When the gang from TV's "Hi-5" was seen waving to fans from atop a float in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade three years ago, mass hysteria ensued. And that was just in the family of children's programming researcher Will Anderson.

His daughter was 7 at the time.

"I don't know if it was retro in the eyes of second- and third-graders, but `Hi-5' fever hit her school and so she started watching it in the morning. And since I'm the one that gets her to school, I started watching it, too," says Anderson, an assistant professor in the School of Broadcast and Cinematic Arts at Central Michigan University. "But when they made a public appearance in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, that really threw it over the top."

As further testament to its growing status as a pop-culture icon, "Hi-5" - the hugely popular U.S. version of the Australian kids' variety show that unseated the Wiggles from their throne - has carved a niche for itself as a live concert experience.

"Hi-5 Live!" rolls through Los Angeles this weekend, with two performances today at the Grove of Anaheim and one Sunday at UCLA's Royce Hall.

We asked original cast members Kimee Balmilero, 27, and Curtis Cregan, 30, about their hit series, now in its fifth year on Discovery Kids and The Learning Channel.

Q: When you started acting, did you ever think you'd be doing a kids' show?

Balmilero: I don't think any of us ever expected to do a kids' show. But we've been doing it for five years now and it's been amazing.

Q: How so?

Balmilero: It's just a big party. We sing really fun songs that the kids sing over and over again, and all of a sudden they've learned a new word, or they've learned how to count. It's a really cool way of approaching learning and all that good stuff.

Cregan: And because of the mixed cast, it gives kids a great opportunity to become friends with somebody that might not look like them.

Q: What were you doing before "Hi-5" came along?

Balmilero: I was in New York doing "Mamma Mia."

Cregan: I was living in New York City and starting to wonder, "Do I want to keep acting?" I had just gotten my real estate license. And on my first day, the phone call came through for the audition. I wasn't having much fun in real estate so I had a reason to really work hard on that audition. And it worked out. Three weeks later we were in Australia.

Q: What was that like?

Balmilero: When we got to Australia? That's when we realized how much potential this show had because the Australian cast now has been doing it for 10 years. They're the No. 1 kids' show there. They're bigger than the Wiggles. I remember when they took us to this huge merchandise room and it was literally packed with "Hi-5" dolls, "Hi-5" tents, "Hi-5" sheets. And we were in there having just booked this job, and we were like, "Oh my goodness," you know? And now still to see our faces on shirts, or to see our dolls, or to see us on DVDs or backpacks or something, it's so surreal.

Q: What do you think the producers liked about you?

Cregan: I think with this job in particular they were looking for a real person, not a character, mainly because kids see through a facade.

Q: Sounds like kids are a tough crowd.

Balmilero: Yes, and because they can tell when you're not being honest, it was very important for the producers to find five people that could connect with kids. We're not just five actors who come on stage to sing and dance and then leave. We love to stay and meet our fans. We love to be role models.

Q: Have you always been a natural with kids?

Cregan: Funny enough, I never had much experience with kids before this. I have a younger brother, but we're very close in age. So, I think kids are just drawn to playful, energetic, animated people.

Q: And unlike the Wiggles, you all look so young.

Cregan: I think that was a deliberate choice by the producers. The Wiggles have been very successful, but I think our producers wanted to separate "Hi-5" from the Wiggles by getting a mixed cast, both racially and gender-wise, and also to go for that older brother, older sister character on the program as opposed to the friendly uncle.

Q: Are you ever approached on the street by fans?

Cregan: Every now and then when I'm walking down the street, two moms with strollers will be like, "Curtis, we love you!" It's great.

Q: The fans do love you.

Cregan: They do. And you know in some of the other celebrity worship that goes on, I think people adore certain celebrities for all the wrong reasons. But this is a very honest, straightforward and truthful job. And so I feel very comfortable in saying hello and accepting their love because it's reciprocated.

Q: So, it's safe to assume that you're still enjoying it after five years?

Cregan: I am. It's really been a cool experience to see so many families and to see what that means because I don't have kids. I just got married a month ago. So, it's been very eye-opening.

Q: You think you'll have kids of your own one day?

Balmilero: Yes, but not just yet. I'm having too much fun with my little brothers and sisters all over the country.