Teletubbies

**Teletubbies** is a British-American children's television series, primarily aimed at pre-school viewers, originally produced by Ragdoll Productions from 1997 to 2001 and rebooted from 2015 to present. It was created by Anne Wood CBE, Ragdoll's creative director, and Andrew Davenport, who wrote each of the show's 365 episodes. The programme's original narrator was Tim Whitnall. The programme first aired on BBC Two (during the CBBC programming block) on 31 March 1997.

In the United States, the original series was syndicated on PBS from April 6, 1998 to September 10, 2004. The rebooted series aired instead on the Nick Jr. Channel from May 30, 2016, to August 17, 2018. From May 25, 2016 until April 30, 2020, the original series was also streamed on the Noggin app in the USA. The Noggin app streamed a variety of episodes (such as the Funny Lady episodes) that had never aired on PBS.

Production on the original series ended in 2001, and it was announced that no new episodes would be produced, with the last episode being aired on 16 February 2001. However, a total of 365 episodes had been produced – enough for a full year. In 2015, the series was rebooted for 120 new episodes, which aired on CBeebies in the UK and on the Nick Jr. Channel in the United States. A redubbed version of the reboot premiered on Netflix on November 14, 2022.

The program rapidly became a critical and commercial success in Britain and abroad (particularly notable for its high production values), and won a BAFTA in 1998. *Teletubbies Everywhere* was awarded "Best Pre-school Live Action Series" at the 2002 Children's BAFTA Awards.

The program revolves around the adventures of Tinky-Winky, who is purple, Dipsy, who is green, Laa-Laa, who is yellow, and Po, who is red. In the show, the four colourful Teletubbies play in the cheerful and fun Teletubbyland. They do things that little children like to do, such as rolling on the ground, laughing, running about, and watching real children on the televisions on their stomachs. Mysterious speakers rise out of the ground to show the days' activities. The sun, who has a baby's face, makes baby noises during the show, and it rises and sets to begin and end the show. The baby was portrayed by Jessica Smith.

Although the program is aimed at children between the ages of one and four, it has a popularity with older generations. The mixture of bright colors, unusual designs, repetitive non-verbal dialogue, ritualistic format, and the occasional forays into physical comedy appealed to a demographic who perceived the program as having psychedelic qualities. Teletubbies was controversial for this reason, and also for a perception that it was insufficiently educational.

The program was also at the centre of a controversy when American cleric and conservative pundit Jerry Falwell claimed in 1999 that Tinky Winky, one of the Teletubbies, was a homosexual role model for children. Falwell based this conclusion on the character's purple colour and his triangular antenna; both the colour purple and the triangle are sometimes used as symbols of the Gay Pride movement.

However, despite an ensuing boycott, the program remained in production for two more years, and "Teletubbies say "Eh-oh!", a single based on the show's theme song, reached number 1 in the UK Singles Chart in December 1997 and remained in the Top 75 for 32 weeks, selling over a million copies. It was rebooted in 2015 with new look and new cast consisting of Jeremiah Krage, Nick Chee Ping Kellington, Rebecca Hyland, Rachelle Beinart, Victoria Jane, Berry, Daniel Rigby, Antonia Thomas, Jim Broadbent, Fearne Cotton, Jane Horrocks, Teresa Gallagher, and Rob Rackstraw with Luisa Guerreiro, Olly Taylor, David Walliams, Rochelle Humes, and Ralph Reay joining in later in season 2.

Ragdoll Production Presents Teletubbies (Regular)

Darrall McQueens Presents Teletubbies (Reboot)

## Overview

The programme focuses on four multi-coloured toddlers of a mythological alien species known as "Teletubbies," named for the television screens implanted in the characters' abdomens, "telly" being a common British abbreviation for television. Recognised throughout popular culture for the uniquely-shaped antenna protruding from the head of each being, their respective names, and their signature colours, the four Teletubbies depicted in this programme are Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po. Communicating through gibberish or babbling, the Teletubbies were designed to bear resemblance to live toddlers dwelling within a beautiful, grassy, and floral landscape that is also populated by rabbits with bird calls audible in the background. The main shelter of the four is a grassy dome (known as the "Tubbytronic Superdome," though the real name of the residence is never mentioned during the entire course of the programme) implanted in the ground accessed through sliding down a hole at the top. The creatures co-exist in Teletubbyland (the name of their home environment) with a number of strange contraptions such as the Noo-noo, the group's anthropomorphic blue vacuum cleaner, and the Voice Trumpets. The show is noted for its colourful, psychedelic setting designed specifically by the creators to appeal to the attentionSPANS of infants or unlock different sections of the mind while also educating young children and toddlers of transitions that can be expected in life. Throughout the course of every episode, an assortment of rituals are performed that are sometimes revamped differently each time, such as the playful interactions between the Teletubbies and the voice trumpets, the mishaps caused by the Noo-noo, the footage of live children displayed on the screens in the Teletubbies' stomachs, and the magical event that occurs once per episode. The event differs each time and is often caused inexplicably, and is frequently strange yet whimsical. Often the Teletubbies engage in games with one another, with Noo-noo, or the voice trumpets in many episode segments, and the episode is closed by the narrator and voice trumpets to the disappointed, reluctant, but eventually obedient Teletubbies, who bid the viewer farewell as they disappear into the Tubbytronic Superdome yet again.

## Characters

### Main characters

* **Tinky Winky** (played by Dave Thompson and later Simon Shelton in the original series and Jeremiah Krage in the revival series) is the first Teletubby. He is the largest and oldest of the Teletubbies, is covered in purple terrycloth, and has a triangular antenna on his head. He is notable for the red bag he almost always carries.
* **Dipsy** (played by John Simmit in the original series and Nick Kellington in the revival series) is the second Teletubby. He is green and is named "Dipsy" because his antenna resembles a dipstick. Dipsy is the most stubborn of the Teletubbies, and will sometimes refuse to go along with the other Teletubbies' group opinion. His face is notably darker than the rest of the Teletubbies, and the creators have stated that he is Black.
* **Laa-Laa** (played by Nikky Smedley in the original series and Rebecca Hyland in the revival series) is the third Teletubby. She is yellow and has a curly antenna. She is very sweet, likes to sing and dance, and is often shown looking out for the other Teletubbies.
* **Po** (played by Pui Fan Lee in the original series and Rachelle Beinart in the revival series) is the fourth and last Teletubby. She is the smallest and youngest out of all the Teletubbies. She is red, and has an antenna shaped like a stick used for blowing soap bubbles. Po usually speaks in a soft voice. She has been stated by the show's creators to be Cantonese.

### Supporting characters

* The **Noo-Noo** (operated by Mark Deanin the original series and Victoria Jane and Olly Taylor in the revival series) is both the Teletubbies' guardian and housekeeper, due to his resemblance to a vacuum cleaner. The Noo-noo hardly ever ventures outside the Tubbytronic Superdome, instead remaining indoors and constantly cleaning with his sucker-like nose. He does not speak like the other characters, communicating instead through a series of slurping and sucking noises. At times, the Noo-noo gets annoyed with the Teletubbies' antics and vacuums their food or toys. This usually prompts the Teletubbies to scold the Noo-noo through a cry of "Naughty Noo-noo!"
* The **Sun** (played by Jessica Smithand Berry (surname unknown) in the revival series) appears at the beginning and end of each episode. It has the face of a baby and seems to act as a wake-up call for the Teletubbies.
* The **Voice Trumpets** are several devices resembling periscopes that rise from the ground and interact with the Teletubbies, serving as supervisors for the beings who often arise to engage in games with them. They are the only residents of Teletubbyland who speak in complete English sentences.
* The **Rabbits** are brown-coloured creatures found throughout Teletubbyland. 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.
* The **Tubby Phone** is a character in the revival series. Tubby Phone has the ability to make "Tubby Phone dance" and Teletubbies dance after they pushed the button on the phone. At one point, it has ability to make Tubby photos.
* The **Tiddlytubbies** are baby Teletubbies appearing in the revival series. Their names are Mi-Mi, Daa Daa, Baa, Ping, RuRu, Nin, Duggle Dee and Umby Pumby. The Tiddlytubbies would get their own spin-off animated web series in 2018.

The show also features the voices of Tim Whitnall, Toyah Willcox, Eric Sykes, Mark Heenehan and occasionally Sandra Dickinson and Penelope Keith, all of whom provide narration in the original series. The only physical human cast member is Tamzin Griffin. The show also features the voices of Daniel Rigby, Antonia Thomas, Jim Broadbent, Fearne Cotton, Jane Horrocks, Teresa Gallagher, Rob Rackstraw, David Walliams, Rochelle Humes and Ralph Reay in the revival series. Luisa Guerreiro is featured in the revival series as an understudy actress.

## Medvirkende

* Tinky Winky – Hans Henrik Bærentsen
* Dipsy – Timm Mehrens
* Laa Laa – Louise Engell
* Po – Marie Schjeldahl

### Dansk

* Torben Sekov
* Peter Zhelder
* Anne Lorentzen
* Laura Aller Jonasdottir
* Johannes Bjergfelt

### VHS

* *Teletubbies – Nursery Rhymes*
* *Teletubbies – Dance with the Teletubbies*
* *Teletubbies – Favorite Things*
* *Teletubbies – Funny Day*
* *Teletubbies – Big Hug!*
* *Teletubbies – Go Exercise with the Teletubbies*
* *Teletubbies – The Magic Pumpkin and Other Stories*
* *Teletubbies – Christmas in the Snow*
* *Teletubbies – Silly Songs and Funny Dances*
* *Teletubbies – Look!*
* *Teletubbies – Again-Again!*
* *Altogether Teletubbies – Playful Pals and Delightful Days*
* *Teletubbies – Oooh! Springtime Surprises and Magical Moments*
* *Teletubbies – What's That*
* *Teletubbies - Blue Sky*
* *Teletubbies - Naughty Noo-Noo*
* *Teletubbies - Altogether Teletubbies*

### DVD

* *Teletubbies – Oooh! Springtime Surprises and Magical Moments*
* *Teletubbies – Time to Play*
* *Teletubbies – Blue Sky – Fantastic Friends and Springtime Surprises*
* *Teletubbies – All Fall Down – Funny Friends and Terrific Tumbles*
* *Teletubbies – All Together Teletubbies*
* *Teletubbies – Again-Again!*
* *Teletubbies – Naughty Noo-Noo – Messy Messes and Terrific Tidying*
* *Teletubbies 10 – Time to Dance!*
* *Go! Exercise With the Teletubbies*
* *Teletubbies – Silly Songs and Funny Dances*
* *Teletubbies – Look!*
* *Teletubbies – Christmas in the Snow*
* *Teletubbies – The Magic Pumpkin and Other Stories*
* *Teletubbies – What's That?*
* *Teletubbies – Time for Teletubbies* (features VHS: *Big Hug!* and *Busy Day*)Cult following

Although the programme is aimed at children between the ages of one and four, it had a substantial cult following with older generations, mainly university and college students. The mixture of bright colours, unusual designs, repetitive non-verbal dialogue, ritualistic format, and the occasional forays into physical comedy appealed to many who perceived the programme as having psychedelic qualities.

### In popular culture

* In an episode of *The Simpsons* titled "Hello Gutter, Hello Fadder", Homer dresses up like a Teletubby to entertain Maggie, remarking "...and I'm all man, in case you heard otherwise" in reference to claims by Jerry Falwell.
* In the eleventh episode of the second season of *The Chaser's War on Everything*, the possibility of Tinky Winky being homosexual was parodied when the Chaser's tested the Peel Hotel (in Collingwood,Melbourne, Victoria, Australia)'s gaydar (theHOTEL'S Peel dancebar was given the right to ban heterosexual patrons) with a Tinky Winky costumed figure that acted in a stereotypical homosexual fashion.
* In 2012, during a full second and third season of tvN's *Saturday Night Live Korea*, the South Korean live comic variety show which inspired by its then-creative director Jang Jin, parodied the programme as*Yeouido Teletubbies* (여의도 텔레토비) to portray the 2012 presidential election campaign, by imitating Teletubbies' characters. Each week on Weekend Update (Korean edition) segment, this experimental skit was popular, by reviewing on several social networking sites and online bulletin boards and video clips, such as YouTube. Both the popularity of SNL Korea's 'Crew', Kim Seul-gie and Kim Min-kyo, who acted major candidates respectably, had skyrocketed.

## CD single

Main article: Teletubbies say "Eh-oh!"

In December 1997, BBC Worldwide released a CD single from the series, based on the show's theme song, called *Teletubbies say "Eh-oh!"*. The song is the only single from Teletubbies, making them a one-hit wonder in the United Kingdom, and mostly a remix of the theme song from the hit Television programme performed by the series characters written byANDREW McCrorie-Shand and Andrew Davenport. Produced by McCrorie-Shand and Steve James, this single reached number 1 in the UK Singles Chart in December 1997, remaining in the Top 75 for 32 weeks after its release, selling over a million copies.

## Repeats

Teletubbies has been shown on BBC1 and BBC2 from 1997 - 2001 in both episodic and omnibus formats, CBBC on Choice have also broadcasted Teletubbies, They premiered the Teletubbies on its launch day on Monday November 29th 1999 at 6.00am and was the first programme to be broadcast on the channel, other times it was shown was 9.00am, 12.00pm and 3.00pm, on Monday 22nd May 2000 they added a fifth repeat at teatime at 6.00pm, At weekends from Saturday December 4th 1999 they broadcasted the omnibus edition on Saturday and Sunday at 6.00am and 9.00am, from Saturday April 8th 2000 - Sunday September 3rd 2000 it was 6.00am, 9.15am, 12.30pm and 3.45pm. From Monday 4th September 2000, Teletubbies was shown at 6.30am, 9.30am, 12.30pm and 3.30pm every day until Sunday 10th February 2002 when CBBC on Choice ended. They showed Teletubbies from the first episode, "Ned's Bicycle" to "Ball Games with Debbie". It was one of the regular shows to appear in CBBC on Choice's schedule alongside Tweenies, Playdays, Noddy, Bob the Builder, Bodger and Badger and ChuckleVision, It has also appeared under viewer's requests on Choosy Bits from 2001/02. They have also broadcasted Teletubbies Advent Calendar from 1st December - 25th December 2000 and 2001. Teletubbies continues to be broadcast today on CBeebies since its launch on Monday February 11th 2002 alongside the Tweenies and Postman Pat. the revival series aired on 9 November 2015. It is currently broadcast at 6.00am.