u/carl95679

Note: I’m summarizing on everything covered in the band’s 20-year timeline, meaning everything between 1991-2012

And so folks, that will do with this Wiggly retrospective.

As I said in my first Wiggles Retrospective post, listening to this band’s music back in 2019-2020 has given me an ear for music and a new appreciation for soundtracks of my favorite shows.

And of course, I’ve gained a new appreciation for The Wiggles’ music (well when talking about the originals and Sam I mean). Listening to their songs has given me an inspiration to sing for no reason whatsoever.

And going through these videos, albums, series, and other discussions has made me appreciate their productions and the characters a bit more.

My favorite thing about the characters is the bond they share with each other (on-camera or off-camera) feels genuine. Whenever they tease each other, it’s done out of love. That was something brought up in The Wiggles Take on the World documentary.

When it comes to children's shows, my number one favorite is still Blue's Clues, but The Wiggles certainly takes entry #3 or #4.

Every musician, vocalist, guest star, or director who worked with these albums, videos, and other projects deserve all the praise they have.

I discovered that my personal favorite era of the original Wiggles is 1995-2001, when each of the characters got a moment to shine or leave an impression, the production values were steadily improving, and their sound became the most iconic. I have the most connection with this era and most of my favorite videos come from this time period.

If I had to pick a second favorite era of the band, I'd choose 2005-2009. Even if I wasn't the biggest fan of Hot Poppin Popcorn or thought TV Series 4 and 5 was just passable, It marked a seamless transition between the Original Wiggles and Sam Moran.

As for the Sam era, despite me not having watched it as a kid, I found some aspects and songs to appreciate. I still stand by that he was as a good replacement and others seem to agree. Proving that the band could continue without one of the original Wiggles. Even though there are a few infamous aspects that carried over in the later years.

I also genuinely enjoy the Dorothy the Dinosaur spinoff and I am curious as to what this upcoming Dorothy project is if it ever comes up. I hope it's in line with the 2007 spinoff/series, because I would love to see Dorothy, Wags, Henry, and Captain Feathersword play off each other some more. Which is something that hasn’t been as present in the current era.

As for the new Wiggles, while I'm not as interested in them, I do check them out occasionally - mostly out of curiosity. I admit having 8 wiggles instead of 4 (and the inclusion of Bubbles the Mermaid, Tree of Wisdom, Shirley Shaw, Bok the Hand Puppet, etc.) makes the group feel overcrowded. And it leaves other characters to the sidelines.

Another criticism I have (that others may have too) is the songs and pacing of a few episodes feel way too fast. I remember someone said the visuals were too overstimulating or colorful in the new generation.

That's another reason why I prefer the original lineup and Sam era. There were only 8 characters (9 at most if you include Officer Beaples, Professor Singalottasonga, Ringo the Ringmaster, etc.) and the simplicity of their songs and stories.

I might check out the 2013 era at some point (I have the first five videos) and I'm aware I haven't talked about Space Dancing, so who knows? Maybe I might cover them at some point as post-retrospective discussions. Don't quote me on that.

Like other people there are several concerts I hope to see in the future:

• Wiggly Party Live: obviously with Wiggly Party being my favorite video/album
• Santa’s Rockin’ Live: apparently rare songs such as Another Cuppa and Silver Bells That Ring the Night were performed
• Pop Go the Wiggles Live: Fernando Jorge Moguel and Carolyn Ferrie were on tour, so I’m curious to see that as well

That might be excessive, but I imagine there are others who may want to see them as well. That is if footage of them even exists.

To conclude, comment below: If you grew up watching The Wiggles (whatever era it may be) how have they changed your life?

Also to conclude, here are my favorite things from the band. Comment below these if you can. Some of you already commented on these things in my previous posts:

In no particular order:

Favorite Original Wiggles Album: Hoop Dee Doo! It’s a Wiggly Party!

Favorite Original Wiggles Video: Hoop Dee Doo! It’s a Wiggly Party!

Underrated Original Wiggles Album: Toot Toot!

Underrated Original Wiggles Video: tie between Wake Up Jeff! & Toot Toot

Favorite Christmas Album: Yule Be Wiggling

Favorite Christmas Video: Yule Be Wiggling

Favorite Sam Album: You Make Me Feel Like Dancing

Favorite Sam Video: You Make Me Feel Like Dancing

Underrated Sam Video: Ukulele Baby!

Underrated Sam Album: Ukulele Baby!

Favorite Original Wiggles Concert Video: Wiggledance

Favorite Sam Concert Video: The Wiggles Big, Big Show

Favorite TV Series: TV Series 2 (1999)

Favorite Dorothy the Dinosaur Video: Dorothy the Dinosaur Meets Santa Claus

Favorite Dorothy the Dinosaur Album: Dorothy’s Memory Book

Favorite Director: Chisholm McTavish

Favorite Backing Vocalist: Mark Punch

Favorite Dorothy Voice Actress: Carolyn Ferrie

Favorite Wags Voice Actor: Mic Conway

Favorite Wiggly Friend(s): tie between Dorothy and Wags

Favorite Side Character: Officer Beaples

Favorite Wiggle(s): tie between Murray and Jeff

What can I say? I’m a Caroyln Ferrie/Mic Conway/Mark Punch/Officer Beaples/Wiggledance/Ben Murray/Dorothy Meets Santa/Chisholm McTavish/TV Series 2/Yule Be Wiggling/Hoop Dee Doo fanatic.

Several discussions I've posted are listed below too. Feel free to comment:

Previous Discussions:  Wiggle Time, Yummy Yummy, Big Red Car, Wake Up Jeff, Wiggledance, The Wiggles Movie, Wiggly Wiggly Christmas, Wiggle Time & Yummy Yummy 1998, TV Series 1, Toot Toot, TV Series 2, The Wiggly Big Show, It's a Wiggly Wiggly World, Yule Be Wiggling, Hoop Dee Doo! It's a Wiggly Party, Wiggly Safari, Wiggle Bay, TV Series 3, Whoo-Hoo! Wiggly Gremlins, Top of the Tots, Cold Spaghetti Western, Live Hot Potatoes, Santa's Rockin'!, TV Series 4, Sailing Around the World, Here Comes the Big Red Car, It's Time to Wake Up Jeff!, TV Series 5, Splish Splash Big Red Boat, Wiggledancing Live in the USA, Racing to the Rainbow, Top 10 Original Wiggles Videos, Top 10 Original Wiggles Albums, Wiggledancing Live in Concert, Getting Strong, Dorothy the Dinosaur TV Series 1 and 2, Dorothy the Dinosaur's Party, Pop Go the Wiggles, Dorothy the Dinosaur's Memory Book, You Make Me Feel Like Dancing, TV Series 6, Sing a Song of Wiggles, The Kingdom of Paramithi, The Wiggles Big Big Show, Go Bananas, Hot Poppin' Popcorn, Dorothy the Dinosaur Meets Santa Claus, Hot Potatoes The Best Of the Wiggles, Dorothy the Dinosaur TV Series 3, Let's Eat! Dorothy the Dinosaur's Rockin' Christmas, Dorothy the Dinosaur's Travelling Show, Ukulele Baby, The Wiggles' Big Birthday, It's Always Christmas with You, Ranking Sam videos, Ranking Sam albums, Surfer Jeff, Dorothy the Dinosaur's Beach Party, Celebration!

Until next time, keep on wiggling! 👍

In a reverse of Blue's Clues, Joe wants to play Joe's Clues to figure out what his surprise is.

Observations, critiques, and/or stand-out scenes?

My thoughts:

One of my favorites from an honestly lackluster season. It's another role reversal with Joe being the one leaving the clues and Blue taking up the role as a host.

This one delivers various unique visuals like the backgrounds in the Joe chase (one of them is attached in the post) and Blue skidoos into the video letter (which I don't think has ever been done before).

We see the return of the Little Red Riding Hood costumes (from Can You Help) and the duck outfit (Dress Up Day).

Side note: Joe called his stage performance "The Joe Show," which is what co-creator Angela Santomero jokingly called Donovan Patton's run on Blue's Clues.

Joe and Blue find a magical wand named Wish who grants them their every wish.

Observations, critiques, and/or stand-out scenes?

My thoughts:

This is one of my favorite least episodes simply for how boring it is. There are no skills to learn or any corresponding curriculum. It's simply about wishing. That's it.

I feel this episode may have been inspired by The Fairly OddParents, as that show was popular around this period.

This post was inspired by a comment in my Wiggly Friends post.

Who are your favorite performers for Dorothy, Wags, and Henry? Here are mine:

Dorothy: Leeanne Ashley, Corrine O'Rafferty, Kelly Hamilton, Emily McGlinn

Wags: Andrew McCourt, Edward Rooke, Kristy Talbot, Adrian Quinell

Henry: Reem Hanwell, Mario Martinez-Diaz, Leanne Halloran, Clare Field, Rebecca Knox

*You don't have to answer, this really doesn't make a difference in the long run. I don't think it really matters who's in the suit. If they can pull off the performance well, that's all that matters*

Who is your favorite Wiggly Friend?

For me, it's a tie between (surprise surprise) Dorothy the Dinosaur and Wags the Dog. Without repeating myself, Dorothy feels like a younger sister that enjoy the simple things in life and loves the bond between her and her friends.

Wags the Dog feels like an older brother who pulls the occasional pranks/jokes (mostly on Captain Feathersword) but is also very athletic and essentially the "pet/animal who's not like other pets/animals."

Both can be described as "one of the guys" and literal "party animals."

Joe and Blue create an imaginary world full of supplies, but their passageway towards home flies away. Now they must gather 4 letters in order get back home.

Observations, critiques, and/or stand-out scenes?

My thoughts:

While not one of my favorite episodes, this provided a "what if" scenario in which the characters remain in the skidoo section (there's another episode where this occurs, but I'll get there when I get there). The locations are another showcase of the team's creativity from a clay desert to a puzzle place to an origami house.

Another episode where there's no game of Blue's Clues played which is a common theme around this season.

Today is the 20th anniversary of the Wake Up Jeff video!

Note: I already made a post about the video (and album).

Joe receives a mystery love day card from someone.

Observations, critiques, and/or stand-out scenes?

Who are some of the best or most underrated musicians and/or vocalists the band has worked with?

Aside from Greg, Sam, Lachlan, or anyone else I can think of.

I’m referring to musicians, vocalists, and backing vocalists who worked with The Wiggles from 1991-2012. But feel free to include anyone from the current lineup/group.

Attached are some of my personal favorite musicians and vocalists in this order.

1. Mark Punch
2. Greg Truman
3. Carolyn Ferrie
4. Dominic Lindsay
5. Maria Schattovits
6. Margaret Lindsay
7. Morgan Crowley
8. Simon Pryce
9. Paul Paddick
10. Craig Abercrombie
11. Terry Murray
12. Anita Thomas
13. Brad Carroll
14. Fernandito Jorge Moguel
15. Blathnaid Conroy-Murphy

Quote: Go Blue go and find the lock to your key.

On the night of a blue moon, a moon fairy named Moona tells Blue about her greatest secret.

Thoughts, observations, critiques, and/or standout scenes? How did you feel about the introduction of Blue's Room

My thoughts:

And so, we've arrived at Season 6. The most disliked season of the original show. I myself don't particularly like this season. I consider it the black sheep of the group. But I don't hate it however.

Once again, the game of Blue's Clues is put aside (which will be a current trend this season) in favor of the introduction/discovery of Blue's Room.

The episode begins with a retelling of Blue's origin story from Blue's First Holiday, with the addition of that she has a magical key that unlocks her greatest gift.

This premiere is okay, but this episode is brought down by the lack of Blue's Clues and for sets the bar for the quality of Season 6. Blue's Room segments attached to the end of every episode.

Otherwise, the Go Blue and Find Your Key song is honestly catchy.

What are your thoughts on the reunion concerts by the Original Wiggles?

For context, I'm asking about

• The 25th anniversary one in 2016
• The 2020 Bushfire Relief one
• Several 2022 and 2023 concerts online on YouTube

When it comes to the voices of the mascot characters, what do you prefer hearing?

Dorothy: Without a doubt, Carolyn Ferrie is the best voice for Dorothy. Adorable, charming, perky, inquisitive, and Ferrie makes Dorothy sound more down-to-earth. Elisha Burke, Zoe Velez, Jennifer Andrade, and Clare Field’s takes were good too however.  I’ve warmed up to Emma Pask’s voice a little, and Emma Buter was the first female voice so she gets a pass. Jacqueline Field’s voice however just doesn’t do it for me.

Wags: Hot take, I have nothing against him talking out loud beginning in 2006 (specifically It’s Time to Wake Up Jeff), but I suppose he works best when the audience can hear his thoughts. While Jeff Fatt may be a preference for some, I like Mic Conway’s voice much better. A mix of mischievous and sarcastic. Paul Field’s voice doesn’t do it for me.

Henry: Time for another hot take. I didn’t mind Paul Paddick’s voice for him. Jeff Fatt’s voice, however, is undoubtedly the most iconic.

I’m not usually into headcanons/theories, but I was curious: What are some of your headcanons for how the Wiggle met their friends?

Feel free to incorporate details from the songs, videos, and/or television series. I’d love to hear what you come up with.

In the 2nd holiday episode, Mr. Salt presents the gang with VHS tapes of how the gang met Blue and how Blue's Clues started in the first place.

Thoughts, observations, critiques, and/or stand-out scenes?

My thoughts:

This is my number 1 favorite episode of the whole show because it highlights how all 3 of the main characters played a role in the creation of Blue's Clues. Steve opened the book which Blue jumped out of, Joe is the one who lost the blanket, and Blue was the only one who knew and left pawprints to where the blanket was.

This shows the origin of the notebook, the Mail Time song, and the Thinking Chair and what the cast were like as babies. The Mail Time segments discusses the 3 main holidays (Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Hanukkah), but also Ramadan, a holiday where the family fasts.

This was Steve's last appearance in the show, not counting the 100th Episode. I mention that because part of me wonders if this could've been a potential series finale.

It explains how the game of Blue's Clues was created, the episode thematically ends with the characters playing in the show as they did in the video, and it's the last time the So Long song was performed.

Regardless, it was a heartfelt way to end a season that I thought was more memorable than Season 4.