This children’s series from the Australian Broadcasting Commission began with a spaceship landing in a Sydney suburb and quickly disguising itself as a three-bedroom brick veneer house.
Inside is an overweight, star-struck alien called Rufus (Paul Chubb) – from a planet called “Don’t Call Us” – with a high-pitched voice and a computer called Beryl whose voice comes out of some lights on the wall (voiced by Janice Finn).
Earthling Ron (Ron Blanchard) arrives to rent a room and soon the duo are indulging in corny jokes and juvenile slapstick – like a B-grade cut-price Three Stooges.
Each episode featured guests visiting the house including rock acts like Moving Pictures, Marc Hunter, Jeff St John and Jon English; actors such as Graeme Blundell, Steve Bisley, Rebecca Gilling and Tracy Mann; and variety artists – including a fire eater, juggler, magician, Spanish dancers and a dog act.
A bemused studio audience sat through it all.
Ron Ron Blanchard Rufus
Paul Chubb Beryl (voice)
Janice Finn
