From Sticky Gecko to Sleepytime: how well do you know Bluey?

Bandit, Bluey, Bingo and Chilli – 10 quick questions about children’s show Bluey. Composite: Ludo Studios

To say that Bluey is the crowning achievement of human endeavour is, let’s be honest, to undersell it pretty significantly.

Not only is the ABC’s animated show about the joys and trials and public dance performances that come with parenthood a genuine laugh-out-loud joy in the children’s televisionscape, but it’s also become Australia’s largest cultural export with Disney+ picking it up for most of the rest of the world.

But how well do you know the glorious world of Bluey, her sister Bingo, mother Chilli and father Bandit? It’s gotta be done – and by “it”, we mean answering ten questions.

1. Where is Bluey set?

   1. Brisbane

   2. Adelaide

   3. Heelerville

   4. It's a cartoon, it's not 'set' anywhere.

2. What do Bandit and Chili do for a living?

   1. Concierge and teacher, respectively

   2. Archeologist and airport security officer, respectively

   3. Stay-at-home dad and wellness influencer, respectively

   4. Weather reporter and physiotherapist, respectively

3. What is Bandit’s date night persona when he takes Chili to dinner in the episode 'Fancy Restaurant'?

   1. Bert Hansome

   2. Telemachus

   3. Romeo McFlourish

   4. Lucky’s Dad

4. Which of these well-known Australian media people has yet to do a guest voice on Bluey?

   1. Laura Tingle

   2. Leigh Sales

   3. Marc Fennell

   4. Myff Warhurst

5. What is Lucky's Dad's real name?

   1. Lucky Senior

   2. Pat

   3. Wags

   4. Scootles

6. What is the name of the non-English-speaking dog Bluey befriends on a camping trip?

   1. Canis

   2. Gou

   3. Choco

   4. Jean-Luc

7. Which of the following is not a member of the extended Heeler family?

   1. Radley

   2. Muffin

   3. Mackenzie

   4. Bob

8. What controversial Bluey scene was edited from the international streaming version of the show on Disney+?

   1. Bandit falling off the balcony

   2. Chili criticising Brexit

   3. Bingo running with scissors

   4. A horse doing poos

9. What is the name of Bluey’s teacher?

   1. Calypso

   2. Rondo

   3. Allegro

   4. Callista

10. True or false: because they record their parts in different cities, David McCormack (Bandit) and Melanie Zanetti (Chili) have yet to meet for real life?

    1. True

    2. False

Solutions

1:A - In fact, thanks to the very recognisable landmarks in the show one obsessive genius worked out the exact suburb the Heelers live based on the occasional vistas from their balcony: according to Nathan Bazley, and depending on which bridge that is in the distance, it’s either Red Hill or (more likely) Norman Park. Either way, them’s sweet inner-city digs!, 2:B - Yep, Bandit digs up bones - which is shameful typecasting for a dog character, frankly - and Chili is presumably… um, a sniffer dog? Either way, that doesn’t explain how the hell they afford what would definitely be a seven-figure Queenslander in a keenly sought-after suburb. There’s some old money in that family, is what we’re saying., 3:C - Bert Hansome is Bandit’s persona when he makes his ill-fated visit to Bluey and Bingo’s hair salon in Hairdressers/Nits; Telemachus is his name when he’s being operated on by Dr Bluey in Hospital, and… look, let’s be honest, Lucky’s Dad kinda has a thing for Chili. And how could he not?, 4:A - Let’s be honest, it can’t be far off. Sales has had two appearances: one as Bella, the mother of Bluey’s friend Coco in Baby Race, and the other as the local vendor in Ice Cream; Fennell has a one-word appearance as a department store supervisor in The Quiet Game, and Warhurst is a regular as Aunt Trixie. , 5:B - Honestly: he’s Pat the Dog. Admit it, that’s genius., 6:D - Ah, sweet Jean-Luc! And if you didn’t tear up when he and teenage Bluey were reunited in the final scene then you’re a monster who doesn’t deserve to know true friendship., 7:C - Uncle Rad is Bandit’s younger brother; Muffin is Bluey and Bingo’s often-exasperating cousin; Bob is Bandit’s father; and Mackenzie isn’t a member of the Heeler family yet but let’s be honest, we’re all shipping his and Bluey’s friendship to develop into something more because being invested in the romantic lives of cartoon dogs in a children’s programme is PERFECTLY NORMAL AND NOTHING TO CRITICISE DAMMIT., 8:D - Yep, it happens in Markets: when Bluey and her friend Indi are tearfully farewelling the pony they can’t afford to ride together at the local markets, Buttermilk responds to their laments by dropping a steaming load - a load which proved too steamy for the Mouse, it would appear. , 9:A - And she’s voiced - perfectly, might we add - by Megan Washington, making her the second genius Brisbanian singer/songwriter in the regular cast (along with Bandit who is voiced by Custard frontman David McCormack). , 10:A - Yep: at least, as they had not met in person before the completion of the third series, according to Zanetti in an episode of Bluey fan podcast Gotta Be Done - and given the border restrictions in place for the last 18 months, that seems unlikely to have changed.

Scores

1. 9 and above.

   WACKADOO!

2. 6 and above.

   You’re a parent with the constant hum of ABC Kids in the background, for whom the Bluey theme means YOU’RE ALREADY RUNNING LATE TO GET THE KIDS TO KINDY GODDAMN WHERE ARE THEIR SHOES???

3. 4 and above.

   You clearly need to rewatch every episode again from the beginning - so in a way, you’re the real winner here.

4. 0 and above.

   More of a Peppa Pig fan, eh?