Their offer just wasn’t ap-peeling.
One of the stars of a beloved Aussie children’s TV show finally confirmed long-held rumors and speculation that the costumes of the titular stars of the program were kidnapped by Russian gangsters and held for ransom during an overseas trip.
Kenneth Radley, who played banana “B1” on the classic series “Bananas in Pyjamas” for nearly a decade, spilled the beans on a recent episode of “The Final Encore” podcast, according to news.com.au.
Radley revealed the banananapping took place during a promotional trip overseas, which Australian Broadcasting Corporation marketing chief Grahame Grassby did regularly to get photos of the bananas in high-profile places like the White House.
“[Grassby] took the suits to Moscow … the suits were stolen, and there was a ransom note given to Grassby for $100,000 Australian dollars [$65,000 USD] for the return of the suits.”
The missive was allegedly from the Russian mob, leaving Grassby completely flummoxed over what to do next.
Radley said the marketing boss got in touch with ABC in Sydney to explain the situation.
“And the head of the ABC said, ‘Well, we’re not gonna give them $100,000. How much do they cost to replace?’ And Graham said, ‘They’re $20,000 to make.’”
Radley claims the network told Grassby to offer the gangsters $20,000 and not a penny more. If they declined the offer, the suits would be abandoned and the network would eat the costs of making new ones.
The network then wired the money, which Grassby allegedly packed in a suitcase and was on his way to meet the mobsters when he had a change of heart.
“He went straight to the airport and got on a plane with the $20,000,” Radley told News.com.au.
But the botched payoff meant a grim fate for B1 and B2.
“The bananas are actually in some gulag in Russia, in some freezing cold jail,” Radley surmised.
“Bananas in Pyjamas” debuted in 1992 and ran through 2002, notching over 300 episodes and four specials in that time. It made its way to American television in 1995.
