The Upside Down Show

Shane and David were well known to our family as the Umbilical Brothers - my two boys (now 14 & 16) absolutely adore them. When my younger son learned that they wanted to shoot an episode of a new children's show with his Brass Band he was ecstatic. Unfortunately the show first came to cable in Australia but has just started showing on the ABC at 8am and next Monday, 29th October 2007, will air "Marching Band". Both my sons were involved (although the older one just pretends to play the trumpet) & we are waiting, excitedly, for it to come on. I remember the day they filmed it was overcast and windy and that everyone's hats kept blowing off. But I didn't watch the filming - just dropped them off at the park then picked them back up again - so I'm really looking forward to next Monday morning.

I absolutely love this show. Thanks again Noggin for wonderful, refreshingly creative and hip programming. This is television that I don't mind watching over and over with my daughter. Shane and David are amazingly talented as they are turned upside down, put in slow motion, put in reverse and a multitude of other interactive situations by the viewer. They make me laugh even more than they make my daughter laugh! In each episode they introduce the viewer to a world of new experiences in the most off-beat and wacky manner. It gives children the OK to act silly and goofy and to be creative in pretend play. I find it inspiring as a parent. It's the best new show out there in my opinion. This program keeps my 2-year-old's attention the entire time it's on.

My four year old daughter absolutely loves this show. Her forty something mother also loves this show. With its interactive remote control and the total silliness of the show, well it's just magic. I've seen the Umbilical Brothers live and their use of mime and film is very clever and very funny, so I was intrigued when I saw that were starring in a show for preschoolers. The great thing about it is that it doesn't talk down to kids and the hummer is intelligent as well as being completely off the wall at times. My daughter especially loves David and Shane and the schmuzzies. I think the beauty of the show is that you don't know what is going to happen next. Despite it being primarily targeted for preschoolers, there is lots of subversive hummer so that parents watching will enjoy it as well. Absolutely recommended.

It's all about using your imagination, which is absolutely the most important thing for young kids. As Einstein said, "imagination is more important than knowledge." The show is filled with endless creativity, including characters, concepts, and wordplay, that can entertain even parents.

On top of that, the "Umbilical Brothers" - Shane and David - are amazing physical actors who can convincingly behave as though they are performing a variety of actions without any props. As someone who has worked with actors before, I know this is not a skill that comes easily.

The humor is almost like Monty Python for kids. Even though it's Australian, it has a "British humor" sort of feel - lots of wordplay, fast motion scenes, etc.

I love this show! It's a FUN learning show! My daughter is 5, and I hated her watching shows like Billy and Mandy. A cartoon about a grim reaper is just wrong - no matter how old you are! Anyway, I wanted to find shows that would be fun and educational. Especially ones that would get her imagination going. The Upside Down show is fantastic! They ask you to push a button on your "remote" and funny things happen. They might turn horizontal, or pause.. maybe speed up or turn "upside down". I find myself pushing the buttons along with my little girl! (there's a printable "remote" on the upside show section of noggin.com. the kids can color it themselves).

These guys are great. They don't talk to the kids like they're babies, and they're FUN while they teach. For example, waiting in line at the ice cream truck. The guys try to push their way forward, steal ice cream, climb in the truck.. but eventually they get their ice cream by waiting in line! My daughter and I love to sit together for this show. We both use our "remote" to help out Shane and David, and there's always something new to learn. It's a very creative show, that adults and kids can watch together!