Since its debut on August 20, 2007 on Nick Jr., Yo Gabba Gabba!—a kids’ show featuring a red cyclops, a magic robot, a pink flower girl, a green-striped guy, a blue cat-dragon, and a host wearing orange spandex and a fluffy hat—became one of the biggest draws for the preschool crowd. But thanks to the show's hipster-friendly musical performances and celebrity guest stars, Yo Gabba Gabba! managed to transcend its kiddie roots to become a hit with fans of all ages. On the 10th anniversary of its debut, let's go behind the scenes of the beloved series.
Longtime friends Christian Jacobs and Scott Schultz got the idea for Yo Gabba Gabba! when, as two dads in their mid-30s, they were less-than-enthusiastic about the television shows their kids were watching. It wasn't that the other shows were bad; they were just boring and sanitized.
With their experience as musicians and videographers, Jacobs and Schultz thought they could do something different. So they scraped together about $150,000 and began writing, animating, and shooting demo episodes of Yo Gabba Gabba! in their garage. They posted these videos online and Jared Hess, director of Napoleon Dynamite, happened to see them. Impressed, Hess passed the link onto Brown Johnson, an executive at Nickelodeon, who said, “Lordy. Nothing else looks like this on television.” She quickly contacted the duo and, in a risky move that obviously paid off, gave them complete creative control of their own show on Nick Jr.
2. THE TITLE IS MEANT TO BE MIMIC BABY TALK.
According to Jacobs, the name of the show is a nonsense phrase meant to be reminiscent of the first words spoken by a baby. However, that doesn't mean Jacobs and Schultz aren't happy the name also pays homage to The Ramones, who used the phrase “Gabba Gabba Hey!” in their song “Pinhead.” But that actually makes it an homage of an homage, as The Ramones were paying tribute to the original source of the phrase, the 1932 cult classic film Freaks. In the film, “Gabba Gabba Hey!” is part of a chant uttered by a group of circus freaks as they welcome a new member into the fold.
The show's intro music seems suspiciously like the intro music from another kinetic kids' show, Pee-wee's Playhouse. Pay close attention to when the trees part on Pee-wee's intro and you'll hear a lot of similarities between the two.
4. THE SHOW BECAME A WORLDWIDE PHENOMENON.
Yo Gabba Gabba! became aworldwide phenomenon, and was broadcast all over the world, including in Italy, France, the UK, the Netherlands, Australia, and Canada.
DJ Lance Rock is actually Lance Robertson—and he really is a DJ. Robertson grew up in St. Louis, where he started spinning records in the early '90s before moving to Los Angeles at the age of 29. While in L.A., he played with a band, The Ray Makers, who played a few gigs with a group called Majestic, which counted future Yo Gabba Gabba! co-creator Scott Schultz as a member. When the Yo Gabba Gabba! guys were looking for a host, Schultz thought of Robertson. After Robertson signed on, one of the first things he did was suggest they change DJ Lance's look to the now-iconic orange jumpsuit and fuzzy hat. The original costume included a waistcoat similar to the one worn by Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka.
6. MUNO AND BROBEE EXISTED BEFORE YO GABBA GABBA!.
While the other characters were created exclusively for Yo Gabba Gabba!, Muno and Brobee were already around as part of the live show for Christian Jacobs's kid-friendly ska/punk band, The Aquabats. Since shortly after their founding in 1994, The Aquabats have dressed in matching superhero costumes, fighting evil under aliases like The MC Bat Commander (Jacobs), Crash McLarson, Jimmy the Robot, Ricky Fitness, and Eagle “Bones” Falconhawk. The lineup has changed frequently over the years (Travis Barker of Blink-182 was briefly their drummer under the name “The Baron von Tito”), but the band still performs live and releases the occasional studio album. Naturally, they made a handful of appearances on Yo Gabba Gabba!, as well.
While most kids only know him as thekookieart teacher on the show, Mark Mothersbaugh was one of the founding members and lead singer of the New Wave bandDevo. Even when he’s not wearing a red terraced “Energy Dome” hat, Mothersbaugh’s career has been prolific as a composer for dozens of TV shows, films, video games, and commercials, including Apple’s famous “I’m a Mac” ads starring Justin Long andJohnHodgman.
8. BIZ MARKIE WAS ORIGINALLY SUPPOSED TO DANCE ON THE SHOW.
Yo Gabba Gabba! fans learned how to beatbox thanks to rapper Biz Markie (born Marcel Theo Hall) and his “Beat of the Day” segment. Biz was initially asked to do a Dancey Dance routine for the show, but he has a bad back, so he offered to teach the kids how to do a beat instead. The producers loved it and it became a staple on the show. Parents knew Biz best from his 1989 hit “Just a Friend,” whichfeaturedhis unique brand of rapping and “singing.”
9.
SUPER MARTIAN ROBOT GIRL
IS THE PRODUCT OF TWO GROUNDBREAKING COMIC BOOK ARTISTS.
The comic book the Gabba gang often reads, Super Martian Robot Girl, is the creation of married underground comic book celebrities Sarah Dyer and Evan Dorkin. Dorkin is the genius behind the small press comic Milk and Cheese about “dairy products gone bad”—a milk carton and a wedge of cheese who love to drink gin and beat people up. Dyer was an influential creator in the '90s zine scene, where she was one of the few people giving female zinesters a voice with her Action Girl Newsletter, which later paved the way for the similarly-themed Action Girl Comics.
Yo Gabba Gabba! received numerous Daytime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction and Costume Design, as well as for Outstanding Pre-School Children's Series, but a win eluded the show. In addition, the series was nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Children’s Programming by the Television Critics Association Awards five times (and won twice). Internationally, the show was awarded a BAFTA in 2008.And DJ Lance received two NAACP Image Award nominations.
11. THE SHOW GOT ITS OWN LINE OF SNEAKERS.
Ever wanted to see Foofa pop a wheelie? How about Toodee ride a surfboard? In 2011, the Gabba gang shot a series of videos to promote their line of Vans shoe, a brand popular among the extreme sports crowd. The characters shared the screen with some of the biggest names in the XGames, including surfers Alex Knost and Jared Mell, skateboarders Bucky Lasek and Christian Hosoi, BMXers Alistair Whitton and Coco Zurita, and motocross stars Dean Wilson and Ryan Villopoto. You can check out the videos at Yo Gabba Gabba's official YouTube channel.
The gang invaded the Coachella Music Festival in 2010, where they performed, hung out with celebrity fans backstage, and even showed up to dance with the audience at other musical performances.
13. THE SHOW HAD A LOT OF CELEBRITY FANS.
For Halloween 2009, Brad Pitt donned DJ Lance's orange jumpsuit and fuzzy hat when he took his kids trick-or-treating. Lance was later quoted as saying that Pitt looked “Awesome.”
While most celebrities only come on the show to do a Dancey Dance or Cool Tricks segment, there have been a handful of guests that played a bigger role in an episode. The first was Jack Black, who had an entire episode dedicated to his adventures in Gabbaland after his flying motorbike ran out of gas. He got the gig after his wife emailed the show and practically begged them to let Jack come on because he was such a big fan. Other celebrities who popped in: Angela Kinsey from The Office played a teacher, the Tooth Fairy was played by Amy Sedaris, Mos Def saved the day as Super Mr. Superhero, Anthony Bourdain cameoed as a doctor,Jason Bateman played an evil spy, Lost’s Josh Holloway played a helpful farmer, and Weird Al Yankovic guested as a circus ringmaster.
15. A YO GABBA GABBA! DOLL WILL COST YOU A PRETTY PENNY.
The Gabba action figures that DJ Lance brought to life at the beginning of each episode were produced by Kidrobot, one of the leading names in the vinyl toy movement.The figures are no longer produced, so when onepops up on eBay, it often commands a high price.But if you’re not willing to spend that kind of money on an action figure, there are plenty of other Gabba-themed toys, books, DVDs, comics, smartphone apps, and clothes to keep your kids happy.
FAQs
What are the Yo Gabba Gabba characters supposed to be? ›
Overview. Hosted by a musician named DJ Lance Rock, the series features live-action segments featuring 5 costumed toys: Muno (a red cyclops), Foofa (a pink flower bubble), Brobee (a green broccoli bee/monster), Toodee (a blue cat-dragon), and Plex (a yellow robot).
Who is the pink monster in Yo Gabba Gabba? ›He is the Gabba guitarist. Foofa (voiced by Emma Penrose), a beautiful pink flower bubble monster who is quiet and loves unicorns. Her closest relationships are with DJ Lance, Muno, and Toodee.
What is the meaning behind Yo Gabba Gabba? ›DJ Lance: Christian Jacobs and Scott Schultz, the creators of the show, chose the name for several reasons. First, it is a name that is phonetically easy for children to say. Next, "Yo!" is a nod to hip-hop culture. "Gabba Gabba" is a nod to The Ramones, which in turn is a nod to the 1932 film "Freaks" by Tod Browning.
What age is Yo Gabba Gabba? ›The energetic puppet characters encourage kids to sing and dance along, and the series' pace and repetitive nature are well suited for 2- to 4-year-olds.
Who is the purple guy in Yo Gabba Gabba? ›What's the Purple Guy's name? He's the box in the Yo Dazzlers. Foofle is Foofa's brother!
Who is the black guy in Yo Gabba Gabba? ›Lance Robertson, also known as "DJ Lance Rock", is an American musician, singer, DJ, and actor best known for the Nickelodeon show Yo Gabba Gabba!. He was nominated for two NAACP Image Awards.
What happened to Yo Gaba Gaba? ›(2023) is an upcoming reinvention of the original Yo Gabba Gabba that ended in 2015. The show will be produced by WildBrain and Yo Gabba Gabba LLC, which co-own the property, and exclusive to Apple TV+. As of so far, this new series will be a 'reimagining' of what the original series was.
Is Yo Gabba Gabba good for kids? ›Yo Gabba Gabba is fun and educational. The songs are catchy, and teach lessons that need to be learned. It is brightly colored, and there are themes and it makes it fun and exciting for children of a certain age.
How old is Foofa? ›| Foofa | |
|---|---|
| Age | 9 |
| Species | Flower Bubble |
| Introduced In | Yo Gabba Gabba |
| Voiced by | Emma Jacobs |
The series debuted on Nickelodeon on August 20, 2007, and its original run ended on November 12, 2015. In 2021, it was announced that Apple TV+ had ordered 20 new episodes for its streaming service.
How tall is Brobee Yo Gabba Gabba? ›
Brobee stands about 6" tall! He talks and waves his arms when you press his tummy!
How tall is Toodee from Yo Gabba Gabba? ›...
| Toodee | |
|---|---|
| Age: | 11 |
| Species: | Cat Dragon |
| Height: | 2 inches |
Toodee is a blue female arctic cat-dragon who likes to have fun. She has a close bond with Brobee and is the bassist for the Gabba band. Her realm is an arctic realm, with icicles.
What is the yellow monster? ›Monster Energy The Doctor is a citrus flavored variant of Monster Energy which is bright yellow in color. It is exclusively available in several european countries, not being available in the United States.
Who is the green character in Yo Gabba? ›Brobee is one of the main characters. He is a small, furry and green monster who lives in a fall themed place called Brobee Land.
What is the kids show with a DJ? ›Yo Gabba Gabba! is a fun live-action program for young children. Join our host DJ Lance Rock as he introduces us to friendly toy monsters in a magical land full of music, dance, and color. Yo Gabba Gabba! is a fun live-action program for young children.
Was my chemical romance on Yo Gabba Gabba? ›My Chemical Romance appeared on Yo Gabba Gabba! for a special Christmas episode where they performed “Every Snowflake Is Different (Just Like You)."
What color is Muno from Yo Gabba Gabba? ›Foofa's is pink, Brobee's is green, Toodee's is blue, and Muno's is red. When Plex changes each Gabba Land to only one color showing each of the Gabba Gang what it would be like if everything was their favorite color, they soon realize that there isn't one “Best” color—all the colors are the best!
What language is Yo Gabba Gabba? ›Medications most commonly associated with nightmares include those that affect norepinephrine, serotonin, dopamine, acetylcholine, or gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) signaling.
What is the secret of GABA? ›
GABA, which stands for Gamma-Aminobutyric acid, is an inhibitory neuron that decreases the activity of neurons in your brain associated with the stress response. Think of it like the brake pedal for your brain. It helps to regulate your stress levels and promotes feelings of relaxation and calmness.
Is GABA broken down? ›GABA is converted from glutamic acid by the action of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) of which two isoforms exist GAD65 and GAD67. GABA then is broken down, both within the cell and in the synaptic cleft by GABA transaminase to form succinic semialdehyde.
Can kids eat GABA? ›The most recent studies suggest that a therapeutic dose of GABA supplement is between 200 and 800 milligrams. Young children at low weights should be given lower dosages. Your child's pediatrician can help you determine an appropriate dosage for your child's height, weight, age, and metabolism.
Does Gabba help you sleep? ›In addition to helping people feel sleepy, GABA may make it easier to fall asleep by reducing anxiety. Stress and anxiety can interfere with sleep and have been associated with low levels of GABA.
Can you take Gabba every day? ›Clinical studies suggest that taking up to 120 milligrams (mg) of GABA per day as supplements for 12 weeks is unlikely to cause adverse effects. People should take care when using them with other drugs. Using them with medications for high blood pressure or epilepsy may increase the impact of those drugs.
How tall is Foofa? ›Reminder, these suckers are enormous. Foofa is approximately 3 feet tall. She takes a lot of yarn.
Has Yo Gabba Gabba ended? › What was the biggest Gabba crowds? ›| Best Crowds | ||
|---|---|---|
| 34512 | Brisbane Lions v Collingwood | 2010 |
| 34469 | Brisbane Lions v Adelaide | 2003 |
| 34368 | Brisbane Lions v Carlton | 2004 |
| Bold = Finals match | ||
The Gabba redevelopment will see: a new 50,000 seat stadium (depending on the event) hosting of the Olympic and Paralympic Athletics and Ceremonies. a new pedestrian walkway linking to new Cross River Rail and Brisbane Metro.
How tall is Muno? ›| Muno | |
|---|---|
| Age: | 10 |
| Species: | Cyclops |
| Phrase: | Razzle Dazzle |
| Height: | 3 inches |
What monsters are in Yo Gabba Gabba? ›
DJ Lance Rock starts the fun each show with the magic words "Yo Gabba Gabba!" Five friendly monsters -- Muno, Brobee, Foofa, Toodee and Plex -- encourage kids to sing and dance along with the preschool series.
What animal is Tootie? ›Her catchphrase, "tootie," is derived from an onomatopoeia for an elephant trumpeting.
Was Yo Gabba Gabba popular? ›Yo Gabba Gabba! became a worldwide phenomenon, and was broadcast all over the world, including in Italy, France, the UK, the Netherlands, Australia, and Canada.
What species is Muno Yo Gabba Gabba? ›| Muno | |
|---|---|
| Gender: | Male |
| Age: | 10 |
| Species: | Cyclops |
| Phrase: | Razzle Dazzle |
...
| Foofa | |
|---|---|
| Species: | Cornflower Bubble |
| Height: | 2 inches |
He is perhaps most famous as the co-creator of the massively popular children's show, “Yo Gabba Gabba!” Throughout his career, he has been involved in every aspect of production, from acting to directing to writing to producing. Jacobs started The Aquabats with a few of his friends at his Mormon church.
What is the blue girl in Yo Gabba Gabba? ›Toodee is a blue female arctic cat-dragon who likes to have fun. She has a close bond with Brobee and is the bassist for the Gabba band. Her realm is an arctic realm, with icicles.
Who is in the Muno suit? ›Muno is a red cyclops and he is a recycled version of The Aquabats villains The Cyclopsis and Cyclopfenstein. In the original demo, the Cyclopsis Costume was used, in his original concept he was the driving force behind the nuclear apocalypse from the radiation song, he has committed several nefarious deeds.
Who is Foofa's brother? ›Fooful is a blue aquamarine Flower Bubble with an Australian accent. He is the oldest in Foofa's family. His talking appearances are the episodes, Mystery, Ride, and Day Camp and was an Easter egg in Circus.
Is Yo Gabba Gabba still being made? ›(2023) is an upcoming reinvention of the original Yo Gabba Gabba that ended in 2015. The show will be produced by WildBrain and Yo Gabba Gabba LLC, which co-own the property, and exclusive to Apple TV+. As of so far, this new series will be a 'reimagining' of what the original series was.
Is My Chemical Romance emo or punk? ›
My Chemical Romance, American alternative rock band credited with helping to popularize the emo style of music, a subgenre of punk rock fusing confessional lyrics and punk aggression. Singer Gerard Way (b.
Did My Chemical Romance quit? ›To the shock of many, the group called it quits in 2013.
How famous is My Chemical Romance? ›They are considered one of the most influential rock groups of the 2000s and a major act in the pop-punk and emo genres, despite the band rejecting the latter label.
Do Mormons have music? ›Music for LDS worship services is generally traditional with minimal accompaniment with piano or organ, so these musicians perform in venues other than in LDS worship services.