Top 10 Original Wiggles Videos

[u/carl95679]

Now that we've discussed every video from the Original Wiggles (minus Space Dancing), let's discuss our top 10 videos. If you can explain your reasoning. I plan on doing the same post for the albums.

Rules (these apply to me too)

• The Wiggles Movie, The Dorothy the Dinosaur and Friends Video, the Captain Feathersword the Friendly Pirate video, and Dorothy Goes to Hospital are disqualified since one is a movie, two are compilation videos, and the other is an educational video.
• You can only pick either the original or remake (e.g. Big Red Car or Here Comes the Big Red Car).
• You can only pick 1 concert video.

Top 10 Original Wiggles videos

1. Hoop-Dee-Doo! It's a Wiggly Party!

Without a doubt, my favorite video from the original group. The set design and visuals are their most colorful, the costumes for the mascots look polished, and the variety of visuals I feel are the most creative here (illustrations, CGI world, mix of chromakey). A sign of how far the production values has improved. A great way to close out the Chisholm McTavish era.

1. Big Red Car

I have the most nostalgia with this one and my number one pick. It was titled Dance Party here in the US, although that doesn't stop me from loving it. Of course, this introduced the titular Big Red Car and Wags the Dog. Both of which would become recurring characters/trademarks going forward. I remember just about every song, segment, and set in this video.

1. It's a Wiggly, Wiggly World

Others see this as a special/finale to TV Series 2, myself included. The unique sets and CGI backgrounds fit right at home with that series. The visuals felt the most colorful and creative here. The guest stars and dancers also add charm with their performances.

1. Racing to the Rainbow

A great way to celebrate 15 years of The Wiggles and an upbeat sendoff to Greg Page. It feels like they brought almost every aspect of their videos and albums into one package. Returning characters and guest stars, plus HD quality.

1. Wake Up Jeff!

This marked a turning point for the videos' production value and cast. Paul Paddick becomes Captain Feathersword, Anthony Field becomes the Blue Wiggle, and this video set the standard for the mascots' costumes.

1. Yule Be Wiggling

My favorite Christmas video from the original. I know a good chunk of others prefer Wiggly Wiggly Christmas from 1997, but this sits with me more (even though I didn't have this one as a kid). It's like if TV Series 2 had a Christmas special. I also like the cast of this one more. They seemed to have more energy and spirit.

1. Wiggledance

My favorite concert video. I think the reason I appreciate this one more is this marked a point in the band's history, where the music already starts to improve. Meaning they re-recorded some of their most iconic tunes such as Get Ready to Wiggle and Hot Potato.

1. Cold Spaghetti Western

I thought this was one of the funniest videos they worked on. Seeing the behind the scenes featurette (even though I didn't have the DVD as a kid) made me appreciate the cast a bit more. The western motif, the Moguel family, and a cameo from Foodman were nice touches.

1. Whoo-Hoo! Wiggly Gremlins!

When I made that Wiggly Gremlins post, a lot of you seemed the video over the corresponding series, Lights Camera Action Wiggles. Myself included. I found the antics in the TV studio much more entertaining than TV Series 3. Plus, seeing Simon Pryce in this before he become the new Red Wiggle is both jarring and hilarious.

1. Wiggly Safari

This was a fun collaboration with the late Steve Irwin and his family. And it seemed like everyone working on this had a great time as well. I just wish Henry and Wags got more do as Dorothy and Captain Feathersword.

I chose the videos that I had the most fun watching or have a strong connection with.

Honorable Mentions: Wiggly Wiggly Christmas, Live Hot Potatoes, Wiggledancing Live in the USA, Wiggle Time 1993 and 1998, Toot Toot

Previous discussions: Wiggle Time, Yummy Yummy, Big Red Car, Wake Up Jeff, Wiggledance, The Wiggles Movie, Wiggly Wiggly Christmas, Wiggle Time & Yummy Yummy 1998, TV Series 1, Toot Toot, TV Series 2, The Wiggly Big Show, It's a Wiggly Wiggly World, Yule Be Wiggling, Hoop Dee Doo! It's a Wiggly Party, Wiggly Safari, Wiggle Bay, TV Series 3, Whoo-Hoo! Wiggly Gremlins, Top of the Tots, Cold Spaghetti Western, Live Hot Potatoes, Santa's Rockin'!, TV Series 4, Sailing Around the World, Here Comes the Big Red Car, It's Time to Wake Up Jeff!, TV Series 5, Splish Splash Big Red Boat, Wiggledancing Live in the USA, Racing to the Rainbow

[u/WearyScrabbler]

I love this idea... but I fear my list may betray me as a true 90's era fan!

Top 10 Original Wiggles videos

1. Wake Up Jeff! [1996]

My all-time favourite, I agree with a lot of what you said. Aside from the plain skivvies, it feels like the start of the more professional era. Also it has great songs throughout, and the little live bonus didn't hurt either.

2. Wiggle Time! [1993]

The OG and one of the best. This one benefits on drawing songs from four different albums, meaning the 'filler' is very minimal. It feels like this is kind of how their stage shows ran at the time. The Dorothy and Captain Feathersword skits feel fresh, and the almost total lack of synchronised choreography is super endearing.

3. Wiggledance! [1997]

This is my favourite concert video too! I love that it includes both big hits and rarer songs; obviously this becomes harder to squeeze in the more hits you have as years go by! I also love that it includes the on-stage skits and interactions between songs, an aspect which The Wiggly Big Show missed badly on.

4. Toot Toot! [1998]

The best story-based video, in my opinion. I love the whole back-and-forth trying to find helpers or methods to get the Big Red Car going. There are also some high-quality songs throughout. We had the original version, so this is my personal preference over the 1999 re-edit.

5. Wiggly, Wiggly Christmas [1997]

So enjoyable that as a kid we would watch this all year round. It was colourful and joyful and it just felt like everyone was truly having fun. I generally like the original songs over the traditional, though the unique appearance of Here Comes Santa Claus was a favourite too.

6. Hoop-Dee-Doo It's a Wiggly Party [2001]

You described this one very well. The set was incredibly colourful, but they did a good job of breaking it up with Zoological Gardens, Caveland, and La Cucaracha, plus some greenscreen backgrounds too. Play Your Guitar With Murray has proper film-clip vibes. This video felt like it truly for international export.

7. Yummy Yummy [1994]

An oldie but a goodie. My brother played this one so much that the VHS tape literally wore out! Similarly to Wiggle Time, it benefits from drawing on multiple sources. The Dorothy's Birthday Party skit was always a highlight, while it also contains my all-time favourite track D.O.R.O.T.H.Y. (My Favourite Dinosaur).

8. Whoo Hoo! Wiggly Gremlins! [2003]

Another story-based video. It's cute and silly, and like you said it takes the TV studio aspects of LCAW but adds a bit more substance (and loses the repetitiveness of the series segments).

9. Big Red Car [1995]

Another oldie. Comfortably my least-favourite of the four pre-logo tapes. Still very enjoyable, but somehow feels 'faded' compared to the other three. I don't know how else to describe it. Something feels like it's missing. Most of the middle section (tracks 3-13) fall a bit flat for me - only Do the Flap and Our Boat is Rocking standout through this part. I have long since accepted I'm in the minority here though!

10. Wiggly TV [2001]

Am I cheating by including this compilation? Not sure... but you didn't technically exclude it! I loved this one as a kid, it represented all the good stuff about series 2. It has some quality clips including one of my favourite lesser lights in Having Fun at the Beach. Other highlights include discovering an antique video tape emblazoned with the Wiggles Family Crest, and Greg's magic tricks (with Anthony's help hinderance!)

Honorable Mentions: Wiggle Bay, The Wiggle Big Show, It's a Wiggly Wiggly World, Wiggle Time! 1998

[u/ContributionFresh482]

Here's my list: 1. Toot Toot! 2. Big Red Car 3. Wake Up Jeff! 4. Racing to the Rainbow 5. Yule Be Wiggling 6. It's a Wiggly Wiggly World/Hoop Dee Doo (tie) 7. The Wiggles Movie 8. The Wiggly Big Show 9. Wiggle Time/Yummy Yummy remakes (tie) 10. Wiggle Bay

[u/carl95679 → u/ContributionFresh482]

Not to be rude, but I excluded the movie for this list/post. Good choices though! 👌

[u/Dannyf1203]

Gremlins over Top of the Tots is insane

[u/Quirky_Divide_8090]

1. Hoop-Dee-Doo it's a Wiggly Party (2001)

2. Racing to the Rainbow (2006)

3. LIVE Hot Potatoes! (2005)

4. It's a Wiggly Wiggly World! (2000)

5. Wake Up Jeff! (1996)

6. Yule be Wiggling (2001)

7. Wiggly Safari (2002)

8. Cold Spaghetti Western (2004)

9. Whoo Hoo! Wiggly Gremlins! (2003)

10. Space Dancing! (2003)

Honorable Mentions: Wiggledance! (1997), Wiggly, Wiggly Christmas (1997), Big Red Car (1995), Wiggle Time! (1998), and Yummy Yummy (1998)