An Ode to Greg Wiggle

I'll admit it. I heard the news that Greg Wiggle, er, Greg Page, was leaving the Wiggles and I was really bummed. Sure, I'm about to turn 27. I mean, 37. Of course, the Wiggles are for kids. My own first impression of the toddler megagroup was one of disdain. And yeah -- I know this is relatively old news about Page's departure, but I've only now been given the opportunity to vent on a global scale.

But here's the thing. I got hooked on the Wiggles for at least a year. My son absolutely adored the Wiggles. Knew every simplistic song by heart. Did all the dances. And so did I. The things you'll do when you become a parent. But the joy that he got from watching the Wiggles was enough to suck me in. In time, it no longer seemed strange that four grown Australian men were singing songs about fruit salad along with a pirate and a dinosaur named Dorothy. In fact, my husband paid more money than I care to know about to take our son to the Wiggles show.

Then came the news last November. Greg, the lead singer of the lovable bunch, was quitting the Wiggles due to health reasons. That's like U2 without Bono. The Stones without Jagger. Replacing him is Sam Moran, some dude with an opera voice that has made several appearances on Wiggles DVDs (of which we have several). Hopefully, toddlers all over the world are recovering better than I am.

But seriously, I look around the alternatives for kids music and there are many choices, but few stand up to the Wiggles' catchy music, silly dance moves and all-around fun. I know the Doodlebops have their fans, but really? Two guys and a woman covered in face paint? They have nice voices but their wigs are downright scary. And what about the Imagination Movers, those cool guys with the two-minute videos on Playhouse Disney that sing about cleaning their rooms and saying "please" and "thank you?" Cute tunes, nice message, but they are all dressed like Beastie Boy wannabes. I'm thinking my next kid music investment might be a Dan Zanes CD. He's musically talented, he clearly loves kids, and he's got a hipness factor that eluded even my precious Wiggles.

Cheers to you, Greg, I wish you good health. I shall miss your lovely voice and the way your mouth curls up ever so weirdly when you sing. Happy wiggling, mate.

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Comments

Get a life. The Wiggles suck. Plain and simple. Parents with kids need to learn there is life outside their little family, and the Wiggles are hated by all single people.

Posted by: TJ | May 11, 2007 5:30 AM

HI GREG, MY LIL GIRL JUST LOVES ALL OF YOU!! BUT ITS JUST NOT THE SAME WITHOUT YOU, WE MISS YOU SO VERY MUCH AND WISH YOU TO RECOVER COMPLETELY AND HOPEFULLY RETURN FOR A VISIT TO LET US ALL SEE YOU ARE BETTER...MY LIL GIRL LOVED HER 1ST CONCERT OF YOU'S IN MOBILE ALABAMA JULY 29, 2008 AND I AM GLAD SHE COULD NOT SEE IT WAS NOT YOU BECAUSE SHE KNOWS ALL OF YOU BY YOUR NAMES AND FACES AND TO THINK SHE IS ONLY 2...WHAT A SMARTY PANTS :-)!

Posted by: SUSAN | August 3, 2008 2:40 PM

Posted by: SUSAN | August 3, 2008 2:41 PM

Wow, TJ, what an eloquent post! I guess single people who are too cool for the Wiggles also have time to hang out on a Parenting board... telling Parents that the Wiggles suck. Thanks for the info, I'll pass it on to the grown-ups I know.

Posted by: Beth | December 22, 2008 5:21 AM

Gee TJ, sounds like your going to keep staying single. You know, your life changes when you become a parent, and the "cool" things don't matter anymore. I'm 25 and my husband is 26, we have a 22 month old, and we watch The Wiggles. Did I ever think I would give in to such an annoying show? No, but I'm happy I did. They are fun, entertaining and teach our daughter so much. I'd rather watch the wiggles then some crap on MTV (what USED to be a music channel) You'll grow up someday and realize it's not about you, and you'll be watching the Wiggles when that happens :)

As to you Nancy, I agree about Sam. I miss Greg everytime I watch a new episode. I miss the "old" Wiggle's. Now it's all made with a computer and not fun. I like the little Wiggles, and the actual Wiggles house and when they actually went on trips with Captain Feathersword. I miss Greg and it's hard to apprecaite wanna be look a like Same. Also, has anyine seen Lucia? She's my daughters favorite pirate and I have't seen her. We see Ben, but no Lucia. Am I crazy?

Posted by: Sara | January 25, 2009 8:05 AM

I agree 100% with this. The Wiggles should have just stopped and not continued, Sam is terrible and the new show if even worse.

Posted by: jake | March 5, 2009 9:19 PM

I agree 100% with this. The Wiggles should have just stopped and not continued, Sam is terrible and the new show is even worse.

hi, just wanted to let you know we love you myself and the whole family even my husband for the great times you brought our autistic daughter who is 6 years old. eventhough your gone we have the vhs/dvd to show our newest daughter now 17 mos. so with warmest thoughts your still close to our hearts.

Posted by: tina....m....g | June 11, 2009 5:49 PM

Like every one else its almost impossibe to take Greg's place whom ever that maybe. Mrs Burns

Posted by: Jackie Burns | June 20, 2009 12:16 AM

Posted by: Jackie Burns | June 20, 2009 12:17 AM