As I may have mentioned before, we watch far too much television at my house – kid DVDs to be specific. I have become a regular connoisseur of pre-school entertainment. Love The Wiggles, love to hate Barney and for the love of god, someone turn the volume down when Dora is on!
I have favorite quotes from Clifford (John Ritter did a mean big red dog), shed copious tears at the end of Homeward Bound, and can pretty much learn to find some enjoyment in any of these shows that I am subjected to in my rather aggressive viewing schedule. What do they call this…the Patty Hearst Syndrome?
When my kids find a DVD they like, I can expect to watch it non-stop for weeks. We’ve almost destroyed the aforementioned Homeward Bound DVD with wear (Oliver calls that one “dogs and cat” which cracks me up since it sounds like “moose and squirrel”). If I watch Thomas and Friends one more time I think I’ll scream. And I won’t even get into the whole Milo and Otis reign of terror…
But I’m constantly surprised by how creative and dare I say it, “hip” some of this programming can be. Case in point: Yo Gabba Gabba.
We discovered Yo Gabba Gabba on Noggin a while ago and I have enjoyed many a quiet 30 minutes while DJ Lance and his unusual friends brainwash my children into drooling silence.
I have often thought that people on drugs would enjoy this show. Here is the Party in My Tummy clip (guaranteed to get stuck in your head for days on end…but you will LIKE it):
Did you watch it? For the rest of the day you’ll be singing, “so yummy – so yummy!” That was Brobee. The full cast is as follows:
DJ Lance Rock, in the orange jumpsuit
Muno, “the red cyclops”
Foofa, “the pink flower bubble”
Brobee, “a little green monster”
Toodee, “the blue cat-dragon”
Plex, “the yellow robot”
The whole premise is that DJ Lance shows up on set with his giant 80s “boom box,” then opens it to pull out these creatures and place them in some kind of diorama. Once he sprinkles a little magic dust on them, they come to life and the dance party begins.
This is trippy stuff.
The weirdest character by far is Muno:
Chris calls him “the big red dildo.” And in my search for some pictures, I discovered that this is a common observation. But I give Chris full credit since I heard it from him first.
The other characters, of course, have their own “themes” (I mean other than “sex toy character”), but the point of this post isn’t to map out the world of Yo Gabba Gabba Wikepedia-style for you.
Oh yeah – right. I actually DO have a point to all of this (don’t I always?) Which is…that I was recently asked to review Yo Gabba Gabba – New Friends. Of course I said yes. That’s a no brainer in this house. A new DVD? Send it now so I can get them off of this painful Milo and Otis kick! Plus the New Friends episode features Jack Black – so I needed no further encouragement.
Chris and I are known Jack Black fans and closet Yo Gabba Gabba fans – so we were pretty excited when the DVD arrived in the mail. This particular episode is about being thrown into a new environment with new people (or big red dildos, or whatever) and how it’s not that scary once you open up and give them a chance.
Highlights include Jack’s “dancy dance” which involves a kick ass John Travolta-Saturday Night Fever move, a montage of Jack’s good times with his new friends, and of course a magical wardrobe change into DJ Lance Rock’s orange jumpsuit and fuzzy hat. His classic line: “I can’t believe it fits!”
Here is a clip I found on YouTube:
Yo Gabba Gabba also has some animated sketches from indie cartoonists. My favorite is “sometimes you win – sometimes you lose.” Chris is less impressed by the message this one tries to convey as he is of the opinion that second place means “first loser.” Maybe my kids really need Yo Gabba Gabba for some balance…
Not surprisingly, I found this quote on Wikipedia: “The show has also become popular among young adults, with some watching under the effects of cannabis.[6]” NO – really? And they never thought anyone could surpass the stoner appeal of the Teletubbies… Yo Gabba Gabba speaks to people on so many levels…(and drugs).
But hey this is a family blog! And I can smugly say that none of my children (ages 2-4) have EVER done drugs. So no worries here.
All in all, I give Yo Gabba Gabba – New Friends a big thumbs up. It manages to appeal to both children and parents, which is a big plus in our “all kids’ programming – all the time” house.
And seriously – how could you ever go wrong with Jack Black in an orange jump suit…
So yummy – so yummy…
OH MY GOD! I love Jack Black and Yo Gabba Gabba is a staple in our house. If my kids are going to watch any TV, I prefer Noggin over any of the other stuff (except for PBS which has a few good shows).
I never really got the Yo Gabba Gabba appeal but it seems to so harmless and the kids love it.
I can’t wait to show my husband the Jack Black guest starting episode.
And as to Chris’ observation, I never saw that before but now that you mention it….hmmm…
Oh yeah, I so have that episode on my DVR simply because of Jack Black.
You know your theory that mormons are funny – Christian Jacobs is co-creator of Yo Gabba Gabba! (also the lead singer for The Aquabats). Guess what? He’s also LDS.
LOVE me some Gabba Gabba.
This is so funny. You can tell J and M are older, b/c I’ve never even heard of this. ALMOST makes me wish they were younger.
It really looks like a big acid trip!
How far we’ve come from Carol and Paula in the Magic Garden!
my kids are just barely past the stage of these shows and sometimes they still watch them. my firs kids tv crush was steve from blues clues.
I love Jack Black and Yo Gabba Gabba! That clip was AWESOME. I soooooo need this DVD.
OMG-
have you noticed that a lot of random, pretty big stars just show up on this show-
my husband is convinced the producer or however is like this awesome background power player in Hollywood who is friends with everyone :)
They’ve had a ton of cool guest stars! Since I don’t fall in the mommy or the stoned college kid category, I haven’t seen much, but maybe cameos should be enough…
My son loves Yo Gabba Gabba. And they do have the best celebrity cameos.
So yummy indeed.
I didn’t listen to the video’s because I need to be able to sleep!!
(As it is 1:30 in the morning)
But I will take your word for it.
My little guy was obsessed with Teletubbies—and had to watch them every day—-over and over! Talk about brain cells dying!
We have this episode on the DVR and LOVE IT!!! Quinn kept talking about Jack Black after watching it. I thought it was hilarious:)
Toddler Child just walked in the office and said, “Yo Gabba Gabba!” He’s only recently started watching, so we don’t have nearly the knowledge of characters that you do.
Jack Black? A genius. An absolute, luscious, genius.
I am so bummed I missed that episode and to top it off, my girls aren’t so into Yo Gabba Gabba, what a disappointment. I adore it.
I think I might hate you for getting this song in my head. But then again I can’t wipe this silly grin off my face. I feel like the Joker.
there’s a party in my tummy, yeah! Chicken and cheese will never be the same for me again. :)
I have never heard of this show. I’ll have to check it out.
Wow…that post is like A BOOK :))
Thank God it’s Sunday here…:)
haha I saw Yo Gabba Gabba a couple of months ago. I’m 16, and at first I was like OH GOD what has happened to little kid TV??? Then I watched some more, and thought, this is kinda cool, actually. I totally had the same thought about it being great to watch if one was on drugs, not that I’m planning to try it. And omg I’m loading the clip of Jack Black on it as I write this. (:
Also, I’m new to your blog, so hi (:
P.S. Brobee is my favourite. But having just watched “Party in my tummy”, I am now severely disturbed and he may lose that title…
Gimme some Gabba Gabba!
You funny.
(The Wiggles though? not so much).
And my word verification is “mogman” which seems fitting, considering the topic.
I had no idea Jack Black was on there. I am usually walking through and don’t pay attention. Aiden loves it though. That and Dora and Sponge Bob and ICarley. Oy. I hear you on Thomas the Train. Never ever got that one.
We’re big Yo Gabba Gabba fans around here. Had not thought of ‘the big red dildo’ as that before. I laughed out loud at that. This show has got all sorts of guest stars. I wonder why it’s become such a draw for celebs…anyway, I’m with you. I like this show.
I’ve heard so many people talk about Yo Gabba Gabba – I’m going to have to give it a try, once I can get my oldest to ease up on the movie, Bolt. She can’t get enough of it at the moment…
And Jack Black, is AWESOME! I’ll watch anything with him in it.
I don’t really know what to say about yo gabba (my son is 6, he missed that era)….but, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
I have watched Yo Gabba Gabba since it started. A lot of the bands that are on there are bands I work with for my fake job. I just wish I had kids so when I start randomly sing/yelling, “MY NAME IS SHERRI! I LIKE TO DANNNNCE!” people wouldn’t stare.