The Wiggles

The yips. It’s an old golf term which refers to golfers who lose the ability to putt. They stand over the ball and they tremble. They quake. They can barely hold the damn club, let alone propel the ball into a hole that suddenly appears the size of a thimble.

The term has since migrated across to other sports. Beijing gold medallist Steve Hooker today admitted that he has the pole vault yips. He just can’t place that pole in the right spot anymore, and his London campaign is in severe jeopardy.

If it’s any consolation Steve, you’re not the only person struggling to get your mojo back. Several other prominent Australians across all walks of life have totally lost the ability to do the thing they were once pretty good at. Here are five more prominent cases of the Yips. The Punch heartily invites more suggestions from you.

Continue reading "Six prominent Aussies with a case of the dreaded “yips”" »

The recent Wiggles interview on the Today Show is worth a look.

Now in these matters I am no polemicist. Although I am used to politics, I am neither Team Sam or Team Greg. I have two young daughters who fall into the Sam generation, but most of our Wiggles collections (DVD’s, CD’s, books, toys and even videos) are hand-me-downs from the Greg era.

In fact the yellow Wiggle is a source of considerable confusion at home.

Continue reading "Why The Wiggles’ PR debacle shouldn’t make us squirm" »

As the original Yellow Wiggle, Greg Page, asks for his seat back in the Big Red Car, we’re reminded The Wiggles is not just child’s play. His return pleases children and parents across the globe, as it means his health has improved after departing five years ago suffering from orthostatic intolerance, an often undiagnosed circulatory system disorder affecting blood flow.

But as I fetch my son’s yoghurt from the fridge, Greg’s (now interim) replacement, Sam Moran stares back at me from the top of the lid. Page’s return is big news for children’s marketing machine behind The Wiggles.

My son loves The Wiggles. He wasn’t born when Greg was in the group. So he will require some introduction to millions of kids. We’ll also need to explain where Sam has gone.

Continue reading "A toddler’s early lesson on the power of the dollar" »

Outside a Sydney court this morning, self-styled Sheikh Haron claimed his views were not being accurately represented.

Accordingly he and a female aide – who video-recorded the Sheikh’s long sermon to reporters on the steps of the court - handed out copies of the letter which is reproduced below.

He faced the Downing Centre Local Court today charged with sending harassing letters to the families of dead Australian soldiers.

Continue reading "Sheik’s plea: Stop killing civilians, call the Wiggles" »