sensitive and it should have backed with proofs and evidences. Rlamundao (talk) 07:36, 11 March 2023 (UTC)

title: Talk:Cotabato City


text:
User talk:JarlaxIeArtemis

Not an impostor. I created this to prevent impostors. ‡  Jarlaxle   23:16, July 29, 2005 (UTC)

title: User talk:JarlaxIeArtemis


text:
Falooda

A falooda is a Mughalai cold dessert made with vermicelli. It has origins in the Persian dish faloodeh, variants of which are found across West, Central, South and Southeast Asia. Traditionally it is made by mixing rose syrup, vermicelli, and sweet basil seeds with milk, often served with ice cream. The vermicelli used for preparing falooda is made from wheat, arrowroot, cornstarch, or sago.

History
The origin of falooda goes back to Iran (Persia), where a similar dessert, faloodeh, is still popular. The dessert came to late Medieval India with the many Central Asian dynasties that invaded and settled in South Asia in the 16th to 18th century. The present form of falooda was developed in the Mughal Empire and spread with its conquests. The Persianate rulers who succeeded from the Mughals patronized the dessert with their own adaptations, specifically in Hyderabad Deccan and the Carnatic areas of present-day India. This beverage is now a part of Pakistani cuisine, Burmese cuisine, Indian cuisine, Bangladeshi cuisine and Sri Lankan cuisine and is served on weddings and other occasions. In Sri Lanka, Falooda (ෆලුඩා / ஃபலூடா) is often consumed as a popular dairy refereshment.

Metaphorical references
In idiomatic Hindustani, is sometimes used as a reference to something that has been shredded, which is an allusion to the vermicelli noodles. For example, someone who falls into disrepute might say that his or her has been turned to  (इज़्ज़त का फ़ालूदा, izzat ka faluda), which is roughly equivalent to saying "my reputation is shot".

Variants

 * Some Indian versions consist of translucent wheat-starch noodles, and flavoured syrup.
 * In Myanmar, phaluda (ဖာလူဒါ) is made with basil seeds, grass jelly, egg pudding, vanilla ice cream, sweetened milk and rose syrup. More elaborate versions also incorporate sago, rice noodles, fruit jelly, and chopped fruit.
 * In southern Bangladesh, falooda is made with pandan extract, pistachios, sago pearls, creamed coconut, mango, milk and vermicelli, and may even include strong black tea.
 * Malaysia and Singapore have a similar drink called bandung.
 * Thailand has a similar drink, nam maenglak (น้ำแมงลัก), which is made with lemon basil seeds, shredded jelly, tapioca pearls, and Job's tears mixed with sugar, water, and rose water.
 * The Iraqi Kurds make a version with thicker vermicelli.
 * The Mauritian version is called alouda.
 * A variant of known as a "Bombay crush" is popular amongst South African Indians.
 * In Guyana, a solid gelatin-like version is made with condensed milk.

title: Falooda


text:
Jules Beni

Jules Beni (died 1861) was a western outlaw who robbed stagecoaches in the Colorado Territory.

Beni was involved in illegal activities linked to his trading post near Lodgepole Creek, Colorado, which was called by one Eastern journalist the "wickedest city on the plains." By the end of the decade the city had grown rapidly with the addition of a stagecoach station, which was eventually named Julesburg by the townspeople in honor of Beni.

However upon Beni's appointment as manager of the station the stagecoach lines were robbed constantly. As the gang usually targeted specific stages carrying money and other valuable cargo, Beni soon was suspected of involvement and eventually replaced by gunman Jack Slade. Beni's involvement, which by then was obvious, led to arguments between Beni and Slade, eventually leading to a gunfight between the two, as Beni ambushed Slade severely wounding him with a shotgun blast. Slade recovered from his wounds however and Beni, who was arrested and awaiting trial, was released after promising to leave the city. Beni returned a year later where he was killed by Slade, who by his account claimed Beni had made another attempt on his life, and left him tied to a fence post, shot several times and his ears cut off. Slade was said to have kept the ears as souvenirs, using one of the ears as a watch fob and selling the other for drinking money.

Paul Newlan played Beni, and Gregg Palmer portrayed Slade in a 1955 episode of the syndicated television series Stories of the Century, starring and narrated by Jim Davis. Elaine Riley appeared as Slade's wife, Maria Virginia.

title: Jules Beni


text:
Strep

Strep may refer to:

 * Streptococcus, a genus of bacteria
 * Streptococcal pharyngitis, an infectious disease commonly called "strep throat"
 * Streptocarpus, a genus of flowering plants
 * Streptomycin, an antibiotic
 * Specific Targeted Research Project (STReP), a type of medium-sized research project funded by the European Commission

title: Strep


text: User:JarIaxleArtemis

title: User:JarIaxleArtemis


text:
User talk:JarIaxleArtemis

Not an impostor. I created this to prevent impostors. ‡  Jarlaxle   23:14, July 29, 2005 (UTC)

title: User talk:JarIaxleArtemis


text:
Hardcore Homecoming

Hardcore Homecoming was a series of professional wrestling events which were advertised as a reunion of talent from the defunct Extreme Championship Wrestling promotion. The tour was booked and promoted by Cody Michaels, Shane Douglas (a former ECW World Heavyweight Champion) and Jeremy Borash in 2005. The event footage was released on DVD with a companion documentary of ECW's history called Forever Hardcore.

History
The inaugural Hardcore Homecoming event was held from 8:00pm to 11:55pm on June 10, 2005, at the Alhambra Arena, formerly known unofficially as the ECW Arena, in South Philadelphia; this was two days before the WWE produced/promoted ECW One Night Stand 2005 reunion show in New York City. The show was preceded by a fan tailgate party in front of the former ECW Arena, with several wrestlers in attendance. This was reminiscent of territorial wrestling in the 1980s, when many independent promotions would hold barbecues before and after the event.

No former ECW performers under contract to WWE appeared at the event (nor would they appear at any of the other three Hardcore Homecoming events which soon followed). However, Mick Foley, a retired worker who wasn't under contract to WWE at the time, made an unannounced appearance. Former ECW ring announcers Bob Artese (referred to in the DVD's on-screen graphics as "Bob Ortiz") and Stephen DeAngelis worked the event, as did former ECW referees John Finnegan, Mike Kehner and John "Pee Wee" Moore and former ECW timekeeper Rocco Musciano.

Following the success of the inaugural event, Hardcore Homecoming launched an "Extreme Reunion Tour" in the month of September. Originally, the tour was to consist of three shows, but the September 17 show in Buffalo was canceled just days before the tour began; it is believed that the promoter was unaware that he needed a promoter's license to run a show in New York. However, the tour did continue with two shows, and it would return to Philadelphia on November 5 (billed as November Reign) for what Tod Gordon has said will stand as the final Hardcore Homecoming show. However, at an ECW reunion convention, Douglas announced that Hardcore Homecoming would return, first with a 'November to Remember' card in 2009 which would later be renamed Legends of the Arena and took place on June 27, 2009.

An Extreme Reunion

 * June 10, 2005, from the former ECW Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

 * Tod Gordon and Hat Guy are introduced to the crowd
 * Introduction: Joey Styles, Joel Gertner and Cyrus

Results

 * Also: Tribute to the Fallen Heroes of Hardcore: Johnny Grunge (former tag team partner of Rocco Rock), Pitbull #1 (former tag team partner of Pitbull #2) and Tammy Lynn Sytch (widow of Chris Candido) deliver a eulogy. They are interrupted by Danny Doring and Roadkill, who are then chokeslammed by 911)''
 * Note: There was no referee. This match was originally supposed to be The Eliminators vs. The Bad Breed, but Perry Saturn was injured.

Extreme Reunion Tour - Night 1

 * September 16, 2005, from the Agora Theatre in Cleveland, Ohio

Extreme Reunion Tour - Night 2

 * September 17, 2005, from the Golden Dome in Monaca, Pennsylvania

November Reign

 * November 5, 2005, from the former ECW Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Results

 * Also: Tod Gordon inducted Terry Funk into the Hardcore Hall of Fame.
 * This match was not featured on DVD due to copyright reasons due to the Dudleys joining TNA.

Forever Hardcore documentary
Forever Hardcore was a professional wrestling documentary that interviewed wrestlers who participated in the June 10, 2005 Hardcore Homecoming show. It was produced by Big Vision Entertainment and former TNA booker Jeremy Borash, and was released on June 10, 2005 to coincide with the show. The documentary was designed to be a counterpoint to the WWE produced documentary The Rise and Fall of ECW.

The documentary featured interviews with ECW alumni such as Shane Douglas, Sandman, Raven and Jerry Lynn, wrestlers who contributed to the history of ECW but who were not featured on The Rise and Fall of ECW because they weren't under contract to WWE. It also featured ECW alumnus Sabu in what was at the time a rare speaking role as well as former WWF and WCW writer Vince Russo who gave an outside perspective. The documentary features New Jack admitting to attempting to kill Vic Grimes in the rematch to their notorious scaffold match.

The two-disc set also included bonus matches from former ECW wrestlers who competed in the now-defunct XPW. It was also released on April 30, 2007 for sale in Europe on region 2 DVD.

Home video
Unlike One Night Stand 2005, the June 10, 2005 Hardcore Homecoming event was not broadcast on pay-per-view. A two-disc DVD set of the show was released in August 2005 through the promotion's website, and Big Vision Entertainment later released a "Platinum Edition" of the event commercially, coinciding with the commercial release of Forever Hardcore. The broadcast was released in Europe on Region 2 DVD on April 30, 2007. Joey Styles was present at the event and provided play-by-play for the DVD release.

The second (and final) Philadelphia show from November 2005 was released in early 2006, with a Platinum Edition of it released by Big Vision Entertainment in May 2006. Buck Woodward and Eric Gargiulo were both present at the November 5, 2005 event and provided play-by-play and color commentary for the show's webcast and DVD release. The Platinum Edition does not feature the Sabu/Funk vs. Team 3D match, as Team 3D's contract with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling prohibits them from appearing on non-TNA video releases. However, the Platinum Edition does feature many bonus matches from independent shows in the early 1990s, XPW and matches from the second show on Hardcore Homecoming's reunion tour. A bootleg edition of this event featuring the Sabu/Funk vs. Team 3D match can be purchased from RF Video and Highspots.com.

Footage of both shows from the Reunion tour were released later in 2005, as the entire Cleveland show was released through the promotion's website, as well as through former ECW videographer RF Video. Despite being advertised for future release, the Monaca show has yet to be released in its entirety. However, 4 of the 6 matches from the show were released as bonus features on the commercially released 'November Reign' DVD, with the Dog-Collar and Stairway to Hell matches being omitted from inclusion.

title: Hardcore Homecoming


text: User:JarIaxIeArtemis~enwiki

title: User:JarIaxIeArtemis~enwiki


text:
User talk:JarIaxIeArtemis~enwiki

Not an impostor. I created this to prevent impostors. ‡  Jarlaxle   23:15, July 29, 2005 (UTC)

Your account will be renamed
Hello,

The developer team at Wikimedia is making some changes to how accounts work, as part of our on-going efforts to provide new and better tools for our users like cross-wiki notifications. These changes will mean you have the same account name everywhere. This will let us give you new features that will help you edit and discuss better, and allow more flexible user permissions for tools. One of the side-effects of this is that user accounts will now have to be unique across all 900 Wikimedia wikis. See the announcement for more information.

Unfortunately, your account clashes with another account also called JarIaxIeArtemis. To make sure that both of you can use all Wikimedia projects in future, we have reserved the name JarIaxIeArtemis~enwiki that only you will have. If you like it, you don't have to do anything. If you do not like it, you can pick out a different name. If you think you might own all of the accounts with this name and this message is in error, please visit Special:MergeAccount to check and attach all of your accounts to prevent them from being renamed.

Your account will still work as before, and you will be credited for all your edits made so far, but you will have to use the new account name when you log in.

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Yours, Keegan Peterzell Community Liaison, Wikimedia Foundation 00:48, 20 March 2015 (UTC)

Renamed
 This account has been renamed as part of single-user login finalisation. If you own this account you can |log in using your previous username and password for more information. If you do not like this account's new name, you can choose your own using this form after logging in: . -- Keegan (WMF) (talk) 14:15, 22 April 2015 (UTC)

title: User talk:JarIaxIeArtemis~enwiki


text:
Bodger & Badger

Bodger & Badger is a BBC children's comedy programme written by Andy Cunningham, first broadcast in 1989. It starred Cunningham as handyman Simon Bodger and his four-year-old talking badger companion. The programme was spawned from some appearances the double act made in 1988 as part of the Saturday morning BBC1 children's programme On the Waterfront.

Plot
The programme followed the exploits of Simon Bodger and his puppet companion, Badger, a four-year-old badly-behaved but friendly and cheerful badger with a proclivity for mashed potato and huge mess. The first four series focused on Bodger's jobs as a handyman and his attempts to hide Badger from his superiors. Series 1 was set at Troff's Nosherama, a café where Bodger worked as a cook. Series 2 and 3 were set at Letsby Avenue Junior School. Series 4 was set at Chessington World of Adventures, a real theme park in Surrey.

From series 5, the character Mousey was introduced, a six-(five in her debut)-year-old puppet mouse with a fondness for cheese. The show was now set at Bodger's rented home and later his B&B hotel. Series 5-7 rarely mentioned Bodger's employment, suggesting he was now unemployed. The later series still focused on Bodger's attempts to hide Badger from figures of authority, his landlady from Series 6-7 and the tourist information officer in series 9. These later episodes increased the slapstick humour with prominent comic sound effects and incidental music.

Theme song
The programme had a memorable theme song sung by children. The music was composed by Peter Gosling and the lyrics written by Andy Cunningham. Various edits of the song were used over the years, with the full version used on the end credits of some episodes from 1989 to 1991.

Main characters

 * Simon Bodger (Andy Cunningham) - Simon Bodger is a handyman who has had various jobs throughout the series. However he is of a nervous disposition which causes him to be clumsy, make silly mistakes (including many misunderstandings) and from the trouble that comes from Badger's antics, he repeatedly keeps getting sacked. In the first series he was working as a cook for Troff's Nosherama. He got sacked after Badger accidentally revealed himself to praise Mr Troff for giving Simon the job of chef. In the second and third series he was a caretaker at the Letsby Avenue Junior School. This is not far from Troffs' Nosherama, as the Letsby Avenue football team are referenced in the first episode of series one. In the fourth series he was a handyman and zookeeper at Chessington World of Adventures. In the fifth, sixth and seventh series he was seemingly unemployed and renting a flat, occasionally working as a casual handyman to his landlady, Mrs Dribelle. In the eighth and ninth series he was temporary manager of a Bed and Breakfast while a relative who owned it went on a round-the-world trip. All businesses Bodger worked for are, of course, fictional except for Chessington World of Adventures. Badger is his anthropomorphic talking pet and best friend, although all the trouble that Bodger ends up in is usually down to Badger. Regular gags usually involve Badger covering Bodger in mashed potato or some other messy substance, either intentionally or accidentally.
 * Badger (voiced by Andy Cunningham, operated by Andy Cunningham + others) - Badger is named after what he is - a badger (although he often responds to being called "Badge"). He is anthropomorphic - he has the ability to talk (with a South London accent) and wears smaller versions of human clothes (including his trademark red beret and red and white patterned neckerchief) and is obsessed with mashed potato, which he likes to play with as well as eat. Because he has a low, booming voice, his laugh sounds like that of the boxer Frank Bruno. He gets Simon into trouble much of the time by playing around with mashed potato because some of the characters do not know about Badger, so instead Simon gets the blame for Badger's mishaps. It is Badger's continual childlike inability to behave himself that gets him into trouble with Simon, with Simon having not only to take the blame for many of Badger's antics, but also to try and keep Badger's existence a secret. Nevertheless, Badger is still a very good friend to Simon and tries to help him out in every way he can, although Badger usually misunderstands a situation or can take things literally. Despite this, however, Badger still exhibits the natural instincts of a badger. For example, he will eat various items that he isn't supposed to in situations when it isn't helpful. On two occasions he has eaten smashed up cake at completely inappropriate times and on another he ate a biro pen when Bodger got one out to fill out a job application form. He can also run very fast (badgers can run up to 19 mph) and can frequently be heard scuttling away from any given situation or location. He has many catchphrases (mostly South Londoner and Cockney slang, although he never uses rhyming slang) including (but not limited to): shouting "MASHED POTATO" when he comes across his favourite food and using the word "wotcha" when greeting someone. He will also use hippy slang when expressing admiration for something, using expressions such as "far out!", "cosmic!" and "groovy!". When expressing an emotion he frequently follows the word (sometimes slang expressions) for said emotion with "potatoes", e.g. "soppy potatoes" or "sad potatoes" and he is frequently heard singing the words "mashed potato" to the melody of football chant Here We Go, e.g. "Maaaaashed po-tay, mashed potay, mashed potay-ay-ay, mashed potay, mashed potay, mashed potayyyy-to".

It is not known for certain how Bodger originally met Badger although the opening titles for the first three series suggest that they met when Bodger was purchasing a ticket to make a journey on a London Underground train and Badger (when a fully grown adult Badger) stole the ticket, only to meet him again on the train. In this sequence, Bodger first expresses dismissal of the event only to look puzzled by what has just happened a moment later. A later episode (after those titles stopped being used), however, suggests that Simon Bodger started looking after Badger when he was a badger cub, but it is possible that Badger's age is 4 years old.

There were several different Badger puppets used throughout the series - all looked very similar bar their ear sizes and the width of the two stripes down Badger's face and snout. The distance between Badger's eyes also varied throughout the show's run and the beret on the series one Badger puppet wasn't very flexible. In all other series it had more flexibility so it could swing round as Badger moved and talked. Badger's clothes changed regularly, but this was designed as a feature of the puppets. The puppet's eyes themselves also changed - always googly eyes around two to three inches in diameter with pupils varying in size but around an inch in diameter. On some puppets the pupils could reach the bottoms of the eyes, in others, the pupils swing about in a "cradle" in the middle of the eyes.
 * Mousey (voiced and operated by Jane Bassett) - Mousey is an anthropomorphic talking mouse who lives under the floorboards of the flat that Bodger rents from Series 5–7. She and Badger are great friends, both constantly getting up to mischief. Mousey also has a favourite food it is apparent she is addicted to, namely cheese (although in real life mice aren't as fond of cheese as is commonly believed). Mousey's presence is only known by Bodger in the first and ninth episodes of Series 5 when he sets traps to try to catch her and tries to borrow a cat to get rid of her. After Badger makes friends with Mousey, he deceives Simon into believing Mousey has gone from the house. When Bodger and Badger move to Puddleford to run their hotel in Series 8, Mousey moves with them and takes up residence in the airing cupboard rather than under the floorboards. Even though Badger is known to several of the human characters, Mousey is kept a secret from everyone, although Mrs Dribelle spots her on two occasions in Bodger's flat and Mrs Melly on one occasion when she tries to capture her while she is disguised as a rare bird (this being in order to fool Miss Piper, a birdwatcher staying at Bodger's hotel). Mousey appears to be a fan of royalty, especially in the episode "Mrs. Dribelle and The Queen" where she thinks she's going to live in Buckingham Palace with the Queen, unaware that it is actually Mrs. Dribelle in disguise. When Mousey speaks, it is clear Badger understands her perfectly, however in episode 1 of series 5 it is implied Bodger can only interpret her language as the normal squeaking of a field mouse or house mouse. Jane also appeared on-screen throughout series 5 to 7 as various different minor supporting characters before landing a regular character role in the programme in series 8 and 9 as Bodger's local milkwoman Millie. Mousey was a smaller character than Badger, but still needed her mouth and both front legs to move (although the puppet's mouth movements were limited). This limited the minimum size she could be made to, as only a hand would fit inside her and be able to operate all three things. The size of the puppet in comparison to a real mouse has no effect on the scenes she is in, however. A puppet of the bottom half of Mousey, made to the same scale was also made for occasions where Mousey's rear end was to be seen, although this was very rare. Like the other puppets in the programme, she has googly eyes. Although mice can run very fast in real life, the limitations of the puppet ( - or rather, puppets, the character being played by two glove puppets - one for each end) mean that she is often seen on screen struggling to move slowly across floors on all fours (moving fast running the risk of the operator's hand being seen), yet can move perfectly well when not on all fours (usually either under the floorboards, next to a surface such as a table or in her airing cupboard). It is possible that Mousey's age is 5 years old in her debut and she turns 6 for the rest of the series.

Series 1

 * Mr Hector Troff (Roger Walker) - The arrogant and tight-fisted owner of the restaurant in Series 1. He has no knowledge of Badger's presence (although he keeps glimpsing him but putting it down to his over-active imagination) until the final episode of the series. His character is based on that of Arkwright from Open All Hours - there are several similarities between the two characters, mainly a desire to improve their respective businesses while wanting to spend as little money as possible in doing so.
 * Mavis (Joanne Campbell) - An out-of-work singer who worked as a waitress at the restaurant with Bodger and was friendly with both Bodger and Badger. She returned, having made her fame and fortune in the singing profession, for one episode during Series 2 when she visited Bodger and Badger at Letsby Avenue Junior School.

Series 2 and 3

 * Mrs Daphne Trout (Lila Kaye) - The cruel and overweight Headmistress of Letsby Avenue Junior School, where Bodger worked in Series 2 and 3. She was referred to as 'Fish-face' by Badger and the school children. She enjoyed insulting Bodger and Miss Moon, being nasty to the children and going down the cake shop. She was sent back to Teacher Training College by Chairman of the School Board of Governors Mr Valentino after she tried to get Miss Moon sacked in the third series and also for being unable to read. It is revealed in the episode following her departure that she became the new Chair of the School Board of Governors. She appeared briefly in the final episode of Series 3 in a flashback to when she was still Headmistress, when she messed up the class photograph as her weight caused the bench to collapse.
 * Miss Geraldine Moon (Selina Cadell) - The warm-hearted but dim-witted Deputy Head of Letsby Avenue Junior School throughout Series 2 and 3. She was friendly with Bodger, but not enough for him to let her know about Badger. She was briefly the acting Headmistress after Mrs Trout was sent back to Teacher Training School, but returned to her old post when Mrs Bogart took over as Headmistress. As a teacher she was incompetent - she never made the children do any work and just let them play games all day when she was acting Headmistress. She repeatedly sees Badger, but soon passes it off as overwork or some other stress-related mental health issue when she experiences other things that can't be explained (usually caused by Badger).
 * Mr Valentino (Rudolph Walker) - Chairman of the School Board of Governors of Letsby Avenue Junior School, who appeared in two episodes in Series 3. He sends Mrs Trout away to retrain as a teacher after he realises she is an incompetent Headmistress.
 * Mrs Prunella Bogart (Richenda Carey) - The elegantly dressed, nasty-tempered Headmistress who replaced Mrs Trout in Series 3. She is Mrs Trout's sister and she brought along her spoiled nephew, Eamon, who wanted to replace Bodger as the school handyman. Like Mrs Trout, she is lazy and prefers to delegate as much of her work as possible to Miss Moon (who is frequently too kind and cowardly to stand up for herself), despite the fact that she is the Headmistress, and spends most of her time in her office eating chocolate, confiscating the children's chocolate, or at the chocolate shop. She is nicknamed 'Mrs Bogey' by Badger and is always looking for ways to make quick money. In many ways, she is similar personality-wise to her sister Mrs Trout.
 * Eamon Trout (Philip Herbert) - Mrs Trout's spoiled son, and therefore Mrs Bogart's nephew. He wanted Mrs Bogart to fire Bodger so he could be the school handyman, but he was quickly scared away by Badger and the children.

Series 4

 * Mr Lionel Beasley (Jon Glover) - Bodger's superior at Chessington World of Adventures in Series 4. He tries to imply he is an educated professional, and excellent at his job. He knows of Badger's presence at the park and is constantly trying to catch him, although he does not know he is Bodger's pet. He is nicknamed 'Measly Beasley' because of his unfriendly, strict and pompous attitude.
 * Holly (Sophie Worters) - A friendly girl who spends a lot of time at Chessington in Series 4. She is good friends with both Bodger and Badger and dislikes Mr Beasley just as much as they do.

Series 5, 6 and 7

 * "Boss" & Courtney (Penelope Nice and Ashley Artus) - Two villainous thieves who attempt to burgle Bodger's flat in Series 5. Posing as two council officers upgrading home security, they try to steal a valuable Ancient Egyptian statue which belongs to Bodger's aunt. They fail, thanks to Badger who tricks the dim-witted Courtney into believing that it is a cursed statue that throws 'Ancient Egyptian mashed potato' if tampered with.
 * Mrs Cecilia Dribelle (Carol MacReady) - The extravagantly dressed businesswoman from whom Bodger rents his flat in Series 6 and 7. She has a distinct dislike for animals (apart from cats) and forbids her tenants from keeping pets, resulting in Bodger having to constantly hide Badger whenever she visits. She dislikes Bodger intensely and tries everything she can think of to evict him, she also expressed a dislike for pop music in one episode. She is fond of cakes and biscuits, and likes to profit from silly ideas. She is nicknamed 'Mrs Dribble' and 'Dribbly Bibbly' by Badger. She drives around in a car which varied in different episodes with the registration plate 'DRIB 1' and has a cat called Fluffykins. In her early episodes she is made aware of Badger's presence by her sidekick, Elton, but never actually sees him as Elton's plans to catch Badger always fail. She eventually decides that Elton is imagining Badger. However, she has spotted Badger herself on several occasions - in one episode she saw Badger when she got knocked out, mistakenly thinking that Badger was her pet cat Fluffykins. Another was when Fluffykins had disappeared and Badger was inside the cat box pretending to be Fluffykins. Another time was when Badger was hiding behind a picture frame which Mrs Dribelle thought was a picture of a Badger. After spending the majority of Series 6 trying to find ways to evict Bodger, Mrs Dribelle later employs him as her handyman in Series 7. Later on she allowed her niece, Vicky, to stay in the first floor flat above Bodger's after she evicted Alec Smart. After Vicky left to go touring with a band, Mrs Dribelle temporarily moved into the vacant flat while her house was being decorated.
 * Elton (Joe Cushley) - Mrs Dribelle's dim-witted sidekick. He is a hardman who always wears a woolly hat with badges and a denim jacket. He knows that Bodger has a badger in the flat after Badger hits him on the head with a frying pan. He is incredibly stupid and is always trying to prove to Mrs Dribelle that there is a badger in the flat by all means possible, but he never succeeds. In one episode he dressed up as Mrs Dribelle's mother to trick Simon into believing Mrs Dribelle had nowhere to live, so that she could get Simon to move out of the flat. However Badger, who could see Elton's underpants underneath his skirt, knew it was Elton so he tried to show Simon the underpants. First he pulled the lever when Elton was sitting on the bed which made the bed go back, but it still did not work so Badger thought of another way to show Simon the underpants by turning the vacuum cleaner on, which sucked up the skirt Elton was wearing. Simon then saw the underpants and realised it was Elton. Even though Mrs Dribelle features in Series 7, Elton did not feature after Series 6. He was last seen in the episode 'Badger's Party' where he was attacked by children who were St John Badger Scouts.
 *  Daphne  (Jane Bassett) - A friend of Mrs Dribelle's, who appears in the Series 7 episode 'Cuckoo'. After Simon sells Mrs Dribelle an old Grandfather Clock (which is also a cuckoo clock) for £50, she tries to sell it to Daphne - who is an antiques dealer - for £500. At first Daphne does not believe her when she is told that is a "Grandfather Cuckoo Clock" - however when Mousey, disguised as a cuckoo, comes out of the clock and squirts mashed potato on Mrs Dribelle, Daphne starts to laugh at Mrs Dribelle, telling her that she is the one that's cuckoo if she thinks she's going to pay £500 for the clock. Mrs Dribelle gets angry and shoves a pie in her face - the two ladies then have a food fight.
 * Alec Smart (Ricky Diamond) - The sly and untrustworthy tenant who moves into the flat above Bodger's in Series 7. He was always thinking up schemes to make money, often tricking Mrs Dribelle and Bodger in the process. He sucks up to Mrs Dribelle while secretly trying to scam her. In the episode 'Mrs Dribelle's Big Day' he asks her to marry him, with the intention of getting his hands on her money. After Mrs Dribelle discovers his plan, she throws him out of the flat. A year later when Bodger and Badger move to Puddleford at the beginning of Series 8 to run a hotel, they are horrified to discover that Mr Smart is their next door neighbour once again. He is also running a hotel, but never seems to have any guests and is always trying to steal Bodger's or trying to outshine his rival in every despicable way possible. He was last seen in the episode 'Doggone' when he kidnapped China the dog in order to obtain a reward for finding him. As he is not seen or mentioned again in the series, it is assumed that he moved away from Puddleford.
 * Vicky (Sally Ann Marsh) - Mrs Dribelle's niece. She was supposed to have been an accountant, but Vicky had dreams of being part of a band. She moves into the upstairs flat after Alec Smart is thrown out. She is supposed to work for her auntie, but she is always secretly auditioning for jobs as a drummer. She hides her drum kit in the bath when Mrs Dribelle visits as she disapproves of it. Vicky and Badger got on very well as they both love mashed potato. She ended up going on tour with a travelling band as a drummer. Vicky only appeared in Series 7.
 * Luigi - An Italian badger who travelled from Italy and stayed at Bodger and Badger's flat during Series 7 (the puppet design for this was very similar to Badger's). He had several arguments with Badger over which was the better food - spaghetti or mashed potato. At first Bodger did not know about Luigi's presence. After he found out about Luigi, Bodger allowed him to stay at the flat a while. Luigi only appeared in one episode. This meant use was made of the programme's requirement to have more than one Badger puppet at a time, should one get damaged in a stunt and be out of action for some time being repaired. A small blue trilby hat was wedged over the spare puppet's red beret and the clothes were changed (as all the Badger puppets were designed to be).

Series 8 and 9

 * Millie (Jane Bassett) - A milkwoman in Puddleford who is a friend of Bodger and Badger in Series 8 and 9. She helps out Bodger and Badger on numerous occasions, mainly allowing use of her milk float to carry customers around, such as picking Mr Wilson up from the station. She shares their dislike of Mr Smart and Mrs Melly. She owns a dog named China, who is friends with Badger.
 * China - A dog originally owned by the Hutchins family in Series 8 but later belongs to Millie in Series 9. It is unknown how he became Millie's pet or why he is no longer with the Hutchins. He worked with Badger and Mousey to cause chaos with mashed potato around Puddleford. He likes annoying Mrs Melly by barking loudly outside her office. Of the three puppets used in the series, China is the first that puppeteer Andy Cunningham got, claiming to have bought him at a magician's show in Brighton in the 1970s. He is a "Benji the Adorable Puppy" puppet, whom Andy christened "China" following Cockney rhyming slang ("China" being short for "china plate", meaning "mate"). However, of the three that were used on the series, China was the only one purchased ready-made - all versions of Badger and Mousey were made for Andy Cunningham by a personal friend of his. Before Bodger and Badger, Andy used China in children's party acts he used to perform in the London area, while another puppet he owned (also made for him by the same person who made the Badger and Mousey puppets), a foul-mouthed talking rat called Magritte (which never appeared in the series) would be used for entertaining at events where a more adult audience was in attendance. Again, China (and Magritte) used googly eyes.
 * Miss Prunella Peake (Valerie Minifie) - One of Bodger's first hotel guests in Series 8. She was bad-tempered and miserable and was rather rude and quite threatening to Bodger. She also was nicknamed 'Old Peaky' by Badger. She leaves his hotel in disgust after finding mashed potato in her bed and is immediately pounced on by Mr Smart, who tries to seduce her into staying at his hotel instead. She soon sees through him, however, and returns to Bodger's hotel. She later becomes obsessed with the legend of the lost pirate treasure, and along with Mr Smart, ends up digging up half of Puddleford beach trying to find it. On her final day in Puddleford she enters a fancy dress competition with Bodger and wins thanks to Badger and Mousey.
 * Mr Tucknott (Bill Thomas) - A bank manager who stayed in Bodger's hotel in Series 8. He is quite cheerful but appears to be long-suffering and quite nervous about his job, and becomes particularly worried when trying to write a speech in the episode 'Mashy Record Breakers'.
 * Mrs Bobbins (Jo Warne) - Stayed in Bodger's hotel in Series 8 at the same time as Mr Tucknott. She is very bubbly and appears to like Bodger, but is not aware of Badger's presence, even in the episode 'Big Bear' when Badger poses as a large teddy bear which she bought for her granddaughter and she tries to wrap him up in wrapping paper.
 * Mrs Sharona Melly (Carole Boyd) - The bossy, bad-tempered Tourist Information officer from Series 9. She was also nicknamed 'Mrs Smelly' and 'Smelly Melly', due to her forename beginning with 'S', and appearing as 'Mrs S Melly'. She is highly suspicious of Bodger and believes that he is hiding something in his hotel, although she never actually finds out about Badger. She refuses to recommend Bodger's hotel to tourists because he accidentally covered her in mashed potato when she visited his B & B. She dislikes people having fun on the beach outside her office and will do anything to prevent it. She has a lot of trouble with China the dog, who is always hanging around her office. She often looks for quick ways to make money, such as when she attempts to catch a valuable bird and charge people to see it, and when she believes Bodger has won the lottery she buys him lunch and starts being nice to him in the hope that he will share some of his winnings with her.
 * Miss Piper (Hilda Braid) - A short-sighted birdwatcher who featured in only one episode. She stayed in Bodger's hotel in Series 9 while trying to spot a rare and valuable bird on the cliffs above Puddleford. However, she makes the mistake of telling Mrs Melly about it, who tries to catch it to make some quick money.
 * Mr Malcolm Wilson (Matthew Woolcott) - A trainee bank manager who stayed in Bodger's hotel in Series 9. Like most of the characters, he too despises mashed potato as he is involved in an unfortunately large number of incidents where he ends up covered in it. In one episode he even accidentally tasted it in his cereal. He is a bit of a cry-baby, who gets upset over the slightest things, one of the most notable being when he is late for a job interview after Mrs Melly confiscates his clothes while he is swimming in the sea.
 * Mr Bill Gripper (Roger Liddle) - Another hotel guest from two episodes in Series 9. A school P.E. teacher who had a crush on Mrs Melly and challenged Mr Wilson to a running race along the sea front, which he lost (thanks to Badger).

Crew

 * Andy Cunningham - Creator / Writer of most of the episodes.
 * Wayne Jackman - Other Writer
 * Jane Bassett - Other Writer of most of the episodes.
 * Pierre Hollins - Other Writer
 * Claire Winyard - Director (series 2)
 * Judy Whitfield - Executive Producer, Producer (series 1)
 * Greg Childs - Producer (series 2)
 * Christine Hewitt - Producer (series 5–8)
 * Sue Morgan - Producer (series 9)

Popularity
In 2000 and 2001, all episodes of Bodger and Badger were repeated on archive children's programming strand CBBC on Choice on the BBC Choice digital TV channel. Additionally, they were broadcast on CBeebies in 2002 but then disappeared from schedules until 2005 when the CBBC channel began a repeat of series 6–9. Since 2008 it has not been shown at all, although recorded episodes have surfaced on the internet and exist on YouTube.

Bodger and Badger has enjoyed something of a cult status, particularly among teenagers and young adults who grew up with the programme. It has also found popularity amongst students, tuning into daytime repeats. As such, it has led to a popular tour of UK universities; 'Mashed Potato Theme Nights' were held at various universities, including Hull, Aston, Warwick, Bath, Buckinghamshire New and Aberystwyth. A DVD, 'Bodger and Badger: Live', was released on 6 November 2006.

Bodger and Badger have also since appeared in other venues, most notably in the kids' field at Glastonbury Festival, where a routine aimed primarily at children is also cleverly seeded with knowing in-jokes about the festival and the people attending it.

In 2007, two adverts were filmed for instant mashed potato brand Smash, the first in a planned series of adverts for a new marketing campaign featuring the two characters and playing on Badger's love of mashed potato. However, whilst the first two adverts were completed and shown at trade fairs, as well as some industry literature featuring the characters released, the ad campaign was ultimately dropped and never aired, due to the BBC still owning the rights to the Bodger and Badger name and concept, which would conflict with the BBC's obligation to not use any of its programmes or stars to promote commercial properties.

Andy Cunningham died of duodenal cancer on 5 June 2017, aged 67.

An account called "Bodger's Badger" was set up in September 2022.

A duplicate badger is now being voiced and puppeteered by Ash White.

Series One (1989)
Series 1 featured Bodger and Badger working in Troff's Nosherama, a run-down café with pretensions to being a restaurant. While Bodger worked in the kitchens as a chef, both he and Badger made friends with the waitress, Mavis. Troff's Nosherama was run by Mr Troff who was very arrogant, tight-fisted and stubborn. Troff had no idea of Badger's presence until the end of the last episode in the series.

It was not known during production whether another series was to be recommissioned, hence the last episode of this series is titled "The Final Episode".

The closing titles of this series at first featured specially-shot clips of the cast (in character) then a specially-shot clip of Badger over the technical crew credits. This changed gradually through the series, slowly incorporating repeated clips of cast members (in character) from earlier in the episode, although these were occasionally interspersed with the specially-shot clips, with the latter gradually being phased out. The specially-shot clip of Badger over the technical crew credits remained, however.

All transmission data is taken from the BBC Genome project.

This series was repeated on 8 consecutive Tuesdays from 13 February to 3 April 1990 on BBC1 at 3:50pm.

Series Two (1991)
Series 2 and 3 featured Bodger and Badger working at Letsby Avenue junior school; Simon worked as the caretaker, Badger made friends with the school children and crawled around the air vents - a method of transport he found most useful to keep hidden from the school's teaching staff. Letsby Avenue's headmistress in this series was the overweight and nasty Mrs Trout, there was also the friendly and ditsy deputy head Miss Moon.

This series was the first to be broadcast in NICAM stereo sound. It also had a copyright date of 1990.

All transmission data is taken from the BBC Genome project.

This series was first repeated on Mondays from 6 to 27 April 1992 except the bank holiday 20 April. It then switched to Thursdays on 30 April and 7 May 1992. It then began Monday and Thursday repeats from Monday 11th to Thursday 21 May 1992, before moving again to three consecutive Mondays 1 to 15 June 1992. All except the final episode were repeated on BBC1 at 3:50pm. The final episode was repeated on BBC2 in the same timeslot, owing to sports coverage on BBC1. This was the first time Bodger and Badger had been broadcast on BBC2.

Series Three (1991)
Series 3 is still set in Letsby Avenue junior school, but Mrs Trout was fired halfway through the series and Miss Moon became the new temporary headmistress until Mrs Bogart (Mrs Trout's sister) took over as headmistress, when Mrs Trout became a school governor. Like the previous series, Badger's presence was knowledge to everyone in the school except the school teaching staff. From this series, the closing credits were edited down to contain only one verse of the theme song. This practice of edited down credits was to continue until the end of the series, with new surrounding graphics for series 9. The repeats of clips featuring characters for the actor credits continued, however, the specially-shot clip of Badger over the technical crew credits was gone, the number of credited technical crew roles having been dramatically reduced, so this portion of the end credits consisted entirely of random clips from earlier in the episode (in chronological order).

Transmission information is taken from the BBC Genome project.

The first ten episodes of this 12-episode series were repeated on consecutive Tuesdays from 6 April to 8 June 1993 at 4:05pm on BBC1. The repeat run was not completed owing to shortening of the afternoon CBBC strand in subsequent weeks for Wimbledon and other various sporting events and there being no available slots in the weeks after those.

Series Four (1993)
Series 4 featured Bodger and Badger working at Chessington World of Adventures, a theme park in Surrey. Bodger was the caretaker there, and Badger made friends with a girl called Holly who frequently visited the theme park. Owing to her mother being a staff member there, Holly was free to visit whenever she liked. Bodger's boss was Mr Beasley, who was nasty and obsessed with rules. Beasley kept trying to catch Badger to try to get Bodger chucked out.

Series 4's episodes were cut down to 10 minutes, instead of 15. This is the least-remembered series of all. It is the hardest to obtain copies of. This series was repeated on Mondays and Tuesdays, with an occasional gap of one week, from March to June 1996, commencing the week following the end of the original transmission of series 6. The opening titles to this series and the remaining series were edited short, so that by this point, the full verse of the theme song is not heard in both opening and closing titles (instead concentrating on one verse each). The opening titles now only contain clips from episodes in the series, with no material specially shot for the opening titles. The practice of having clips from earlier in the episode of actors appearing in character over their credits in the closing credits sequence was gone, with random clips from the episode appearing in chronological order throughout the closing credits sequence. This would remain the normal fashion of episode credits for the series until the end (with a surrounding graphics change for series 9).

All transmission data is taken from the BBC Genome project.

Series Five (1995)
Series 5 to 7 featured Bodger and Badger living in a rented bedsit flat (Exterior scenes were filmed at No. 78 Grove Avenue, Hanwell in London). This was the beginning of the show's most popular and best-remembered period, series 5–7. Badger met his new friend Mousey in Series 5, a mouse who lived under the floorboards. She became a permanent fixture of the programme from that point onwards. Just as Bodger tries to keep Badger's presence hidden from figures of authority, Badger in turn kept Mousey's presence a secret from Bodger, because Bodger tried to get rid of Mousey in the first episode of Series 5 by setting traps.

These episodes reverted to the 15-minute format.

All transmission data was obtained from the BBC Genome project.

From this series onwards, no repeat transmission data will be provided on this article, as the show's success beginning with this series meant that the show would be repeated much more regularly from this point onwards than it previously had been, leading to many more repeat dates for each individual episode.

Series Six (1996)
Bodger, Badger and Mousey are still living at the same flat as featured in series 5. This series mainly featured the pair having problems with their new landlady, Mrs Dribelle, and Elton her sidekick who did all her dirty work. Mrs Dribelle did not allow her tenants to keep animals in her properties, so Bodger always had to hide Badger whenever she came to the flat. In between the transmissions of series 6 and 7, on Friday 28 June 1996 on BBC2, the characters of Bodger and Badger were special guests in an episode of CBBC's gameshow "To Me, To You", presented by the Chuckle Brothers.

All transmission data was obtained from the BBC Genome project.

Series Seven (1996–1997)
Bodger, Badger and Mousey were still living in the same flat as in series 5 and 6. After series 6, though, series 7 returned to the format of more everyday adventures and various people moved into the flat upstairs, including a slimy trickster called Mr Smart and Mrs Dribelle's niece, Vicky. Mrs Dribelle herself lived in the upstairs flat temporarily while her house was renovated. Some of the sound effects used are shared from the Sonic the Hedgehog games. This was the longest-running series, running for six months with a clip show halfway through the series and another at the end.

During this series, on Friday 14 March 1997 (Comic Relief day 1997), Bodger and Badger were special guests in a special Comic Relief-themed episode of the CBBC game show "The Friday Zone", entitled "The Red Nose Zone".

All transmission data is taken from the BBC Genome project.

Series Eight (1997–1998)
Series 8 and 9 featured Bodger and Badger running a Bed & Breakfast hotel in the fictional seaside town of Puddleford (location filming for series 8 and 9 took place around Brighton). Various guests stayed at the hotel over the course of the two series and again Bodger kept Badger's presence a secret from all of them. Guests included two Spanish flamenco dancers, Miss Peake (a bad-tempered school teacher), Mr Tucknott (a dim-witted bank manager), the bubbly Mrs Bobbins, Miss Piper (a mad old woman) and Mr Wilson (a pathetic trainee bank manager). In Series 8 the characters of Millie the Milkwoman and China the dog were introduced, who featured in the show until the very end. Millie was friends with Bodger and knew about Badger, as he was friends with her dog, China. Series 8 also featured the return of Mr Smart, as he ran the B&B next door to Bodger's. Smart never seemed to have any guests staying at his hotel and was always trying to steal Bodger's. This was the first series to use the 1997 BBC branding and the last series to use the cream-coloured background for its title card and end credits.

All transmission data is taken from the BBC Genome project.

Series Nine (1998–1999)
Series 9 continued with the setting of series 8, with Bodger still running his hotel with Badger and (unwittingly) Mousey in tow. In this series the character of Mrs Melly (nicknamed Mrs Smelly by Badger and Mousey) was introduced, the bossy tourist information officer who stopped people from having fun on the beach outside her office. She hated Bodger and refused to recommend his B&B to tourists although she was kind to him in one episode - "Hundreds And Thousands". The opening titles changed this series and no longer featured the Bodger & Badger logo.

Andy Cunningham revealed in an interview for a book that Bodger and Badger ended its ten-year run in 1999 when the Head of BBC Children's Programmes - Christopher Pilkington (who had commissioned the show in 1989 and championed it since then) - left his post and the programme was not renewed by his successors - Andy said that he was not surprised by this, but he didn't reveal why. He mentioned that he didn't mind this anyway as he said he was struggling for inspiration for things to do with mashed potato towards the end of the show's run. Reference

All transmission dates were obtained from the BBC Genome project.

title: Bodger & Badger


text: User talk:24.91.255.46

title: User talk:24.91.255.46


text:
The Monster Squad

The Monster Squad is a 1987 American horror comedy film directed by Fred Dekker, and written by Dekker and Shane Black. Peter Hyams and Rob Cohen served as executive producers. It was released by TriStar Pictures on August 14, 1987. The film features pastiches of the Universal Monsters, led by Count Dracula. They are confronted by a group of savvy kids out to keep them from controlling the world. While being financially unsuccessful during its theatrical run and receiving mixed reviews from critics, the film has gained a positive reception from audiences and has become a cult classic in the years since its release.

Plot
The Monster Squad is a club of pre-teens who idolize the Universal classic monster movies and their non-human stars. Club leader Sean Crenshaw, whose younger sister, Phoebe, desperately wants to join the club, is given the diary of legendary monster hunter Dr. Abraham Van Helsing, but his excitement abates when he finds it is written in German. Sean and the rest of the Monster Squad – his best friend and second in command Patrick Rhodes, clumsy Horace, tough older kid Rudy and little Eugene – go to visit an elderly man known as the "Scary German Guy", actually a kind gentleman and a former concentration camp prisoner, to translate the diary.

The diary describes an amulet that is composed of concentrated good. One day out of every century, as the forces of good and evil reach a balance, the otherwise-indestructible amulet becomes vulnerable. With the next day of balance happening within a few days at the stroke of midnight, the kids realize they must gain possession of the amulet and use it – with an incantation from Van Helsing's diary – to open a wormhole in the universe and cast the monsters into Limbo. As shown in the film's prelude, Van Helsing had unsuccessfully attempted this one hundred years ago to defeat his old adversary Count Dracula; his apprentices then emigrated to the United States to hide the amulet out of Dracula's reach.

Nevertheless, Dracula seeks to obtain the amulet so that he can take over the world. To this end, he assembles several monstrous allies: The Mummy, the Gill-man, The Wolf Man, and three school girls whom the Count transforms into his vampiric consorts. Dracula then steals a crate containing Frankenstein's monster from a B-25 Mitchell in flight, thus completing his army. However, Frankenstein's monster is reluctant to aid Dracula, and wanders into the forest where he encounters Phoebe. Rather than being afraid, she shows him the kindness he has always sought, and they become friends. After Phoebe proves to the Monster Squad that Frankenstein's monster is not evil, he chooses to help the boys instead of Dracula.

The amulet is buried in a stone room beneath a house that Dracula and the other monsters now occupy and where Van Helsing's diary was found. The room is littered with wards which prevent the monsters from taking it. The Monster Squad break into the house, acquire the amulet and narrowly escape Dracula's grasp. They confer with Scary German Guy who informs them that the incantation must be read by a female virgin. In revenge for their meddling, Dracula destroys the Squad's clubhouse, thereby drawing Police Detective Del Crenshaw, Detective Rich Sapir, Sean and Phoebe's father, into the fray with Dracula killing Sapir in the process.

As midnight approaches, the Squad makes their way to a local cathedral to make their last stand. The doors to the cathedral are locked, so the incantation must be read on the stoop, leaving the Squad vulnerable. They enlist Patrick's elder sister Lisa to help them, as she is the only virgin they know, but the incantation fails since Lisa is actually not a virgin anymore. As the monsters close in, the Squad deduces that Phoebe must complete the task of opening the portal, and Scary German Guy attempts to help her read the incantation while the Squad and Detective Crenshaw fend off the monsters.

In the ensuing battle, Dracula's consorts, the Mummy, the Gill-man and the Wolfman are defeated. Dracula arrives to destroy the amulet when Frankenstein's monster intervenes, impaling him on a wrought-iron cross. Phoebe finishes the incantation, opening the portal, which begins to consume the bodies of the monsters. Dracula, still alive, attempts to drag Sean in with him, but Sean impales Dracula with a wooden stake as Patrick grabs Sean before he gets pulled in with Dracula. Having briefly escaped from Limbo, Van Helsing appears and pulls Dracula to his doom. As Frankenstein's monster is drawn into the portal, Phoebe holds onto him and pleads for him to stay. Knowing he does not belong on Earth, Frankenstein's monster lets go of Phoebe's hand, but accepts her gift of a stuffed animal to remember her by. The portal then closes, ensuring the world's safety.

The United States Army arrives on the scene, having received a letter from Eugene earlier asking for their help against the monsters. When the confused general fails to make sense of the situation, Sean steps forward and presents the man with his business card, identifying himself and his friends as "The Monster Squad".

Cast

 * Andre Gower as Sean Crenshaw
 * Robby Kiger as Patrick Rhodes
 * Stephen Macht as Detective Del Crenshaw
 * Duncan Regehr as Count Dracula
 * Tom Noonan as Frankenstein's monster
 * Brent Chalem as Horace
 * Ryan Lambert as Rudy Holloran
 * Ashley Bank as Phoebe Crenshaw
 * Michael Faustino as Eugene
 * Jonathan Gries as Desperate Man / The Wolf Man
 * Mary Ellen Trainor as Emily Crenshaw
 * Leonardo Cimino as Scary German Guy
 * Stan Shaw as Detective Rich Sapir
 * Lisa Fuller as Lisa Rhodes
 * Carl Thibault as The Wolf Man
 * Tom Woodruff Jr. as Gill-man
 * Michael Reid MacKay as Mummy
 * Jack Gwillim as Abraham Van Helsing
 * Adam Carl as Derek
 * Jason Hervey as E.J.
 * David Proval as Pilot
 * Daryl Anderson as Co-Pilot
 * Mary Albee as Vampire Bride #1
 * Brynn Baron as Vampire Bride #2
 * Julie Merrill as Vampire Bride #3

Development and writing
The film had a relatively quick development, being first discussed in 1985 and shot the following year. Dekker was toying with the idea of rebooting some classic series, such as The Little Rascals and the Universal Monsters. Upon watching Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, he thought about doing a crossover of the two. While Dekker was putting the finishing touches to his debut Night of the Creeps, he offered Shane Black, his friend and roommate at a West L.A. filmmakers residence nicknamed the "Pad O'Guys", to turn that pitch into a screenplay. Black's first draft, which included several epic scenes that would have sent the picture overbudget, clocked in at 150 to 160 pages, depending on recollections. It was trimmed down in two passes by Dekker, to about 100 pages. The story was originally set in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, although the city was not mentioned in the finished film.

As it drew inspiration from their catalogue, the project was first offered to Universal, but one executive proved particularly dismissive and they passed on it. However, they later accepted to handle international distribution. Dekker asked one of his favorite directors, Peter Hyams, for guidance. The veteran helmer sent the script to Taft/Barish, who quickly expressed interest, and he agreed to serve as executive producer to help the film move forward. Hyams ended up having a sizeable influence on the venture, and his lean filmmaking approach sometimes conflicted with that of the less methodical Dekker, with the latter calling him "a very stern taskmaster". Hyams also brought in important crew members, such as editor James Mitchell, production designer Albert Brenner and cinematographer Bradford May, all former collaborators of his. On the other hand, composer Bruce Broughton was Dekker's choice, and Hyams would retain his services for his next three directorial efforts, starting with 1988's The Presidio.

Casting and creature design
Duncan Regehr narrowly beat a then little known Liam Neeson for the role of Dracula. Neeson was still supposed to appear as a human disguise conjured by Dracula to conceal his identity, but that scene was not shot. Following his breakthrough performance as a serial killer in Manhunter, Tom Noonan became sought after for similar, unsettling roles. He chose this film over Near Dark as his next project due to its more lighthearted nature, but Kathryn Bigelow was persistent and showed up on set to work out an early release with the producers in hope that he could do both. She was turned down.

The special effects were contributed by a Stan Winston Studio team headed by Tom Woodruff Jr., who worked from Winston's concept arts. The characters were given subtle modifications, as their most famous designs—or in the case of the Creature from the Black Lagoon, the creature itself—were Universal intellectual properties. Woodruff was assigned to work on Frankenstein's monster, Shane Mahan was given the Mummy, John Rosengrant got the Wolfman, and Alec Gillis took care of Dracula's bat transformation. However, it's the Gillman suit, made by Matt Rose and studio newcomer Steve Wang, that came to be viewed as a milestone in the development of creature costumes. Based on their Monster Squad work, Rose and Wang were entrusted with building a similar suit on short notice for Predator, which helped the struggling production move forward.

Filming and post-production
Principal photography kicked off on October 13, 1986. Exteriors were shot at Warner Bros. Studios and the Warner/Columbia Ranch in Burbank, California, Universal Studios in Universal City, and on location throughout the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Many interiors were shot at Culver Studios in Culver City. Due to most of the film taking place at night and regulations regarding how late young actors could work, the children filmed their scenes first for about three hours in the early evening, while the rest of the crew remained on set for much of the night. Filming went a week over schedule, and lasted 50 days. About 10 nights were devoted to the finale.

There were tensions between Hyams, a proponent of traditional filming methods based on master shots, and the self-taught Dekker. Hyams even considered firing Dekker at the end of the first week of shooting, but producer Rob Cohen helped smooth out their differences, and the young man agreed to conform to industry standard practices after that. Hyams also directed some second unit material for the film, including the werewolf's phone booth scene. Night of the Creeps employed a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, but Hyams chose to shoot this one in 2.39:1.

While the majority of the effects were done in camera, including the bat transformation and some background lightning, the film still included a number of visual effects, such as the vortex. They were supervised by Richard Edlund and Boss Films of Ghostbusters fame. The film was cut by 13 minutes by the producers, who did not want it to run more than 90 minutes. According to Dekker, the film's brevity was largely due to Hyams, who felt that trimming subplots like Sean's parents' marital issues would make the film more tonally consistent, although he disagreed with that assessment. Post-release budget estimates varied between $12.5 and 14 million.

Release
The Monster Squad was marketed through a series of posters designed to look like "Wanted" police placards, although the model used for Dracula was not Duncan Regehr. The main poster featured the Ghostbusters-inspired slogan "You know who to call when you have ghosts. But who do you call when you have monsters?". The film held its premiere party at the Hard Rock Café in Hollywood, California. Kiefer Sutherland, the star of The Lost Boys, was among those who showed up to support the film.

Box office
The film opened in the U.S. on August 14, 1987, generating $2.9 million in revenue in its first week, good only for 12th place. By its second weekend, the film was averaging a dismal $696 per screen and was pulled from theaters with a poor domestic tally of $3,769,990.

Dekker wished that a company with better affinity for marketing feel good movies, such as Disney's Touchstone Pictures, had picked up the film. The Monster Squad's PG-13 rating may have prevented it from reaching the audience most likely to identify with its characters, while older teenagers were more interested in the R-rated The Lost Boys, which opened just two weeks prior. Some thought that the film's slogan made it look like a B-movie knockoff, and the film suffered from further comparisons with The Goonies, although Dekker says he had not seen it at that point.

Critical response
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 56% based on 27 reviews, with an average rating of 5.7/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "A fun 80's adventure with a slightly scary twist, The Monster Squad offers tween-friendly horror with just enough of a kick". On Metacritic it has a score of 61% based on reviews from 14 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews". Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale.

Contemporary reviews were mixed. Kevin Thomas of the Los Angeles Times wrote that it is "fun for the kid in all of us". British magazine Starburst wrote that "[t]reading almost the same route as The Lost Boys, The Monster Squad succeeds where that film failed because Dekker knows his stuff and doesn't see trendy video technique as a replacement for mood and style." However, it predicted that its 15 BBFC certificate would likely prevent it from reaching its intended audience in the country.

Vincent Canby of The New York Times called it "a feature-length commercial for a joke store that sells not-great, rubber monster masks". Dave Kehr of the Chicago Tribune found the film's juxtaposition of child heroes and intense visuals to be distasteful, writing "[p]art E.T. and part Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, Fred Dekker`s The Monster Squad is crass but imponderable, bizarrely mixing glowingly back-lit sentimentality with stomach-churning violence and juvenile sex jokes. Its target audience appears to be practiced sadists in the 12- to 14-year-old age group".

Retrospective reviews have typically been kinder to the film. Francis Rizzo III of DVDTalk wrote that "there's much more than nostalgia going for it, as the story of a band of horror film fans battling the classic movie monsters is a fun piece of filmmaking [...] and an exciting action flick." Nathan Rabin of The A.V. Club stated that "Squad gleeful monster mash anticipates bloated CGI orgies like Van Helsing, which likely cost a hundred times as much, yet boasts a hundredth of Squad scrappy, ramshackle charm." Keith Phipps of The Verge deemed it "a devoted homage to the films [Dekker] grew up loving", playing "like highly polished fan fiction from a creator who clearly never let his Famous Monsters of Filmland subscription lapse." Jason Clark of Entertainment Weekly was more measured, calling it "the ultimate '80s movie", albeit "far from perfect".

Accolades
The Monster Squad won a Silver Raven (special jury prize) at the 1988 Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival. In its July 2006 list of "The 100 Greatest Vilains Ever", Wizard placed Dracula at number 30, and chose Regehr's portrayal from The Monster Squad as the definitive version of the character.

Home video
The Monster Squad was first issued by Vestron Video in February 10, 1988 on VHS and Betamax, with the LaserDisc released shortly after by Image Entertainment. It was the film's only domestic release for nearly two decades.

Following the 2006 reunion (see Theatrical revival section below), a fan campaign led to a 20th Anniversary Edition two-disc DVD being released by Lionsgate on July 24, 2007. It contains a variety of bonus features, including a five-part retrospective documentary titled Monster Squad Forever, two audio commentaries, deleted scenes, trailers, TV spots, and animated storyboards. It won the 2008 Saturn Award for Best Classic Film DVD Release.

Lionsgate issued a region-free Blu-ray on November 24, 2009, containing the same extras as the DVD. This edition is now out of print. The Monster Squad became available for streaming on Hulu on September 1, 2017, and on July 1, 2018 on Amazon Prime Video.

In November, 2023, The Monster Squad was released on 4K UHD by Kino Lorber. The release features both a 4K and Blu-Ray version of the film, along with previous archival special features. Additionally, the set also includes a Blu-Ray copy of the feature-length retrospective documentary Wolfman's Got Nards.

Theatrical revival
On April 16, 2006, Ain't It Cool News writer Eric Vespe organized two screenings of The Monster Squad at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Austin, Texas. The event, which was attended by Dekker, Gower, Banks and Lambert, was a sellout and marked a turning point in the film's revival. It led to many more screenings and a letter-writing campaign for the film's home video re-release.

For its 30th anniversary, Gower and Lambert took the film on a tour of 17 American cities in association with Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas, bookended by an additional screening at London's Prince Charles Cinema.

Legacy
On the heels of The Monster Squad, Dekker re-signed with Taft/Barrish for his dream project, a feature adaptation of the 1960s TV series Jonny Quest, but the box office failure of the former put the film in limbo.

Actor Brent Challem did not get to witness the film's popular resurgence, having met an untimely death from pneumonia in 1997, at the age of 22.

Gower went on to direct and co-produce Wolfman's Got Nards, a feature-length account of The Monster Squad's cult status. Primarily shot during the original film's 30th anniversary revival tour, the documentary was previewed in abridged form at various horror film events, before premiering on April 7, 2018 at the Chattanooga Film Festival. It was also part of the official selection for the 2018 Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival. It received extremely positive reviews, although they primarily emanated from genre film outlets rather than mainstream media. In October 2019, the film embarked on a tour of 20 Alamo Drafthouse locations.

Cancelled remake
In 2008, producer Rob Cohen said that the film rights were back with Paramount and there were plans to remake the film; however, he had no desire to direct.

In 2010, it was announced that Michael Bay's Platinum Dunes had officially signed on to produce, with Cohen to direct and Mark and Brian Gunn writing the screenplay. However in 2014, Platinum Dunes producers Brad Fuller and Andrew Form confirmed that the remake was no longer in development.

Soundtrack
The Monster Squad's score was composed and produced by Bruce Broughton. Film Score Monthly called it "one of the most full-blooded and enjoyable scores of the late 1980s", rating it four stars out of four.

Singer and producer Michael Sembello also contributed two original songs, "Rock Until You Drop" and "The Monster Squad Rap", the latter of which humorously credits the titular Monster Squad as performers. The original version of the rap includes a direct reference to the Creature from the Black Lagoon, although it was edited from the 1988 home video.

The film's soundtrack was released on CD for the first time in 2007 via Intrada Records. La-La Land Records reissued it in 2015. The new CD contained alternate versions, diegetic tracks and the two Sembello songs, which where absent from the Intrada pressing. The soundtrack debuted in vinyl from Mondo in 2016. This version retains the Sembello songs but omits the alternate and diegetic tracks. Mondo has also released the two Sembello songs in 7-inch single format.

title: The Monster Squad