Ridgey Didge

Ridgey Didge was a popular Network Ten magazine television programme for children in Australia. The name is an Australian slang term meaning honest, true or the real thing.

Ridgey Didge
GenreChildren's television series
Presented byJared Robinsen
Rebecca Hetherington
Simon Watt
Danny Carretti
Chris Harriott
Ashley Paske
Theme music composerChris Harriott
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes39
Production
Executive producerIan Fairweather
ProducerPenni-Anne Smith
Production locationsTEN Studios, North Ryde, New South Wales
Running time52 minutes (excluding commercials)
Release
Original networkNetwork Ten
Picture format4:3 (PAL)
Audio formatStereo
Original release7 September 1987 (1987-09-07) 
24 February 1989 (1989-02-24)
Chronology
Preceded byOff the Dish
Followed byDouble Dare Australia

Format

A long-running series of 52-minute programmes, each studio-based episode was intended to be an entertaining voyage of adventure and discovery for the viewers, constantly covering new topics reflecting Australian life and culture. Location segments added to the mix. One episode recorded sealing a time capsule to commemorate Australia's bicentennial in 1988; the capsule was opened in 2001.

Presenters

A team of presenters hosted each programme:

They were joined by puppet characters:

  • Shaun the Sheep (operated by Danny Carretti), and
  • Buzz the Blowfly (operated by Simon Watt).

Other presenters of regular segments:

  • Dr. Glenn Singleman (medicine)
  • Dean Taylor (art)

Catchphrase

The lyrics in the signature tune repeated the words ridgey didge several times which became a catchphrase amongst the target audience. This was accompanied with a hand gesture. The three middle fingers of the right hand were closed, leaving the thumb and little finger extended; the hand was then twisted from side to side in time with the rhythm of the music.

Transmission

The show aired between 1987 and 1989, Monday to Friday at 4 p.m. on Network TEN!

The competition

Production crew

Produced by the in-house production department based at the TEN studios in North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia:

  • Executive producer — Ian Fairweather
  • Producer — Penni-Anne Smith
  • Production manager — Dawn Aronie
  • Writers — Tammy Burnstock, Simon Watt
  • Location director — Lou Petho
  • Production assistant — Michael Carrington
  • Production assistant — Deborah Kingsford
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