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THE WIGGLES SUCK DONKEY BALLS!
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Misplaced Pages:WikiProject Musicians -->
| Name = The Wiggles
| Img = Wiggles_2007_Lineup.jpg
| Img_capt = The Wiggles in The Big Red Car, during a concert in ], 2007
| Landscape = yes
| Background = group_or_band
| Origin = ], ]
| Genre = ]
| Years_active = 1991–present
| Label = ] (Australia),<br /> ] and ] (USA)
| URL = http://www.thewiggles.com.au/
| Current_members = ]<br />]<br />]<br />]
| Past_members = ]<br />]
}}
'''The Wiggles''' are a ] formed in ], ] in ]. Their original members were ], ], ], ] and ]. In 2006, Page was forced to retire from the group due to illness and was replaced by understudy ], whilst Wilcher left the group prior to them achieving success.

Field and Fatt were members of the Australian ] band ] in the 1980s, and Cook was a member of several bands before meeting Field and Page at ], where they were studying to become pre-school teachers. A school project led to the recording of their first album and tour in 1991. As a result of their background, the group combines ] and theories of ] in their videos, television programs, and live shows. Since their inception, other regular characters (Captain Feathersword, Dorothy the Dinosaur, Henry the Octopus, and Wags the Dog) and a troupe called "The Wiggly dancers" have toured with them and appeared in their CDs, DVDs, and television programs.

The group has ] their concepts to other countries, developed Wiggles sections in amusement parks in Australia and the US, and won several recording industry awards. The Wiggles have been called "the world's biggest preschool band" and "your child's first rock band".<ref name="babysband">{{cite news | last = Wright | first = Anders | title = Baby's first rock band | work = San Diego Citybeat | date = ] | url = http://www.sdcitybeat.com/cms/story/detail/baby_s_first_rock_band/6758/ | accessdate = 2008-03-31}}</ref> The group has achieved worldwide success with their children's albums, videos, ], and concert appearances. The Wiggles were named ] top-earning Australian entertainers for three years in a row and earned ]50&nbsp;million in 2006.<ref>{{cite news | last = Neill | first = Rosemary | title = Toy story | work = The Australian | date = ] | url = http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22830163-28737,00.html | accessdate = 2008-03-26}}</ref> They have earned seventeen ], twelve ], three double-platinum, and ten multi-platinum awards for sales of over 17&nbsp;million DVDs and four million CDs.<ref name="aboutus">{{cite web | title = About Us | publisher = | url = http://www.thewiggles.com.au/au/about/ | accessdate = 2007-01-23}}</ref> By 2002, The Wiggles had become the ]'s (ABC) most successful pre-school television program.

==History==
]; from left to right: ], ], ], and ]]]
] and ] were members of ], a Sydney pop band that toured Australia and recorded two albums of "catchy ]" during the 1980s.<ref name="macquarie"/> In 1988, the infant daughter of Cockroaches band member ] died of ], and the group disbanded.<ref name="SIDS">{{cite news | last = Stapleton | first = John | title = Death of little girl gave birth to the Wiggles | work = The Australian | date = ] | url = http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23824252-16947,00.html | accessdate = 2008-06-12}}</ref> Anthony Field enrolled at ] in Sydney<ref name="macquarie"/> to complete his degree in ], and later stated that his ] death "ultimately led to the formation of Wiggles".<ref name="SIDS"/> ] was the guitarist in various pop bands, including Finger Guns<ref>{{cite web | title = Murray | publisher = The Wiggles Official Website | url = http://www.thewiggles.com/us/about/thewiggles/murray | accessdate = 2007-08-06}}</ref> and ], and had worked as a clerk at the ] before enrolling at Macquarie.<ref>{{cite web | last = Mulligan | first = Mark | title = A brief history of nearly everything BSL (Bang Shang a Lang Website) | url = http://www.bangshangalang.com/images/ABriefHistoryofNearlyEverythingBSL.doc | format = DOC | accessdate = 2007-08-06}}</ref> Field, Cook, and ] were among the half dozen men in a program with approximately 500 women.<ref name="macquarie">{{cite news | last = Scott | first = Paul | title = Kid Rock | work = The New York Times | date = ] | url = http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/02/magazine/02wiggles.html?ei=5088&en=d27772b7fecca51c&ex=1301630400&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&pagewanted=all | accessdate = 2007-01-23 }}</ref>

Motivated to utilise early educational concepts to create high-quality children's music, the classmates created a music project for their classes and produced their first album in 1991,<ref name="macquarie"/> dedicated to Field's deceased niece.<ref name="SIDS"/> They needed a keyboardist, so Field asked his old band mate, Fatt, for his assistance in what they thought would be a temporary project.<ref name="denton">{{cite web | title = Enough Rope with Andrew Denton, episode 15, The Wiggles | publisher = ABC TV Online | date = ] | url = http://www.abc.net.au/tv/enoughrope/transcripts/s886402.htm | accessdate = 2007-01-23 }}</ref> The group received songwriting help from John Field, Anthony's brother and former band mate, and from ] whom they met at Macquarie; however, after participating in their first album and hosting the group's first recording sessions in his Sydney home<ref name="welcher">{{cite news | last = Sams | first = Christine | title = The fifth Wiggle speaks out | work = The Sydney Morning Herald | date = ] | url = http://www.smh.com.au/news/music/the-fifth-wiggle-speaks-out/2005/07/31/1122748516558.html | accessdate = 2007-01-22 }}</ref>, Wilcher chose to leave the group to pursue a more serious career in ].<ref name="welcher"/>
{{sound sample box align right|Audio samples:}}
{{multi-listen start|Audio samples of:}}
{{multi-listen item|filename=Get Ready to Wiggle.ogg|title="Get Ready to Wiggle"|description=First recorded in 1991 on The Wiggles' first album, this was originally a Cockroaches tune changed slightly to fit the genre of children's music. It inspired the name of the group.|format=]}}
{{multi-listen item|filename=Cockroaches.ogg|title="Do the Monkey"|description="Do the Monkey", recorded by The Cockroaches in 1999. With very little changes, it is almost the same as The Wiggles' version, showing how The Wiggles revamped many songs in The Cockroaches' library |format=]}}
{{multi-listen item|filename=The Monkey Dance.ogg|title="Do the Monkey"|description=Originally a Cockroaches tune, one of the many songs in The Cockroaches' library that was changed from Australian pop to children's music |format=]}}
{{multi-listen end}}
{{sample box end}}
The group reworked a few Cockroaches tunes to better fit the genre of children's music; for example, "Get Ready to Wiggle" inspired the band's name.<ref name="macquarie"/> Field gave copies of their album to his young students to test out the effect of the music on children; one child's mother returned it the next day because her child would not stop listening to it.<ref name="aunty"/>

===Early career===
Using his connections with The Cockroaches, Field arranged for the ] (ABC) to distribute The Wiggles' album in Australia. Field, Cook, and Page began their teaching careers,<ref name="rockstar">{{cite news | last = Chamberlain | first = Adrian | title = The Wiggles: Rock star status with screaming crowds of tots | work = Canwest News Service | date = ] | url = http://www.canada.com/cityguides/vancouver/story.html?id=ff331ffb-74e1-46da-b542-65ce07654b40&k=13504 | accessdate = 2008-05-08}}</ref> but on their manager's advice, they toured in unusual settings throughout Sydney, ], and ].<ref name="macquarie"/><ref name="denton"/> Their debut performance was at a ] in ]. They ] at ], performing for crowds debarking from ], and toured in ] ]s. They performed at pre-schools, and were promoted by local ] or ] with whom they split their proceeds.<ref name="wigglyway"> {{cite news | last = Munro | first = Catharine | title = The Wiggly way | work = The Age | date = ] | url = http://www.theage.com.au/news/TV--Radio/The-Wiggly-way/2005/05/19/1116361668574.html | accessdate = 2007-11-29}}</ref> Field, Cook, and Page, along with Fatt, decided to give up teaching for a year to focus on performing full-time to see if they could make a living out of it.<ref name="rockstar"/>

As Fatt reported, "it was very much a ]".<ref name="wigglyway"/> They served as their own ]s and travelled in Fatt's van, towing a trailer with borrowed equipment. John Field and Mike Conway, who later became The Wiggles' ], performed with them.<ref name="wigglyway"/> Their act was later augmented with supporting characters: the "friendly pirate" Captain Feathersword and the animal characters Dorothy the Dinosaur, Henry the Octopus, and Wags the Dog. These characters were initially performed by the original members of The Wiggles: Field played Captain Feathersword and Wags; Cook played Dorothy; and Fatt played Henry.<ref name="swordplay">{{cite news | last = Meacham | first = Steve | title = The master of sword play | work = The Sydney Morning Herald | date = ] | url = http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2005/12/01/1133311137232.html?page=fullpage | accessdate = 2007-08-10}}</ref>

The Wiggles, called by their first names when they performed, adopted colour-coded shirts: Greg in yellow, Murray in red, Jeff in purple, and Anthony in blue. Anthony originally wore green but changed to avoid clashing with Dorothy the Dinosaur.<ref name="macquarie"/> Additionally, each Wiggle developed a "]" based on their actual behaviours: Greg performed magic tricks; Murray played the guitar; Jeff fell asleep (as ] said, "Jeff really does fall asleep");<ref name="newface"/> Anthony liked to eat. These behaviours evolved into caricatures, and served the same purpose as the uniforms in differentiating their characters and making them memorable to young children.<ref name="newface">{{cite news | last = Durden | first = Douglas | title = A new face | work = Richmond Times-Dispatch | date = ] | url = http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/entertainment_living/arts.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2007-08-05-0197.html | accessdate = 2007-08-10 }}</ref>
] and ] demonstrate The Wiggles' signature finger-wagging move.]]

Simple movements were developed by ] Leeanne Ashley to accompany each song.<ref name="macquarie"/> One of these simple movements, their signature finger-wagging move, was created by Cook after seeing professional ] do it on television.<ref name="denton"/> It became the group's policy to use this pose when being photographed with children. They insisted that touching children, no matter how innocently, was inappropriate. The use of the pose protected them from possible litigation; as ] has explained, "There is no doubting where their hands are".<ref name = "swordplay"/> The group incorporated more dancing into their performances after the birth of Field's oldest daughter in 2004. "So Wiggles have kind of become a bit more, dare I say, girly. Dorothy (the Dinosaur) does ballet now and we dance as well a lot more than we did", Field reported.<ref> {{cite news | title = Offspring put the wiggle in the Wiggles, says Australian children's group | work = The Canadian Press | date = ] | url = http://www.capebretonpost.com/index.cfm?sid=118793&sc=147 | accessdate = 2008-03-27}}</ref> The group intentionally made mistakes in their dance moves in order to identify more with their young audience, although their performances were very energetic.<ref name="babysband"/>

The Wiggles have always invited children with special needs and their families to pre-concert "meet and greet" sessions.<ref name="wigglesworld"> {{cite news | last = Zuel | first = Bernard | title = Welcome to Wiggles World | work = The Sydney Morning Herald | date = ] | url = http://www.smh.com.au/news/music/welcome-to-wiggles-world/2007/12/14/1197568242158.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap2 | accessdate = 2007-12-23}}</ref> According to Fatt, many parents of these children have reported that The Wiggles' music has enhanced their lives, and that children with ] "respond to Wiggles and nothing else".<ref name="fabfour"/> Since 1995, The Wiggles have visited and performed for patients at the ] every Christmas morning.<ref> {{cite news | last = Australian AP | title = Wiggles make Christmas hospital visit | work = The West Australian | date = ] | url = http://www.thewest.com.au/aapstory.aspx?StoryName=447206 | accessdate = 2008-01-06}}</ref> The group has always had a strict code of conduct based on ] of drug use, drinking, smoking, or bad language by any employee of their organisation.<ref name="telegraph"/>

===Success at home and abroad===
Through the rest of the 1990s, The Wiggles maintained a busy recording and touring schedule, releasing multiple albums and home videos, and performing to increasingly large audiences in Australia and New Zealand. They filmed a ] for the ABC in the mid-90s, but "the project never got off the ground due to irreconcilable artistic differences".<ref name="aunty"/> They were told that they could not communicate with children by the ABC, who wanted them to "not speak, just sing". The ABC insisted that instead of their "trademark colourful skivvies and black trousers",<ref name="aunty"/> they wear shorts and caps. The Wiggles responded to this criticism by creating two seasons of a self-produced television series, ''The Wiggles'',<ref name="aunty"> {{cite news | last = Tabakoff | first = Jenny | title = Wake up, Aunty! | work = The Sydney Morning Herald | date = ] | url = http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/09/30/1033283436288.html | accessdate = 2007-11-26}}</ref> which was produced and shown in Australia in 1998 and 1999, and shown in the U.S. beginning in 2001.<ref>See , TV.com. Retrieved ].</ref> It was in these episodes and in their early videos that The Wiggles began their practice of featuring toddlers as performers.<ref name="aunty"/>
]]]

The band gained popularity in the United States in 1998 when ], the producers of ''],'' began distributing Wiggles videos in the US and advertising them in their other videos. During their US tour, The Wiggles performed during the intermission of ''Barney Live''.<ref name="macquarie"/> In 1997, ] produced a feature-length film, ''The Wiggles Movie'', which became the fifth-highest grossing Australian film of 1998.<ref>{{cite web | title = Release Success of Australian Productions – Top 5 Box Office Each Year | publisher = Australian Film Commission | url = http://www.afc.gov.au/GTP/mrboxausttop5.html | accessdate = 2007-01-23 }}</ref> For a few years during the late 90s, while "riding an enormous wave of success in America and the UK",<ref name="telegraph"/> The Wiggles travelled in two planes and on two buses so that if disaster occurred, "at least half of them would survive and carry on".<ref name="telegraph"/> After it proved to be a logistical nightmare, they ended the practice, although by 2007, they travelled in two separate buses between cities.<ref name="telegraph">{{cite news | last = Blake | first = Elissa | title = Unusual suspects | work = Daily Telegraph | date = ] | url = http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22334196-5006011,00.html | accessdate = 2007-09-03 }}</ref>

Their "strong connection" with the US was "forged in the shell-shocked weeks after the ] on ] in 2001,"<ref name="ofoz"/> when The Wiggles travelled to America to perform even when other acts cancelled their tours. Paul Field reported that "New York has really embraced them. It was a kind of watershed".<ref name="ofoz"/> The decision earned them respect and loyalty in the US.<ref name="ofoz"/> They performed 12 sold-out shows at ] in 2003, and have been in the ], the first time in 2001. In 2003, ] was declared "Wiggles Day" in ].<ref name="ofoz">{{cite news | title = They're off to see the Wiggles, the wonderful Wiggles of Oz | work = The Sydney Morning Herald | date = ] | url = http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/11/02/1067708076426.html | accessdate = 2008-01-22}}</ref>
]

Strong sales of The Wiggles videos eventually caught the attention of the ], who was impressed by their "strong pro-social message".<ref name="ofoz"/> In January 2002, Disney began showing a Wiggles video clip between programs of its morning '']'' block. By June of that year, the popularity of these ] prompted the Disney Channel to add both seasons of "The Wiggles" to the ''Playhouse Disney'' program schedule, showing full episodes multiple times per day.<ref name="wigglyway"/><ref>{{cite press release | title = The Wiggles Join Playhouse Disney Monday, June 17 | publisher = Disney Channel | date = ] | url = http://www.laughingplace.com/News-ID10012450.asp | accessdate = 2007-01-23}}</ref> In 2002, The Wiggles began filming three seasons worth of shows exclusively with the ABC: "Lights, Camera, Action, Wiggles" aired on ] in 2003, and "The Wiggles Show" in 2004 and 2005.<ref>See , TV.com. Retrieved on ].</ref> The network called them "the most successful property that the ABC has represented in the pre-school genre".<ref name="aunty"/> Paul Field reported that a meeting at a ] ] fair with Grahame Grassby, the ABC's acting director of enterprises, led to the ABC's "enthusiastic" agreement to produce The Wiggles' TV shows.<ref name="aunty"/>

Their success in music and television has led to extensive ] of Wiggles-branded books, toys, clothing, and other products for children by the ]-based toy company ] since 2003. In 2005, the group ] to other countries, branching into ] and ] markets with versions of ]- and ]-speaking Wiggles.<ref name="wigglyway"/> By 2007, The Wiggles employed 20&nbsp;full-time workers in offices in ] and ], as well as another 30&nbsp;employees on their tours.<ref name="telegraph"/> They became formally ] in 2005. The original four members serve as the group's only directors; ] has been general manager of operations since the group was formed, and Mike Conway has been general manager since 2001.<ref name="wigglyway"/><ref name="wigglyworld"/>

====Greg Page retirement====
In December 2005, lead singer and founding member Page, at age 33, underwent a double ] operation. He withdrew from The Wiggles' US tour in June 2006 after suffering fainting spells, lethargy, nausea, and loss of balance. He returned to Australia, where doctors diagnosed his condition as ], a chronic but not life-threatening condition.<ref name="msnbc">{{cite news | author = Associated Press | title = The Wiggles’ lead vocalist to stop performing | publisher = MSNBC | date = ] | url = http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15956876/ | accessdate = 2007-08-08}}</ref> Page's final performance with The Wiggles was in ].<ref name="hushmama">{{cite news | last = Steinberg | first = Jacques | title = Hush, Mama, don’t you cry, a new yellow Wiggle will sing | work = The New York Times | date = ] | url = http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/04/arts/04wigg.html?_r=1&oref=slogin | accessdate = 2008-02-04}}</ref>

On ] ], the Wiggles announced Page's retirement from the group. "I’ll miss being a part of The Wiggles very much, but this is the right decision because it will allow me to focus on managing my health", Page said in a taped message posted on the group's webpage.<ref name="msnbc"/> Page was replaced by ], who had served as an understudy for The Wiggles for five years and had already stood in for Page on 150 shows. Initially, The Wiggles struggled over their decision to replace Page, but they decided to continue as a group because they thought that was what their young audience would want.<ref name="hushmama"/> They decided to be "honest" with their audience about Page's illness because it provided a "teachable moment" and an opportunity to demonstrate to young children that it was "part of life", as Fatt said.<ref name="fabfour"/>

===Sam Moran era===
Although Moran's transition as The Wiggles' lead singer was "smooth" for the young children of their audience, it was more difficult for their parents.<ref name="fabfour"/> Cook reported that Moran did well as a Wiggle, and that the addition of Moran changed their sound, forced the group to rethink things, and made the band stronger.<ref name="babysband"/> Although Moran struggled with the spontaneity of The Wiggles' stage performances, Cook said, "We’ve never felt like we had to carry him or anything. He’s a smart guy. But it is a bit different, just having a different person on stage".<ref name="babysband"/> Moran's background in ] was different from that of his band mates, so The Wiggles had to change the way they recorded their music.<ref name="babysband"/> At sound checks, their practice was to improvise, but Moran often did not know the songs the other three used at those times.<ref name="babysband"/> Cook reported that it took some time for Moran, but a year after Page's retirement stated, "We’re slowly educating each other".<ref name="babysband"/> Moran was featured in his first DVD and CD as a member of the group in early 2008, and a sixth season of The Wiggles' television series featuring Moran was filmed and began airing in Australia.<ref>{{cite news | last = Williams | first = David E | title = Wiggling on without Greg | publisher = CNN | date = ] | url = http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/10/10/the.wiggles/index.html | accessdate = 2008-03-28}}</ref>

In September 2005, Australia's largest theme park, ] in ], opened a "Wiggles World" section, which included a Big Red Car ride and a full set for production purposes. The band received licensing rights and sign-off rights for every aspect of the section's operation. Staff at Dreamworld had to take a "Wiggles boot camp", to ensure they followed The Wiggles' code of conduct when dealing with children and their families.<ref>{{cite news | last = Sams | first = Christine | title = Now the Wiggles are movie stars in their own theme park | work = The Sun Herald | date = ] | url = http://www.smh.com.au/news/people/now-the-wiggles-are-movie-stars-in-their-own-theme-park/2005/08/06/1123125942993.html | accessdate = 2008-06-18}}</ref> Driven by the Dreamworld success, ] opened its first "Wiggles World" section at their largest theme park at ] in April 2007, and planned to open 20 more at its parks across the U.S. in the next decade. The sections emphasised family involvement; they offered joint rides on which parents and children could equally participate.<ref name="wigglesworld"/> In 2008, Six Flags announced their intentions to open parks with Wiggles World sections in ] and across the ].<ref>{{cite news | last = Perry | first = Byron | title = Six Flags to build in Arab world | work = Variety | date = ] | url = http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117981835.html?categoryid=18&cs=1 | accessdate = 2008-03-12}}</ref>

At the end of 2007, The Wiggles donated their complete back catalogue of 27 master tapes to Australia's ].<ref>{{cite news | title = Wiggles donate early tapes to Archive | work = Herald Sun | date = ] | url = http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22948976-5005961,00.html | accessdate = 2007-12-23}}</ref> Also in 2007, The Wiggles organisation built a ] and television studio in Sydney called "Hot Potato Studios", for the purpose of creating their own DVDs and CDs.<ref name="wigglyworld">{{cite news | last = Elliott | first = Tim | title = It's a wiggly, wiggly world | work = Sydney Morning Herald | date = ] | url = http://www.smh.com.au/news/employment-news/its-a-wiggly-wiggly-world/2007/01/12/1168105147808.html | accessdate = 2008-05-16}}</ref> In 2008, they began to offer ]s of Wiggles ]s and songs, and ] on an ] website.<ref name="babysband"/>

==Characters==
Aside from the four Wiggles, four secondary characters usually appear in their television series, videos, and live concerts. These characters were developed in the early 1990s and were originally played by group members and by Anthony Field's brother Paul, the band's manager. They are now played by hired actors, occasionally touring without The Wiggles as "Dorothy the Dinosaur and Friends".<ref name="swordplay"/> In 1998, Moran hosted this show before becoming Page's understudy.<ref name="family">{{cite news | title = Wiggles Sam's family values | work = The Daily Telegraph | date = ] | url = http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,20928643-5010580,00.html | accessdate = 2007-11-18}}</ref>

<center>
{| class="gallery"
|+
! ]
|+
! ]
|+
! ]
|+
! ]
|-
|<center>Dorothy the Dinosaur</center>|| <center>Captain Feathersword<br />(])</center>|| <center>Wags the Dog</center>||<center>Henry the Octopus</center>
|-
|}</center>

===Dorothy the Dinosaur===
Dorothy is a "rososaurus", a "yellow-spotted green dinosaur with surprisingly scary teeth".<ref name="heykids"/> She lives in a pink and purple house with her own Rosy Orchestra and a rose garden in her backyard. She loves to eat roses and dance the ].<ref name="heykids">{{cite news | last = Wright | first = Diane | title = Hey, kids! It's fun—and you may even learn something | work = The Seattle Times | date = ] | url = http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/snohomishcountynews/2003616197_wiggles14n0.html?syndication=rss | accessdate = 2007-11-28}}</ref> She enjoys serving guests rose-derived treats such as "rosy tea".<ref name="giggle">{{cite news | last = Horswill | first = Amanda | title = Meet Dorothy Dinosaur's giggle | work = The Courier Mail | date = ] | url = http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,21852425-5003422,00.html | accessdate = 2007-11-24 }}</ref> Dorothy, originally played by Cook, has been played by Leeanne Ashley and ].<ref name="family"/><ref>{{cite web | title = Leeanne Ashley | publisher = TV.com | url = http://www.tv.com/leeanne-ashley/person/394087/summary.html?q= | accessdate = 2007-11-23 }}</ref> South Australian Carolyn Ferrie, a trained ] singer and dancer, has provided her voice since 1997, when she worked with Anthony Field on an ] Wiggles CD.<ref name="dotty"/> Ferrie described Dorothy as "a dinosaur superstar&nbsp;... very open, friendly, and warm. She is like a mother figure even though she is only meant to be five, and kids really respond to her&nbsp;... She is calm and mothering but friendly as well. She's young and still playful but has got a motherly feeling to her".<ref name="dotty"/> Ferrie insisted that Dorothy "is number one after the boys including Captain Feathersword, in terms of who kids say they love".<ref name="dotty"/> Dorothy has a distinctive, charming, trill-like, descending laugh created by Ferrie.<ref name="giggle"/><ref name="dotty">{{cite news | last = Browne | first = Rachel | title = Kids will go dotty about solo Dorothy | work = The Sydney Morning Herald | date = ] | url = http://www.smh.com.au/news/tv--radio/kids-will-go-dotty-about-solo-dorothy/2007/05/26/1179601732664.html | accessdate = 2007-11-23 }}</ref>

In the spring of 2007, it was announced that Dorothy would star in her own television show in Australia.<ref name="dotty"/> The show had a distinct look and sound. Whereas The Wiggles' TV shows were "hyper-real and cartoonish" and had a pop sound, Dorothy's show was "really rich and beautiful looking" and based its sound on ].<ref name="wigglyworld"/>

===Captain Feathersword===
Captain Feathersword, "the friendly pirate", wears a hat, patch, and ] and wields a "feathery saber".<ref name="swordplay"/><ref name="captain">{{cite news | last = Baughman | first = Tony | title = Captain Feathersword may steal The Wiggles' show | work = The Aiken Standard | date = ] | url =
http://www.aikenstandard.com/1111GOFeathersword | accessdate = 2007-11-16 }}</ref> He was created by Field; ] began playing him in 1993.<ref>{{cite news | last = Yeap | first = Sue | title = The fifth Wiggle sails on | work = The Age | date = 2006-08-17 | url = http://www.theage.com.au/news/tv--radio/the-fifth-wiggle-sails-on/2006/08/16/1155407816561.html | accessdate = 2007-08-10 }}</ref> At first, Paddick's role was minor, but it eventually evolved, and he has been called "the Fifth Wiggle".<ref name="captain"/> For many parents, his vocal impersonations "are the high point of the Wiggles stage show" and include singers ], ], ] and ].<ref name="swordplay"/>

===Wags the Dog and Henry the Octopus===
Wags is a tall, brown, furry dog with floppy ears and a happy face.<ref name="heykids"/> He "loves to sing and dance and kids bring 'bones' that the Wiggly dancers collect from the audience".<ref name="heykids"/> Wags was originally played by Field.<ref name="swordplay">{{cite news | last = Meacham | first = Steve | title = The master of sword play | work = The Sydney Morning Herald | date = ] | url = http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2005/12/01/1133311137232.html?page=fullpage | accessdate = 2007-08-10 }}</ref><ref>Wags has also been played by , , , and Paddick. Tv.com. Retrieved on ].</ref>

Henry the Octopus, who directs an underwater band, likes to sing and to ] with his eight legs.<ref name="heykids"/> Since Henry's creation, Fatt has served as Henry's voice.<ref>{{cite web | title = Jeff Fatt | publisher = TV.com | url = http://www.tv.com/jeff-fatt/person/152329/appearances.html | accessdate = 2007-11-25 }}</ref><ref>Other performers of Henry include , , and . TV.com. Retrieved on ].</ref>

===Minor characters===
For their stage shows, The Wiggles used two 16-metre (52&nbsp;ft) trucks, three tour buses, a cast of 13 dancers, and 10 permanent crew members.<ref name="wigglyway">{{cite news | last = Munro | first = Catharine | title = The Wiggly way | work = The Age | date = ] | url = http://www.theage.com.au/news/TV--Radio/The-Wiggly-way/2005/05/19/1116361668574.html | accessdate = 2007-11-29}}</ref> The "Wiggly dancers" have always made up a major part of the Wiggles shows and TV programs and play many of the minor roles. Minor characters of note include The Cook (portrayed by Anthony Field's late father, John, and ] late drummer ]),<ref> {{cite news | last = Harris | first = Chris | title = Crowded House drummer Paul Hester found dead in Australia | publisher = MTV.com | date = ] | url = http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1499093/20050328/crowded_house.jhtml | accessdate = 2007-10-14}}</ref> Professor Singalottasonga, and Dapper Dave (both played by Moran),<ref>{{cite news | last = Meacham | first = Steve | title = First Dorothy, then another yellow road | work = The Sydney Morning Herald | date = ] | url = http://www.smh.com.au/news/music/first-dorothy-then-another-yellow-road/2006/12/14/1165685827454.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1 | accessdate = 2007-11-30}}</ref> and Officer Beaples and Fiona Fitbelly (both played by Leanne Halloran).<ref>{{cite web | title = Leanne Halloran | publisher = TV.com | url = http://www.tv.com/leanne-halloran/person/394089/appearances.html | accessdate = 2007-11-30}}</ref>

==Musical style and educational theory==
The Wiggles have written new music each year since their inception; they sequester themselves for a month each summer and write three albums' worth of original children's music based on simple concepts familiar to young children and upon several genres of music and types of instruments. Most of their songs are short and start with the chorus because they believe that young children need to know the main topic of a song at the beginning.<ref name="macquarie"/> They wrote songs individually at first, but eventually would write as a group, often with John Field, ] player Dominic Lindsay, and Paddick.<ref name="guitar"/> ] of ], who appeared in a Wiggles video in 2002, was "very impressed" with their songwriting, especially with their ].<ref name="macquarie"/>

The transition from writing music for an adult rock band to writing children's music was not a big one. "The Wiggles music isn't all that far removed from what we did in The Cockroaches, just a different subject matter," Field stated. "The Cockroaches sing about girls and love and stuff like that; The Wiggles sing about hot potatoes and cold spaghetti."<ref name="rock"/> Their songs are influenced by ]s, ] and ] that are accessible to parents and children.<ref name="newface"/> Moran states that The Wiggles write songs they liked and would listen to, and then made them "child-appropriate".<ref name="newface"/>

Page reported, "First and foremost, we're entertainers."<ref name="rock">{{cite web | last = Sachs | first = Rob | title = The Wiggles rock! (Just ask your kids) | publisher = NPR | date = 2006-05-18 | url = http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5414895 | accessdate = 2008-03-25}}</ref> The Wiggles capture the interest of children by first entertaining them, and then presenting them with educational messages.<ref name="rock"/> The group decided to play different kinds of children's music.<ref name="macquarie"/> They are not tied to one style or genre of music and often experiment in the ]; while some of their recordings are orchestral, others have a more live feel. The group was aware that their songs were often children's first exposure to music.<ref name="babysband"/> Cook was conscious that he was probably the first guitarist children would see, and said, "I always think that if it inspires kids to play guitar later on that would be great. I think it would be really nice if in 15&nbsp;years I read that somebody got into guitar playing because of the Wiggles."<ref name="guitar">{{cite news | last = Bourgeau | first = Michel | title = Play your guitar with Murray | publisher = bangshangalang.com | url = http://www.bangshangalang.com/images/MurrayCookguitarMagazineInterview.doc | format = DOC | accessdate = 2007-08-06}}</ref>

The concepts of early childhood development and how young children learn influenced The Wiggles' songwriting and simple choreography in their stage shows, videos, and television programs. They believed that young children were egocentric, so The Wiggles stared continually into the camera in their videos and TV shows, and explained every action because they believed that young children needed to be told what to expect in order to feel safe. Their stage shows were full of action and audience participation.<ref name="macquarie"/> From the group's inception, The Wiggles decided to "operate from the premise that a young child has a short attention span, is curious about a limited number of objects and activities, loves having a job to do and is thrilled by mastering basic movements".<ref name="macquarie"/>

==Reception==
By 2008, The Wiggles had earned seventeen ], twelve ], three double-platinum, and ten multi-platinum awards for sales of over 17&nbsp;million DVDs and four million CDs.<ref name="aboutus"/> They performed for over 1.5&nbsp;million children in the US between 2005 and 2008.<ref name = "fabfour">{{cite news | last = Markstrom | first = Serena | title = Fab Four of kid rock comes to town | work = The Register Guard | date = ] | url = http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cms/sites/dt.cms.support.viewStory.cls?cid=77938&sid=42&fid=1 | accessdate = 2008-03-23}}</ref> They won ] song writing awards for Best Children's Song three times and earned ADSDA's award for Highest Selling Children's Album four times.<ref name="aboutus"/> They have been nominated for ] Best Children's Album award six times,<ref>{{cite web | title = History: List of winners | publisher = ARIA Awards 2007 | url = http://www.ariaawards.com.au/history-by-artist.php?letter=W&artist=Wiggles%20%20The | accessdate = 2008-04-05}}</ref> and won the award six times.<ref>{{cite web | title = 2007 ARIA Awards winners announced | publisher = Pop Republic.tv | url = http://poprepublic.tv/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=126 | accessdate = 2008-04-05}}</ref> In 2003, they received ARIA's Outstanding Achievement Award for their success in the U.S.<ref name="aboutus"/> In "one of the highlights of their 15&nbsp;years of being together",<ref name="degrees">{{cite news | last = Sams | first = Christine | title = Wiggles four degrees hotter | work = The Sydney Morning Herald | date = ] | url = http://www.smh.com.au/news/music/wiggles-four-degrees-hotter/2006/04/09/1144521201120.html | accessdate = 2007-11-28 }}</ref> The Wiggles were awarded honorary doctorate degrees from ] in 2006. Cook gave the commencement speech for the graduates.<ref name="degrees"/> In 2004, "conservative ] author" Amy Welborn praised The Wiggles for their ] messages in their songs performed during their Christmas TV special.<ref>{{cite news | title = US Catholic author praises Wiggles' Jesus songs | publisher = Catholic News | date = ] | url = http://www.cathnews.com/news/412/78.php | accessdate = 2008-06-20}}</ref> The group was named ] goodwill ambassadors in early 2008.<ref>{{cite news | title = Wiggles concert raises funds for UNICEF | publisher = Australian Associated Press | date = ] | url = http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=569021 | accessdate = 2008-06-11}}</ref>

In 2003, when the group performed at ], front-row tickets were sold for US$500,<ref name="ofoz"/> in spite of The Wiggles' efforts to reduce ] by limiting the number of seats sold per transaction.<ref name="tickets"/> In 2008, the group found themselves in the midst of a "ticketing scandal";<ref name = "tickets">{{cite news | title = Hot potato for Wiggles tickets | work = The Daily Telegraph | date = ] | url = http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23538543-5012327,00.html | accessdate = 2008-04-29}}</ref> scalpers tried to sell a AU$19 ticket on ] for almost AU$2,000 and a set of three tickets for AU$315 for concerts in ], and a group of three tickets to a Wiggles ] charity concert in Sydney had a price tag of AU$510. The tickets were taken off eBay and voided.<ref name="tickets"/>

Scholar Kathleen Warren, the group's former professor at Macquarie University, has been a consultant for The Wiggles since Field, Cook, and Page were students. Warren believed that the group "empowered" children,<ref name="wigglyway"/> especially in their practice of asking their audience to "Wake up Jeff" when Fatt pretended to fall asleep. Warren stated that asking children to interrupt Fatt's slumber helped them build confidence and to feel more in control of their lives. With a degree in ],<ref>{{cite web | title = Jeff | publisher = The Wiggles Official Website | url = http://www.thewiggles.com/us/about/thewiggles/jeff | accessdate = 2007-07-31}}</ref> Fatt was the only original member of The Wiggles without a background in early childhood education; he explained that was the reason falling asleep was chosen as his schtick, "because it was a way of getting me involved in the shows without actually having to do anything".<ref name="aunty"/>

Between 1999 and 2003, to test the group's appeal across cultures, Warren used one of The Wiggles' CDs as an educational tool in a village near ], on the north coast of ]. She found that the children there were able to relate to the group's songs, including being able to sing along and to participate in their simple choreography.<ref name="wigglyway"/> The Wiggles did not change their material to accommodate non-Australian cultures because they found that children did not tend to have the same cultural identity as adults.<ref name="ofoz"/>

==See also==
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==References==
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==External links==
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Revision as of 16:23, 15 August 2008

THE WIGGLES SUCK DONKEY BALLS!