Written by: Ashtyn at 5:00 pm
The Nick Jr. website lists Yo Gabba Gabba as a show designed for young children over the age of one. The purpose of the show is to teach young children basic life skills and life lessons. From the description, the show seems to be comparable to a type of Sesame Street, with a different theme and show structure. Upon receiving a copy of the first show of the 2007 Yo Gabba Gabba season, I had the chance to see this new show for myself.
The first thing I noticed about Yo Gabba Gabba is how visually pleasing the show really is. While this is what is going to attract the youngest of viewers, the messages may be something they might not understand right away. The 2-4 year old crowd will be the ones to enjoy the visual themes, the infectious songs and to fully retain the messages. While a younger child will love this show, this is going to be something they can grow with, as they age and learn more about childhood responsibility and independence.
Yo Gabba Gabba is one of those shows that parents may find to be annoying. Quite often, it is these shows that actually keep the child’s interest and allow them to retain the most information. The most annoying part of the show is the overdramatic nature of the host (which kids will absolutely love) and the infectiously repetitious songs. This is the kind of music reminiscent of shows like Barney, which are actually good for children, but drive parents crazy in the process!
The plot of the show is relatively simple. Yo Gabba Gabba is hosted by a festively dressed man with crazy, retro glasses known as DJ Lance Rock (played by Lance Robertson). DJ Lance is going to take you for a ride through your imagination. By saying the magic words, “Yo Gabba Gabba”, toy monsters, which are fun and not so scary looking, come to life. These monsters are filled with life lessons, songs, and plenty of dance moves.
The monsters on Yo Gabba Gabba include Muno, Plex, Foofa, Brobee, and Toodee. The show, which premiered on Nick Jr. on August 20, 2007 runs weekdays at 10:30 AM. This 30 minute show contains plenty of memorable songs, musical guests, and at least one dance sequence taught to the monsters by a famous person. While I believe the famous guest was brought in to entertain the parents, the kids will still love the dances they learn from this high-profile celebrity.
In the first episode of Yo Gabba Gabba, we get to meet DJ Lance Rock, who quickly brings the monsters to life (saying Yo Gabba Gabba!). The episode is entitled “Eat”. It not only teaches children about eating healthy, but also about brushing their teeth, cleaning up their messes, and how to try new foods even if you aren’t sure if you are going to like them. In between songs, there are profiles of human children who love to dance. These children seem to be 3 or 4 years old. The children also move through a retro 80s video game type of maze, which provides fillers between scenes.
The lively show is less story-oriented then something like Nick Jr.’s Backyardigans. However, it relies more on repetition and performance to get the messages across it wishes to teach its audience. Songs have moral messages such as, “It’s fun to brush your teeth” and “Try it. You’ll like it.” The music has a modern feel and interesting beat to get kids involved in the show, and not drive parents too insane. The dance moves allow kids to express themselves as they groove to the beat of the music.
In this episode, the “Dance Buddy Segment” is hosted by none other than Elijah Wood. While most kids probably will not recognize Elijah, their parents will find it entertaining to watch him teach his dance to the monsters and the kids at home. This is most definitely one of the moments thrown in to entertain parents, and it is a highlight of the show.
Yo Gabba Gabba explores many themes. The art work by artist Mark comes to life, helping children explore their imaginations. The monsters learn to clean up their messes after eating snacks. They also teach simple counting and other early learning skills. The entire show is jam packed with life and learning lessons all before DJ Lance Rock has the children join him in saying Yo Gabba Gabba a second time, as the monsters again become toys. He then proceeds to clean up his mess, putting the toys away, and the show ends.
The audio visual aspect of the show is stunning. As a parent, I would have no problem allowing my younger children to watch the show. While Yo Gabba Gabba may not appeal to an older crowd, children from 1-5 can get something from the show in a familiar format with a new and exciting storyline. The show is one you can feel confident in allowing your child to watch and not have to worry about them not learning something in the process.
Check out Yo Gabba Gabba, weekdays at 10:30 AM on Nick Jr.
Image copyrighted to Nickelodeon.
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Technorati Tags: Yo Gabba Gabba, Monsters, Nick Jr. Nickelodeon, Children
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Written by Ashtyn - Visit Website
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Ashtyn Evans is a writer, advocate, free thinker, and all around cynical person. Always quick to find the negative in anything pop culture, she loves being a part of that which she despises. Ashtyn and Dominick own numerous blogs together, as well as a full-time writing business. In her spare time she is a full-time college student studying History and Psychology. She plans to one day give up her freelance career and be a full-time blogger, novelist, and domestic goddess. She can be contacted for writing projects, fan mail, or just to say hi. She really is friendlier than we make her look.
Filed under: Television
I totally disagree! I think “Gabba-gabba” is one of the most mind-numbingly ridiculous shows I have seen in a long time! As a mother of four young children, I see a lot of children’s shows and realize kids like silliness etc…, but this show goes from silly to stupid real quick! Whoever chooses the nick jr shows dropped the ball on this one! With all the other choices for children’s programming out there, why would anyone choose this for their kids?? Bad call Nick Jr!!!
This is the best kids show. I have an 18 month and a 2.5 yr old that both love it. I have never enjoyed a show with the kids this much. I hope it lasts numerous seasons.
I’m with you I have a 16 month and a 3.5 yr old they both can’t get enough of this show. I actually have to tape the show on my DVR because the minute they get home from the sitter they want to watch the same episode the saw in the morning again. We also use it to settle the kids down at night before bed because as soon as we turn it on the both stop to watch. The songs are infectious I even find myself singing party in my tummy.
My kid love watching “Yo Gabba Gabba” and I even enjoy it myself, I would wondering where can I purchase DVD’s of Yo Gabba Gabba, please advised, I have been searching everywhere. Standing by!
Thank you,
Anthony
anthonyrose@cox.net
from another mother of 4 children. At first I was feeling a little dumb for watching the show. Than I actually sat and watched the show. Than I ran the same show again and again for my eager 3 year old. I was amazed at the ambition he showed when getting up and dancing and singing and just having fun! He has never responded to any other show like this one. Way to go Nick jr.
Also a mother of 4, my 18 mo old has shown more enthusiasm and interest in singing and dancing to songs than my 2 older children did and I am a lot more entertained!! Thanks!
As a father of a 2 year old this show has everything he loves.
He cant get enough of it.as far as what the first poster commented -i bet you watched alot of dumb and silly shows growing up!children love sillyness.and i myself love the laughter from my son as he watches and learns from this show.
good job nickjr!!!!!
i too am looking for dvd’s of this
I am so sorry that you dislike this show. I just love it and so does my 19 month old. I grew up in the b-boy/hip-hop movement era and this show has a mix of that in there. I am glad they teach good life-lessons. I see my son responding more to this show than any other show. He Loved the Beat box session with Biz!
Well you should definitely give this show one more try. If you still feel the same then I guess your just not “hip wit it”
I have a 2 year old son who absolutely loves watching yo gabba gabba. This show has reiterated some things I’ve been teaching him and for some reason with the help of this show he has it down pat now. By the way, I enjoy watching the show myself. Keep up the good work!!
I got 2 DVD sets from a guy who found some of the Promos they sent to the UK.
Each DVD had 4 episodes on it!!
http://www.yogabbagabbadvds.com/
Hope your little one enjoys them =)
Good luck!
-Steve
I have to agree that the show is extremely annoying to me as the parent, but my 13 year old daughter absolutely loves to watch the show and spends the entire time dancing, singing, clapping along with the music and talking to the characters through the screen. So kudos to Nick Jr. for creating a show that is so engaging to a young mind!!
My 15 months old LOVES Yo Gabba Gabba. It is the first show she’s ever really enjoyed.
My husband purchased a DVD from http://www.yogabbagabbadvds.com/ and found that they were not promos, but just broadcast recordings of the show made with a DVD recorder.
I then turned around and found a fantastic DVD set of the whole first season over at iOffer.com . I don’t know if it’s the real thing, but it sure looks like it. Very nice presentation with professional menus. There are even MP3s of the songs on one of the discs that you can put on your iPod.
My 1 1/2 year old (and his parents) are super happy!
My son is 8 months and this is the only show he watches and i love to watch it with him. From the frist time it was on tv i felt a little silly wacth it but my son is happy when it come on and i cant wait to but the dvd!
Im 17 years old and i love it so i guarantee that anyone younger than me can like it too. its so happy and the songs are catchy.
This is a great show for children. My grandchildren are 2 years and 4 years and they simply love it. They have never gotten into Barney, Dora, Backyardaging the way they get into Yo Gabba Gabba………..I have to join in with them and I love it. I wish I can get the DVD for road trips; right now I have to TIVO it so that they can see it, we are at 9 shows and beleive me they do watch them over and over all in a diffrent way. I also wish I can find out how they can be on the show, just so that you can see just how much fun my 2 year granddaughter has so much fun. She only dances to Yo Gabba Gabba………….Great job Lance and Nick Jr. Any chance of stage show coming to our town???????
For all you hatters out there: IT IS NOT FOR ADULTS……….this is why some of you are not liking it……..let your children enjoy it, there are worse shows for children on TV and this is not one of them…………..
I run a daycare and my children love this show. I don’t show t.v except for 1/2 hr of Gabba Gabba right before lunch time everyday. When I announce Gabba Gabba time lets clean up they get excited and they go at it, to clean up and get ready for Gabba Gabba time. I fix lunch and they enjoy the show. It is interactive, fun, teaches them some good lessons in life, alot of fun games for them to do and so much more. My daycare kids love it and I love it too. I get involved with the kids during the show and we have so much fun. Nick changed the viewing time it was 1130 am right before my lunch, but I have the DVD now and still include it in my daily activities. One of the best shows Nick Jr. has created. Nick keep this show in your rotation!!
[...] To see a video of the show and find out more information on Yo Gabba Gabba, click here. [...]