April 11, 2005
It's A Wiggly Marketing Success!
The Fab(ulously Wealthy) Four
According to this AP article, the Wiggles have become Australia's richest entertainers, beating out even the likes of Russell Crowe and Nichole Kidman. Their estimated gross income for 2004 was $34.5 million, up from $10.7 million the previous year.
I can readily believe it. If kids play any role in your life, the odds are pretty good that you've run up against these guys at some point. At the Butcher's House, we're pretty deep into Wiggle-mania, with any number of CD's, videos, books and assorted toys. And Lord knows how many pratfalls I've taken doing the Captain Feathersword, "Well, blow me down!" bit.
As a matter of fact, I don't mind this at all. I've always enjoyed the Wiggles. Their songs are pleasant and their skits and routines are silly without being gooshy or preachy. Given the good, simple entertainment they provide, I don't mind ponying up to feed their empire.
Yips! to Lawren.
Posted by Robert at April 11, 2005 11:16 AMBut don't you think that the older, lower-production values Wiggles stuff is actually better? I liked them before they got the stripes on their pants.
No, I'm not a parent - I'm an aunt to a kid who adores The Wiggles. One week of babysitting her made me a fan.
Posted by: jen at April 11, 2005 11:23 AMI'm with ya. There's a lot worse out there. I prefer middle-period Wiggles - the episodes where the theme song is "In the Wiggles' World." The Network Wiggles eps. are just lacking something.
Dorothy bugs the heck out of me, though.
Posted by: Eric J at April 11, 2005 11:35 AMYes, the newer stuff definitely is tailing off a bit. And Dorothy is a bit obnoxious, but a lot of kids seem to like her. We went to see the Wiggles in concert last year and they practically needed a dump truck to hold all the roses kids brought along for her.
Posted by: Robert the LB at April 11, 2005 12:07 PMSorry. I'm yet to hear about them. Maybe the kids are too old.
For my money, they look like the aging diehard fans of the original Star Trek series.
Either that or the Telly Tubbies got their wish and became real boys.
Posted by: Gordon at April 11, 2005 02:12 PMGordo - There actually is a "Wiggles in Space" movie that enforces that whole Star Trek image even more. You keep half expecting something bad to happen to Murray (the red-shirt).
Posted by: Robert the LB at April 11, 2005 03:50 PMI agree! The Wiggles have quite a few "skits" that teach kids healthy eating habits, plus the infamous Fruit Salad song that really sticks with a person. :-)
Posted by: Stephanie at April 11, 2005 04:17 PM
