This guide is to let you know what to expect for live Doodlebops performances in the United States.  My two-year-old son summed it up best at the end of the show, when he said, "that's it?"

First off, if you have seen the show on TV or DVD, do not expect your concert to look ANYTHING like it does in the show's concerts.  I own all the DVDs, and my son watches the show religiously - their concerts look like fun with tons of props, Mazz or Jazzmin, and other characters.

However, here's what you WON'T see at a real concert: the real Bus Driver Bob (though the replacement was pretty good), Mazz or Jazzmin, screens with videos before or during the concert, any kind of pre-show entertainment (other than vendors trying to sell you overpriced junk), Mudge, or any other original characters besides the Doodlebops.  The only other people you saw the whole time were four backup dancers.  Don't expect fancy scenery like you see in the show, or the Doodlebops interacting with the audience much except for the very end.  THE DOODLEBOPS DON'T SIGN AUTOGRAPHS OR POSE FOR PICTURES!!!  You know, how they do in the show - none of that at all - I asked.  Instead, you may pay $15 for a picture of your child with cardboard cutouts - nothing else.

The concerts are extremely short.  Our concert was supposed to start at 1:00; they actually started at 1:15, and left again at 1:45.  They took a 15 minute break, and returned shortly after 2:00.  They were gone, and we were back in the car at 2:30!!  They "played" less than one hour total - about half of a real concert - that costs the same amount! 

Even though the price of admission was comparable to real concerts, the souveniers and other extras cost MORE!  Childrens' T-Shirts were $25.  Programs were $15.  Cotton Candy (with a very cheap "wig") was $15!!  Light-up toys were $20!  Small frozen drinks were $10 in a cheap Doodlebops plastic cup!  Small plush dolls were $20 - they looked like more of a small dog's chew toy than anything.  And those instrument toys that you can buy on ebay for $10, or at Walmart for even less cost $35 - $40 each! 

Finally, apparently all their concerts are identical in this region.  The people right behind me had taken their kids to a concert one year ago in a different city, and it was all the same.  Same songs, same dances, same prices, and same short show.  We're talking 10 - 12 total songs - do you know any real musicians that can do that and still stay in business?

My son loves the Doodlebops, and I still like them too; I may even continue to purchase their DVDs...we'll see.  However, I will never buy tickets or otherwise support their live shows because of the corporate greed I saw in their concert.  Instead, I encourage anyone who wants to spend money on Doodlebops products to buy the DVDs that are a much better deal than a concert, and you can watch them over and over.  The DVDs even have extras that no show will give you - don't waste your money on tickets for a show that lasts less than 60 minutes - just one of their DVDs lasts longer than their concerts!  Many other Doodlebops items can also be found in "bargain bins" at Walmart, so you may even want to look there.  I don't want to tell anyone not to like the Doodlebops, but I would strongly encourage you to avoid their concerts.  If you have been to a concert and feel the same way, please think about writing the Feld Entertainment company - just go to their website and find the email addresses from there, or contact me with questions.