It’s the Australian kids’ show that has taken the world by storm,butBlueyproved it can still pull a crowd Down Under – hundreds of people turned up to Federation Square on Sunday to watch the premiere of its newest episode.
A gaggle of little Blueys and Bingos — as well as their parents – were entranced by what is the show’s longest episode,one which finally answered the question:Are those blue heelers actually going to?
Bluey fans Hudson,6,and dad Kyle Hartman watched the highly anticipated new episode in Melbourne’s Federation Square.Penny Stephens
The new episode, The Sign,clocked in at a – quadruple the length of the show’s usual seven-minute episodes.
Based around the wedding of Bluey’s uncle,the episode also shows the famous family of dogs considering selling their home and leaving their beloved Brisbane – and it includes a run-in with the law.
For six-year-old fan Hudson Hartman and his dad,Kyle,it was worth the early morning start to be able to watch their favourite show on the big screen.
The duo were dressed in matchingBluey pyjamas and brought along a homemade cutout of the main character,which Kyle painted for athemed birthday party well before.
Hudson’s advice for those not yet on theBlueybandwagon? “Just try watching it;it’s good to try new stuff.
“Bingo is funny a lot,and Bluey always has cool and great ideas,” he said.
The Sign quickly confirmed what we all suspected:the housing crisis is worse than we thought. Despite owning a sprawling four-bedroom weatherboard with a wraparound terrace and beautiful jacaranda,dad Bandit is feeling the cost-of-living crunch and has accepted a better-paid job interstate.
While Bluey and Bingo struggle to accept the idea of moving,mum Chilli explains that in times of uncertainty (and aggressive inflation),you must rely on the unknown power of “we’ll see”.
Bluey is one of the most-streamed shows in the US.Supplied
While kids cheered and danced along with the characters onscreen on Sunday,some parents were brought to tears while empathising with the struggles of parents Bandit and Chilli.
“It feels like our family;it’s so relatable and funny,” said Mary Bolling,who runs the and sports a tattoo of Bluey’s younger sibling,Bingo,on her arm.
“When I first watched it,I was on maternity leave with[my son] Caspian,and he’s five now. So the kids have grown up with it,and my parenting has grown up with it.
Podcaster Mary Bolling with her sons Bonaventure (left) and Caspian at Federation Square.Penny Stephens
“I might be the biggest Bluey fan,but the kids are happy to go along with it.”
After the extended episode was announced,there was feverish speculation online that it could be the last outing from the beloved blue heeler family.
In an interview with the ABC on Friday,Bluey executive producer Daley Pearson said the episode’s success would help decide the franchise’s future,but the makers hoped to create aBluey movie eventually.
Last year,Bluey was the second-most streamed show in the US,where viewers clocked up a cumulative 43.9 billion viewing minutes,leaving it second only to the drama.
The episode ends with the buyers of Bluey’s house pulling out at the last minute (they find somewhere with a pool),leading Bandit to renege on his new job and keep the family home. Luckily,Queensland’s unemployment rate is at a,so he should find another gig quickly enough.
Ultimately,Australia’s much-loved cartoon family is staying put,but as for confirmation of another season,the best we’ve had from the show’s creators is:“We’ll see.”
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