The Wiggles: Pop Go the Wiggles

List Price: $19.98 Discount Price: $10.81

Customer Reviews:

A lot different  [Posted on 2008-05-03]
My toddler son is a big Wiggles fan, as am I. I was so sad to see Greg leave but determined to give the new guy (Sam) a chance. Greg was such a presence and has such a pleasant, gentle-seeming way about him, combined with that amazing voice, I figured it must be a really tough role to fill for Sam. Sat down and watched this video through. Well, I did anyhow. My 2 year old was bored and gone from the tv after about 10 minutes.

This video is a LOT different than earlier ones. It's a lot slower overall and has almost a sleepy feel to it in parts. My son likes the songs that have dances he can learn and do the motions to (like Hot Potato, Rock-a-bye your bear, Can you point your fingers and do the twist, etc). There aren't any of those on this. I realize it's nursery rhymes etc and not their own stuff, but still, there is nothing to draw him in and involve him.

Sam has a good voice - but if you're a big fan of Greg's voice, you'll find it a whole lot different. Greg's voice is smooth as silk, low, relaxing (almost hypnotic sometimes - wish he'd do a lullaby cd!), while Sam's is more a tenor and very musical theater sounding. Sam seemed to me to be ill-at-ease and not at all comfortable with being silly and goofy - his attempts at it seemed put on and, in places, like he was trying way too hard and coming off like he was overacting. I hope that as he gets used to his role that some chemistry shows between the other 3 guys and him - there didn't seem to be any. Perhaps it's just growing pains and getting used to trying to fill some very big shoes.

Overall, this is not a DVD we'll watch very much at all. However, there is one fantastic thing on it. One of the bonus features is the ability to watch it with an interpreter doing American Sign Language in the bottom right corner. No one in my house is deaf, but I used to teach sign language so after my son was through watching, I wanted to see the interpreter. He is AMAZING - not only signs beautifully (of course!), but is super expressive, has just the right amount of Wiggle-silliness/goofiness, and seems like he's having a great time. He's a real joy to watch! Wish Sam came off a bit more like that - this DVD would've been far better, in my opinion.

Here's hoping that they go back to the catchy tunes and simple repetitive "dances" that the little ones can learn and join in. (But please keep the interpreter - he's great!)

Great for younger Wiggles fans [Posted on 2008-05-10]
My daughter is 14 months and likes the music of the Wiggles more than the skits. Pop Goes the Wiggles was a bigger hit than Getting Strong. Everyone gets to sing and it's nice. Yes, Sam is different than Greg but he's still likeable. I think I liked him better as Dapper Dave, but what are you going to do? I also liked the selection of nursery rhymes that they had. There were a bunch of songs that I remembered from childhood. I do hope that the Wiggles will come out with some new DVDs and CDs with new songs that are easy to dance to as my daughter gets older.

My Favorite...and my son's [Posted on 2008-06-20]
Bought the CD. Bought the DVD. It's on in the car and at home on TV (respectively). My son is entertained...now if only I didn't have to listen to it 5 times a day, I'd actually say this is my favorite out of all the Greg/Sam Wiggles....now we just have to see them perform this live to complete the delivery of this title.

My kids love this video [Posted on 2008-07-14]
It's nice to see Sam in a video now (my son has been waiting for some videos with Sam in them!). These nursery rhymes are catchy songs I must say...maybe a little too catchy (we hear them all day after watching it once!), but my boys love it.

Charming and Delightful [Posted on 2008-07-21]
I will unashamedly say I love this DVD. My son is just now at the age where he really enjoys singing, and the fact that he can watch the Wiggles performing fun and gently catchy versions of the songs he's learning at daycare have made this his new favorite as well. He loves trying out the actions and singing along with the characters on the TV, and it's a joy to watch him enjoying himself so much.

I've read a complaint about the greenscreen backgrounds, but I don't have a problem with them, and neither does my son, which is far more important. The one sad thing is that Greg is not longer part of the Wiggles, but I have to say that Sam was an excellent choice to take his place. Sam's voice is lovely, and he's just as sweet and lively as the other, original Wiggles. And even better is that Dorothy, Wags, Henry and (my favorite) Captain Feathersword are there as well, all taking part in the action. The costumes are great, and it was a treat seeing all the Wiggles performing on instruments.

This DVD is, in short, a fantastic way to help your child learn the canon rhymes and songs of childhood. I can't recommend it highly enough.

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