The hip parade

Children's television is a necessary evil. It can tame the grumpiest toddler but drive parents to distraction in the process. Most parents simply grit their teeth at the cheesy banality of it all but that wasn't good enough for Christian Jacobs and Scott Schultz.

"We were getting sick of the shows we were watching with our kids and we were like, 'Let's come up with an idea for a fun show for our kids,"' says Jacobs, lead singer of US surf punk band the Aquabats.

"Part of the idea we had was to include the parents," adds Schultz, who plays with indie band Majestic. "That's what we felt was missing in preschool shows. I think people our age, we want to share in having fun, in being a kid again. Getting up and dancing, listening to the music."

The result is Yo Gabba Gabba!, which makes its free-to-air debut this week on ABC1 (it already airs on pay TV's Nick Jr). The format is nothing new - a host, five characters in costume, songs, animation and instructive segments. But the show's alternative sensibility will thrill parents who believe having children doesn't mean you have to grow up, who love indie music and who remain steeped in pop culture. As Schultz says: "It's not a show being made by ex-hippies from the '60s. It's made by parents that have preschool kids and are tapped in to what the generation is doing now."

The songs on Yo Gabba Gabba! incorporate elements of indie, hip hop, punk and electronica, performed by bands such as Low and the Shins. Guests include actor Elijah Wood, singer Mya and boxer Laila Ali (Muhammad Ali's daughter). A drawing segment is hosted by Devo's Mark Mothersbaugh, while hip-hop legend Biz Markie has a regular spot called "Biz's Beat Of The Day". Then there's the show's inimitable host, DJ Lance Rock, a real Los Angeles DJ who sports a fetching orange leotard and furry hat.

"We really didn't set out to make a hip hop kids' show or an indie kids' show," Schultz explains. "We were just taking music we really like and making appropriate lyrics. We feel that hip hop music in general is really basic and interesting but the lyrics aren't something you'd want a kid to listen to. I think kids can appreciate music that is different and new and interesting." Continued...