logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2024
12m 3s

Meet Mr Blobby

The Retrospectors
About this episode

rerun: Mr Blobby made his anarchic television debut on 24th October, 1992, in a new segment called “Gotcha” on the hugely popular BBC show Noel’s House Party.

The googly eyed, perma-grinning, yellow and pink character was an immediate hit, selling masses of merchandise to British kids and adults alike. At the height of Blobbymania, Mr Blobby released a No. 1 UK single and spawned four theme parks around the country.

In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly defend Mr Blobby against the haters; speculate on how he became an inadvertent victim of his own success; and marvel at what can be achieved with a lot of alcohol and just five minute of doodling...

Further Reading:

• ‘'A Loveable Anarchist': The Oral History of Mr Blobby’ (Vice, 2021): https://www.vice.com/en/article/qj85mq/mr-blobby-oral-history-television 

• 'A decade of Crinkley Bottom: Noel’s House Party remembered' (BBC, 1991): https://www.bbc.com/historyofthebbc/anniversaries/november/noels-house-party/ 

• ‘Noel’s House Party: Season 2, Episode 1’ (BBC, 1992): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5b53wCwecec 


‘Why am I hearing a rerun?’

Each Thursday and Friday we repeat stories from our archive of 800+ episodes, so we can maintain the quality of our independent podcast and bring you fresh, free content every Monday-Wednesday… 


… But 🌴CLUB RETROSPECTORS🌴members get an additional full-length episode each Sunday! Join now with a free trial on Apple Podcasts or Patreon and support our show ❤️


The Retrospectors are Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina & Arion McNicoll, with Matt Hill.

Theme Music: Pass The Peas. Announcer: Bob Ravelli. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Edit Producer: Emma Corsham.

Copyright: Rethink Audio / Olly Mann 2024.



Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Up next
Today
Governing Outer Space
On 10th October, 1967 a treaty went into force that has gone on to become the backbone for all international space law – a United Nations-approved agreement known as the The Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, includi ... Show More
13 m
Yesterday
When Sumo Came To London
The Royal Albert Hall was the unlikely venue for the biggest Sumo wrestling tournament ever staged outside of Japan on 9th October, 1991. Around forty wrestlers, described in the press as “bouncing like fat Buddhas,” thundered across a ring on clay sourced from a field near Heath ... Show More
12m 28s
Oct 8
The Permanent Wave
Hairdressers descended upon Oxford Street on October 8th, 1906 to witness Karl Nessler’s first public demonstration of his pioneering new ‘perm’ - a style which didn’t have its heyday until some eighty years later. Creating a long-lasting curl had been a goal for many stylists ov ... Show More
11m 24s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 6
S6 EP1: Steve Coogan on falling out of love with Alan Partridge, playing Jimmy Savile, and sobriety
Louis sits down with writer, actor and comedian Steve Coogan in the first episode of the new series. Steve discusses falling in and out of love with Alan Partridge, literally wearing Jimmy Savile’s shoes in ‘The Reckoning’, and being sober after his ‘delayed adolescence’. Warning ... Show More
1h 13m
Dec 2022
Alison Hammond & Dermot O’Leary and a Christmas grazing platter
Nick and Angela welcome their favourite TV duo to Casa Grimshaw. From humble beginnings flipping burgers at Wembley stadium, Dermot O’Leary is now one of the biggest names in UK television. He began on T4, then played Big Brother’s Little Brother before The X Factor came knocking ... Show More
36m 10s
May 2024
We Watched The Osbournes TV Show!
https://bluechew.com - try BlueChew FREE when you use code Osbournes OSBOURNE MERCH OUT NOW - https://osbournemediahouse.com/merch/  https://osbournemediahouse.com/membership/ - Join our Family!  This week, the Osbourne family unpacks the Met Gala's fashion highs and lows and rev ... Show More
1h 2m
May 2024
S05 BONUS E05: Anarchic Hyacinth: Mr Blobby and the Dutch Parody
In this episode of the Luxury Podcast’s executive bonus edition, William Hanson and Jonathan Vernon-Smith discuss when another 90s hit TV character Mr Blobby pays Hyacinth and Richard a visit. In his usual fashion, disaster follows. William and Jonathan also take a look at a Dutc ... Show More
27m 40s
Jul 2024
261: Ted Lasso Season 3
Gather up the Diamond Dogs—this week we’re talking about Ted Lasso, season 3! For the final installment of Captive Audience month, we turn our attention to a show we’ve covered in the past, subbing back in for one last round of Biscuits with the Boss. We dedicate the whole episod ... Show More
1h 33m
Dec 2024
Mick McCarthy pt1 | No Taking The P*ss
Big Mick is with us for this week's episode , talking through his time coming through the ranks at Barnsley, making a name for himself at Man City, missing his Brothers wedding to make is Ireland debut and dealing with Browny's paintball misdemeanour at Sunderland.. 🎧 Full episo ... Show More
1h 50m
Aug 21
S11 EP5: Olly Murs
Joining us this episode to discuss the highs and lows of parenting (and life) is the brilliant singer, songwriter and presenter - Olly Murs. Fresh off a sold-out Arena tour, including three massive dates in London (two at The O2 & one at Wembley Arena), Olly Murs is currently bac ... Show More
58m 58s
Aug 19
Olly Murs: What REALLY Happened on US Tour with One Direction & My Unbelievable Car Crash Story
This week on The Therapy Crouch, Abbey and Peter are joined by chart-topping singer, songwriter, and TV personality Olly Murs. Known for hits like Dance With Me Tonight and Troublemaker, and for his roles hosting The X Factor and coaching on The Voice UK, Olly opens up about life ... Show More
1h 6m
Sep 23
The Second Half of Life | "The Pool: Part Two" (402)
On today’s episode of That Was Us, we’re diving into Season 4, Episode 2: The Pool: Part Two. Flashbacks to a day at the pool show Jack and Rebecca struggling to keep their kids close as they grow older. In the present, the Big Three deal with their own set of challenges now that ... Show More
1h 28m