WE ACCEPT YOU ONE OF US: Last week, I marveled at how children’s television has a knack of weirding out parents on an almost regular basis, occasioned by my discovery – brokered by my daughters – of Nick Jr.’s Yo Gabba Gabba. I speculated that the show – which features a gang of colourful odd shapes abstracted from animals and things marshaled through their paces by a hyperactive DJ – would no doubt foster a whole new generation of happily obtuse college kids competing to outdo each other with their knowledge of obscure indie bands and Japanese pop culture detritus.
Those kids are already out there, of course, and it’s no surprise to learn via a story on the ABC News website that they’ve already embraced the show – with a bit of chemical facilitation. A group of friends at Georgia Southern University meet three times a week to watch the show, while a student at a Washington community college says that he appreciates the show for its “randomness.”
“When I first saw it I thought it was the funniest thing — I almost started crying,” he said. “If I had to describe [the show] to people, I’d have to say it’s a mix of Bonanza meets Sesame Street.”
Or The McLaughlin Report meets Rollerball. Or the Banana Splits meets 60 Minutes. Or Frasier meets the Summer Olympics. No, totally, I know what you mean.
Probably because they no longer need their parents to help pay their rent and tuition, older fans of the show said that they usually watched the show while high. “It’s a good stoner television show, because it’s not difficult to understand since it’s made for children and there are lots of bright colors and good music,” said Tracie Egan, an editor who writes a column called Pot Psychology for the popular women’s gossip blog Jezebel.com.
The show’s creators said they’re happy that an additional audience has attached itself to the show. “I guess anyone else watching wants to be fun and silly and be in touch with their inner preschooler — and check out some cool bands, too,’ said Scott Schultz, who created the show with Christian Jacobs.
Nick Jr., which greenlit a second season, is currently developing a line of merchandise to promote the show, much of it likely suitable for both older and younger fans. I’m thinking DJ Lance Rock messenger bags, Foofa wallet chains, Toodee trucker caps and a Plex keychain with a secret compartment where you can put, uh, stuff.
YOU’VE COME A LONG WAY, BABY: This Tuesday’s paper will feature the 500th Idiot Box column, and my 1000th TV column for Metro. Pretty good for a guy who only watches Quincey reruns, don’t you think? Greeting cards stuffed with money and gifts of cured meat can be sent to Metro’s mailing address.
