'Yo Gabba Gabba!' Collects Celebrity Fans

By PopEater Staff Posted Nov 27th 2009 02:00PM

If you don't have very young children, there's a chance that the Nickelodeon show 'Yo Gabba Gabba!' isn't on your radar. The series features four brightly-colored monsters learning lessons about nutrition, hygiene and sharing - from each other and their good buddy Lance Rock, a live-action role played by a Los Angeles DJ in orange spandex and a wacky hat.

So why are more and more adults jumping on the 'Gabba' bandwagon? Its roster of unassailably cool guest stars and A-list celebrity fans might have something to do with it.

Featuring recurring appearances by Devo member Mark Mothersbaugh and rapper Biz Markie are just the tip of the iceberg. 'Yo Gabba Gabba!' boasts guest spots by musicians like The Shins and Sean Kingston. Actors Jack Black and Elijah Wood have dropped by, and rumored guests for the upcoming season include "Weird Al" Yankovic and Weezer.

Even Brad Pitt is a 'Gabba' fan - while the 'Inglorious Basterds' star and arguable king of Hollywood has never appeared alongside DJ Lance Rock on Nickelodeon, he appeared as the 'Gabba' host on Halloween. Pitt went trick-or-treating with Angelina Jolie and their brood wearing Rock's trademark fuzzy hat and black glasses.

And it's the star power that might fuel the show into continued success. Christian Jacobs, who created 'Yo Gabba Gabba!' with Scott Schultz, told the New York Times that Nickelodeon doesn't produce the show - it merely broadcasts material licensed from an outside studio. "Everyone we work with creatively at Nickelodeon is so super-into the show," he said. "But we're at a place in the business model where they're like, 'We don't own that show, so we don't necessarily want to push it.' "

Wildbrain, the studio that produces 'Yo Gabba Gabba!' with the Magic Store, insists that Nickelodeon has been amazing to work with, noting that season three of the show has a firm (though yet unreleased) air date in 2010. Wildbrain chief executive Michael Polis said of Nick, "They've got to focus on properties that they feel are going to provide them with the greatest return. We do our best to offer them the opportunity to work with us."

Issues of promotion aside, all can agree that the support of celebs - both as on-air guests and just plain fans - can only help the off-beat kids' show. The under-five set might not be familiar with the late night works of season two guest Andy Samberg, but while they're enjoying his Dancey Dance segment, adults are flocking to witness the novelty of their favorite stars goofing off on Nickelodeon. According to Nielsen, about a third of viewers are 18 and older.

And of course, you can't buy promotion like Brad Pitt's orange spandex Halloween costume. "We had no idea he was a fan of the show," said Polis, "but orange suits him."

Comments

(18)

Friday 27 November

By mcrforeverr

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haha wait until gerard way sees this:) i bet he wants 2 release his lemonade song:) go gerard!

By Synclaie

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Most of the characters look like over grown sex toys to me. I hate the show it has no substance and teaches children nothing. None of my 6 Grandchildren watch it while they are at my house.

By souldust

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Sex Toys??

Saturday 28 November

By brandon

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you must not have ever watched the show, it teaches kids manners, about nutrients, about different musical genres and teaches self esteem , and wow, i cant list all the things that are on this show!!!

By Sabeka211

Over grown sex toys!?!? I don't think its the show that has problems.

By Chips

Oddly enough, when I saw them on TV during the parade the first thing I thought was the red "monster" looks like a misplaced vibrator. I have never heard of them prior to the parade, but they are kinda creepy, especially the green striped guy and the red dildo, lol! You can't convince me that whoever designed the red one didn't have this in mind!

Sunday 29 November

By Kelly

Doesn't teach them anything? Hello? Don't bite your friends!

By stupidest show ever

I really want my kids watching a 6 foot dancing orange dildo. This show makes Barney look like a PHD.
Figures all the stars would be into it.

By jamie

i personally think this show is stupid and really weird. besides my son doesnt like it, i probably wouldnt let him watch it if he did because its creepy and weeiiirrrddd.....

By xxrocknizzxx

I don't know why people hate the show so much. My 3 year old loves, and while TV doesn't teach kid, that's the parents job, it does help reinforce what I teach, like cleaning up, taking turns, sharing, being safe, though songs and fun games. Those fun tunes stick with kids more than our constantly telling them what to do. While we clean or if I need to remind her to share, we'll sing a song and it's a good fun reminder.

By Gia

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My Grandkids love the show! It's educational and fun for kids and the music and guest stars are great! It's a very well put together preschool age show! Max and Ruby and Little Bill are also really great shows for young children! I wish it was around when my kids were little! It's sweet and entertaining plus it's people of my generation so I get it. Maybe the people that don't get it are too old or too young?

By Brandie

To this show is so stupid! But my one year old loves it one min. we will be in the living room play the all the sudden he takes a dead run in his room and i go look to see what hes doin and this show is on he loves it!

By Karen

Those that say this show is weird and creepy obviously don't watch it that much. My 3 year old loves this show. And Muno (the red one) is a one eyed cyclops. Nickelodeon has what all the characters are on their website. This show does teach children to be nice, share, etc.

this show is for little kids? all u people sayin its like sex toys and vibrators.....thts a little over the top. im like 13 but i like that show:) call me wierd.

By Proflak

YO Gabba Gabba is one of the best shows for children out now. My 3 year old grandchild absolutely loves the music and lessons taught. Some people should get rid of the cranialrectal syndrome and see that the show is good for teaching children how to get along and deal with their inner feelings so they don't grow up like their grandparents and parents. Maybe this show will help children to change the world once they are grown. So GOIB and let them watch the show.

By Steve

My kids tell me D.J. Lance is off the hook and Foofa is BOOMIN.

By michelle

my grandson and i both love this show.cleanup,cleanup,everybody,everywhere!jack black was perfect on his visit to gabbaland!

Monday 30 November

By Cinezombi

I like bugs, I like bugs, I like bugs, I like bugs! Hells Yeah! This show is awesome. My two year old and I watch it every day and sometimes dress up to dance along with the show. This is fun for the parents and the kids, it is hard to relate to a 2 year old, but this show and others like it helps. Anyone with preschoolers should "Try It You'll Like It" That's from the show too. Reading, Watching Shows, Going to the park and having snack time with you kids is one of the greatest parts of being a parent.

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