The Awesomeness that is Yo Gabba Gabba
So have you seen Yo Gabba Gabba yet? If not this is some must see TV for toddlers and hipsters alike. Here are some excerpts from the Yo Gabba Gabba wiki:
Yo Gabba Gabba! is a children’s television series currently airing on the Nick Jr. and Noggin cable networks in the United States and the Nick Jr. networks in the United Kingdom and Australia. [It was] created by Christian Jacobs and Scott Schultz
And here is a quote from the Christian Jacobs wiki (so you can see why I am posting on this here instead of somewhere else like, say, Kulturblog):
Christian Richards Jacobs (born January 11, 1972 in Rexburg, Idaho) is an American musician, voice actor, and former child actor. Jacobs has been the lead singer of The Aquabats since the band formed in 1994 and is known by the stage name The MC Bat Commander, often abbreviated as MCBC. He is also the co-creator of the Nick Jr. children’s television series Yo Gabba Gabba!.
For his role in The Aquabats he uses a marker to draw a mustache on his upper lip and black out one of his front teeth. He also performs various stunts on stage, including backflips, and spitting fire…
Jacobs is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served a two-year mission in Japan. Part of the time, his assignment was that of assistant to the Mission President. He is the great-grandson of prominent Mormon leader LeGrand Richards.
Anyhow, it was pretty well known that The Aquabats consisted (at least initially) of a bunch of Mormons but I didn’t realize Yo Gabba Gabba was the creation of The Bat Commander himself until I checked the wiki a few weeks back.
This show entertains me to no end. And my four year old daughter likes it too. What more could you ask? Here are a few clips from the official site for your viewing pleasure:
The Aquabats special guest appearance (performing “Pool Party”)
Party In My Tummy (This is classic Yo Gabba Gabba)
Cool Tricks (A recurring segment)
DJ Lance (the host) and members of the regular cast doin’ what they do
Biz’z Beat of the Day (Biz Markie has a recurring segment)
You’re welcome.
I sat and watched this show once with my kids. I was mesmerized because it seemed so outrageous and off the wall. But the songs stick in your head (“keep trying, keep trying, don’t give up, never give up”) and it is rather entertaining.
Comment by Don — December 9, 2008 @ 5:48 am
Can carrots come to the party in your tummy?
Comment by Matt W. — December 9, 2008 @ 6:23 am
Conversation with my wife:
Me: Honey, Yo Gabba Gabba is made by a Mormon.
Her: Are the Prop 8 People protesting it?
Comment by Matt W. — December 9, 2008 @ 6:30 am
My wife and I saw the Aquabats again last year when they came to Salt Lake City. I think they are the most entertaining band I’ve ever seen and I see them whenever I can. Thanks for letting me know about this show, I’ll definitely be sharing it with my kids.
Comment by Kent (MC) — December 9, 2008 @ 9:30 am
Ahhhnnnoooo! They were just in Salt Lake City three days ago and I didn’t know about it! Well, I’ve got to add it to my bookmarks now.
Comment by Kent (MC) — December 9, 2008 @ 9:32 am
Wow! I just watched all of those clips. The party in my tummy is my favorite!
Comment by Kent (MC) — December 9, 2008 @ 1:01 pm
I have always appreciated the moral message from Yo Gabba Gabba and other Nickelodeon shows aired for my kids, but personally, I detest the show. I still let my kids watch it–they love it. Figures, they are the target audience, afterall.
Comment by Brian Duffin — December 9, 2008 @ 1:08 pm
My three year old, were he named Sam, would run around doing his yo-you trick (swinging it around in a circle parallel to the floor and in front of him) while saying “Cool trick Sam, cool trick.” It would be pretty funny.
Comment by Jacob J — December 9, 2008 @ 1:09 pm
I’ve been a fan of The Aquabats for years now. Even before I knew about the mormon connection. None of my friends understand my love for that band. They just take one look at them and think “what the heck is wrong with those guys?”
…but man, their music is so catchy! I’ve never heard anything like it. I’ve listened to their album “Charge!” at least 100 times. Simply amazing.
Yo Gabba Gabba is great too. I love the art style, I love the characters, I love the music. My two year old is glued to the screen whenever it’s on–it’s the only show he’ll actually sit through. Definitely the best toddler show on TV.
Comment by Casual Mormon — December 9, 2008 @ 9:39 pm
Ehh, it’s okay, but “awesomeness”? Visually it is stunning, but the dialogue and the music is…monotonous. Granted, there are a few songs that a beautiful (e.g., “I Love My Kite”), but I’ll stick with Mr Rogers’ for my babies and Word Girl for my older kids. (sorry to spoil the party in your tummy.)
Comment by BrianJ — December 9, 2008 @ 11:19 pm
It’s Barney for a new generation…
Comment by Clark — December 9, 2008 @ 11:42 pm
BrianJ, Clark,
Have either of you actually seen an episode or are you just talking out of your butts?
Especially you Clark — did Barney bring on musical guests like The Tings Tings, Jimmy Eat World, I’m From Barcelona, Hot Hot Heat, etc? Was someone like Biz Markie or Mark Mothersbaugh a regular contributor on Barney? Seriously, if you can’t tell the major difference between the two shows you must be culturally brain damaged bro.
Comment by Geoff J — December 10, 2008 @ 8:15 am
Clark, a children’s show luddite. Lolz
Comment by Matt W. — December 10, 2008 @ 8:43 am
I only know Yo Gabba Gabba through clips on The Soup. I have no opinion on the show as a whole but I like the funky dancing. The gay Russian army Erkel is kind of annoying in the way he talks.
Comment by Tom — December 10, 2008 @ 9:37 am
Geoff, did you actually read my comment or were you responding out of your butt? Obviously I watched an episode and several clips (and this wasn’t the first I had heard of it, btw).
I would never compare it to Barney—it’s not brain-numbingly saccharine and the melodies are at least original. It does, however, at times remind me of The Wiggles (ugh).
Comment by BrianJ — December 10, 2008 @ 11:50 am
Yeah Brian, after I wrote that comment I thought you might call me on lumping you in with Clark. You have a valid complaint against my #12.
I suppose there are some similarities with The Wiggles. The difference is that Yo Gabba Gabba is cool. Cool guests, cool tricks, cool beats, all kinds of cool stuff. The Wiggles never tries to be cool and thus never approaches cool.
Comment by Geoff J — December 10, 2008 @ 11:58 am
The Wiggles should be prosecuted for crimes against humanity.
Comment by Jacob J — December 10, 2008 @ 12:22 pm
My five kids and I watched the entire first episode last night; and it was awesomeness! I haven’t been this happy for a long time!
Comment by Kent (MC) — December 10, 2008 @ 12:26 pm
My kids are more into Dora, Wonderpets, and Backyardigans, and only the music from Lazy Town. At any rate, they are definitely drinking the Nick Jr. cool aid.
Comment by Matt W. — December 10, 2008 @ 7:25 pm
I am so over Dora, Wonderpets,and Lazytown! If I actually see Sporticus in person I should not be held accountable for any violent actions I may use on him. He has been torturing me for the last year or so. I do think Robby Rotten rocks though.
As far as Yo Gabba Gabba? I have to say “Super Martian Robot Girl” is probably my favorite. That and “Biz’s Beat of the Day.”
If you happen to see Elijah Wood on the “Dancey Dance” section doing his Puppet Master dance, change the channel! It is frustratingly boring.
What a sad comment. After 11 straight years of children’s tv shows I’m fried!
Comment by kristen j — December 10, 2008 @ 10:11 pm
Kristen, say it ain’t so. Wonderpets is the greatest kids show EVER. I am with you in being tired of Dora, and I have always hated Crazytown since the first time I laid eyes on it, but Wonderpets is golden. To the fly boat.
Comment by Jacob J — December 10, 2008 @ 11:11 pm
Ok, ok, Wonderpets is one of the more tolerable of the nick shows.
Just wait until your kids start watching some of the Disney channel shows for older kids. After one episode of The Suite Life of Zach and Cody you’ll probably want to claw your eyes out.
Comment by kristen j — December 11, 2008 @ 8:17 am
That’s exactly why we don’t have Disney Channel! It’s bizarre because when I was a kid, Ducktales was awesome, but now, Disney TV is just so much crap.
Comment by Matt W. — December 11, 2008 @ 8:28 am
Kristen,
Sadly, Zach/Cody, Drake/Josh, Hannah/Montana are all working hard to corrupt my kids already. I think we recently banned Zach and Cody though, so if that banning has stuck, I am safe on that front.
Being at work all day I don’t get the constant infliction of these shows, so I feel for you.
Comment by Jacob J — December 11, 2008 @ 9:56 am
I can’t stand Dora because she yells all the time. “BACKPACK! BACKPACK!” Quiet down girl. Sheesh!
Comment by BrianJ — December 11, 2008 @ 3:13 pm
I’m the map I’m the map I’m the map I’m the map I’m the map I’m the map I’m the map I’m the map I’m the map I’m the map I’m the map I’m the map
Comment by Jacob J — December 11, 2008 @ 5:46 pm
What’s really great about Dora screaming all the time is she gets everyone else in the house screaming too. I love it.
Jacob- you really should make the Zach and Cody ban a very solid thing. Maybe you should have contracts drawn up.
At the very least if someone turns it on you should start pointing and shouting, “Not while your living in my house young man/woman!”
You’ll thank me if you can stick to that rule. I’m probably going to be in therapy for years because of my weakness.
Comment by kristen j — December 11, 2008 @ 9:04 pm
Dora saved the snow princess three times today. I guess there are advantages to having cable over just getting the DVDs…
Comment by Matt W. — December 11, 2008 @ 9:07 pm
Ugh! Dora saves the snow princess. Why won’t that princess stay saved?!
Comment by kristen j — December 11, 2008 @ 11:01 pm
Yeah, when the Yo Gabba Gabba songs get stuck in your head, you can never get them out. (Same with Wonderpets). My 2 1/2 year old watches both shows frequently, and I sometimes inadvertantly join her.
I didn’t know Christian Jacobs was involved in the show. Interesting. (We were in 2nd Grade together, which was eons ago, but for that reason I tend to keep up on what he’s involved in. Or at least I thought I did).
Zach and Cody are simply the worst child actors on television, never mind the quality of their show. The fact that I am familiar enough with the show to know this is a source of personal embarrassment and shame.
Aaron B
Comment by Aaron Brown — December 12, 2008 @ 2:26 am
My 2 year son DOES NOT sit still at all, anywhere, anytime – unless he is sleeping or unless he is watching his favorite show in his own words: YO GAABBAAH GAABBAAH…
Comment by JP — December 20, 2008 @ 2:51 pm
Ha ha I luv yo gabba gabba!!! can’t u imagine Dj lance walking down the street with his little boombox?
Comment by Haley — March 3, 2009 @ 3:29 pm
I love the DJ Lance Rock “magic hat”. Now your kid can dance along with the hat. Click here for the video.
Comment by Kent (MC) — March 3, 2009 @ 3:34 pm