Bump in the Night (TV series)

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Bump in the Night
Created byKen Pontac
David Bleiman
Directed byKen Pontac
David Bleiman
Ginny McSwain (voice director)
Voices ofJim Cummings
Rob Paulsen
Gail Matthius
Narrated byJim Cummings (uncredited)
Gail Matthius (uncredited)
Opening themeJim Latham
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes26 (45 segments) + 1 special
Production
Executive producersDavid Bleiman Ichioka
Ken Pontac
Patricia Rose Duignan
ProducersDavid Bleiman Ichioka
Ken Pontac
Patricia Rose Duignan
EditorEdie Ichioka
Running time30 minutes
Production companiesDanger Productions
Greengrass Productions
Original release
NetworkABC
ReleaseSeptember 10, 1994 (1994-09-10) –
December 2, 1995 (1995-12-02)

Bump in the Night is an American stop-motion animated series by Danger Productions and Greengrass Productions. The show was filmed using stop-motion animation and aired on ABC from 1994 to 1995.[1] It was created and directed by Ken Pontac and David Bleiman.

Synopsis[edit]

Mr. Bumpy is a small green, purple-warted monster living under the bed of a ten-year-old boy, where he eats dirty socks and dust bunnies as if they were delicacies. His best friends are Squishington, a blue monster that lived in the bathroom's toilet cistern; and Molly Coddle, a Frankenstein's monster-like rag doll belonging to the boy's sister who acts as the straight man to the others' crazy antics.

Other characters include Destructo, the boy's toy robot who sees himself as a cop and persecutes Mr. Bumpy for his actions. There is also the Closet Monster, who's made up of the boy's pile of clothes and chases after Mr. Bumpy.

Structure[edit]

The show was traditionally split into two major parts per half-hour (occasionally dedicating a full half hour per show, or sometimes splitting into three parts), and had a music video at the end of the episode, starring the three main characters and any minor characters involved in the episode. This musical montage would take clips from the episode itself and reiterate the life lessons learned in the episode.

Cast[edit]

Main[edit]

Additional talent[edit]

Performing musicians for the music of the show: Wayne Boone (guitar), Kevin Konklin (guitar), Eric Ferry (drums), and Ray Brinker (drums).

Episodes[edit]

Season 1 (1994)[edit]

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleOriginal air date
11"Made in Japan"
"Dr. Coddle, M.D."
September 10, 1994 (1994-09-10)

  • "Made in Japan" — Bumpy mails in a cereal box top for a free Turbo-Totro-Noid. A cute little robot arrives, disappointing Bumpy.
  • "Dr. Coddle, M.D." — Molly orders medical instruction books from the Easy-Does-It Doctor Correspondence Course. Bumpy eats the books and replaces them with home improvement manuals.
  • "Karaoke Cafe: "You Gotta Say You're Sorry..."" — Sung by Mr. Bumpy and Squishington (Blues)
22"Gum Crazy"
"Baby Snail"
September 17, 1994 (1994-09-17)

  • "Gum Crazy" — Bumpy tries to retrieve undigested bubblegum from his own stomach, resulting in fights with his own heart and brain. Note: Molly Coddle did not appear in this episode.
  • "Baby Snail" — Bumpy baby-sits a baby snail, while Squishy looks for Mom.
  • "Karaoke Cafe: "Why Do You Like Me?"" — Sung by Mr. Bumpy and Squishington (Ballad). Note: Molly Coddle did not appear in this music video.
33"Hide and Go Freak"
"Better Homes & Garbage"
September 24, 1994 (1994-09-24)

  • "Hide and Go Freak" — Bumpy and Squishy teach Molly to play Hide and Go Freak.
  • "Better Homes & Garbage" — Squishington moves in with Bumpy for a few days, testing the limits of their friendship when Squishy is revealed to be a neat freak. Note: Molly Coddle did not appear in this episode.
  • "Karaoke Cafe: Bump in the Night Theme (Alternate version)" — Sung by Mr. Bumpy
44"Not of This Boy's Room"
"To Sleep Perchance to Burp"
October 1, 1994 (1994-10-01)

  • "Not of This Boy's Room" — Bumpy gets abducted by space aliens, and he tries to help them take over the Earth.
  • "To Sleep Perchance to Burp" — The Boy cannot get to sleep because the monster under the bed makes noise.
  • "Karaoke Cafe: "Gotta Have It"" — Rapped by Mr. Bumpy (Hip Hop)
55"Danger: Unexploded Squishington"
"Loss of Face"
October 8, 1994 (1994-10-08)

  • "Danger: Unexploded Squishington" — Squishington's stomach is ticking. Bumpy deduces Squishy has eaten a bomb. Mr. Bumpy and Squishy try to get rid of it. Note: Molly Coddle did not appear in this episode.
  • "Loss of Face" — Squshington tries to clean his face with a bathcloth, but his face rubs off. Then the bathcloth disappears. Bumpy helps Squishy reclaim his face. Note: Molly Coddle did not appear in this episode.
  • "Karaoke Cafe: "Find a New Neighborhood"" — Sung by Squishington (Rock). Note: Molly Coddle did not speak in this music video.
66"Sock It to Me"
"Comforting the Uncomfortable"
October 15, 1994 (1994-10-15)

  • "Sock It to Me" — Squishington helps Mr. Bumpy control his appetite for socks. Note: Molly Coddle did not appear in this episode.
  • "Comforting the Uncomfortable" — Molly tries to comfort the Closet Monster.
  • "Karaoke Cafe: "You Need a Hug"" — Rapped by Molly Coddle (Hip Hop)
77"Baby Jail"
"Night of the Living Bread"
October 22, 1994 (1994-10-22)

  • "Baby Jail" — Bumpy spends time with babies and learns to understand their hardships.
  • "Night of the Living Bread" — Bumpy and Squishy save the world from an evil mutant slice of bread. Note: Molly Coddle did not appear in this episode.
  • "Karaoke Cafe: "Go Away and Don't Come Back"" — Sung by Squishington. Note: Molly Coddle did not speak in this music video.
88"Party Poopers"October 29, 1994 (1994-10-29)

  • "Party Poopers" (double length) — Molly wants to be invited to a Cute Doll party. The cute dolls want to invite the monsters. Squishy cannot wait but Bumpy does not want to go.
  • "Karaoke Cafe": ""School's Out"" by Alice Cooper — Sung by Mr. Bumpy (70s Rock)
99"A Sneeze in Time"
"Hocus Dopus"
November 5, 1994 (1994-11-05)

  • "A Sneeze in Time" — Bumpy goes back in time to try to avoid offending Squishington.
  • "Karaoke Cafe: "The Things You Make Me Want to Do"" — Sung by Mr. Bumpy (Pop)
  • "Hocus Dopus" — Bumpy tries to pull a rabbit out of a hat for Squishy. Note: Molly Coddle did not appear in this episode.
1010"Adventures in Microbia"
"Not a Peep!"
November 12, 1994 (1994-11-12)

  • "Adventures In Microbia" — Squishy and Bumpy try to fight germs face to protoplasm, but a germ girl captures Squishington's heart. Note: Molly Coddle did not appear in this episode.
  • "Not a Peep!" — Destructo tries to keep Mr. Bumpy from making noise.
  • "Karaoke Cafe: "Picking Up the Pieces When Your Whole World Falls Apart"" — Sung by Molly Coddle (Country). Note: Mr. Bumpy and Squishington did not speak in this music video.
1111"Penny for Your Thoughts"
"Farewell 2 Arms"
November 19, 1994 (1994-11-19)

  • "Penny For Your Thoughts" — A penny falls each time Mr. Bumpy thinks a thought.
  • "Farewell 2 Arms" — Anti-Molly wants to be more powerful and less helpless. She rebuilds herself with powerful limbs.
  • "Karaoke Cafe: "Socks – I Love Socks"" — Sung by Mr. Bumpy. Note: Squishington and Molly Coddle did not speak in this music video.
1212"I Dream of Silverfish"
"Story Problems"
November 26, 1994 (1994-11-26)

  • "I Dream of Silverfish" — Bumpy and Squishy find a "genie" in a lamp. Note: Molly Coddle did not appear in this episode.
  • "Story Problems" — Bumpy eats The Boy's homework, and then tries to redo it. Note: Molly Coddle did not appear in this episode.
  • "Karaoke Cafe: "Good Golly Miss Molly (You Sweet Comfort Doll)"" — Sung by Squishington (50s Rock). Note: Mr. Bumpy and Molly Coddle did not speak in this music video.
1313"All You Need Is Glove"
"In The Bowl of the Squishy Prince"
December 3, 1994 (1994-12-03)

  • "All You Need Is Glove" — Bumpy fights with a glove for a perfect left-foot sock. Note: Squishington and Molly Coddle did not appear in this episode.
  • "In The Bowl of the Squishy Prince" — Squishy, needing a boost in self-esteem, tries to find a princess who will kiss him.
  • "Karaoke Cafe: "Don't Try This at Home"" — Sung by Mr Bumpy (Rock)

Season 2 (1995)[edit]

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleOriginal air date
141"Long Long Day"
"Destructo's Flipside"
September 9, 1995 (1995-09-09)

  • "Long Long Day" — Musical skit, set up by Destructo and the Closet Monster fighting over possession of Mr. Bumpy.
  • "Destructo's Flipside" — Bumpy puts Destructo's battery in backwards making him friendly and kinder.
  • "Karaoke Cafe: "I'm Bigger than You"" — Sung by Destructo and Mr. Bumpy (similar to "Iron Man" by Black Sabbath)
152"Love Stinks"
"Love's Labor Bumped"
September 16, 1995 (1995-09-16)

  • "Love Stinks" — Molly falls into a trash can and attracts the affections of a stinkbug.
  • "Love's Labor Bumped" — Destructo has a crush on Molly and Bumpy uses this to his advantage by dressing up as her.
  • "Karaoke Cafe: "Why Do You Like Me?""
163"It Sang from Beyond the Stars"
"Journey to the Center of the Lungfish"
September 23, 1995 (1995-09-23)

  • "It Sang from Beyond the Stars" — Musical skit starring Gloog and Sleemoth as musical invaders Note: Molly Coddle did not speak in this episode.
  • "Journey to the Center of the Lungfish" — Bumpy, Squishington, and Molly are swallowed by a lungfish and they meet a pirate bug that lives in there.
  • "Karaoke Cafe: "Find a New Neighborhood""
174"Auntie Matta"
"Bumpy the Untrappable"
September 30, 1995 (1995-09-30)

  • "Auntie Matta" — Bumpy's scary Aunt visits and she spends half her time scaring everyone and when his friends tell him about her actions bumpy must put an end to it by making her leave.
  • "Bumpy the Untrappable" — The Boy tries to trap Mr Bumpy but since bumpy is quick it will be tough to catch him. Note: Molly Coddle did not appear in this episode.
  • "Karaoke Cafe: "I Was Right and You Were Wrong"" — Sung by Mr. Bumpy and Squishington (Polka). Note: Molly Coddle did not speak in this music video.
185"It Came from the Closet"October 7, 1995 (1995-10-07)

  • "It Came from the Closet (And Wouldn't Leave)" — The Closet Monster moves under the bed. Note: Squishington and Molly Coddle did not appear in this episode.
  • "All You Need Is Glove"
  • "Karaoke Cafe: Bump in the Night Theme (Alternate version)"
196"Comfort Schmumfort"October 14, 1995 (1995-10-14)

  • "Not of This Boy's Room"
  • "Comfort Schmumfort" — Space aliens abduct Bumpy and Squishy, leaving "harmless" Molly behind and she must go save them.
  • "Karaoke Cafe: "Comfort Schmumfort"" — Sung by Molly Coddle, with Mr. Bumpy and Squishington (Polka)
207"Bump and Roll"October 21, 1995 (1995-10-21)

  • "Bump and Roll" — Musical number. Note: Molly Coddle did not appear in this episode.
  • "Night of the Living Bread"
  • "Karaoke Cafe: "Making Music Is Fun"" — Sung by Mr. Bumpy, Squishington, and Molly (Latin)
218"I Got Needs"
"Beauty and the Bump"
October 28, 1995 (1995-10-28)

  • "I Got Needs" — Starts with invading Vikings, turns into musical number for Bumpy.
  • "Beauty and the Bump" — Bumpy falls for an antique china doll under glass, who becomes the Princess in his fairy-tale dream.
  • "Karaoke Cafe: "It's Mine"" — Sung by Mr. Bumpy
229"When the Music Starts"November 4, 1995 (1995-11-04)

  • "When the Music Starts" — Musical number for Squishington (Rock)
  • "Loss of Face"
  • "Karaoke Cafe: "Go Away and Don't Come Back""
2310"Neat and Clean"
"Nothing But the Tooth"
November 11, 1995 (1995-11-11)

  • "Neat and Clean" — Begins as "Adventures in Microbia", then breaks into song (Squishy, Molly, Destructo, Bumpy, Cute Dolls).
  • "Nothing But the Tooth" — Bumpy's teeth turn on him.
  • "Karaoke Cafe: "Picking Up the Pieces When Your Whole World Falls Apart""
2411"Water Way to Go"
"Cold Turkey"
November 18, 1995 (1995-11-18)

  • "Water Way to Go" — Squishington withers when the plumber turns off the water. Musical number for Bumpy, Squishington, and the Cute Dolls (Soul). Note: Molly Coddle did not appear in this episode.
  • "Cold Turkey" — A frozen turkey comes to life and escapes from the freezer. Note: Molly Coddle did not appear in this episode.
  • "Karaoke Cafe: "I Live in the Porcelain"" — Sung by Squishington (Reggae). Note: Molly Coddle did not appear in this music video.
2512"Made in Japan II"November 25, 1995 (1995-11-25)

  • "Made in Japan"
  • "Made in Japan II" (sequel to "Made in Japan") — Little Robot e-mails herself to Squishy to escape destruction.
  • "Karaoke Cafe: "What Goes Up Must Come Down"" — Sung by Mr. Bumpy and Albert Einstein (Hip Hop). Note: Molly Coddle did not speak in this music video.
2613"Not a Leg to Stand On"December 2, 1995 (1995-12-02)

  • "Not a Leg to Stand On" — Bumpy is accused of stealing Molly's feet.
  • "Hide and Go Freak"
  • "Karaoke Cafe: "You Gotta Say You're Sorry...""

Christmas special (1995)[edit]

No.TitleOriginal air date
Special"Twas the Night Before Bumpy"December 9, 1995 (1995-12-09)
Movie, 64 min: Molly Coddle takes over as a pageant director while Mr. Bumpy and Squishington enter the North Pole.

Production[edit]

The development of the series began as a series of ad bumpers for ABC's Saturday morning lineup in 1993, hence the title Bump in the Night and the character's naming of Mr. Bumpy.[citation needed] In 1996, DIC Entertainment, while still in partnership with the ABC network, purchased the show's rights, even though they were never involved in the show’s production.[citation needed]. Reruns of Bump in the Night were featured on Toon Disney from 1998 to 2001.

Home releases[edit]

On VHS, the series was released by Capital Cities/ABC Video Enterprises and later Anchor Bay Entertainment on many VHS volumes:

  • Molly: Tales from the Toy Chest
  • Squishington: Tales from the Tank
  • Mr. Bumpy: Tales from Under the Bed
  • The Hubbish About Rubbish
  • Hocus-Pocus, Pranks and Play
  • Monsters on a Mission
  • Dreams and Dilemmas
  • Night of the Living Bread
  • Mr. Bumpy's Karaoke Cafe
  • 'Twas The Night Before Bumpy (Christmas special, 63 minutes, originally split into 3 episodes)

In September 2003, Sterling Entertainment released a VHS/DVD called Night of the Living Bread, containing 6 segments. 3 additional segments were included on DVD. In April 2010, Shout! Factory released Bump In The Night: The Complete Series on DVD.[2] In February 2016, Mill Creek Entertainment re-released Bump in the Night – The Complete Series on DVD in Region 1.[3]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Erickson, Hal (2005). Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 (2nd ed.). McFarland & Co. pp. 164–165. ISBN 978-1476665993.
  2. ^ Latchem, John (February 26, 2010). "Shout! Factory Maxing Out". Home Media Magazine. Archived from the original on 2010-03-01. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
  3. ^ "Bump in the Night DVD news: Re-Release for Bump in the Night – The Complete Series". TVShowsOnDVD.com. 2015-11-13. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2016-02-22.

External links[edit]