Exercise (Bluey)
"Exercise" is the 39th episode of the third series of the Australian animated television program Bluey, and the 143rd episode overall. It first aired on ABC Kids in Australia on 16 April 2023. The episode involves Bandit as he tries to exercise in the garden while Bluey and Bingo interrupt him by roleplaying by pretending to be in a workplace.
The episode was animated by Brisbane's Ludo Studio and was directed by Richard Jeffery and co-directed and written by series creator Joe Brumm. The episode has attracted controversy, with many people accusing the opening scene of the episode of promoting harmful ideas about body images, which led to the episode being subsequently edited in May 2023 to prevent further backlash.
Plot
Bandit looks at the mirror contemplating his weight, leading him to set up for a workout in the garden, starting a ten-minute timer on his wrist strap. However, his exercise plans are quickly hijacked when Bingo uses the weights for pretend driving, and Bluey claims the mat as her bed. Bandit sighs, anticipating how the session will inevitably turn into playtime. As the girls dive into their imaginative world, Bingo becomes "Larn" and heads off to her workplace, where Bluey greets her and gives her a tour.
While the girls act out their workplace scenario, Bandit attempts to work out, managing squats while also lifting the girls when they pretend he's an elevator. Unable to hold both for long, he collapses onto the mat with them. Bandit improvises and starts lifting weights lying down, only for the girls to turn him into a "spinny-chair" for Larn. Later, he reclaims the mat to do sit-ups with the girls standing on his feet, before becoming the "Ping-Pong ball" in their game, which ends with him flying into the bushes.
Exhausted, Bandit lies down but ends up supporting Larn again as she returns to her desk. She hesitates when invited to the fun park by Bluey, wanting to impress her boss, but eventually joins in. Bandit once again becomes the entertainment, serving as various rides and waves. Though thoroughly worn out, he helps the girls return to "work" by lifting them like an elevator. Larn apologizes for not going to the fun park sooner, but Bluey, who reveals she is the boss, assures her that she's happy with her employee's performance.
As Bandit's timer beeps, signaling the end of his "workout," Larn is assigned a new, mundane job: holding up Bandit's leg. Chilli arrives with tea (really water) for Bluey, who rejects it for not having enough sugar, and Larn is told to tickle her. Bandit finally heads off to his actual job, affectionately stroking Bluey. The episode closes at a doctor's office, where the doctor comments on Bandit's fitness. When asked if he's been hitting the gym, Bandit replies, "Nah, it's been coming to me," as he pats Bluey's head and her tail wags.
Production
"Exercise" entered production in November 2020 after Ludo Studio greenlit a third series in October 2020 due to the success of the second series.
Release
"Exercise" originally aired on ABC Kids in Australia as the 39th episode for the third part of the third series, debuting to an audience of around 528,000 viewers.
Additionally, in certain regions, Disney+ added "Exercise" to its platform on 12 January 2024 alongside much of series 3. The episode was later included on home media releases for series 3 that released in the United States on 28 May 2024.
Controversy
The opening scene for "Exercise" caused controversy, particularly on social media, with some parents expressing concern that it promoted harmful ideas about body image, with some accusing the episode of fat-shaming. Others defended the episode, saying that they felt seen, or that conversations about weight should be normalized. Several pediatricians noted that showing exercise being motivated by weight and aesthetics was not a healthy way to discuss exercise with the target demographic of young children.
On 5 May 2023, and with approval from Ludo Studio, ABC Kids edited Exercise, removing the first scene entirely. According to the ABC's statement, "The new version provides families with the opportunity to manage important conversations in their own way."