Zig and Zag (puppets)

Zig and Zag are fictional characters, portrayed by puppets, who made their television début on Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ)'s "The Den" and later appeared on Channel 4's "The Big Breakfast" and on MTV Europe.

Apparently extraterrestrial twins (born on February 29) from the Planet Zog, Zig and Zag visited Ireland, decided to stay and were adopted by Ian Dempsey (and later re-adopted by Ray D'Arcy). They brought an alien dog called Zuppy with them.

Zig (short for Zigmund) is beige (although he claimed to be fawn) with red "zogabongs" (pom-pom antennae) and a tuft of green hair, and Zag is purple with green spots and yellow zogabongs and dreadlocks. Zag was portrayed as the more intelligent older brother, a lecherous lady-killer who claimed to fly every weekend to Hollywood to dine with the stars, as well as performing ragga songs in his guise of "Ragga Zagga"; Zig was portrayed as a weak-willed childish simpleton, constantly giggling at rude jokes (like the word "bottom"), obsessed with specific things (such as "The Hunt for Red October" or his rash) and frequently unaware of what was going on around him. However, earlier in their lifespans Zig often came across as the more intelligent one, with Zag under his thumb (most evident in their "Story Time" segments, when Zig would read a nursery rhyme to the audience, and Zag would grudgingly act it out). This image was boosted by their highly successful series of comic books, the number 1 selling video "Nothing to do with Toast" released in 1988 and their number 1 selling album, "Never Mind The Zogabongs...Here's Zig and Zag" 1991

Zig and Zag's tireless efforts to keep the children of Ireland entertained finally paid off in 1989 when the pair were honoured with a Jacob's Award.

After having worked on "The Den" for a number of years, Zig and Zag worked concurrently on "The Big Breakfast" on Channel 4, then eventually left "The Den" to work on the show exclusively. On this, they acted as interviewers and were slightly less restrained with their language and actions. During this time, they also starred in a series of adverts for Yoplait yogurts. They continued to release comic books although with a much more adult theme.

After their departure from RTÉ, Dustin the Turkey took over as the recorder of parody albums. His first album had a track lamenting their loss to Ireland.

Zig and Zag had an appearance on MTV Europe on the show "MTV's Most Wanted". They claimed Ray Cokes was their father. They also hosted their own sketch programme, "The Zig and Zag Show", and produced a video of sketches, "Zig and Zag's Million Quid Vid".

After a revamp on "The Big Breakfast", they were dropped and produced a small number of episodes of an even more risque show for ITV before returning to Ireland to present a teenager-aimed music quiz called "2Phat" with Ray D'Arcy, their "father" from their later years on "The Den".

The last series of "2Phat" ended in 2001, and the brothers returned to "The Big Breakfast" during its last month of production in 2002 in an (unsuccessful) attempt to save the programme from the axe. They have also appeared in various TV Years episodes such as TV Years 1990s and their voices, or at least good imitations of them, have appeared on some radio advertisements in late 2004. The British public voted their time on "The Big Breakfast" as the 15th "Funniest Moment" on television.

Ciaran Morrison and Mick O'Hara, who provided the voices for Zig and Zag respectively, have gone on to produce a TV series for Channel 4 in 2003, "The Bronx Bunny Show", and regularly appear on RTÉ Two in their current incarnations of Podge and Rodge.

Zig and Zag made a brief reappearance in 2006 on a radio advertisement for Homestead. Zig and Zag starred in a children's programme called "Me:Tv" for Nickelodeon UK and Ireland in Summer 2006 where kids use their own web cams to present the show.

Zig and Zag's first ever DVD will be released by RTÉ in October 2008 to celebrate the duo's 21st anniversary since appearing on Irish Television. The DVD will be entitled Best Bitz from Back Den and will feature a compilation of links, music items, Christmas Specials spanning Zig and Zag's Den years between 1987 and 1993.

"Dempsey's Den" (1987-1990)

Zig and Zag's first appearance was in September 1987 on "Dempsey's Den" which was broadcast as a series of links between afternoon children's programming on RTÉ 2 television.

"The Den" (1990-1993)

With the departure of Ian Dempsey, afternoon children's programming on RTÉ 2 changed its name to "The Den" with new host and Zig and Zag's new TV dad Ray D'Arcy

"The Big Breakfast" (1992 - 1998) (2002)

Zig and Zag recorded the pilot episode of one of two new breakfast TV shows for Channel 4 television in the UK. When the pilot for "The Big Breakfast" was chosen as the new flagship series, the two aliens took up residence in the bathroom of the Lock Keepers cottage and hosted their own slot entitled The Crunch as well as appearing live in and around the house with co-hosts Chris Evans and Gaby Roslin.

During the first year of the series Zig and Zag continued to appear on "The Den" as well as every morning on "The Big Breakfast". In 1993 the two aliens retired from "The Den" which was taken over by Dustin and new character Soky.

Zig and Zag returned to for the final month of "The Big Breakfast" in 2002 and appeared on the final episode of the show.

"Entertainment Cops" (1994)

"Entertainment Cops" was a 30-minute Christmas Special produced by Planet 24 and Double Z Enterprises for Channel 4 where Zig and Zag revealed that their day job was as an elite police division ensuring that "Bad TV" was regulated. As Agent Zig and Agent Zag.The show featured a number of guest performers including: Keith Allen, Richard Wilson, Frank Bruno, Angela Rippon, Helen Mirren, Chas and Dave, Paul McKenna, Sir Ronald Ferguson, Wolf from "Gladiators"

A follow up series entitled "Dirty Deeds" was commissioned by Channel 4 in 1996.

"The Zig and Zag Show" (1994-1995)

The Zig and Zag show was commissioned by MTV Europe and ran for two seasons. 26 x 30 min episodes were produced and broadcast throughout Europe. Gaining the pair quite a high profile especially in the Scandinavian countries where their single "Them Girls, Them Girls" (a parody of Reel 2 Real) reached the top of the charts in Sweden.

"Them Girls, Them Girls" peaked at No.4 in the British singles charts at Christmas 1994.

The MTV series was built around unusual Top 5 videos. For instance the Top 5 Poodle videos, the Top 5 Fridge videos. Fake MTV News features, The Church of Funk featuring Zag as The Reverend Groove', Super Cooks, Toilet Man, Fruit Sports, skits on ads and musical performances with such acts as Dog Eat Dog, Adam Ant, Boyzone, Rednecks, Sparks, Spearhead and Teenage Fanclub.

There was also a Zig & Zag special aired on MTV Europe, an hour in length. It was basically an extended Zig & Zag show in which the Dutch house/techno group 2 Unlimited were the special guests.

"Dirty Deeds" (1996)

"Dirty Deeds" was a series of 7 x 24min episodes commissioned by Channel 4 and co-produced by Working Title and Double Z Enterprises. Agent Zig and Agent Zag set up the 'Dirty Deeds Agency' where "You pay, We prey" where for a large fee Zig and Zag will perform sneaky and downright dirty deeds for the highest bidder, using their wiley alien ways to complete each mission. From helping their old pal Chris Evans to stage a musical of his life story 'Gingerella' to stealing Baywatch costumes for Ken Morley so he can open a Baywatch themed restaurant. No job is too small for the brothers Zogly.

"2 Phat"

"2 Phat" saw Zig and Zag return to Irish television for two series of a brand new music quiz show with their old friend Ray D'Arcy. A group of college students battled it out to win a Moped on this twice weekly show which featured sketches, skits and numerous guests including regulars DJ Lee on the decks and Velcro Girl who had clues attached to her body.

External links

* [http://www.rte.ie/laweb/smil/brc/brc80s_dden_tv.smil Realplayer video of Zig and Zag on RTÉ2 in Ireland on the 'Dempsey's Den' children's program]