Monday, May 18, 2009

Gabba, yo

Do you know the show Yo Gabba Gabba? I guess the answer to that depends on if you have a toddler or not. It's a show on Nick Jr. I don't have toddlers, my kids are older, but I've heard mothers discuss it and it seems they weren't very into it. "It's soooo weird," "My kids can't stand it," et cetera. Well, I happen to know a dude who is a producer on the show. We went to high school together and used to do loads of push ups together (don't ask). For this reason I was interested to see what the show was about. I watched a few minutes of an episode on youtube and my thought was "Dude, this is Teletubbies on acid!" And that was about it. I didn't form an opinion, except to perhaps concur somewhat with what I'd heard other mothers say.

A couple months ago when I was in San Diego I found myself at a party with another one of the producers. We dined on the most divine crab legs and listened to him discuss the creative process behind the show and I came to appreciate the artistic license they are exercising. In case you aren't aware, they have a celebrity and/or band on each episode. It was fun to listen to this guy and his wife talk about what it's been like to be on the set with them.

They couldn't say enough great things about Jack Black. They said he was the coolest, most down to earth dude they'd ever met. He cleaned up after himself, only asked for a couple Double Doubles (In-N-Out Burger) for lunch and was just a total treat. You MUST watch him do the crazy dance part way though this segment. Hilarious.



Most of the celebrities are thrilled to come on because they have kids that love the show. Here's another segment with Elija Wood (Frodo Baggins from Lord Of The Rings). He doesn't have kids, but he was the first celebrity they were able to secure for the show and he came on board because he loved the concept. I am adding this clip because I met Elija at a concert last year with my afore-mentioned push up buddy. The dude is a serious hobbit. He was smaller than me (I'm 5'6). But SUPER nice.



Anyway, I guess my point is that I could have gone my whole life rolling my eyes at what seemed like an absurd attempt at childhood entertainment, but I was able to gain a great appreciation for the work these guys do. Yeah for enlightenment! I doubt I will ever sit down and watch an episode (unless motherhood befalls me again.....), but in an ironic turn of normalcy, I AM going to pay attention to this kids series to keep me up on what talent the music industry is turning out. The producers really have their eye on that ball.

Here's a video for you of a band that was featured on the show. They are cool. It's a husband/wife-guitar/drum duo called Mates of State (did you know you could even have a band without a guitar??!!) . Parenthood hasn't slowed them down. They just bring the kids on the tour bus. How rad is that?! But more on Mates of State another day.



I'm really curious to know what other parents think of the show. (Or teenage girls - he said the show is for toddlers and teenage girls. HA!).

-Dove

14 comments:

heather nan said...

I LOVE YO GABBA GABBA, even before I discovered our little Hud's connection. I know many parents roll their eyes, but Liv and I (perhaps, mostly myself) cannot get enough. I am a particular fan of the beat of the day with Biz Markie. This show is definitely iconic and will be one not forgotten.

heather nan said...

Also, we can't get away without singing "there's a party in my tummy, so yummy, so yummy" when we have just consumed something delicious... a little jungle from the show that sticks like glue.

Julianna said...

My kids really like it and I don't mind it being on when I'm puttering around. It seems to have a really good message and they use a lot of music and dance, which I love.

Kate Coveny Hood said...

YGG is a required taste for sure... The first time you see it, you wonder what acid trip the producers are on. But when you think about how children respond to music and any invitation to dance - it all starts to make sense. Just don't try to watch it if you have a headache, yo.

Stephanie said...

Hey I watched the Telly Tubbies with my kids so I won't judge.
I loved reading your blog today!

Christy said...

Never seen Yo Gabba Gabba here. That is cool that that family brings their kids on the tour bus. Rock on!

Amanda said...

I admit that I'm a mild hater; I've seen it in snippets and find it so weird and trippy and my kids don't love it so we've never stayed.

Very interesting about the vision behind it, however. That does make me want to take a second look.

katie said...

well i had never seen it before here so i figure why not. we did the telly tubbies thing so it can't hurt, right?

i actually like the concept and the ability for kids to express there own dancing and energy and free sense of expression in which ever weird or crazy way that they'd like to.

anyway...we'll have to check it out but when is it on???

Tiffany & Co. said...

I had heard of Yo Gabba Gabba, but had never seen their actual show. I LOVED it! Love the vintage feel of their settings and characters, totally cool. I will be exposing Krew for sure.

suzan said...

I've never been able to stomach Yo Gabba Gabba, but I loved the Jack Black dance!!! Me and my 5 yr old just watched it and he loved it so much that he asked if I will put it on his blog. So I guess he will be getting his disco moves down real soon :) Loved it, Thanks!!

Anonymous said...

Yo Gabba Gabba lovers live in my house. We love to sing the party in my tummy song, it works really well when my boys won't try something and I can tell them the particular item that they won't eat is sad and wants to join the party. They then at least try that item on their plate. I have to admit that I didn't like it at first, but the more I watched it with my boys the more I enjoyed it.

Anonymous said...

just found this blog. love it! has everything. and oh my my boy loves yo gaba gaba! and my husband and i love it too. it exposes our boy to great music and how to dance and just be creative! we love it. i can see how some people might take a first look and say "weird" though haha.

jeremy said...

I really enjoyed listening to Scott explain his creative process as well. I love that his son was having a biting problem so he wrote the song "don't bite your friends." Thanks for the post!

Sarah Bradford-Burton said...

YGG kind of freaked me out when I saw that furry orange hat - at first.
Then my two little ones LOVED it and we had to buy all the characters. There are so many good things about this show that I don't mind the weirdness. And Elijah Wood is my favorite dancy dancer! I love the puppet master and we all the dances with them.
Haven't seen Jack Black's episode yet, but my 4 year old kept shouting his name every time they played a commercial for it. "Mom, you know Jack Black!!!!????"
We also had a 4th birthday Foofa Party a few weeks ago. Check out my blog for some neat ideas.