The Mighty Boosh is a British comedy troupe featuring comedians Julian Barratt and Noel Fielding. Developed from three stage shows, The Mighty Boosh, Arctic Boosh (1999) and Autoboosh (2000), as well as a six-episode radio series, it has since spanned a total of 20 television episodes for BBC Three which aired from 2004 to 2007,
The style of humour in the Mighty Boosh is often described as being surreal, as well as being escapist Nigel Coan,
History
thumb|right|The cast of the Mighty Boosh at comic-con; from left to right Julian Barratt, Noel Fielding, Michael Fielding, Rich Fulcher and Dave Brown. 2009
thumb|right|A performance of the stageshow [[The Mighty Boosh (2006 stage show)|The Mighty Boosh Live at the Brighton Dome. From left to right; Rich Fulcher, Noel Fielding, Julian Barratt, Dave Brown. February 2006]]
Noel Fielding first met Mighty Boosh collaborator Dave Brown whilst Fielding was studying a foundation course in fine arts at the Croydon School of Art.
thumb|right|The magic carpet-assisted finale of a Mighty Boosh Live stageshow from 2006. From Left to right;Noel Fielding as Vince Noir, Rich Fulcher as Bob Fossil, Michael Fielding as Naboo, Dave Brown as Bollo and Julian Barratt as Howard Moon.
While Fielding and Dave Brown were both art students at Buckinghamshire College of Higher Education "They were both regular visitors to the Hellfire Comedy nights next to the Wycombe Swan Theatre in High Wycombe, which is where Noel first met future Boosh co-creator, Julian Barratt". Fielding and Brown both attended one of Barratt's solo stand-up gig's at Hellfire and Fielding then approached Barratt after the gig had finished. After Fielding entered The Daily Telegraph open mic award and attended the final at the Edinburgh comedy festival he was signed to Avalon talent agency and through Avalon began performing on the same comedy bills as Barratt.
Whilst Barratt and Fielding were on The Jonathan Ross Show, Ross asked them "And did you perform as solo acts ever, did you do like stand up..." with Barratt responding "yeah, yeah, that's how we sort of met really on the circuit, doing stand up, yeah.", with Ross responding "But, but was it similar to the Boosh stuff, 'cos the Boosh stuff it seems to be so much of a partnership I can't imagine it being taken apart and being served up separately.", with Barratt responding that "We were both doing quite surreal stuff, eh...", with Fielding adding "It was quite weird wasn't it, a lot weirder than the show in a way...", with Barratt continuing "...but we sort of, when we first met we kind of liked each others comedy but we didn't know that it would work, we didn't know whether it was gonna cancel each other out and make....", with Fielding responding "Yeah, too weird to make sort of, straight...", with Barratt continuing "...might just become geography or something else or... this sort of thing, but it worked for some reason...", with Fielding adding "We had quite a good chemistry straight away." It has also been commented that Barratt "...had dropped out of an American studies course at Reading University" It was also commented that "...both [Fielding and Barratt] had fathers who loved Frank Zappa and Captain Beefheart, and who encouraged their sons to avoid getting proper jobs."
Sometime in around 1998
Michael Fielding and Richard Ayoade both performed with the Mighty Boosh in 2002 Ayoade returned in the second and third series as a belligerent shaman named Saboo. The name "Mighty Boosh" was originally a phrase used by a friend of Michael Fielding's to describe the hair that Michael had as a child. The Mighty Boosh 1998 stage show won the Perrier best newcomer award at the Edinburgh Festival and was taken to the Sydney Comedy festival as well as seeing Arctic Boosh at the Edinburgh festival in 1999, the idea for a TV show was pitched to the BBC and Fielding and Barratt were given a half-hour television pilot and it was commented that the Mighty Boosh "... almost didn't make it to television. Around 2000, Barratt and Fielding disappeared into development hell. They had done a sketch show for Radio 4, but no one was sure how to translate their act on to TV. That's until Steve Coogan, who had seen them in Edinburgh in 1999 when they were performing as Arctic Boosh, moved things along. His production company... ...sold the concept to the BBC simply by saying: 'If we were young, we'd want to be them.'" and was directed by Paul King and broadcast in 2004, with a second series of 6 episodes the next year. The second series moved away from the zoo setting to show Howard, Vince, Naboo the shaman and Bollo the talking ape living in a flat in Dalston. In 2006, the Boosh returned to theatre with The Mighty Boosh Live, which featured a new story entitled "The Ruby of Kukundu". In 2008 Fielding commented that "A film is the first thing we ever wanted to do, so we've always come up with ideas and stuck them in a drawer." Fielding has commented further that “We always thought we’d make one show and that’d be the end of it. But after we won the Perrier, everyone was telling us that we had to do another, which we did and brought it to Melbourne... and then we made a radio show that won the Douglas Adams Award. We won loads. It was manic. We always thought we’d do a couple of years together and go our separate ways. We went from stages to the radio show to television to live shows. It went on and on.”
Fielding formed "Secret Peter Productions" with Nigel Coan who, along with Fielding and Zorn, helped to animate series 1 and 2 of the Mighty Boosh TV show, An evening with Noel Fielding and Noel Fielding's Luxury Comedy. Fielding also made drawings that formed a basis for the characters costumes and make-up in the Mighty boosh TV show.
After two years away from television, the Boosh returned in November 2007. Set in Naboo's second-hand shop below the flat, the third series drew approximately 1 million viewers with its first episode, and in light of its success, BBC Three broadcast an entire night of The Mighty Boosh on 22 March 2008, which included a new documentary and 6 of Barratt and Fielding's favourite episodes from all 3 series. J. G. Quintel has said that The Mighty Boosh was a large influence on his animated series Regular Show.
In June 2013, it was confirmed that The Mighty Boosh would reunite for a US festival called Festival Supreme in October 2013.
On 1 January 2020, Fielding posted an image of himself and Barratt on Instagram with the caption, "There really wasn't enough Boosh this decade ! let's try and rectify that in the next one ;) x".
Main cast
- Julian Barratt as Howard Moon
- Noel Fielding as Vince Noir
- Michael Fielding as Naboo
- Dave Brown as Bollo
- Rich Fulcher as Bob Fossil
The cast members also play smaller roles throughout the series, the roles listed above are their most frequently appearing characters. For a full list of characters, see the List of The Mighty Boosh characters.
Theatre
thumb|right|[[The Mighty Boosh (2006 stage show)|The Mighty Boosh Live stage show. From left to right: Rich Fulcher, Julian Barratt, Michael Fielding, Dave Brown and Noel Fielding. March 2006]]
Original stage shows
The Mighty Boosh (1998)
thumb|right|Noel Fielding as Tony Harrison, right, with [[Richard Ayoade as Saboo.]]
The Boosh, then consisting of only Barratt and Fielding, conceived The Mighty Boosh whilst working on Stewart Lee's Edinburgh Festival show King Dong vs. Moby Dick in which they played a giant penis and a whale respectively.
In 1998, they took The Mighty Boosh to the Edinburgh Festival, recruiting fellow comedian Rich Fulcher, whom the pair had met while working on Unnatural Acts. The show won the Perrier Award for Best Newcomer. During their residency at North London's Hen and Chickens Theatre the following year, they built up a cult following, introducing new characters whilst developing old ones.
Arctic Boosh (1999)
[[File:Mightyboosh2008tour.jpg|thumb|right|<small>Poster used in magazines and venues around the UK to promote the Boosh's nationwide 2008 tour. This poster was created by Dave Brown who also appeared in the Mighty Boosh as the character Bollo.
Autoboosh (2000)
In 2000, the Boosh premiered their third stage show, Autoboosh, at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, adding Fielding's younger brother Michael to the cast and it won the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Award. Instead of the plot driven nature of their own series, this show featured improvised conversational comedy with Barratt, Fielding and Fulcher, combined with the show's usual mix of electronic music.
On 15 November 2007, as part of the publicity for the premier of their third series the same day, Julian Barratt and Noel Fielding returned to Radio 1, this time on Jo Whiley's Live Lounge.
On 9 April 2019, it was announced that The Mighty Boosh will be the UK ambassadors for the Record Store Day at 13 April 2019, a show on BBC Radio 1.
Television
The Mighty Boosh (2004–07)
thumb|Opening titles of The Mighty Boosh on TV & film
After the success of the 2003 Mighty Boosh pilot In February 2016 series 1 of The Mighty Boosh was made available to watch via the online service BBC iPlayer for six weeks; this included every episode minus the final episode of the first series 'Hitcher'.
The Mighty Boosh Night
On 22 March 2008, BBC Three broadcast a whole night of The Mighty Boosh from 9:05 pm, starting with a new documentary titled The Mighty Boosh: A Journey Through Time and Space, documenting the history of the Boosh from their first amateur performances to their then-upcoming 2008 tour. This was followed by six of Barratt and Fielding's favourite episodes from the three series: "Party", "The Power of the Crimp", "The Nightmare of Milky Joe", "The Priest and the Beast", "The Legend of Old Gregg", and "Tundra". The pair also appeared in live links throughout the night, in a similar style to the openings of Series 1 episodes. On 23 December 2008, BBC3 held a Merry Booshmas Party featuring the entire series 3 as well as a broadcast of The Mighty Boosh Live.
Film
On 8 February 2012, whilst sledging, Noel Fielding said that he and Barratt had discussed plans to make a Mighty Boosh film.
Festival
On 5 July 2008, the Boosh held their own festival in the Hop Farm in Kent. It featured musical acts, Robots in Disguise, The Charlatans, The Kills, Gary Numan, and The Mighty Boosh Band, as well as comedy acts Frankie Boyle and Ross Noble.
Media
Audio CDs
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Title
! Release date
! Contents
! Bonus material
|-
| The Mighty Boosh
| 8 November 2004
| All 6 episodes of the Boosh's radio series across 3 discs
| Interview with producer Danny Wallace, outtakes
|-
| The Mighty Boosh Live
| 13 November 2006
| Audio recording of their live show at Brixton Academy
| N/A
|}
According to an official MySpace page for PieFace Records (the fictitious music label mentioned throughout the series), Barratt and Fielding are to release an album of music from the show, "along with extras, versions, remixes and rare unreleased stuff all to be released later in the year on their own label—this one". In interviews since, The Mighty Boosh have confirmed they will be releasing an album of their music. On 21 October 2013 episode of Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Fielding stated that the Boosh have recorded an album, but don't know when it will be released.
DVDs
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 95%"
|-
! Title
! UK Release date
! US Release date
! Contents
! Special features
|-
|The Mighty Boosh
|29 August 2005
|21 July 2009
|All 8 episodes of the first television series across 2 discs
|Inside the Zooniverse, history of the Boosh, Boosh music, out-takes, picture gallery, commentary on "Bollo", "Tundra", "Electro" and "Hitcher"
|-
|The Mighty Boosh 2
|13 February 2006
|21 July 2009
|All 6 episodes of the second series, plus a second disc of special features
|Boosh pilot, Boosh publicity, making of Series Two, commentary on all six episodes, photo gallery, out-takes, deleted scenes, Sweet
|-
|The Mighty Boosh: Series One & Two
|13 February 2006
|n/a
|Box set of first and second series DVDs, plus exclusive booklet
|Identical to individual releases
|-
|The Mighty Boosh Live
|13 November 2006
|n/a
|Recording of their live show at Brixton Academy
|Backstage & tour documentary, the Ralfe Band, a deleted scene, The Culture Show piece
|-
|The Mighty Boosh 3
|11 February 2008
|21 July 2009
|All 6 episodes of the third series across 2 discs
|Making Boosh 3, Boosh publicity, deleted scenes, Mint Royale promo, Boosh music, out-takes, Boosh 3 trailer, audio commentaries
|-
|The Mighty Boosh Special Edition DVD
|17 November 2008
|13 October 2009
|Box set of first three series DVDs, plus seventh disc
|Identical to individual releases, plus stickers, postcards, 'A Journey Through Time and Space' documentary, behind the scenes of a live night, footage from the Royal Television Society Awards, Dave Stewart interview, the making of Sammy the Crab, outtakes and deleted scenes from the pilot, pre-recorded live night links, cinema trailer, crimping collection, Unnatural Acts zoo-keeper sketches, Bob Fossil audio
|-
|Boosh Live; Future Sailors Tour
|9 November 2009
|n/a
|A DVD release of Boosh Live at the Manchester Apollo on 3 & 4 December 2008
|Features the full show, commentary, audience participation option, Bob Fossil's Vietnam Video Diaries, highlights from The Mighty Boosh Festival and performances from the Teenage Cancer Trust concert at the Royal Albert Hall. Footage was filmed during the aftershow party that week at Club Academy, and members of the audience in costumes were filmed and photographed throughout the week, which may also add towards the additional features. There will also be a "Limited Edition".
|-
|Mighty Boosh On Tour: Journey Of The Childmen
|15 November 2010
|n/a
| A documentary charting The Mighty Boosh on their Future Sailors tour.
|n/a
|}
Previously most of the DVDs were only released in Region 2 but as a result of a growing fan base in the U.S., the BBC rereleased in Region 1, Series 1–3 individually on 21 July 2009, and a Special Edition Series 1–3 Boxset on 13 October 2009.
Australian releases
- Series One – 11 April 2007
- Series Two – 12 April 2007
- Series Three – 6 August 2008
- Live – 3 December 2008
- Special Edition – 6 August 2009
- Future Sailors Tour – 10 November 2009
- Series One: Episodes 1–3 (Comedy Bites) – 4 March 2010
Books
On 18 September 2008, Canongate Books published The Mighty Book of Boosh, designed and compiled by Dave Brown and written by Noel Fielding, Julian Barratt, Rich Fulcher, Dave Brown, Richard Ayoade and Michael Fielding. The book includes original stories, crimps, concept art, behind-the-scenes photography, comics, and various other things, featuring old and new Mighty Boosh characters. On 1 October 2009, a paperback version was released under the name The Pocket Book of Boosh.
Awards
Particularly popular among followers of the indie and electro music genres catered to by NME magazine, The Mighty Boosh has been recipient of the Shockwaves NME Awards Best TV Show for three consecutive years, even though there were no new episodes broadcast for the latter two of the three years.
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 95%"
|-
! Year
! Award
! style="width:30%;"|Category
! Nominee
! Result
|-
| 1998
| Edinburgh Festival Fringe
| Perrier Best Newcomer Award
| Mighty Boosh
|
|-
| 1999
| Edinburgh Festival Fringe
| Perrier Comedy Award
| Arctic Boosh
|
|-
| 2000
| Melbourne International Comedy Festival
| Melbourne International Comedy Festival Award
| Autoboosh
|
|-
|2001
| Douglas Adams Award
| Innovative Writing
| The Boosh (radio series)
|
|-
| 2004
| British Comedy Awards
| Best New TV Comedy
| Series 1
|
|-
| 2004
| Loaded LAFTAS
| Funniest TV Programme
| Series 1
|
|-
| 2005
| RTS Craft & Design Awards
| Costume Design – Entertainment and Non Drama Productions
| June Nevin<br />Series 2
|
|-
| 2005
| BAFTA Television Awards
| Best New Director (Fiction)
| Paul King<br />Series 2
|
|-
| 2008
| Alistair Baldwin Comedy Awards
| Best Stage Show
| The Mighty Boosh Live
|
|-
| 2006
| Loaded LAFTAS
| Funniest TV Programme
| Series 2
|
|-
| 2006
| Loaded LAFTAS
| Funniest Double Act
| Julian Barratt and Noel Fielding<br />Series 2
|
|-
| 2006
| Loaded LAFTAS
| Funniest DVD
| Series 2
|
|-
| 2007
| Chortle Awards
| Best Full-Length Solo Show
| The Mighty Boosh Live
|
|-
| 2007
| Loaded LAFTAS
| Funniest TV Programme
| Series 3
|
|-
| 2007
| Loaded LAFTAS
| Funniest Double Act
| Julian Barratt and Noel Fielding<br />Series 3
|
|-
| 2007
| NME Awards
| Best TV Show
| Series 3
|
|-
| 2008
| NME Awards
| Best TV Show
| Series 3
|
|-
| 2008
| RTS Programme Awards
| Situation Comedy and Comedy Drama
| Series 3
|
|-
| 2009
|| NME Awards
| Best TV Show
| Series 3
|
|-
| 2010
|| NME Awards
| Best DVD
| Future Sailors
|
|}
Controversy
In 2020, Netflix took The Mighty Boosh TV show, together with The League of Gentlemen, down from their program roster because of concerns about blackface in some episodes. As of 2025, all episodes of the TV show remain available via other streaming services including the BBC iPlayer and Apple TV+.
References
External links
- "The Mighty Boosh PBJ Page"
- BBC Mighty Boosh Mighty Boosh at the BBC
- UKTV Mighty Boosh Mighty Boosh at UKTV