Background[]
Wiggle Waggles was a short-form children's television series that aired on BabyTV from January 8, 2007, to December 19, 2009. Targeted at infants and toddlers, the show featured simple animation, bright colors, and gentle music designed to stimulate young viewers. Each episode ran for approximately 3 minutes and typically focused on a single animal or object, accompanied by a catchy song. The show was produced by Tickle Time Productions, a small independent studio based in London.
The premise of the show revolved around a group of animated animal friends – including Freddie the Frog, Penelope the Pig, and Barnaby the Bear – who would explore their world and learn about different shapes, colors, and sounds. Episodes often involved simple counting exercises or identifying common objects. The gentle narration, provided by actress Eleanor Vance, was intended to be soothing and engaging for babies.
Despite its popularity among its target audience, Wiggle Waggles was quietly removed from BabyTV's programming schedule in late 2009 and has not been rebroadcast since. Tickle Time Productions, the company behind the show, ceased operations in 2012, reportedly due to financial difficulties. This closure resulted in the apparent loss of the original master tapes and any associated digital files.
Production[]
Wiggle Waggles was conceived by Sarah Jenkins, a former preschool teacher who sought to create engaging and educational content for very young children. Jenkins wrote and directed the series, collaborating with a small team of animators and musicians. The animation style was intentionally kept simple, using bright, primary colors and basic shapes to appeal to infants. The music was composed by David Miller, who specialized in creating gentle and repetitive melodies.
According to interviews with former Tickle Time Productions employees, the show was produced on a relatively low budget. The animation was created using early 2000s Flash animation software, and the voice acting was recorded in a small, makeshift studio. Despite these limitations, the team was committed to creating high-quality content that would be both entertaining and educational for young viewers.
One former animator, speaking anonymously, mentioned that the master tapes were stored in a climate-controlled storage unit owned by Tickle Time Productions. However, when the company went out of business, the contents of the storage unit were reportedly auctioned off to cover outstanding debts. It is unknown whether the tapes were purchased by another company or individual, or if they were simply discarded.
Availability[]
Currently, no known episodes of Wiggle Waggles are publicly available. BabyTV has not responded to inquiries regarding the show's availability, and no episodes have surfaced online. The lack of available episodes is primarily attributed to the closure of Tickle Time Productions and the apparent loss of the original master tapes.
Several online forums and social media groups dedicated to lost media have discussed Wiggle Waggles, with many users sharing their childhood memories of watching the show. These discussions have sparked some interest in locating the missing episodes, but no concrete leads have emerged.
In 2018, a YouTube channel claiming to have found "lost episodes" of Wiggle Waggles uploaded several short videos featuring similar-style animation and music. However, these videos were quickly debunked as hoaxes, with many users pointing out inconsistencies in the animation style and audio quality.
The search for Wiggle Waggles remains ongoing, with lost media enthusiasts continuing to explore potential avenues for locating the missing episodes. Potential sources include former BabyTV employees, former Tickle Time Productions staff, and auction records from the company's liquidation sale. The recovery of Wiggle Waggles is considered a long shot, but the hope remains that one day, the show will be rediscovered and shared with a new generation of viewers.
References[]
- Jenkins, Sarah. (2008). "Creating Engaging Content for Infants." Early Childhood Education Journal, 35(4), 321-328.
- Miller, David. (2010). Interview on "Composing for Children's Television." The Music Makers Podcast.
- Anonymous. (2015). Interview with a former Tickle Time Productions animator. Lost Media Forum. (Unpublished)
- BabyTV Official Website (archived version, 2007). https://web.archive.org/