Sam Moran and Greg Page
Former Yellow Wiggle offered payout
Sam Moran was apparently dumped as the yellow Wiggle with a $60,000 payout, a fraction of his $200,000 annual pay which was itself a fraction of the band’s $28 million earnings last year. Mr Moran apparently knew nothing of the news to come as early as Tuesday morning when he received a phone call to meet with the band’s manager. Blue Wiggle Anthony Field copped criticism yesterday for a Channel 9 interview in which he agreed with the statement Moran was just a ‘hired hand’ and said ‘his contract has come to an end’. Sam Moran had been with the group for nine years, five as the lead singer.
To get a feel for how awkwardly this has been handled, watch this interview with the Wiggles on the Today Show:
And here’s Sam Moran’s goodbye message to the kids:
Abbott makes cruise ship gaffe
The Leader of the Opposition Tony Abbott has either stumbled over his words badly this morning or made an insensitive remark about the cruise ship Costa Concordia which hit a rock shelf and rolled over, killing at least eleven people. Mr Abbott was led into the exchange when an Adelaide Triple M radio announcer asked: “”This is just a bit from left field, the captain from the Costa Concordia wants to know if you need any help with your boat policy?” Mr Abbott responded: ”Well that’s one boat that did get stopped, didn’t it?” What do you think, storm in a tea cup or case of terrible judgment?
Referendum to ‘end’ racism in the Constitution
A special panel set up by the Federal Government has recommended changing the constitution to appropriately recognise Indigenous Australians, their language and their custodianship of the Australian land within its pages. Adding another preamble was simply not an option, the panel said. The SMH reported: It proposes prohibiting discrimination on the grounds of race, colour or ethnic or national origin, and recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages as ”the original Australian languages” and part of our national heritage. Receiving the report, the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, said it was time ”to say ‘yes’ to an understanding of our past, to say ‘yes’ to constitutional change, and to say ‘yes’ to a future more united and more reconciled than we have ever been before”. Opposition leader Tony Abbott also welcomed the report. A referendum would be put to Australians before the next election in 2013 and the panel said it should be advanced by a well funded public education campaign.
The Great Australian Sex Survey has so far heard the thoughts of more than 9000 Australians and the results are, surprising. Two thirds say sex isn’t the most important part of a relationship and would stay with their partners even if their life in the bedroom is less than satisfactory. 40 per cent said they would have sex with a friend’s partner if the opportunity arose. 56 per cent of men said they were turned off by fake breasts and South Australians are the most satisfied with their love lives. Victorians are the most desperate to have sex with a celebrity. The survey is backed by the Australian Sex Party. So, what would you have said?
Classics?
Prada has released a line of news shoes with flames coming out of them. To be more precise, it’s a range modelled on the classic American cars of the 1950s. The heels are shaped as spoilers, wings and chrome-lined tail lights of the classics and there are some hot-rod versions with flames that lick up the ankle of the person wearing them. It might well be a lovely homage to the classics, but is it something you’d wear out on the town?
And if you missed the Week in Pics you should definitely have a click through here. Some amazing and bizarre images this week. Check it out:
Luxury cruise liner the Costa Concordia ran aground on rocks off the coast of Italy.
Comments
251 Comments so far
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That was terrible wiggles, you just made yourselves look like idiots! come on spit it out!! Disgraceful! Shows maybe that’s all you can do is talk to kids!!!
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Anthony shouldn’t do PR! Hopeless, he’s had enough experience to have answered that question in a much more diplomatic and professional manner. The PR that was then put out on the weekend about the ‘black wiggle’ was so ill timed and poor judgement on the wiggles behalf – trying to get community support through mental illness, trying to take away from yellow wiggle. YUCK. See ya wiggles…. Sam, you’re better off!
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Thw Wiggles have just shown their true ‘colours’ they are all about the money.
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Toot toot shudder shudder! That was one creepy interview.
I’m thinking of staging my own Coup d’état against Anthony!
Anyhoo, I couldn’t help myself: How to wear yellow without looking like one of The Wiggles…
http://www.foxinflats.com.au/2012/01/how-to-wear-yellow-the-wiggle/
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Sorry a university education does not give someone commonsense or a sense of what is right our wrong Tony Abbott is a boofhead and very inept.
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Let up on TA, big deal, there are so many more important issues to be dealing with. What sort of society are we moving towards, one where every word must be monitored & analyzed for fear of upsetting someone. The crusie liner tragedy is horrible but give me a break! This type of media attention patronises the intelligence of the Australain people, we dont want to be heading down the US political path.
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One of the big problems with Tony Abbott is that he still doesn’t have a sense of what comments are appropriate in a given situation, after something like 20 years in politics. He is not a comedian, he is a politician. It may not be important or much of a ‘big deal’ to the average apathetic citizen – but to anyone paying attention it’s another example of his complete and utter lack of ability to take anything seriously.
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Please, can’t we give Tony a break? I honestly don’t understand why everyone hates him and just waits for an opportunity to hang him out to dry. Shouldn’t we actually be discussing Julia and the pokie reform? I understand if people don’t like Abbott, but tI think it’s a case of the media driving people’s unfounded hatred.
There are so many things about Julia that just sail past in the wind…and what about all the awful things Krudd did – hello…. he was on camera eating his own ear wax!! is that not embarrassing from a PM? what about abusing wait staff on his privte jet? not good!
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Any excuse to have a go at Tony Abbott and use him as your buy line….
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I am sad to see Sam go from The Wiggles. I thought he offered a chance for a new generation of Wiggles, once the original ones all retired. Frankly, I think the original guys are looking a bit old for the job these days (I do feel terribly “ageist” saying that though!).
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I went out on Wednesday night with a group of friends, andmany comments were made about “stopping a boat”! Aren’t Federal politicians allowed to have a sense of humour anymore?
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Sense of humour – of course. But people have died in the shipwreck. And there are still 21 people missing as well, with hopes of finding them fading by the minute. Including a little five year old girl. Makes me want to cry when I think about – how could anyone laugh about anything to do with the shipwreck- where’s the humour in this????
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Gosh I’m disappointed in the Wiggles. This transition was so badly handled. I’d have liked to have seen them offer Sam a part in their next tour, not as a colored Wiggle maybe, but a star along side. After all, he’s done and amazing job and his youth and energy (there’s that word again) was really great live in concert. I think that’s the end of the Wiggles for me and my kids now. The poor handling of this and the seemingly poor treatment of Sam has just tarnished the group for me.
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My kids are old enough to remember attending 2 Wiggles concerts and hearing that Greg had just pulled out due to illness right before each show. Actually from memory I think he actually pulled out mid way through one show. They were really disappointed as they loved him! Anyway I really hope he is better and his health is now under control.
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Reading some of the comments I see that peaople think the timing of the wiggles is bad- that Sam gets ditched just as Greg gets better.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but hasn’t Greg been going on shows like Today Tonight for the past year or so saying he is now well and wants his job back??
So perhaps this really WAS when Sams contract ran out? And they thought that maybe the guy who put in 15 years and started the Wiggles, should have his job back? If Sam was on a salary, then it seems to me it was ALWAYS being kept as an option, and Sam himself would have always known that his contract may not be renewed.
The children will cope- they coped when Greg left.
There might be a couple of tears, a little confusion, but for most children this will not be the harshest thing they have to deal with this year.
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When TA decides to step outside of political correctness and spin he always does it in a big way … but does it really matter that he is just awkward?
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They replayed his comments on the ABC tonight. In the context of the interview, I don’t think he did anything too tragic.
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Re: The Wiggles fiasco
Greg the Yellow Wiggle should never have been replaced by another Yellow Wiggle. Sam should have been given his own colour. As a 24 yr old who grew up with the original 4 I am so so so glad too see them back together and know that my kids will get to experience the ‘original’ Wiggles.
Re: Tony Abbott
So many people are making jokes about the situation…it may not be right, but it is the way it is. Tony should not be dragged across the coal because he is a public figure. If it was at a backyard BBQ it would have gone down a treat!
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I don’t know about that – the original guys are getting pretty long in the tooth – I wouldn’t be surprised if Jeff hung up his skivvy soon.
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I don’t think Abbott takes pressure in interviews well at all. Every time he makes a gaffe it makes me question even more what his real thoughts are behind the façade he puts up. If he became PM I’d be worried that he’d cause Australia embarrassment on an international scale. I don’t think he has the statesmanship or diplomacy to be a good PM.
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I don’t know, I feel more embarrassed every time Julia Gillard opens her mouth with that dreadful accent.
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Tony Abbott is Australia’s George W he has no brains and is just a boofhead he is not Prime Minister material and the libs need to give him the boot. Whilst most pollies make gaffes Tony has made it an art form.
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I wouldn’t remotely make that comparison.
I think the press have it in for him. regardless of the truth because of his conservative views. Note, I’m not suggesting I support him or otherwise. I am uneasy about Abbot as prime minister. But I’m also uneasy about Gillard for the same reasons.
Bring back Malcolm Turnbull.
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I agree – bring back Malcolm Turnball!
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Couldn’t agree more with the bring back Turnbull, sorry Julia might not be as well spoke etc. however I would trust her far more than Abbott.
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Whatever Tony Abbott’s faults are you can’t seriously argue that he’s stupid. He was a rhodes scholar!
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As you would probably be aware, I’m don’t really lean towards Tony Abbott’s side of politics, but I laughed at that. I’m probably a terrible person, but I can’t be bothered getting too worked up about offensive comments.
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Totally. Would never vote for the man, but are we really at a point where public figures can’t show their real personalities, ever? Because if we are, we’re in for some pretty boring times ahead. I’m just not sure what he was supposed to say in that situation.
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Where was Murray Wiggle???
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Apparently he’s on holiday in LA with his kids…
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Sensible man!
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Ugh who would ask Tony Abbott that.. And why would he answer? He’s such a mess.
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Someone clever enough to know he would make a typical gaffe and potentially give the radio station publicity?
He should have said something like “Any loss of life is tragic, and that’s why our party is committed to deterring boats from leaving other countries with Asylum Seekers – so that no one is put in danger.” And completely ignored any mention of that Captain.
Still, I’m pleased every time he stuffs up like this. I do not believe he should be our Prime Minister. EVER.
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This whole fiasco has really turned me off the wiggles. My kids have never been huge fans though. It just smacks of… I don’t know, primary school meaness?
And although I am NOT a fan of TA, come on, give the guy a break! SO not newsworthy (not aimed at MM but at whoever made it news in the first place).
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Personally, what I found interesting was that after Today’s interview, the three Wiggles featured on the Circle and stated that they were unaware they were actually going to be interviewed. They believed they were only there to perform a few songs together. Richard Wilkin’s line of questioning was interrogative. A storm in a teacup has been made of Anthony calling Sam a “hired hand” but those words first came out of Wilkin’s mouth. Anthony went in unprepared and obviously was quite uneasy about answering questions on behalf of Sam. We all know how the media can turn whatever you say.
I don’t buy into the whole argument of “how will children survive with the change?” They survived when Greg first left. Change is a part of life and children know that (and if they don’t, then they need to learn that).
Sam’s message to children shows that he is graceful and genuinely has the children at heart. Are the media just making a mountain out of a molehill over this?
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When the Wiggles knew that Greg was coming back, they should have had a “transition plan” that included nice transitional comments that send a unified and strong brand message to the audience. This should have occurred whether they knew they were being interviewed or not.
If they weren’t prepared to explain Sam’s departure, DON’T appear with Greg until you’ve done that.
I personally feel that there’s quite the bunfight behind the scenes and it’s hard to hide from that when you’re unprepared.
“I haven’t spoken to him” – what? colleagues with years of history?
“energy …. yeah …. energy” – what? sounds like ‘the vibe man, just the vibe’ from the Castle.
The Wiggles brand has been hurt but Anthony Field has mud all over him. He looked like someone hiding a fued.
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The only person who has made the right branded message so far is actually Sam with his comments. The others would benefit from some some statements prepared by a PR. Their latest explanations, while truthful, is just digging a deeper hole.
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Oh my God! What’s that sound? It’s a pedestal crashing to earth. What’s that? The Wiggles aren’t purrrfect? Quelle horreur! But please, pl-ease, just because we have finally discovered a chink in their armour, an Achilles heel, lets not set the dogs loose on a group who have given so much joy over the years (more than most media commentators I know). Greg was one of those who developed the original concept into the business it is today. He deserves his place in the team. And good luck Sam on your next gig. Your grace over the last couple of days has made you a lot of friends.
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Well said. Completely agree
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Seriously bad judgement from Tony Abbott. It wouldn’t be his first gaffe either. Could you imagine if he said that as PM of our country?
Bad judgement from the stupid radio host aswell. Seriously people, some tack. Just cause your on radio, doesnt mean you have a free pass.
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Tact, I assume, unless they’re planning on going hacking. Not having a go, just a laugh!
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I didn’t find the Today Show that interview all that awkward, the blue wiggle just didn’t really want to speak for someone else!
It would be nice to have a fifth wiggle and keep Sam around I feel for him but saying it will be so hard for your kids to adjust? Kids also cry when they drop a juice box, not making fun of kids just saying they WILL get over it. I grew up with The Wiggles but would never have recognised any of them to be honest they were coloured skivvies and they sang!
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Yes, Abbott shouldn’t have answered like that, so obviously not thinking about it… but then I’ve never liked that interviewers’ (plural) tactic of ‘questions out of left field’. It’s a blatantly obvious attempt to lead the interviewee into saying something stupid. More fool Tony for falling into such a common trap.
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Re Abbotts remark, storm in a tea cup, if anything, point the finger at the announcer that started it.
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I’ll put my two cents in and give Abbott a pass on this one. Such an odd question, he’s under pressure to make a quip and makes one.
Compared to Mark Walhberg’s comment yesterday about how he would have stopped the 9/11 terrorists if he’d been on the plane, this is nothing.
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Did we just agree on something ID?
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Looks that way.
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My heart breaks, not only for Sam, but for the kids out there who are so comfortable and familiar with his smiley face. The whole situation is just really lousy, if only they could add a fifth Wiggle to the mix!
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Not remotely surprised by the Tony Abbott comment.
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That Today Show video – skin crawl!!
If you’re to act like a dickhead Anthony, at least swap the blue skivvy for a regular shirt.
Sam’s contract came to an end? How very odd that it ‘came to an end’ just as Greg got better… hmmm…..
Of course I am happy for anyone who has been ill to be well again but the whole thing stinks…
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The fact that few people can pick that photo 13 has been insanely altered to give praying mantis proportions shows how immune we are all getting to the unrealistic shape of photoshopped models.
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It’s a shame too, because Chanel Iman is perfect, she doesnt need to be altered.
Which can be said about most models I suppose. I just have extra love for Chanel.
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Excellent point Jane DJ. I have to admit when I looked at it I was expecting a missing arm or weirdly bent out of shape limbs, and actually wondered where the photoshop fail was. I think its interesting that we are becoming so immune to it, although most models are so skinny now anyway which is why I didn’t realize that the fail was that she looks so thin.
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http://www.news.com.au/business/exclusive-retailers-warned-on-forcing-staff-to-buy-pricey-clothes-for-shop-floor/story-e6frfm1i-1226248552323
About time this was sorted out, as some poor teenage girls spend whole pay cheques on work cloths alone.
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Sam was a contracted employee. My husband is as well and he doesn’t piss and moan when his contract is not renewed (not that Sam has, he has handled all this with grace God bless him). Honestly, I don’t know what all this fuss is about. Whether people like it or not Wiggles Inc is a company and it sounds like four months payout is quite generous. My husband would get nothing if his contract was not renewed.
Agree though with a few comments that they are looking their age. Maybe time to hand over to some younger more vibrant performers?
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As stated before I’m not a huge Wiggles fan, but as long as they hve the energy and the inclination who cares how old they are? Otherwise aren’t we judging on appearance in a way that is a bit… mean?
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Hmmm, not really, I agree with what someone said below, they are beginning to look a bit tired. Members of Hi-5 seem to chop and change all the time and have always wondered how The Wiggles keep up their energy and enthusiasm.
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Whilst I think the Wiggles could have handled this whole thing better (having Murray there for a start – he is a fabulous spokesperson for the group normally), I really felt uncomfortable with Richard Wilkins’ line of questioning, particularly in relation to their finances. He just kept bringing up the money, and then had the temerity to call them such good “friends” of the Today show. Friends don’t normally grill each other about their finances and question their motivations in quite such an interrogatory and clearly disbelieving fashion.
I quite like Richard but he’s the entertainment reporter for a variety show interviewing a children’s band, not an investigative reporter for a current affairs program for goodness’ sake.
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If I ever become famous I’m going to have this tattooed inside my eye-lids…
THE MEDIA ARE NOT YOUR FRIENDS
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Or the reverse – your comment made me have a sudden flashback to the Lester Bangs line from Almost Famous: “DO NOT make friends with the rock stars!!”
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Yes!
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I don’t have a problem with Sam being on contract and having to leave although I think he is the best Wiggle and certainly brought a new fun talented energy to the group. What I (and most people I am talking with or reading comments from) do have a problem with is how this is being handled. It really seems that Sam knew nothing, and was essentially pushed. Why could they not have let him announce his “retirement” (or similar) and then made a big deal of Greg coming back so it was happy all around? We have to remember that while they ARE a brand, and they ARE a company, they are also the biggest children’s stars in the world and have a massive following based on happiness, fairness, love, companission… and yet this seems to be underhanded and unfair. I really feel for Sam and I wish him the very best in his future. I also really wish the rest of them would just retire the brand, the show and themselves. It’s getting creepy now.
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It would have cost them so little to be gracious about his contribution.
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Creepy is the right word. Sam was the main thing that stopped the full on creep factor. Now it is just a lot of old blokes …….
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I agree with recognising indigenous people in the constitution, but someone on my twitter pointed out that there is still a provision in it that allows the government to make laws with respect to race. Surely if we’re going to have a referendum, we’d want to get rid of that nasty little provision.
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I haven’t looked at the report in detail but it is my understanding that it also recommends removing the current provision you’re speaking about (known as the Races Power) and including a provision that would only allow laws applying to a particular race where those laws benefit that racial group or rectify previous racism. Obviously these changes to the Constitution would also require a referendum in order to be made.
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Apparently Sam was dumped on his daughters second birthday? Ouch!
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I’m finding the whole Wiggle outrage really interesting. So far the majority of comments seem to suggest that Sam should have been paid a lot more than his $200k salary, should not have been replaced by one of the original creators and that the Wiggles are a brand not a band and that what their fans think should dictate what they do. I think it’s the Wiggle’s intellectual property and they can do whatever they want with it. If Sam hasn’t been treated in accordance with the terms of his contract then he has legal recourse through the courts. This is a contract that he negotiated. If the fans don’t like it they don’t have to tune in, but I don’t think we should feel that we can force them to perform how we want them to. I also think it’s interesting that people think a Yellow Wiggle should be paid more than a Prime Minister, doctor, teacher or nurse. I also think if he was a sports star people would be saying he was greedy and overpaid in the first place. An interesting example of how our emotional attachments influence our thinking …
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You are 100% correct, but you’ve left a couple of things out…brand perception and customer loyalty…the Wiggles seemed to have forgotten this too…
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Exactly JJ. I think its a stretch to suggest all those millions of dollars worth of merchandised products are produced in the name of art. Businesses, like people, do not live in isolation. Fans may not directly “dictate what they do”, but there is always the demand side of the supply and demand equation.
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I don’t think it’s really so much about “he shoud have been paid more”, but rather that he should not have been paid so much differently than the other 3.
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interesting that the manager of the Woggles is also the brother of Anthony, the one who came across the worst in this interview. They clearly knew that the way this went down was not good, that’s why they made the comment that Murray wanted nothing to do with it all and flew somewhere else so he was not around for the fall out. Perhaps Murray is the only Wiggle with some integrity left. And as someone who has dealt with Paul Field in the past, I can say, none of this surprises me. The Wiggles have always been about making money more than anything else. Shame that so many kids love them. Can’t wait to see them all in wheelchairs signing Wake Up Jeff.
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This kind of pleases me (that Murray wanted nothing to do with it), because I’ve always loved Murray the best, and whilst I don’t have a problem with Greg coming back, it seems like Sam has been treated VERY shabbily.
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Surely it’s a simple arrangement that Sam was on a contract (that he agreed to) after which the rest of the group didn’t have to renew. Happens all the time in reality that there is no guarantee for the future when doing contract type jobs.
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Hot potato, hot potato…
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Re the Wiggles, let me start off by saying that we don’t know (and may never know) all the facts to the Greg vs Sam issue.
However late last year I suddenly realised that my youngest, Mr 4.5, had never been to a Wiggles concert as Mr 10 had and, if I didn’t do something about it pronto he would be too old to go. So I booked tickets for Mr 4.5, Mr 10 and I to go see the Wiggles Big Top 20th birthday spectacular (not sure of the exact “exciting” title of the show, but you get the idea!).
Having been to a Wiggles concert in Mr 10′s younger years, I must say, this time around I was disappointed. The show didn’t seem to go as long, there seemed to be more “fillers” and, dare I say it, the Wiggles seemed “tired”. I commented at the time that I thought they were getting a bit battle-weary and that perhaps it was time they hung up their skivvies.
Whether they “shut up shop” completely (but I don’t know that they could/would from a practical perspective) or whether they “pass the baton” to younger members, is totally up to them. However in light if their PR nightmare this week, Sam seeming to have been treated so badly (although, he himself has acted with complete dignity, grace and respect for the millions of children affected!), Anthony’s ongoing personal upgrades, all the increasing grey hair (it’s called permanent hair colour, guys!), maybe it’s the perfect time for them to review the game plan?? Or were they planning to continue until (heaven forbid!) parents need to discuss death with their children due to a Wiggle’s passing??!! Surely not!
The Wiggles issue seems to have hit a raw nerve with so many as they are an iconic Australian brand, millions of us have children who have grown and learned with the Wiggles and, yes, spent our heard-earned cash on the merchandise (and some of us older parents were also groupies of “The Cockroaches”!).
It’s just disappointing and sad that this is where we’re at.
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“all the increasing grey hair (it’s called permanent hair colour, guys!)”
Um why SHOULD they dye their hair? If they were a female group and you were a guy saying the same he would be flamed!
There is nothing wrong with grey hair – it’s part of ageing, why are we all so afraid of ageing and letting our bodies be what they are at any age?
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There is nothing wrong with grey hair and yes, it is part of ageing – a fact of nature that none of us can change. I would have said the same thing if it were a greying female group and, yes, would have no doubt been “flamed”.
I only made reference to the greying hair and the hair colour to try and reinforce my point that they’re looking “tired” and perhaps in an effort to stay current and appealing to their preschool audience it would help, particularly as they seemed to lack the energy to keep up with their audience. I have absolutely no problem if they all decided to stay grey and were full energy but, alas, this was not the what I experienced in going to the December concert.
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I went to see the Wiggles at the end of 2010 at Acer, then at the end of 2011 at Castle Hill showground. Whilst I liked the smaller TENT idea and it was well orgnaised in regards to transport, parking, toilets food etc, the performance itself was really disapointing compared to the year before where Anthony was on a trapeze for most of the show – I walked away impressed & felt I had gotten my moneys worth. This year – they a looked old, tired and over it. I actually commented to other mothers thal they are lucky they replaced Yellow wiggle with Sam as he is younger & was the most energetic performer. My boys are under 5 so only know Greg from older DVDs we have. They are in love with Murray so this issue wont effect them, infact they probably wont even notice the change.
However, there is no doubt that the interview with Richard Wilkins was uncomfortable & Anthony was struggling…..
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As somebody with no interest in the Wiggles as a franchise, and as somebody without any children, I was still horrified at the way the Wiggles handled that interview on Channel Nine. Honestly, Richard was practically throwing them a bone, you could tell he didn’t want to stitch them up, yet they just fumbled the ball and really did not shed themselves in a good light. My advice? Get a media advisor, guys!!
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You are so right
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Can someone please point out the photoshop fail in pic 13? I can’t see it.
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The arms have been lengthened – if you look at the proportions – her fingertips would reach her knees if that arm was straightened!
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Ah gee, what a train wreck of an interview. It sounds like it was a snap decision and the Anthony doesn’t really like Sam much. Could’ve been handled so much better. At least Sam has some grace.
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That’s probably because Anthony knows how talented Sam is, how much more interesting the Wiggles became with Sam in the yellow skivvy and how popular Sam is with the kids. Tad jealous of young Sam me thinks…
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Regarding the Wiggles, what a PR nightmare. I can’t believe that they don’t have an organisational strategy put in place for this, or that they didn’t word Anthony Field up before casting him to the media wolves.
As for all the commentary that ‘they were in it for the money’ – should we be surprised if the business isn’t a major priority?
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Re Wiggles. You start a business, build it up, end up with super succesful franchise, after much hard work. A founding member leaves due to illness, somebody else is employed to replace that member. Founding member recovers and returns to original business. Employee given a generous package.
Why the outrage??? Think Apple & Steve Jobs – no outrage there.
Yes they are entertainers, but it’s a business too. Doubt they were expecting to be flayed for this one. Nor do they deserve to be.
And why does everybody have such an issue with the dollar value of their success? Sam was more than fairly paid during his tenure as a Wiggle. It doesn’t sound like he has any complaints.
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agree totally
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Wasn’t there a bit of angst and outrage about Steve Jobs bailing and then going back to Apple though? I’m not an Apple nerd but I seem to remember it being controversial.
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He didn’t really bail, he was pushed out.
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Like Sam is being?
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How is not renewing a contract being “pushed out”???
He was a paid employee!! Who do you know that has a guaranteed job for life?
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He didn’t know, it was a sudden decision and that the others haven’t seen him would suggest otherwise. The story changed a few times in that interview.
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Uh no. Jobs was pushed out of a company he founded. Sam’s contract hasn’t been renewed. Totally different.
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Like I said, not an Apple nerd, so I wasn’t clear. Still doesn’t change the fact that this has been appallingly handled.
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Don’t think its so much what happened but how it happened.
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Cannot believe Anthony’s response to the question ”What about Sam?”. Really? REALLY? After 5 years, you haven’t even spoken to him to see how he’s doing?
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I’m sure he’s doing really well. He’s had a pretty good job for 5 years, agenerous pay-out, and is starting the next chapter of his life in a strong financial and professional position. He is free to pursue new projects, and fortunate enough to be a bit choosy about what he takes on next.
I’ve worked with many people who I haven’t contacted after they have left their job. Can’t see anything unusual in that.
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Gosh we love to make a big thing out of something quite trivial (I guess twitter and FB wouldn’t be as popular otherwise!). 5 years ago we explained to our kids that Greg (the oldest having only known him as the yellow wiggle for 8 years!) was leaving and there was a new yellow wiggle. They accepted it and moved on with the new wiggles. Just as they did for Hi5. They’re teenagers now and don’t think they were too damaged from the experience:)
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No one is suggesting that kids are going to be ‘damaged’.
It’s the way it has all been handled…can you see the difference?
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Blue wiggle looked like he was on drugs and out of it – purple wiggle looks exhausted and needs a lie down – red wiggle is missing in action and the new/ancient wiggle looks stunned by $$ in his eyes!
I shouldn’t care – kids over them – but when they handed over the yellow jumper to Sam they NEVER made public it was a contract for 5 years to be renegotiated. I assumed he was a real wiggle, part of the group, got the benefits. Maybe when the handed it over the should have said “kids this is just for a short while – Sam will never be one of us”.
Good luck to Sam – so glad he has stayed out of this slow motion train wreck!