Same Toys, Different Continents #1: Live Hot Potatoes!

Welcome to the World Premiere (makes it sound really important, aye?) of the new Play Library series “Same Toys, Different Continent.” Each Tuesday, Hsien (speaking in italics) and I will be taking a look at our respective homes across the ocean, find a toy, video, or other kid object we both have, and discuss how that object is enjoyed, appreciated, utilized, or ignored in our little corners of the world.

The first of these is The Wiggles DVD, Live Hot Potatoes!

Right off the bat I have to say that I love love love the band!! They rock and the opening medley for the show makes the Wiiggles songs more than just children’s music. Jazz on.

I threw it in the DVD to watch it with the kids because it had been, like, a whole week since I’d seen it (it had gotten out of our daily rotation!). I like doing a little dancing around with them (and count it as my low-impact workout) while we watch it. This works for a while with this video, but it must be noted that this is a recording of a live performance. This means lots of lull times in the video, and the kids do tend to get distracted then. An option on the menu to only play the musical segments would have been appreciated.

You are a very good mommy, Kerri! I am amazed when I watch this taping of a live show because these guys really go all out vocally and physically. No wonder they’re so popular.

The music was fun, as usual, and included tons of our favorites (Rock-A-Bye Your Bear; Toot, Toot, Chugga Chugga, Big Red Car; Quack Quack). The costumes and visuals were fun, though the squirrels from “Central Park New York” were a little scary. And did I mention that the running time of just the main segment was over an hour? I’d forgotten it was that long (probably because I usually put it in to entertain the kids so that I can get something else done, and then that hour seems to FLY!).

Having all the favorite songs in the show makes it really fun. And I don’t remember the squirrels…. Guess you know that I also run off most of the time once a video is playing. Bad mommy!!

There is also a fairly downplayed Christmas theme (downplayed at least until Santa is singing and dancing at the end), so if you don’t like out of season entertainment, or don’t celebrate Christmas, there’s your warning. (It used to drive my mom crazy when we’d get The Muppet Christmas Carol in the middle of July.)

S is scared of the Santa, unfortunately, and I think that’s what ruined the whole show for him. We own the CD, though, and the alternative Wiggles Christmas song is really hopping.

Overall, this ranks in the top half of all the Wiggles videos I’ve seen.

Live shows generally don’t cut it for me but this one was quite alright. I like having the live band and I don’t think most kids will appreciate that. Our favorite is The Wiggles – Cold Spaghetti Western.

What’s your favorite Wiggles DVD/video?