9 November 2015 (2015-11-09) – 12 October 2018 (2018-10-12)
Teletubbies is a Britishchildren's television series created byAnne Wood andAndrew Davenport for theBBC. The programme focuses on four differently coloured characters known as the Teletubbies, named after the television screens on their bellies. Recognised throughoutpopular culture for the uniquely shapedantenna protruding from the head of each character, the Teletubbies communicate mostly through gibberish and were designed to bear resemblance to toddlers.[3]
The series rapidly became a commercial success in Britain and abroad. It won multipleBAFTA awards and was nominated for twoDaytime Emmys throughout its run.[4][5] Asingle based on the show's theme song reached number 1 in theUK Singles Chart in December 1997 and remained in the Top 75 for 32 weeks, selling over a million copies.[6] By October 2000, the franchise generated over £1billion ($1.6 billion) in merchandise sales.[7]
Though the original run ended in 2001,[8][verification needed] a rebooted series was green-lit in 2014.[9][10] The reboot premiered onCBeebies in the United Kingdom and on theNick Jr. Channel in the United States.[11] The reboot ran for 120 episodes, with the last episode airing on the Nick Jr. Channel on 17 August 2018.[12]
Plot
The programme takes place in a grassy, floral landscape populated byrabbits withbird calls audible in the background. The main shelter of the four Teletubbies is anearth house known as the "Tubbytronic Superdome" implanted in the ground and accessed through a hole at the top or an especially large semicircular door at the dome's foot. The Teletubbies co-exist with a number of strange contraptions such as the Voice Trumpets and the group'santhropomorphic bluevacuum cleaner ("Noo-Noo"). The show's colourful psychedelic setting was designed specifically to appeal to the attention spans of infants and unlock different sections of the mind while also educating young children of transitions that can be expected in life.
An assortment of rituals is performed throughout the course of every episode, such as the playful interactions between the Teletubbies and the Voice Trumpets, mishaps caused by the Noo-Noo, the footage of children displayed on the screens on the Teletubbies' stomachs, and the magical event[c] that occurs once per episode. The event differs each time; it is often caused inexplicably and is frequently strange yet whimsical. Each episode is closed by the Voice Trumpets and the narrator. The disappointed, reluctant, but obedient Teletubbies bid farewell to the viewer as they go back to the Tubbytronic Superdome while the Sun Baby sets.
Characters
The main characters. From left to right: Dipsy, Laa-Laa, Po, and Tinky-Winky
Main characters
Tinky Winky (played byDave Thompson andSimon Shelton in the original series and byJeremiah Krage in the revival series)[13] is the first Teletubby, as well as the largest, oldest and leader of the group. He is covered in purpleterrycloth and has atriangularantenna on his head. He often carries a red bag.
Dipsy (played byJohn Simmit in the original series and byNick Kellington in the revival series)[14] is the second Teletubby. He is green and named after his antenna, which resembles adipstick. Dipsy is the most stubborn of the Teletubbies, and will occasionally refuse to go along with the others' group opinion. His face is notably darker than the rest of the Teletubbies, and the creators have stated that he isBlack.[15] He often wears a large hat with a black and white pattern.
Laa-Laa (played by Nikky Smedley in the original series and by Rebecca Hyland in the revival series)[14] is the third Teletubby. She is yellow and has a curly antenna. Laa-Laa is very sweet, likes to sing and dance, and is often shown looking out for the other Teletubbies. Her favourite toy is an orange rubber ball.
Po (played byPui Fan Lee in the original series and by Rachelle Beinart in the revival series)[14] is the fourth Teletubby, as well as the shortest and youngest. She is red and has an antenna shaped like a stick used for blowingsoap bubbles. Po normally speaks in a soft voice and has been stated by the show's creators to beCantonese;[15] she sometimes speaksthe language. Her favourite toy is a blue and pink scooter.
Supporting characters
Noo-Noo (operated by Mark Dean in the original series and Victoria Jane and Olly Taylor in the revival series)[16] is a sentient vacuum cleaner who acts as both the Teletubbies' guardian and housekeeper. He hardly ever ventures outside the Tubbytronic Superdome, instead remaining indoors and constantly cleaning with his sucker-like nose. He communicates through a series of slurping and sucking noises. He occasionally misbehaves and sucks up anything from tubby toast to blankets, which prompts the Teletubbies to call him "Naughty Noo-Noo" and give chase. He was blue in the original series and had orange, pink and yellow stripes in the revival series.
TheSun Baby (played by Jess Smith in the original series and Berry in the revival series)[18] appears at the beginning and end of each episode. She acts as a wake-up call for the Teletubbies.
Numerousrabbits are found throughout Teletubbyland, and are depicted by severalFlemish Giant rabbits. The Teletubbies enjoy watching them hop and play. The rabbits are the only type of Earth animal found in the land, and take residence in rabbit holes and bushes. They are hardly ever seen in the magical events, apart from the Lion and Bear (edited sketch).
TheTubby Phone (voiced byJane Horrocks)[17] is a character in the revival series. Tubby Phone has the ability to make "Tubby Phone dance" and Teletubbies dance after they push the button on the phone. At one point, it has the ability to make Tubby photos.
TheTiddlytubbies (voiced byTeresa Gallagher) are baby Teletubbies appearing in the revival series. Their names are Mi-Mi, Daa Daa, Baa, Ping, RuRu, Nin, Duggle Dee and Umby Pumby.[19] The Tiddlytubbies would get their own spin-off animated web series in 2018.
Release
On 31 March 1997, the first episode ofTeletubbies aired onBBC2 on theCBBC programming block. It filled a time slot previously held byPlaydays. This schedule change initially received backlash from parents, but the show was not moved.[20] The programme's unconventional format quickly received attention from the media, and it was attracting two million viewers per episode by August.[21] In February 1998,The Sydney Morning Herald noted that it had "reached cult status" in less than a year on the air.[22]
Teletubbies has been aired in over 120 countries in 45 different languages.[23][24] In the United States, the series airs onNickelodeon's sister channel, theNick Jr. Channel.[25][26] Episodes were also released through the Nick Jr. mobile application and on-demand services.[27][28] The original series returned to the United States on 25 May 2016, when every episode was added to theNoggin streaming service,[26] including episodes that had never aired in America before.[29][30] It aired onPBS Kids in the United States from 6 April 1998 to 29 August 2008, after acquiring the show from BBC in 1997.[31][32]BBC Studios channels carry the series in most of Africa, Asia and Poland.[33] A Spanish dub airs onClan in Spain.[34] In Greece, the series airs onNickelodeon Greece.[35]NPO Zappelin carries the show in the Netherlands andMTVA airs it in Hungary.[33] In Australia and New Zealand, the series airs on CBeebies Australia[36] andABC Kids. In New Zealand alone, the series first aired on 16 March 1998 onTV3 two times a day, in the morning and afternoon slots for children. Bettina Hollings, its director of programming, had spent a day at the filming location in September 1997 and had even owned a set of soft toys of the main characters.[37]JimJam's Benelux feed airs the series andUltra airs it in Serbia.[34]Teletubbies also airs onSIC in Portugal ande-Junior in the Middle East.[33] InSingapore, the series aired over-the-air onPremiere 12 six days a week, attracting by mid-1998 an audience of 78,000 viewers, and twice a week on cable, on theEureka Learning Channel. The series also gave a notable subscription drive for Singapore Television Twelve's magazine, owing to Teletubby plush toys sweepstakes.[38]
A redubbed version of the 2015 reboot premiered onNetflix on 14 November 2022 featuringTituss Burgess.[39]
The show was created by Anne Wood and Andrew Davenport after the BBC requested their pitch for a show aimed at preschoolers. Inspired by Davenport's interest inastronauts, specificallyApollo 11 and the firstMoon landing, as well as their concern about "how children were reacting to the increasingly technological environment of the late 1990s", the two put together a pitch which the BBC picked up.[40]
Finding a shooting location was a challenge, as they wanted to film the production outside but were unable to locate a place "with a suitable bowl-like dip". They ended up filming on a farm inWimpstone, Warwickshire,[41] where they had previously shotTots TV.[40] Due to problems with a previous television show shooting at the location, the shooting was protested by the locals, although they calmed down after being assured that "it was a low-key children's programme and no one would be aware of the filming".[40] After the show took off, though, its popularity caused the land to be overrun by the press. In 2013, due to the continued trespassing, its owner, Rosemary Harding, had the location filled with water and turned into a small pond: "People were jumping fences and crossing cattle fields. We're glad to see the back of it."[42]
According to Davenport, the press was particularly interested in getting photos of the actors in their Teletubby costumes without their heads on. Eventually, the team took measures to secure their privacy, including blindfolding visitors coming to the set and creating a tent for the actors to change in secret.[40]
The artist who originally drew the characters that would become the Teletubbies was the illustrator and caricaturist Jonathan Hills, who also designed digital images for television programmes includingPoirot.[43][44] In 2022 a sample from a collection of original drawings were presented by Hills' widow Lucy on the BBC showAntiques Roadshow. The collection was valued, by expertMark Hill, at up to £80,000.[45]
Golden Bear Toys distributed the first line ofTeletubbies dolls shortly after the programme's debut.[46] They were sold internationally, with talking toys available in multiple languages.[47]Hasbro signed on to develop a new range of products in 1998.[48] In 1999,Microsoft UK released a set of interactive "ActiMates" toys based on the characters.[49] The Rasta Imposta company introducedTeletubbies costumes for children and adults in the same year.[50] Two educationalvideo games featuring the characters were also released throughout the series' run.[51][52]
Teletubbies dolls were the top-selling Christmas toy in 1997.[53][54] Demand outstripped supply at most retailers, reportedly prompting many shops to ration them to one per customer.[55] In some cases, shoppers camped outside stores overnight in hopes of purchasingTeletubbies merchandise.[56][57] Fights over the toys broke out among parents and collectors on occasion.[58][59] Over one million dolls were sold in Britain by 25 December of that year, with Golden Bear representatives estimating that sales could have reached three million if supplies had been available.[60] The plush toys were named "Toy of the Year" by theBritish Association of Toy Retailers in 1998.[61]
Kids' meal tie-ins have been released atfast-food restaurants throughout North America. In May 1999,Burger King distributed a set of sixTeletubbies plush toys.[62] They also includedchicken nuggets shaped like the characters on their menu for a brief period of time.[63] Keychains modelled after the characters were available atMcDonald's in April 2000.[64] These promotions became controversial among adults who believed they were intended to attract toddlers to high-fat food.[65] PsychiatristAlvin Francis Poussaint considered the deals "troubling".[66] He voiced his opinion on the matter publicly, but did not take action against the companies.[67]
OverseasTeletubbies merchandise sales throughout the 1990s delivered €136 million in profits for the BBC.[70] By the time of the programme's cancellation,Teletubbies toys had generated over £200 million in revenue for co-creator Anne Wood alone.[71] In 2005, Chris Hastings and Ben Jones ofThe Daily Telegraph calledTeletubbies "the most lucrative show in BBC television history."[72]
In 2021, WildBrain, who owns the Teletubbies brand, launched a Teletubbies Pride Collection, with merchandise proceeds going towards efforts to expand LGBTQ images and inclusion in children’s and family programming.[73]
Live events
Teletubbies in the Hamley's Toy Parade in 2016
To commemorate the tenth anniversary of the premiere ofTeletubbies, a series of events took place from March to April 2007.[74] The characters headlined an invitation-only event inLondon on 21 March 2007. They appeared inNew York City'sTimes Square,Grand Central Terminal, andApollo Theater. They were also interviewed onNBC'sThe Today Show in an episode that included the first televised appearance of the actors without their costumes. A partnership was formed withIsaac Mizrahi in which Mizrahi designed Teletubbies-inspired bags to beauctioned off to benefit charities. A new line of clothing was launched at the Pop-Up Shop[75] and other speciality stores.New York City mayorMike Bloomberg announced 28 March 2007 "Teletubbies Day" and gave thekey to the city to the Teletubbies. Following their show in New York, the Teletubbies went on their first live European tour, performing in London,Paris,Bremen,Darmstadt,Halle,Hamburg,Köln, andHannover.[76]
In January 2016, costumedTeletubbies characters appeared at theAmerican International Toy Fair.[77] In April 2016, the series' premiere on the Greek Nickelodeon channel was advertised with a series of appearances by the Teletubbies at malls throughoutAthens.[78][79] This began with a live show at Avenue Mall on 16 April, which featured both the Teletubbies and a host from the network.[80] Throughout May 2016, the characters appeared on variousbreakfast television programmes to promote the upcoming series debut on the Nick Jr. Channel in the United States.[81][82]
Reception
Critical reception
Common Sense Media's Emily Ashby found that "while the show's examples of cooperative play, wonder, and simple joys are gentle and pleasing, the creatures can still be a little grating to parents watching along."[83] Caryn James ofThe New York Times stated in her review that the episodes "offer a genuinely appealing combination: cute and slightly surreal."[84]
Upon the show's release, some critics feared that the characters' use of babbling in place of complete sentences would negatively affect young viewers' ability to communicate. TheDaily Mirror reported in 1997 that many parents objected to its "goo-goo style" and "said the show was a bad influence on their children."[85] Marina Krcmar, a professor of communication at theWake Forest University, told interviewers in 2007 that "toddlers learn more from an adult speaker than they do from a program such asTeletubbies."[86] However, Paul McCann ofThe Independent defended this aspect of the show, stating that "Teletubbies upsets those who automatically assume that progressive and creative learning is trendy nonsense. Those who believe that education should be strictly disciplined and functional, even when you're 18 months old. ThankfullyTeletubbies isn't for them. It's for kids."[20]
The programme's magical event that features a cut-outlion chasing a cut-outbear was deemed inappropriate for children by parents for its unsettling tone, cinematography, and music. It was subsequently banned in several countries. A revised version of the sketch was aired several years later with adjusted editing and voice acting.[87][88]
Although the programme is aimed at children between the ages of one and four, it had a substantialcult following with older generations, mainlyuniversity andcollegestudents.[58][89][90] The mixture of bright colours, unusual designs, repetitive non-verbal dialogue, ritualistic format, and occasional forays into physical comedy appealed to many who perceived the programme as havingpsychedelic qualities.[91] Shortly after the premiere of the show, atImperial College London, the campus activities calendar included airtimes and episode highlights.[89]
Tinky Winky controversy
A group of people in Tinky Winky costumes atMardi Gras, 1999
Controversy arose in 1999 concerning Tinky Winky and him carrying a bag that looks much like a woman'shandbag (although he was first "outed" by the academic and cultural critic Andy Medhurst in a letter from July 1997 toThe Face).[92] He aroused the interest ofJerry Falwell in 1999 when Falwell alleged that the character was a "gay role model". Falwell issued an attack in hisNational Liberty Journal, citing aWashington Post "In/out" column which stated thatlesbian comedianEllen DeGeneres was "out" as the chief national gay representative, while trendy Tinky Winky was "in". He warned parents that Tinky Winky could be a covert homosexual symbol, because "he ispurple, thegay pride colour, and his antenna is shaped like a triangle: thegay pride symbol."[93] The BBC made an official response, explaining that "Tinky Winky is simply a sweet, technological baby with a magic bag."[94] Kenn Viselman of Itsy-Bitsy Entertainment commented, "He's not gay. He's notstraight. He's just a character in a children's series."[95]
In May 2007,Polish Ombudsman for ChildrenEwa Sowińska revisited the matter, and planned to order an investigation.[96] "I noticed that he has a woman's handbag, but I didn't realise he's a boy", Sowińska said in a public statement. She asked her office'spsychologists to look into the allegations. After the research in late 2007, she stated: "The opinion of a leadingsexologist, who maintains that this series has no negative effects on a child's psychology, is perfectly credible. As a result, I have decided that it is no longer necessary to seek the opinion of other psychologists."[97]
Despite the objections, theIndependent on Sunday's editors included Tinky Winky as the only fictional character in the 2008 inaugural "Happy List", alongside 99 real-life adults recognised for making Britain a better and happier place.[98]
In response to this controversy, the gay community embraced the Teletubbies, with Tinky Winky leading pride parades[99] and being featured on restaurant menus with themed items.[100] In 2021, WildBrain, owner of the Teletubbies brand, declared their support for the LGBTQ+ community with the statement "Teletubbies Love Pride." The company released a limited collection of merchandise with proceeds supportingGLAAD. In a statement, WildBrain said, "The Teletubbies have always embraced their own offbeat quirkiness and sense of style. This Pride Month, we're celebrating that 'love who you are' spirit through our Collection of ready-to-rave fashion that makes Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po very proud."[101][102] This was followed up by a 30-piece gender-fluid adult fashion collection commemorating Pride 2022.[103]
On 28 May 2022, to promote the franchise's 25th anniversary, the Teletubbies made an appearance onBritain's Got Talent in theLondon Palladium, where they "auditioned" by performing covered songs from their "Ready, Steady, Go!" album, as well as other songs such asBeyoncé's "Single Ladies" andOne Direction's "Best Song Ever".[122] At the end of the performance, they gaveSimon Cowell, who helped them release their song that got to number 1, a big hug onstage.[123]
The opening scene in 2025's28 Years Later features a group of kids watchingTeletubbies on the same day as the beginning of the Rage Virus outbreak. A hard rock cover of the show's theme song is also played later in the film.[124]
In December 1997,BBC Studios released a CD single from the series, based on the show's theme song, called "Teletubbies say 'Eh-oh!'" It is the only single fromTeletubbies, making the characters aone-hit wonder in the United Kingdom. The song was written byAndrew McCrorie-Shand andAndrew Davenport, and produced by McCrorie-Shand and Steve James. The single reached number 1 in the UK Singles Chart in December 1997, and remained in the Top 75 for 32 weeks after its release.[125]
In December 2017,Teletubbies Play Time was released worldwide for mobile devices by Built Games.[126]
Spinoffs
Teletubbies Everywhere
Teletubbies Everywhere is a spin-off (aka segment in the United States) ofTeletubbies that aired onCBeebies on 11 February 2002. In the United States, the segment premiered on 20 January 2003 on PBS Kids,[127] usually replacing the original first half of the Teletubbies episodes.
Teletubbies Everywhere are 10-minute episodes that teach about colours, shapes, numbers, simple concepts such as up and down or big and small, and culture.
Teletubbies Everywhere does not take place in Teletubbyland. Instead, it takes place in a variety of coloured backgrounds that change between segments. Each episode follows the same format which includes 4–5 segments (between the intro and ending).
In 2018, a spin-off animated web series featuring the Tiddlytubbies characters debuted on the official TeletubbiesYouTube channel.[128] These shorts are animated byWildBrain Spark Studios, a subsidiary ofWildBrain that produces content for theWildBrain Spark network.
Teletubbies: Ready, Steady, Go!
A CGI-animated music-focused spin-off titledTeletubbies: Ready, Steady, Go!, produced by WildBrain Spark Studios, premiered in September 2021 and was eventually pre-sold overseas.[129]
The series tied into an album that was released digitally and on CD on 15 October 2021, and was made to prepare for the franchise's 25th anniversary. Universal Music Canada andVirgin Music Label & Artist Services handled global distribution rights to the album.[130]
Teletubbies: Let's Go!
A CGI-animated spin-off calledTeletubbies: Let's Go! was announced by WildBrain on 15 September 2022.[131] and premiered in October of that year on the show's YouTube channel. As with the other online spin-offs, it was produced by WildBrain Spark Studios, and consists of 52 five-minute shorts.
The spin-off was also pre-sold internationally, withITV obtaining UK broadcast rights.[129]
Notes
^Toyah Willcox voiced the titles and credits in the original series.Rolf Saxon narrated the US version andRudolph Walker voiced the titles and credits.
^Either an animal parade marching through Teletubbyland, a magical house with four windows and a singing puppet man inside, a teddy bear tap dancing in a hovering gazebo, a magic tree with five white doves flying onto the branches, three ships sailing on a magical lake, a lion and bear playing hide-and-seek, orLittle Bo-Peep trying to find her sheep.
^ab"Prix 2014 Prize Winners"(PDF). Prix Jeunesse International. 12 November 2000. Archived fromthe original(PDF) on 27 January 2016. Retrieved4 January 2014.
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