Wiggle, Wiggle, Wiggle

My sons are 19 now and I attribute their love of music in part to watching the wiggles as toddlers. They wore the costumes, sang, danced and went to concerts. They sing and play several instruments now. Music is a big part of their daily lives and gives them (and me) much joy. (Barney was also a good influence!) Now I am a nanny and the children I keep love the new wiggles! I'm grateful that when nothing else works for fussy toddlers, The Wiggles can turn things around! Other shows are just a bunch of noise and annoying to me. A happy nanny helps make for happy children as well.

Ok so this is aimed at my kid of course but I have to sit through it with him. And it's awful. The various skits don't actually teach them anything, it's just a bunch of incredibly cringe middle age white people with musical aspirations but ended up doing a kid show instead. Oh and the ballerina is built like a rugby winger. And the writer/director who also appears in the show is totally obsessed with bagpipes and Irish dancing so it's basically 90% based on those. Who gives a crap?!

Not sure how it's been so popular for so long, maybe Australians enjoy their kid entertainers to look like used car salesmen with a bagpipe obsession who knows, but I'd recommend something that actually teaches your child something.

I have sat through this truly horrendous series on ABC Kids with my daughter.

Let's be blunt. The pacing and editing is sloppy, the writing is poor, the song choices lamentable, the choreography tired. In fact, it's the exact opposite of the Wiggles pre Emma, Lachy and Simon.

All three 'newer' Wiggles have now been around just as long as Sam was, but they clearly have no on screen chemistry. Greg, Sam, Murray and Geoff make them all look like hacks.

I concur with the other reviewer on two points: 1)The constant Irish dancing, bag pipes and ballet will drive you absolutely insane, as will the incredibly weak singing, which lacks even a smidgen of harmony, or energy. Listen to them murder Wiggles classics like 'Big Red Car', or 'Fruit Salad' with Emma's pip squeak voice and Simon's dominant baritone. You'll cringe.

2) Creative control needs to be wrestled from Anthony and the rest of the Fields. Time for a new perspective.

Do as I did, go to eBay/Gumtree and buy a DVD from their back catalogue. You won't regret the purchase, the 'Old' Wiggles really kick arse, which makes this series even more unfortunate.

For a mother watching this show, it is no where near as good as Ready Steady Wiggle, which is far more entertaining. Wiggle Wiggle Wiggle is very messy. My 18mo also prefers Ready Steady Wiggle, there is far more to keep him interested than on Wiggle Wiggle Wiggle. As soon as Carnival of the Animals comes on, he wants me to change the show.

Shows are produced for the comprehension of the viewer. This show is made to appeal to toddlers. The lack of a lengthy story line or sketch is consistent with the attention span of toddlers. My then toddler son watched the old version and enjoyed it very much. My toddler granddaughter watches the current version and enjoys it very much. I know this because they are the intended audience and they stay tuned and follow along with the songs. Based on their write-up, perhaps shows which appeal to a child, are better suited for the previous reviewers.