I liked them so much better when they were The Cockroaches
May 18, 2006 11:41 AM Subscribe
They're on NPR? They're in the New York Times? (archived here as a .pdf). I guess it's no wonder - I can't go into half of the rooms at work without hearing them. And they took in $45 million last year singing "Yummy, Yummy"? Yes, i'm talking about The Wiggles, a pop-culture bitch-slap gift from Australia that has apparently kicked Barney's ass. That doesn't mean that they aren't open to some well-deserved satire.
Oh my god. I came across this show while channel flipping awhile back and figured it was just some obscure low budget piece of crap. $45 million? I think I'll throw up now.
posted by 2sheets at 11:47 AM on May 18, 2006
posted by 2sheets at 11:47 AM on May 18, 2006
So, for lack of better words (and pulling a Tony Snow) -- they seem kind of faggy to me. I saw them on TV and I was half expecting them to take off their shirts and start dancing to Whitney Houston's "Watchulookinat." Well expecting or hoping I didn't know which.
posted by geoff. at 11:47 AM on May 18, 2006
posted by geoff. at 11:47 AM on May 18, 2006
The kids at work (I'm a preschool teacher) love the wiggles. They seem awfully hammy to me, but so was Barney, and really, so was Sesame Street. Kids' entertainment is pretty weak these days, although the kids seem to be learning a lot from Dora the Explora.
And yeah, geoff, I get the feeling there are a lot of post-production afterparties with just the four of them and some bean bags.
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 11:55 AM on May 18, 2006
And yeah, geoff, I get the feeling there are a lot of post-production afterparties with just the four of them and some bean bags.
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 11:55 AM on May 18, 2006
I am here to defend the Wiggles.
It's got a beat and my kid can dance to it.
It's catchy, it's positive, they play their own instruments, and write their own music.
The Wiggles Are Greedy Bastards
They're greedy for enforcing their copyright? Come on. All big artists want licensing fees. Just because their audience is little kids doesn't mean they must live a life devoid of material gain.
posted by poppo at 12:03 PM on May 18, 2006
It's got a beat and my kid can dance to it.
It's catchy, it's positive, they play their own instruments, and write their own music.
The Wiggles Are Greedy Bastards
They're greedy for enforcing their copyright? Come on. All big artists want licensing fees. Just because their audience is little kids doesn't mean they must live a life devoid of material gain.
posted by poppo at 12:03 PM on May 18, 2006
My wife (also a pre-school teacher) says that Wiggle-Mania has passed. Around here, anyway. The Wiggles went from being cool all around to only popular with the toddler group. But perhaps they can hang on to this key demographic.
posted by Mayor Curley at 12:06 PM on May 18, 2006
posted by Mayor Curley at 12:06 PM on May 18, 2006
only popular with the toddler group
suddenly, i'm now worried that you will all think my kid is eight or nine. he is two.
trends
posted by poppo at 12:09 PM on May 18, 2006
suddenly, i'm now worried that you will all think my kid is eight or nine. he is two.
trends
posted by poppo at 12:09 PM on May 18, 2006
What ND¢ said: The Doodlebops make the Wiggles sound like Public Enemy.
posted by lexalexander at 12:11 PM on May 18, 2006 [1 favorite]
posted by lexalexander at 12:11 PM on May 18, 2006 [1 favorite]
I'll forgive the Disney Channel all these crimes as long as they carry Charlie and Lola.
posted by Armitage Shanks at 12:15 PM on May 18, 2006 [1 favorite]
posted by Armitage Shanks at 12:15 PM on May 18, 2006 [1 favorite]
I think the Wiggles might see some IRA action. They're going to Dublin on their "UK" tour.
posted by Mayor Curley at 12:17 PM on May 18, 2006
posted by Mayor Curley at 12:17 PM on May 18, 2006
Yummy Yummy? As in the Ohio Express bubblegum ode to oral sex?
posted by mischief at 12:19 PM on May 18, 2006
posted by mischief at 12:19 PM on May 18, 2006
So, for lack of better words (and pulling a Tony Snow) -- they seem kind of faggy to me. I saw them on TV and I was half expecting them to take off their shirts and start dancing to Whitney Houston's "Watchulookinat." Well expecting or hoping I didn't know which.
I was at a dance party a few years back and was dancing next to Jeff from the Wiggles. He was with the well-known Australian music journo Molly Meldrum who is gay so you never know...
Anyway, I like the Wiggles, they come across as nice guys in interviews, etc, so good luck to em!
posted by Onanist at 12:19 PM on May 18, 2006
I was at a dance party a few years back and was dancing next to Jeff from the Wiggles. He was with the well-known Australian music journo Molly Meldrum who is gay so you never know...
Anyway, I like the Wiggles, they come across as nice guys in interviews, etc, so good luck to em!
posted by Onanist at 12:19 PM on May 18, 2006
OMG! The Wiggles are soooo last week. The cool three year olds are totally into Laurie Berkner now. In my opinion ANYTHING is better than that hell-spawn named Barney.
posted by kimdog at 12:20 PM on May 18, 2006
posted by kimdog at 12:20 PM on May 18, 2006
I got the wiggles the other day after some bad Mexican food.
posted by StrasbourgSecaucus at 12:30 PM on May 18, 2006
posted by StrasbourgSecaucus at 12:30 PM on May 18, 2006
Don't forget their appearance on Kimmel. Eat your heart out, Barney and Dora! I think they're great. Sure, they're not my taste in music, but when the kids I know watch them, they're not vegetables--they're up and dancing.
posted by wallaby at 12:37 PM on May 18, 2006
posted by wallaby at 12:37 PM on May 18, 2006
Where in the world is Jerry Fallwell to save you parents from the media infiltrating your home and children with the sinfull homosexual agenda?
Oh well.
posted by cdavidc at 1:08 PM on May 18, 2006
Oh well.
posted by cdavidc at 1:08 PM on May 18, 2006
I'm with poppo. The Wiggles have been a great way to indocrinate my kid with the mid-'60s British Invasion type sound that I dig, so maybe (maybe?) I can dissuade him from wearing his pants down his buttcrack and listening to the latest tattoo metal pinheads later down the line...
True story: I'm standing in line at a Philadelphia Eagles game 2 years ago with 2 buds who also have kids, the conversation turns to the Wiggles and, the next line over, a guy turns around and says, "I LOVE THE WIGGLES!"
You can always tell the dads.
posted by kgasmart at 1:08 PM on May 18, 2006
True story: I'm standing in line at a Philadelphia Eagles game 2 years ago with 2 buds who also have kids, the conversation turns to the Wiggles and, the next line over, a guy turns around and says, "I LOVE THE WIGGLES!"
You can always tell the dads.
posted by kgasmart at 1:08 PM on May 18, 2006
I like the Wiggles well enough and think it's great that they're producing all this stuff for kids (and making some fine coin, to boot). But they're stuff just grates on me after too long.
I like the Veggie Tales stuff because it's actually quite funny for adults as well as kids without being saccharine (Barney) or overly goofy (Wiggles).
posted by DWRoelands at 1:09 PM on May 18, 2006
I like the Veggie Tales stuff because it's actually quite funny for adults as well as kids without being saccharine (Barney) or overly goofy (Wiggles).
posted by DWRoelands at 1:09 PM on May 18, 2006
Yummy Yummy? As in the Ohio Express bubblegum ode to oral sex?
That had never occurred to me. My eyes are opened.
posted by CRM114 at 1:58 PM on May 18, 2006
That had never occurred to me. My eyes are opened.
posted by CRM114 at 1:58 PM on May 18, 2006
In my opinion ANYTHING is better than that hell-spawn named Barney. - kimdog
Have you seen Boobah? Have you lived with one of the Boobah's that make noise? *shudder*
posted by raedyn at 2:15 PM on May 18, 2006
Have you seen Boobah? Have you lived with one of the Boobah's that make noise? *shudder*
posted by raedyn at 2:15 PM on May 18, 2006
The greatest thing about the wiggles is that it seems pretty clear that these 4 guys decided to bring in as many of their mates as they could as they started to hit it big, so they now have an entourage of guys in animal suits. I also feel certain that 'Captain Feathersword' was that guy's pre-wiggles nickname at the bar due to some oft-related incident, and it's now the ultimate act of manly pranking that they've managed to make their buddy's secret shame common knowledge to every toddler in the english-speaking world.
The worst thing about the wiggles is their music. Man, that shit just hurts. Laurie Berkner is no better. Where is it written that young humans can only tolerate the sound of pablum? Get these kids some Pancake Mountain!
However, Charlie and Lola (mentioned upthread) is truly fantastic, especially the theme song by Søren Munk and Tom Dyson of Northwood.
posted by ulotrichous at 2:27 PM on May 18, 2006
The worst thing about the wiggles is their music. Man, that shit just hurts. Laurie Berkner is no better. Where is it written that young humans can only tolerate the sound of pablum? Get these kids some Pancake Mountain!
However, Charlie and Lola (mentioned upthread) is truly fantastic, especially the theme song by Søren Munk and Tom Dyson of Northwood.
posted by ulotrichous at 2:27 PM on May 18, 2006
The Wiggles rule. It's catchy music by likeable fellows who write and play their own stuff. The show has a very laid back, fun vibe to it. They make silly jokes. The animals aren't (too) annoying. They make music that appeals not just to 2 year olds.
My kid loves them, and it is way preferable to watching Mr. Noodle act for the 900th time like he doesn't know how a see-saw/bike/hat/umbrella/[whatever] works.
Lights, Camera, Action, Wiggles.
posted by AgentRocket at 3:20 PM on May 18, 2006
My kid loves them, and it is way preferable to watching Mr. Noodle act for the 900th time like he doesn't know how a see-saw/bike/hat/umbrella/[whatever] works.
Lights, Camera, Action, Wiggles.
posted by AgentRocket at 3:20 PM on May 18, 2006
The Wiggles are yet more evidence that children have terrible tatse and should not be allowed to decide for themselves what they like. I mean, have you ever had a child pick out a wine for you? They always go for the sweet stuff!
posted by Astro Zombie at 4:15 PM on May 18, 2006
posted by Astro Zombie at 4:15 PM on May 18, 2006
Greg Page, the yellow Wiggle, has one of Australia's largest collections of Elvis Memorabilia..
Murray, the red Wiggle, is a regular sight at indie rock gigs in Sydney..
posted by nonemoreblack at 4:47 PM on May 18, 2006
Murray, the red Wiggle, is a regular sight at indie rock gigs in Sydney..
posted by nonemoreblack at 4:47 PM on May 18, 2006
Some of them use to be in a rock band called 'the cockaroaches' . Some how they started a kids entertainment group instead... are now the highest earning entertainers in Australia. And the blue wiggle owns a nice cafe near my house. His wife cooks good eggs.
posted by Burgatron at 4:58 PM on May 18, 2006
posted by Burgatron at 4:58 PM on May 18, 2006
When we had our baby, I made my wife take a blood-oath: No Barney, No Wiggles, No Boobahs, No untold creepy crap that hasn't hit the shiny, squeaky light of day.
So, when we do watch TV with her, what do we watch? The Muppet Show. 45 episodes on DVD. She loves Beaker.
Of course, now I'm afraid that when she gets to pre-school and her only cultural references are Lola Falana, George Burns, and John Denver circa 1979, she may become an outcast. If that's the case though, so be it.
posted by ColdChef at 5:05 PM on May 18, 2006
So, when we do watch TV with her, what do we watch? The Muppet Show. 45 episodes on DVD. She loves Beaker.
Of course, now I'm afraid that when she gets to pre-school and her only cultural references are Lola Falana, George Burns, and John Denver circa 1979, she may become an outcast. If that's the case though, so be it.
posted by ColdChef at 5:05 PM on May 18, 2006
More Wiggly gossip...
Murray (red) lives in Newtown, a fairly :indie" style suburb in Sydney's inner west, he bought one of the nicest houses there (good on him for not moving to the harbourside).
Before the Wiggles mega-bucks he taught my sister in-law music in her early childhood course at Macquarie uni.
Jeff is 50+, single, and still lives with his mum.
A couple of years ago my kids inherited an old wiggles CD from some friends with older kids. It was there first release from 1991 and it has a CREEPY FIFTH WIGGLE on the cover in a spotted shirt. For a long time my wife and I figured the others killed him and ate him as part of a bizarre deal with the devil to deliver their later success.
Disappointingly, Phil Wilcher recently popped up as a disgruntled Pete Best style figure here and here.
posted by bystander at 5:09 PM on May 18, 2006
Murray (red) lives in Newtown, a fairly :indie" style suburb in Sydney's inner west, he bought one of the nicest houses there (good on him for not moving to the harbourside).
Before the Wiggles mega-bucks he taught my sister in-law music in her early childhood course at Macquarie uni.
Jeff is 50+, single, and still lives with his mum.
A couple of years ago my kids inherited an old wiggles CD from some friends with older kids. It was there first release from 1991 and it has a CREEPY FIFTH WIGGLE on the cover in a spotted shirt. For a long time my wife and I figured the others killed him and ate him as part of a bizarre deal with the devil to deliver their later success.
Disappointingly, Phil Wilcher recently popped up as a disgruntled Pete Best style figure here and here.
posted by bystander at 5:09 PM on May 18, 2006
Maybe it's because im rotten on the inside, but the images of four grown men dressed in primary colors and lobotomy smiles freaks me out on roughly the same level as the live audience at an Oprah taping. I feel like they are going to eat me in my sleep.
posted by quite unimportant at 5:12 PM on May 18, 2006
posted by quite unimportant at 5:12 PM on May 18, 2006
A bit of Wiggles trivia: Crowded House drummer Paul Hester appeared in some of their videos as the guy in the chef hat. I was pretty crushed when I found out that he'd killed himself and that he suffered from recurring bouts of depression. He looked so happy in those Wiggles videos.
I don't tolerate Wiggles bashing around our house, either. They saved my son from catching teh Barney.
posted by Devils Rancher at 7:46 PM on May 18, 2006
I don't tolerate Wiggles bashing around our house, either. They saved my son from catching teh Barney.
posted by Devils Rancher at 7:46 PM on May 18, 2006
So, when we do watch TV with her, what do we watch? The Muppet Show. 45 episodes on DVD. She loves Beaker.
Of course, now I'm afraid that when she gets to pre-school and her only cultural references are Lola Falana, George Burns, and John Denver circa 1979, she may become an outcast. If that's the case though, so be it.
We do the same thing here. And the other day I heard my 6 and 11 year olds discussing Phyllis Diller. I am so proud. (And we homeschool, so they can talk about 70's celebrities all they like!)
posted by Biblio at 7:57 PM on May 18, 2006
Of course, now I'm afraid that when she gets to pre-school and her only cultural references are Lola Falana, George Burns, and John Denver circa 1979, she may become an outcast. If that's the case though, so be it.
We do the same thing here. And the other day I heard my 6 and 11 year olds discussing Phyllis Diller. I am so proud. (And we homeschool, so they can talk about 70's celebrities all they like!)
posted by Biblio at 7:57 PM on May 18, 2006
Anthony Field, the blue Wiggle, was named Cleo Magazine's Bachelor of the Year in 1999. Lusting after a Wiggle was – and is – just so wrong.
posted by pjgirl at 8:19 PM on May 18, 2006
posted by pjgirl at 8:19 PM on May 18, 2006
I have thought for a long time there should be an SNL skit about them .... the next time they have Robert DeNiro as the host.
posted by celerystick at 9:14 PM on May 18, 2006
posted by celerystick at 9:14 PM on May 18, 2006
Have you seen Boobah?
Yeah, I've seen Boohbah. My first thought was "Where do they come up with shows like this, and WHY didn't they make them while I was still smoking grass?!?!!?!
posted by spirit72 at 5:44 AM on May 19, 2006
Yeah, I've seen Boohbah. My first thought was "Where do they come up with shows like this, and WHY didn't they make them while I was still smoking grass?!?!!?!
posted by spirit72 at 5:44 AM on May 19, 2006
The Wiggles and Blue's Clues are out of favor right now. Dora is still okay.
Decent newer shows for toddlers: Little Einsteins, Wonder Pets, the Backyardigans.
posted by Ben Grimm at 3:13 PM on May 19, 2006
Decent newer shows for toddlers: Little Einsteins, Wonder Pets, the Backyardigans.
posted by Ben Grimm at 3:13 PM on May 19, 2006
Oh, also, I tried to expose my boys to Pee-Wee's Playhouse a few days ago, but it didn't take. Guess you had to be there...
Hmm, maybe "expose" was a poor word choice....
posted by Ben Grimm at 3:15 PM on May 19, 2006
Hmm, maybe "expose" was a poor word choice....
posted by Ben Grimm at 3:15 PM on May 19, 2006
Lastly, did anyone catch the Wiggles on Craig Ferguson's late night show a month or so ago? Greg is pretty fat now, Anthony is mysteriously much thinner, and the other two are unchanged. Did you realize that Jeff is in his 50s, much older than the other three....?
(I know too much about these dudes...)
posted by Ben Grimm at 3:18 PM on May 19, 2006
(I know too much about these dudes...)
posted by Ben Grimm at 3:18 PM on May 19, 2006
The Wiggles and Blue's Clues are out of favor right now.
I'm still angry that Blue can talk now. Very angry.
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 3:25 PM on May 19, 2006
I'm still angry that Blue can talk now. Very angry.
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 3:25 PM on May 19, 2006
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posted by StrasbourgSecaucus at 11:43 AM on May 18, 2006 [2 favorites]