Wednesday, March 05, 2008

Doodlebops Live! And Some VERY Interesting Facts About Me


We took my daughter to see the Doodlebops LIVE concert over the weekend. I swear, I thought she was going to rip her Pull-up off and throw it onto the stage.

Her little best friend, and her parents, joined us and between the two of them they screamed like fanatical Elvis fans for about 45 minutes straight. I have to say, it was pretty funny watching them trying to dance and sing along. My daughter kept telling the wife and I “Look! It’s the Doodlebops!…..over there!” followed by “Dance Daddy… Dance!!”

Those creepy Doodlebop kids really know how to put on a show. Moe was breakdancing for about 30 minutes straight and because of it started losing his voice. Deedee pretty much did 99% of the singing, and I’m not sure what Rooney’s talent is yet other than being freakin’ tall. Seriously, the guy is a giant and looked pretty scary when he came close to us. Most of the kids (me included) got quiet and backed up a little like he was about to eat everybody.

Overall it was amusing. My parents never took me to anything growing up and now being a parent I find taking my daughter to these types of things very entertaining. We’re seeing the Wiggles in the few weeks; I can’t wait to see her reaction to them. We'll be sure to keep that Pull-Up tightly secured.

VERY Interesting Facts You Might Not Know About Me

Rick tagged me for this meme:

1. I can play the accordion.
But I can only play Depeche Mode songs on it. It’s a long story on how this happened, but the short version is I wanted to take piano lessons but my Dad got a “really good deal” on accordion lessons because some guy owed him a favor. Anyhow, I was really into 'DM', their songs were pretty easy to play and that's how it happened. If you want to experience Depeche Mode, you’ve got to hear it on an accordion.

2. In college, I worked as a page on some random TV sitcoms. The majority of the “stars” and guest actors were just plain rude, had major attitudes, and were overall complete idiots. A few come to mind...I won't name drop even though I'm really tempted. On the flipside, a few were really pleasant and truly friendly - Gene Wilder, John Larroquette, Amy Jo Johnson…the 'Pink Ranger' on the original Power Rangers. And she played the guitar and sang too. I guess she learned that in Ninja school.

3. I met my wife in Paris; she was living and working out there. Our first date was a 4-hour dinner in Paris's Latin Quarter. Our second date was 9 days and ended in Venice, Italy.

4. My favorite shows of all time are The Simpson’s, Golden Girls, Knight Rider, and Small Wonder. I have a special connection with Golden Girls because it reminds me of my late grandmother; I use to watch the show with her. And I think Dorothy's humor is funny. I’m still not sure why I like Small Wonder…

5. I had lunch with Debbie Gibson years and years ago (I mentioned this awhile back and got lots of emails about it.) It really wasn’t that big of a deal. We met through some mutual PR/Marketing people and had lunch with a few other people. Later that day she had her manager messenger me 30 tickets to her show at the House of Blues in Hollywood the next night with a signed card that said "Tony, Stay Cool Forever! Love Debbie." It was on my refrigerator for years; the wife even found it funny.
All I can say is that she was very friendly, had a great sense of humor, and could really sing. I wasn't a fan of her music back when she was popular (remember? I was too busy playing Depeche Mode on the accordion...) but now, I find her music catchy. I played “Shake Your Love!” to my daughter recently which was pretty entertaining. Maybe next time I should tell I tell her “Debbie once sang this to Daddy”

Then she’ll probably tell me to turn the Doodlebops back on and to stop shaking my love...

54 comments:

Whit said...

Damn, we missed the Doodlebops?

We saw the Wiggles a couple of years ago. They even played a few chords of Sabbath, which was a nice touch.

Steve said...

The Doodlebops frighten me. I tried watching the show once with the boy and neither of us liked us.

We did the Wiggles good show. And Captain Feathersword is extremely HOT. (OK, that may play more to your female and gay readers.)

Whirlwind said...

We've seen the Wiggles twice and the girls loved it (even though our seats were just okay - no floor seats). They also like Maria Sangiolo and Kids Kookoo Revue (little local kids performers).

Einey is actually begging us to take her t osee TSO this winter and I think Husband is seriously concidering bringing her.

Fairly Odd Mother said...

The Doodlebops really, really scare me. I think my kids would love the show but I'd be shrieking in terror.

Great random facts about you! The accordion for Depeche Mode is something I've gotta hear!

Anonymous said...

Thankfully my two girls missed the boat on the Doodlebops. Maybe they're just too old and maybe it's because I threw their TV out the window. Time will tell. The Wiggles... *shudder* not so much. If I had to choose though, I'd take the 3 kids on a live action music candy acid trip over the 4 grown men with standing invitations to a Chris Hansen interview. Every time.

painted maypole said...

you really must post a video, or at least an audio file, of you playing depeche mode on accordian. please?

Beck said...

The Doodlebops - brrr. And now I have the added mental horror of knowing that one of them is FREAKISHLY TALL.

I am so nonplussed by hearing about your lunch with Debbie Gibson that I'm speechless. That and the Depeche Mode accordion songs - awesome.

Jackie said...

I can't do the Doodle Bops. We've been to see Dora but the Doodle Bops *shiver*

I'm with painted maypole - a video of Depech Mode on the accordian would be awesome!

I find it strangely comforting to know that Gene Wilder is a nice guy.

Jackie said...

Oh, and I'm not going to be able to get "Shake Your Love" out of my head now! Thanks ;-p

Anonymous said...

Depeche Mode on the accordion? Can it be true? Be still my heart!

A friend of mine who is a real enabler linked me to your blog. Now I see why...

Do you take requests?

Jason Roth said...

I'm impressed. Depeche Mode on the accordion. I'd like to see a You Tube video of that.

Anonymous said...

That's so true about Rooney! We saw the Doodlebops this summer and I attributed his odd behavior to the fact that it was 88 degrees (that's hot here!) and he was outside dancing with a jacket on. Maybe he was on something? I think I'd have to be high to do what they do.

Oh, and the pull-up comment killed me.

SciFi Dad said...

Ah... Small Wonder. I enjoyed this masterpiece as part of the one hour scifi sitcom block on the local indy station. (The other half? Out Of This World.)

Never could top that pairing, no matter how hard I tried.

Jenster said...

I can't seem to get past the Depeche Mode songs on the accordian. That's truly remarkable.

Creative-Type Dad said...

SciFi Dad - How could I forget about Out of this World. Evie, Uncle Beno...her dad talking out of the lamp.
They sure don't make shows like the use to....

Jenster - At the time it was embarrassing. But now, I bet Andy Fletcher would be impressed....

Laura - Yes, as long a you tip the waitress (Vera, Alice, or Flo)

painted maypole -- I'm considering the YouTube thing, I just need to dig out the windbox from my grandfather's garage...

Steve -- Dude, I'm not going to even question that "hot" comment...

Radioactive Tori said...

Will you be posting a youtube video of you playing the accordian???? The funny thing is I always wanted to learn how to play it and my parents told me they were too expensive!

Coal Miner's Granddaughter said...

OK, throwing pull-ups on stage.

Dude. I snorted Snapple on that one! :-)

Amber said...

I don't even know where to start with this...

Okay, 3rd I had a band, we did covers of Debbie's music. We later broke up because some of the other band members refused to sing Madonna's Like a Virgin.

Every time you reference Golden Girls, I get excited and start clapping. I love GG!!! It also reminds me of my grandma. We used to watch it every Saturday night. Now, when I visit her, we watch it in the mornings.

Here is your next GG quiz: What did Dorthy and her new husband Lucas Hollingsworth(played by Leslie Nielsen) name "it"?

That one might be a little hard, so you will earn mega double bonus cool points if you get it!!!

Mighty Morphin' Mama said...

We took the kids to the Doodlebops last summer and it freaked them right out. They wouldn't sing or dance, they couldn't figure out why they were not on the tv!
Those are some very interesting things you shared in your meme, I love how you met your wife.

mamatulip said...

Only Depeche Mode songs? Really? That's awesome. I'd love to hear you bust out Behind The Wheel/Route 66 on the accordion.

Small Wonder...man, I haven't thought of that show in YEARS. I had to Google it to jog my memory. LOL!

Anonymous said...

MMM, Depeche Mode on accordion...wait...I need to enjoy that for another moment..

Namito said...

I am SUCH an uncool mother. This is the first I've heard of the Doodlebops.

They kind of look like Strawberry shortcake on steroids, don't they?

And dude...seriously. Get thee a Youtube vid of the DM accordion thang.

Post haste.

Brian said...

I tried to talk my oldest into daddy/daughter accordion lessons. It, um, didn't go over well.

Rick Andreoli said...

Can you play me some songs at your birthday? Please? Start practicing now! (I promise to get you drunk.)

Anonymous said...

You will love The Wiggles! We saw them a few years back. I made jokes all the way up to the start of the show but ended up being very entertained. I only admit that to other parents though.

wayabetty said...

YOU ROCK Tony!! Com'on, do tell, drop some names. Send me an email at least, KFC buddy to KFC buddy here! DM was totally hot, their music rock.

And too bad for the Knight Rider revival show, it was just plain bad! I did give it a one episode try, but that was worse than having to find perfectly round green boogers in my sons' bed!

Anonymous said...

I love the Golden Girls for the same reason. My grandma and I used to watch that together all the time. Every time I'm flipping through the channels now and come across old episodes I think of grandma.

Creative-Type Dad said...

wayabetty -- How can you mention boogers and KFC together. I think you've broken the 'Colonel Code'... :)

slackermommy -- I've heard that before. I've also heard that some parents are way more into it that the kids.

Luther -- Sounds as if you want to start a family accordion band. If you do, I'll open for you.

pixie said...

Golden Girls! YES!! Nice to know I'm not the only one!

Ok, Where Was I? said...

That first sentence is classic. Though I assumed that meant the rest of the post was going to be about how you wanted to shoot yourself. My kids won't touch that show. They'd rather go to bed. I want to know the answer to Scarlett's question.

carrie said...

We did The Wiggles last year -- this year it was Princesses on Ice. I can only handle one of these kinds of 'events' on a yearly basis. You, are brave!

And I guess I haven't lived as I've yet to hear DM on accordian. You are just full of surprises! :)

Creative-Type Dad said...

Ok, Where Was I? -- Sorry! I did answer her back (correctly), but not publicly.

"Freddy Peterson" is the answer. It was the last few episodes when Dorothy got married to Blanche's uncle Lucas. She essentially became Blanche's aunt.

Hmmm, maybe I should play "Thank you for being my friend" on the accordion...

Ben and Bennie said...

The throwing the Pull Ups on stage is probably the funniest thing I've EVER read in the Blogosphere. Followed closely by imagining Depeche Mode played on an accordion.

The Real Mother Hen said...

Great post.
And we get to know you a bit better too :)

Did you get your humor from the Golden Girls then?

delightful-d said...

We must have been on the same page last night. The wife and I were watching a PBS special about piano playing brothers, when the one and only Deborah Gibson came out to sing a song.
My wife remembered that you had posted about her way back when. I think her voice peaked with 'Shake Your Love'.

Darren said...

I can't believe you got Doodlebops and the House of Blues in the same post.

Dad Stuff said...

I goofed again and used my wife's, delightful-d's blogname. I hope she doesn't find out. My Debbie Gibson views do not necessarily correlate with hers.

Anonymous said...

I will always love the Doodlebops. Bug used to go crazy for them. It was the only thing on tv that truly enthralled him.

For that, I will always be a fan of the Doodlebops. That said, I'd rather pluck my eyes out with a spoon than take my kid to one of their concerts.

Now, if Micheal Knight and Kitt were coming to town, I'd be all over that like a fat kid on a smartie...

Leslie said...

Can I beg you to name drop? PLEASE?? I need the dish!

And just so you know, I know ALL of the words to Small Wonder theme song. I'm THAT good. :)

Sarah said...

Wonderful post. But that's nothing new.

Do the Doodlebops sell T-shirts in adult sizes that say I survived the Doodlebops?

♥♥♥ A- Licious ♥♥♥ said...

ohmygosh. freaking hilarious.

throw her pull-up on stage....wow

crackin' up.

as for GG - i am a fan as well...and debbie gibson too...LOL

awesome!

a-licious
in da hizzzzouse

Velma said...

The Doodlebops freak me out - I'm so glad my kids are getting a little old for these pre-school groupie events.

mama speak said...

I told my oldest that we couldn't get the Doodlebops on our TV. If she did see them I'd tell her it was a commercial & flip it off. I'm a mean, mean mommy, but contray to what everyone thinks I do have some standards.

We did Wiggles when I was 8Mo preg w/DD2. I got DD1 tickets that were like 10th row (I figure it's better on TV for kids this age unless you're close enough to touch them). At one point Anthony came down & hugs a bunch of the kids and DD1 was one of the, I'm sure she peed herself, but lucky for me, she was wearing a pull up.
The funiest part to me was that all the parents (including myself) knew ALL the songs AND DANCE MOVES. My mom used to make fun of me for it, but now she sees there's a whole cult of us. (You can't help it, you only have to hear/see them once to have it down.) DD2 is getting into them now so perhaps I'll get to see Sam as well (our show was pre Greg getting sick).
I have a secret belief that The Wiggles are all actually doing lines of coke off of a hooker's arce after the show. It has to be something like that, to balance out the universe you know. Also, they were a garage band in college before they realized they could make more money w/the kids.

kittenpie said...

I don't admit it to many people, but the Golden Girls crack me up for some reason. It's a terrible show, and I can see that objectively, but somehow... damn, they are funny.

Creative-Type Dad said...

mama speak -- Great, now I'm going to have visions of them acting like the Rolling Stones before the concert, smelling of booze and cheap perfume.

Leslie -- I'm impressed! And I'm sure Harriat would be too.

The Real Mother Hen -- You know, I never thought about that. Maybe I did?

Amrita said...

I like Small Wonder and little of The Sompsons.

Beverly said...

All that, and I'm stuck on: You're going to the Wiggles? Lucky!

Kerrie said...

You freakin' CRACK me up!

ShannanB said...

Wow. It sounds like you have had a pretty cool life. Debbie Gibson was my favorite artist when I was younger. Very cool that you had the chance to really sit down and get to know her.

I caught the Small Wonder referrence and remember that show.

Anonymous said...

What the heck is Small Wonder???

Creative-Type Dad said...

izzy -- Let me school you--

It was only one of the worse TV shows ever created in the 80's. Badly acted, written, and directed. I liked it!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small_Wonder_(TV_series)

and the intro-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukSvjqwJixw

They sure don't make shows like they use to...

LBA said...

I still love Depeche Mode.
On the accordian ?

Awesome.

Anonymous said...

Small Wonder--I used to work at Grandview HS in Aurora, Colorado with a guy who used to write for the TV Show Small Wonder--even he admitted that it wasn't a great show, but it actually won awards--no kidding--I saw them in his living room.

Truth be told, he is a good writer, but an even better English teacher. :)

Creative-Type Dad said...

Anonymous -- Small Wonder won awards?!
Wow...