Australia isn’t known for it’s kid’s entertainment, but it really should be. The country has given us plenty of shows that kids of all ages can enjoy, it just happens that Bluey has become the biggest one right now. But, before Bluey could run (or walk in “Baby Race”), other series came before it that crawled to lead the way. One of those was a show that continues to this day called “The Wiggles,” and this latest video from Bluey combines those two worlds in an unexpected way.
Bingo’s Dance Lesson
In a video released on the official Bluey YouTube channel as well as their social media accounts, Bingo learns to dance thanks to her wonderful teacher, Emma Memma. Bingo might not be as coordinated as her instructor, but her enthusiasm is contagious, reminding us all that being perfect isn’t a requirement of having fun. The pair leap, twirl, laugh, and have a blast in this fantastic short that combines animation with live-action in an endearing way.
This hybrid short was shot in the Old Museum Building in Brisbane, a heritage-listed location of great importance to Australians. While not officially credited, the music was likely created by Bluey composer, Joff Bush.
Check out the video below:
For the Americans who don’t recognize the dancer, Emma Memma (real name Emma Watkins) is a children’s entertainer from The Land Down Under. She started her career as a member of The Wiggles, joining the troupe in 2010 to become the Yellow Wiggle. The first female member of this illustrious group, “Emma Wiggle” remained part of the company until she left in 2021 to pursue other interests. Since her departure, Emma released two albums under the name Emma Memma since 2022, the first self-titled and her follow-up “Ballet Time.” This latest edition won Best Children’s Album at the ARIA Awards (Australian Recording Industry Association), beating her former team to earn that achievement.
To animate the sequence, the artists were given a reference video from the dancer featuring a stand-in for Bingo, which is honestly just as adorable as the final version seen above.
Classic Connections To Other Kid’s Entertainment
This video is a throwback to a sequence from a classic cartoon, one from over 70 years ago. “Anchors Aweigh” was released in 1945, starring Frank Sinatra, Kathryn Grayson, and Gene Kelly. In a fantasy sequence, Gene Kelly tap dances with Jerry the mouse from “Tom & Jerry” fame, an amazing moment that is still amazing to watch. It was even parodied on Family Guy with Stewie Griffin taking the place of Jerry. If you’ve never seen “The Worry Song,” we recommend you check it out to better appreciate this Bluey dance, and think about how much more difficult this cartoon would have been to make in the 40s.
This isn’t the first time The Wiggles have been connected to Bluey’s world. Anthony Field, better known to many as The Blue Wiggle, provided the voice of a postal worker in Season 2’s “Dance Mode” as well as Rusty’s dad in “Army.” In Season 3’s “Phones,” we also see a framed (and autographed) photo of a canine version of The Wiggles, meaning there is a dog-equivalent of this pre-school entertainment group in Bluey!
This is the first time a character from Bluey has interacted with an actual human being, and will likely be a rare sight in the future. Emma Memma is an exceptional choice to dance with Bingo, and the viral video is already picking up steam on social media. It’s impossible not to get up and dance after watching it – or at least have the biggest smile suddenly spread across your cheeks. Now, get up and have a dance mode wherever you are!
