The Departure of the Yellow Wiggle

From their humble beginnings 15 years ago where they paid their dues on the tough pre-school and child care centre fundraising circuit, the Wiggles have become a huge success in Australia and also internationally. As well as live shows, the Wiggles have produced numerous TV series, video/DVDs, CDs and have recently launched into the foreign language market.

TheYyellow Wiggle, Greg Page has orthostatic intolerance, a chronic condition which affects his walking, balance, speech and coordination. The increasing severity of his symptoms has prevented him from singing and dancing with the Wiggles for the past few months leading to his decision to leave the group. The yellow skivvy will be passed on to Sam Moran who has worked with the Wiggles for a number of years.

Early childhood educators and parents are concerned that young Wiggles fans will not be tricked by the appearance of a different performer in the yellow skivvy and will be devastated by Greg's departure. At a suburban Adelaide pre-school centre, staff cancelled regular classes on finger painting and threading pasta shapes onto string to implement the Department of Education’s emergency counselling procedures. The centre's children were understandably upset and earlier had been encouraged to share their feelings through doing some Wiggles-themed cutting and pasting.

In the centre's 'quiet corner' a small group of children dressed in faded skivvies and hand-me-down pants and shoes sat with pained expressions on their faces saying very little. These children prefer to listen only to the Wiggles' music released prior to 1995 when, as Kurt (aged 4) explained, “We were into the Wiggles before they were cool, before they sold out. In the early days their music had an edge, it meant something.”

The extraordinary popularity of the Wiggles through the 1990s coincided with their adoption of a more mainstream sound where they moved away from their grunge roots towards the pop end of the musical spectrum. During 'music time' at the centre, the children had been listening to Wiggles music from 1998 to 2002 with a style of music that resembled a mosh pit at a large music festival. One child, Patrick (aged 3), seemed totally oblivious to his surroundings as he ran around in circles singing “hot potato, hot potato”, much to the amusement of his peers.

Later in the afternoon, just before story time, another group of children in fluorescent skivvies with reflector strips sewn on to them played a CD of cheesy trance remixes of Wiggles songs by über DJ, Tiësto. These children facilitated their dancing by rolling up the carpet and liberally sprinkling baby powder on the floor to make it slippery. They entertained themselves by playing with glow sticks on the dance floor and gradually enticed other children to join them.

Despite the initial shock at the sad departure of Greg Page from the Wiggles and the handing of the yellow skivvy to Sam Moran, the Wiggles are looking forward to continuing their world tour and the filming of their new DVD for the delight of their fans. The question remains, is the golden era of the Wiggles over or have they embarked on a new path to world domination?

Comments (7)

Maybe ... written by Wild Rover on December 6, 2006 It has to be a sad event when illness forces a change. The words "world domination" caused me to think of, and compare, the changes in the actors who have played "James Bond" over the years. For one generation Sean Connery will always be "James Bond" for another generation it will be Pearce Brosnan. In much the same way I suspect each generation will have their own "Wiggles", with the unique aspect being the sheer enjoyment and excitement the Wiggles provide. Viva the Wiggles! The Wighgles rock written by Olivia Caso on December 7, 2006 the wigles are my favorite band1 im only 13 but i lovwe them!!!! My litle girl is devastated written by Anxious (desperate) mother on December 10, 2006 My child's psyche has been scarred forever - why should little Gill have to learn one of life's bitter lessons at such a tender age?? I would welcome advice as to how to deal with this dilemma. There is always an answer ... written by Eureka on December 18, 2006 Anxious (desperate) mother My child's psyche has been scarred forever - why should little Gill have to learn one of life's bitter lessons at such a tender age?? I would welcome advice as to how to deal with this dilemma. ear Anxious ... We just cannot let this happen, but how do we help little Gill? I have been trying ever since reading your plaintive cry for help to think of a way forward, we simply cannot let Gill become scarred forever, but until today I was at a complete loss. Then the "eureka" moment arrived ... Gill is the problem and she is also the answer, it is hiding deep within psyche and her connection with the "Yellow Wiggles". What on earth am I talking about? Well, look closely ... Gill Yellow Wiggles ... what does it tell you? Well, what if we simply shift the letters, ask Gill and she will tell you, go on ask her, and I bet she will tell you this: "Well, I slowly giggle!". Gill is going to be fine ... no need to be anxious anymore!! Phew ...!! ohhhh im so sad written by Tamara Gossow on January 12, 2007 i dont want him to leave ive always LOVED the wiggles ever since i was 2 im 12 now so ive lovec them ever for 10 years what a shame written by lisard on January 15, 2007 my little girl will be very sad to see him go .we just hope he gets back on his feet again .and his family can get passed this get over it written by rhogan on February 12, 2007 yessssss im soo happy i dont like the wiggles i think they smelll soo u should get over it :

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