Exercise (Bluey)
| "Exercise" | |
|---|---|
| Bluey episode | |
_title_card.jpg?lang=en) Title card | |
| Episode no. | Series 3 Episode 39 |
| Directed by | Richard Jeffery Joe Brumm[1] |
| Written by | Joe Brumm[1] |
| Original air date | 16 April 2023[2] |
| Running time | 7 minutes[a] |
"Exercise" is the 39th episode of the third series of the Australian animated television program Bluey, and the 143rd episode overall. It first aired on ABC Kids in Australia on 16 April 2023. The episode involves Bandit as he tries to exercise in the garden while Bluey and Bingo interrupt him by roleplaying by pretending to be in a workplace.
The episode was animated by Brisbane's Ludo Studio and was directed by Richard Jeffery and co-directed and written by series creator Joe Brumm. The episode has attracted controversy, with many people accusing the opening scene of the episode of promoting harmful ideas about body images, which led to the episode being subsequently edited in May 2023 to prevent further backlash.
Plot
[edit]Bandit looks at the mirror contemplating his weight, leading him to set up for a workout in the garden, starting a ten-minute timer on his wrist strap.[b] However, his exercise plans are quickly hijacked when Bingo uses the weights for pretend driving, and Bluey claims the mat as her bed. Bandit sighs, anticipating how the session will inevitably turn into playtime. As the girls dive into their imaginative world, Bingo becomes "Larn" and heads off to her workplace, where Bluey greets her and gives her a tour.
While the girls act out their workplace scenario, Bandit attempts to work out, managing squats while also lifting the girls when they pretend he's an elevator. Unable to hold both for long, he collapses onto the mat with them. Bandit improvises and starts lifting weights lying down, only for the girls to turn him into a "spinny-chair" for Larn. Later, he reclaims the mat to do sit-ups with the girls standing on his feet, before becoming the "Ping-Pong ball" in their game, which ends with him flying into the bushes.
Exhausted, Bandit lies down but ends up supporting Larn again as she returns to her desk. She hesitates when invited to the fun park by Bluey, wanting to impress her boss, but eventually joins in. Bandit once again becomes the entertainment, serving as various rides and waves. Though thoroughly worn out, he helps the girls return to "work" by lifting them like an elevator. Larn apologizes for not going to the fun park sooner, but Bluey, who reveals she is the boss, assures her that she is happy with her employee's performance.
As Bandit's timer beeps, signaling the end of his "workout," Larn is assigned a new, mundane job: holding up Bandit's leg. Chilli arrives with tea (really water) for Bluey, who rejects it for not having enough sugar, and Larn is told to tickle her. Bandit finally heads off to his actual job, affectionately stroking Bluey. Later, at a doctor's office, the doctor comments on Bandit's fitness and asks if he has been hitting the gym. Bandit replies, "Nah, it's been coming to me," as he pats Bluey's head and her tail wags.
Production
[edit]"Exercise" entered production in November 2020 after Ludo Studio greenlit a third series in October 2020 due to the success of the second series.[3] According to series creator Joe Brumm, he focused on physical humour for the episode.[4]
Release
[edit]"Exercise" originally aired on ABC Kids in Australia as the 39th episode for the third part of the third series, debuting to an audience of around 528,000 viewers.[5]
Additionally, in certain regions, Disney+ added "Exercise" to its platform on 12 January 2024 alongside much of series 3.[6] The episode was later included on home media releases for series 3 that released in the United States on 28 May 2024.[7] This release, in addition to the complete series Blu-Ray, presents the uncut version of the episode.
Controversy
[edit]The opening scene of "Exercise" caused controversy, particularly on social media, with some parents expressing concern that it promoted harmful ideas about body image, with some accusing the episode of fat-shaming. Others defended the episode, saying that they felt seen, or that conversations about weight should be normalized. Several pediatricians noted that showing exercise being motivated by weight and aesthetics was not a healthy way to discuss exercise with the target demographic of young children.[8][9][10]
Present broadcasts following 5 May 2023, which include home media and streaming releases, were modified to remove the first scene entirely. The ABC stated that "the new version [of the episode] provides families with the opportunity to manage important conversations in their own way."[11][12]
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "Exercise". Bluey. Season 3. Episode 39. 16 April 2023. ABC.
- ^ "Bluey Season 3". Apple TV. Apple Inc. October 2018. Archived from the original on 21 April 2024. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
- ^ "Bluey season three coming your way!". screenqueensland.com.au. Screen Queensland. 10 October 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
- ^ Bluey creative team (16 April 2023). Exercise (podcast). Behind Bluey. ABC Listen. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
- ^ Knox, David (17 April 2023). "Sunday 16 April 2023". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 17 April 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
- ^ "Next on Disney+: January 2024". Disney Plus Press. Retrieved 1 May 2025.
- ^ "New Releases: May 28, 2024". Media Play News. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
- ^ Aubusson, Laura (17 April 2023). "'Uncomfortable to watch': Doctors and parents call for Bluey episode to be edited". Kidspot.com.au. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
- ^ Hall, Amy (17 April 2023). "Why this episode of Bluey has been criticised by some parents and body image experts". SBS World News. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
- ^ Emery, Brad (23 April 2023). "Bluey fat-shaming: Being overweight can lead to heart disease ... but don't tell the kids!". The Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment. Archived from the original on 25 April 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
- ^ "Bluey Exercise updated". abc.net.au. ABC. 5 May 2023. Archived from the original on 5 May 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
- ^ Knox, David (6 May 2023). "Bluey edits episode following audience blowback". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 5 May 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
