New Spin on Preschool TV---Yo Gabba Gabba!
Disco Funk Fun Appeal to Preschool Kids?
Having just moved to the 1:30 pm time slot on Nick Jr., Yo Gabba Gabba! follows a simple formula for preschool television: Music, movement, outlandish characters with fantastical names, and a trustworthy human host. Interspersed between skits are songs, sung by the characters spliced with real kids in bright T-shirts singing along and dancing or moving to the beat. The insanely catchy, "There's A Party in My Tummy" is just one example.
World of Yo Gabba Gabba!
Trying to describe the show Yo Gabba Gabba! (YGG!) to adults without small children is certainly a challenge. Five small toys come alive and interact with the DJ Lance Rock whose signature bright orange wig and black, thick-framed glasses correspond with his enthusiasm. He is responsible for saying the magical words, "Yo Gabba Gabba!" at the beginning of each episode, which results in the toys coming to life.
Each of the toy characters has his or her own personality and background, filled with flower blossoms, snowflakes, trees or extra-terrestrial landscapes. They are get together to sing musical numbers about character-building and life issues usually while dancing around. Animated sequences punctuate the show, building upon the issue of the day.
Like other shows, kid interaction is encouraged. The show cuts away to individual kids dancing or moving. Muno, Toodee, Brobee, Plex, and Foofa have not only original names, but also individual charactersistics. Toodee, for example, sometimes has a problem with being selfish. Personality attributes, good and bad, are discussed, as the audience as well as the characters on screen try to problem-solve.
Controversy
Lots of kids simply love it. Among parents, there seems to be a clear division of taste: Some are as devoted as their kids, while others abhor the format, the characters and especially the "busy-ness" of the show. Some segments last only ten seconds. Themes for each episode do help to tie together the pieces of the show. Friday's upcoming show, for instance, is entitled, "Clean."
Even though YGG! is a relatively young show, primed now for its third season after debuting in early 2008, creators Christian Jacobs and Scott Schultz have just confirmed rumors of a YGG! movie, although a release date has not been set. The Yo Gabba Gabba official website is bursting with games an videos, as well as free downloadable screen wallpaper. Besides toys and DVD's already available, an official You Tube website is also in the works.
Popularity
Acclaim for YGG! has strengthened its popularity. On April 30, 2008, the series received a daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design/Styling. It was awarded a British Academy of Film and Television Arts Children's International Award in the fall of 2008.
As Yo Gabba Gabba! gears up for a new slew of episodes beginning this week, Nick Jr. is sure to attract new fans to its star show. Nick Jr.'s Yo Gabba Gabba! show has a definite following, not only among preschoolers, but also 'tweens, high schoolers, and even college students. The appeal of the feel-good vibe is easy to understand. Older fans of the show seem to respond to the super-hip musical guests such as The Shins not to mention the celebrity cameos, which include Tony Hawk, Tina Fey, Jack Black, and Biz Markie.
Yo Gabba Gabba! will even have a live show, touring Australia first, heading to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in May, 2009. It's only a matter of time before Yo Gabba Gabba! hits stages in the US and Canada.
Friday, February 27th is home to a brand new episode, guest starring Rachel Dratch. It promises to be a wild ride, so grab your disco dancing shoes.
Sources: http://yogabbagabba.com, Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, wikipedia.org, bafta.org
Yo Gabba Gabba!
|
Characters from Yo Gabba Gabba!
|
What do you think about this article?
More in Film & TV
Latest Articles