There have been a number of Bluey episodes that were banned (Picture: ABC)
One of the stars of Bluey has opened up about certain episodes of the kids show being banned in the US.
The iconic Australian cartoon hit our screens in 2018 and has become hugely popular with all ages, leading to millions around the world tuning in to watch Bluey, a Blue Heeler puppy, and her family – parents Bandit and Chilli, and her younger sister, Bingo.
Full episodes are available to stream on Disney+ now, but there are some instalments that have been taken off air in America, including the unearthed Dad Baby footage.
Another episode that was briefly banned focused on the family holding a ‘trial’ after Bandit farted in Bluey’s face.
While Family Meeting originally aired Down Under in 2021, it was not originally included on Disney+ – reportedly due to toilet humor.
This led to complaints on social media, with bosses eventually relenting and adding the show to their slate in October, 2022.
Melanie Zanetti voices mom Chilli(Picture: Getty)
During an appearance on TMZ’s Big Down Under podcast, actress Melanie Zanetti, who voices Chilli, shared her honest thoughts on the brief ban.
‘There were a number of people farting, that was not just Chilli, may I say,’ she quipped. ‘It’s an excellent episode – Family Meeting, go check it out everyone.
‘I think that did have a delay, which I find wild – the things that are acceptable in America but a fart-focused episode was not acceptable, which I find so funny.
‘I feel like the things around swearing, there’s a little bit more concern there, whereas Australians, I feel, are much more laid back.’
‘I don’t know if they are actually that much more sensitive, or whether they are just being careful,’ she added.
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‘What it does create then is this desire for the hidden episodes or the bits they’ve missed. So I think it backfired.’
In the season three instalment, Bandit was accused of ‘fluffing’ in Bluey’s face as he got out of bed, leading to a family ‘trial’ – and other members of the family also farting.
Melanie’s comments come after creator Joe Brumm dropped a huge bombshell at the end of last year, sharing that he was stepping away from the animated series.
‘I’m writing this to share some Bluey news – some good, some trifficult,’ he said at the time. ‘Let’s start with the good – after some time spent away from the series, working on another project, an old idea resurfaced and before I knew it, I’d written a Bluey feature script that I really love.
‘Fast forward through a tonne of contracting and we’re about to embark on making an animated Bluey movie!
The beloved series has been running since 2018 (Picture: Ludo Studio)
‘Now, for the trifficult. I always said I wouldn’t keep making the show if I thought I couldn’t make any new season as good as the last. This would have been the case for me with a potential season four, so I’ve decided to take a break from my involvement in the TV series.
‘In the event I can’t wrap my head around doing more seasons myself, The Sign will mark my TV finale for Bluey and I wrote it as such.’
‘Bluey has completely changed my life,’ Joe insisted. ‘It’s been an immensely satisfying thing to be a part of, more than I can really put into words.
‘To walk away from it while it’s at such a height will seem crazy to some but, for now, I am finding it difficult to reach back genuinely into that four- to six-year-old world and write authentically.
Bluey creator Joe Brumm’s statement in full
I’m writing this to share some Bluey news – some good, some trifficult.
Let’s start with the good – after some time spent away from the series, working on another project, an old idea resurfaced and before I knew it, I’d written a Bluey feature script that I really love. Fast forward through a tonne of contracting and we’re about to embark on making an animated Bluey movie!
Now, for the trifficult. I always said I wouldn’t keep making the show if I thought I couldn’t make any new season as good as the last. This would have been the case for me with a potential season four, so I’ve decided to take a break from my involvement in the TV series. In the event I can’t wrap my head around doing more seasons myself, The Sign will mark my TV finale for Bluey and I wrote it as such.
Bluey has completely changed my life. It’s been an immensely satisfying thing to be a part of, more than I can really put into words. To walk away from it while it’s at such a height will seem crazy to some but, for now, I am finding it difficult to reach back genuinely into that four to six year old world and write authentically.
My Bluey crew and all the creative people in my life completely understand my decision. Working with that wonderful group of people has been the absolute highlight of my animation career and I hope Bluey on their CV is a badge of pride for them.
To be clear, this is not an announcement about the end of the show, but it is an acknowledgment that my focus will be on the film.
Thank you for taking this show into your homes, the whole experience has been an impossible experience to describe.
‘My Bluey crew and all the creative people in my life completely understand my decision. Working with that wonderful group of people has been the absolute highlight of my animation career and I hope Bluey on their CV is a badge of pride for them.’
‘To be clear, this is not an announcement about the end of the show, but it is an acknowledgment that my focus will be on the film,’ Joe added. ‘Thank you for taking this show into your homes, the whole experience has been an impossible experience to describe.’
Bluey is available to stream on Disney+.
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