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Teletubbies

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Teletubbies
Teletubbies
Created byAnne Wood
Andrew Davenport
Developed byRagdoll Productions
Narrated byTim Whitnall, Toyah Wilcox, Eric Sykes
Country of origin United Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes365
Production
Executive producersDavid Hiller
Vic Finch
Running time24 minutes
Original release
NetworkBBC/PBS
ReleaseMarch 31, 1997 –
January 5, 2001

Teletubbies is a BBC children's television series, particularly aimed at babies and preschool children, produced from 1997 to 2001 by Ragdoll Productions. It was created by Anne Wood CBE, Ragdoll's creative director, and Andrew Davenport, who wrote each of the show's 365 episodes. Narrated by Tim Whitnall, the programme rapidly became a critical and commercial success in Britain and abroad, particularly notable for its high production values; it won a BAFTA in 1998.

Although the show is aimed at children between the ages of one and four, it has been a substantial cult hit with older generations, particularly university students[citation needed]. "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.

In 2007, the show is celebrating its tenth anniversary with a new illustrated art style and website.

Overview

The programme features four colourful characters: Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po who live in a futuristic dome (the "Tubbytronic Superdome"), set in a landscape of rolling hills. The environment is dotted with unusually talkative flowers and periscope-like "voice trumpets". The only natural fauna are rabbits (although birds are often heard, particularly blackcaps and wrens). The climate is always sunny and pleasant save for occasional inclement days, with rain and puddles, and snow at Christmas time.

The Teletubbies are played by actors dressed in bulky costumes, although the sets are designed to give no sense of scale. The costumes vaguely resemble large spacesuits, although the Tubbies appear not to wear clothes. They are instead furry, and have metallic silver-azure rectangular "screens" adorning their abdomens. These screens are used to segue into short film sequences, which are generally repeated at least once. When the series is shown in different countries around the world, the film inserts are to be tailored to suit local audiences. (The British inserts are default).

The Teletubbies have the body proportions, behaviour and language of toddlers. The pacing and design of the show was developed by cognitive psychologist, Andrew Davenport, who structured the show to fit the attention spans of the target audience. The repetition of practically every word is familiar to everyone who has ever worked with young children.

The Teletubbies speak in a gurgling baby language which is the subject of some controversy among educationalists, some of whom argue that this supposedly made-up talk is not good for children.[1] (A similar complaint was made forty years previously about another children's series, Flower Pot Men). Tubbies are at the stage of understanding speech but not yet fully capable of articulating it, exactly like their target audience. They often simply groan in disapproval in situations where a human toddler would throw a tantrum. The Teletubbies' catch-phrases are Eh-oh (hello), as in: Eh-oh, Laa-Laa, to which Laa-Laa will respond, Eh-oh, [other Tubby's name]; "Uh-oh", a common toddler response to anything untoward; "Run away! Run away!", especially from Dipsy; and "Bye-bye" at least four times in a row. Laa-Laa, when flustered, will explode with "Bibberly cheese!", which is as angry as they get. Perhaps the most common exclamation, however, is "Big hug!" which one or more of the Teletubbies will invariably call for during the course of an episode, resulting in an enthusiastic group hug.

The surreal environment is an evocation of a toddler's perception of the world, where they are ordered about and told to go to sleep, while wonderful and mysterious things happen without explanation. A prominent feature of each episode is a radiant sun that has an image of a smiling, white baby superimposed upon it. The baby in the sun occasionally laughs out loud in short bursts. To adults the laughter does not seem to be in response to any stimulus or humorous developments in the plot line of the episode.

The Teletubbies' diet seems to consist exclusively of Tubby Custard (which is sucked through a spiral straw bowl) and Tubby Toast (circular toast with a smiley face on it). One of their companions is the Noo-Noo, a sentient, self-propelled vacuum cleaner.

Machines like the Noo-Noo, voice trumpets, and the televisions in the Teletubbies' stomachs were designed to show small children, who are born into a world surrounded by strange and powerful electronic gadgets, that technology is benevolent and helpful, not something to be afraid of.

In 2001, production was cancelled and it was announced that no new episodes would be produced. It is often alleged that this was due to substantial pay rise demands by the previously anonymous actors portraying the Teletubbies. However, since the four years of production had exceeded the target audience's age span, it was deemed that continuation was unnecessary, and the existing 365 episodes will be played in re-runs for years to come.

The Teletubbies' landscape is an outdoor set located in rural Warwickshire, England, at Sweet Knowle Farm, Redhill Bank Rd, Whimpstone, CV37 8NR (between Stratford upon Avon and Shipston on Stour, close to the River Stour.[2][3][4] It was reported that by 2002 the set had become overgrown, and pending the 2003 lease expiry it was expected to become farmland again.

Character summary

Tinky Winky (Purple)

(Dave Thompson, Mark Heenehan, Simon Shelton): Male. He is the largest of the Teletubbies, with a triangular antenna on his head. Tinky Winky is notable for the red luggage (described by the show as a "magic bag", but often described by other media as a handbag) he carries.

Dipsy (Green)

(John Simmit): Male. He has a straight dipstick on his head, hence his name. His favourite item to wear and carry with him is his black and white hat. Dipsy is the most obstinate of the characters, and will sometimes refuse to go along with the other Tubbies' group opinion.

Laa-Laa (Yellow)

(Nikky Smedley): Female. She has a curly antenna and is very concerned with the welfare of all. She's the best singer of the teletubbies. "Drama queen", party-girl and mother type.

Po (Red)

(Pui Fan Lee): Female. Although many are unsure of Po's gender, or consider her to be male (possibly because of her scarlet colour and tomboyish antics), she is clearly referred to as female in several episodes, such as "Dad's Portrait" (Episode 216, first broadcast 1998) and "Numbers:2" (Episode 30). Her antenna is short with a circle on top. Po is the smallest of the Teletubbies and often the one who gets into innocent trouble. Favourite thing: her scooter ("Po 'cooter!"). Bilingual: Speaks the broadcasting country's language and Cantonese. Of all the Teletubbies, Po usually becomes most involved with the audience.

Teletubbies 10th Anniversary Events

To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the premiere of Teletubbies, a series of events took place at the end of March through the beginning of April of 2007. [5]

File:Teletubbies test logo.jpg

TakeTheTeletubbiesTest.com

  • TakeTheTeletubbiesTest.com launched on 26 March 2007. On the website, users can create profiles, take "tests," ask Po questions, and submit their own pictures and videos. There was also a station set up at the Teletubbies Pop-Up Shop where visitors could record themselves giving their reactions to the Teletubbies programme and upload it onto the website.

Pop-Up Shop

File:Teletubbiesstore.jpg
Teletubbies store in New York City

Tinky Winky controversies

One of the Teletubbies, Tinky Winky, was the focus of a still hinted-at controversy in 1999 due to his carrying a bag that looks much like a woman's handbag (although he was first "outed" by the academic and cultural critic Andy Medhurst in a letter of July 1997 to The Face).

A February 1999 article in the National Liberty Journal, published by evangelical pastor Jerry Falwell, warned parents that Tinky Winky could be a hidden homosexual symbol, because "he is purple, the gay pride colour, and his antenna is shaped like a triangle, the gay pride symbol."

A spokesman for Itsy Bitsy Entertainment Co., who licenses the characters in the United States, said that the bag was just a magic bag. "The fact that he carries a magic bag doesn't make him a homosexual. It's a children's show, folks. To think we would be putting sexual innuendo in a children's show is kind of outlandish," he added.

In May 2007, Polish government appointed children rights watchdog Ewa Sowińska revisited the matter, and planned to order an investigation.[7] She said in the May 28 2007 edition of Polish magazine Wprost that the woman's handbag-carrying Tinky Winky could promote homosexuality. Journalists from Wprost mentioned claims the Teletubbies promote homosexuality, to which Sowińska replied that she had heard of the issue. The journalists then asked about Tinky Winky. "I noticed that he has a woman's handbag, but I didn't realize he's a boy," Sowińska told the magazine in an interview her office approved before publication, adding: "Later I learned that there could be some hidden homosexual undertones." Sowińska said she would ask her office's psychologists to look into the allegations "and judge whether it can be shown on public television and whether the suggested problem really exists."

But on May 30 2007, Sowińska said in a public statement that she no longer suspected the Teletubbies of promoting homosexuality. She said: "The opinion of a leading sexologist, 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".[8]

In an unrelated incident reported in 2000, a girl's Tinky Winky toy reportedly said "I got a gun". Kenn Viselman, then chairman of the Itsy Bitsy Entertainment Co., claimed the toy actually said "Again, Again." [9]

Child Molestation Charges

In 2003, Selena Punt filed charges against the actors who played the Teletubbies on the popular kids series on Child Molestation.

Her son, Frederico, 4 years old, was having a sleepover with the teletubbies as part of the Make A Wish Foundation (the child was diagnosed with leukemia six months prior). Upon bathing the child the next day after the cast had left after the sleepover, Selena discovered bruising and lacerations around Frederico's anus. Upon getting Frederico to the hospital she learned that the bruising was consistent with insertion.

Producers of the show settled out of court and Selena Punt has kept her silence since then.

Spoofs=

At the height of the show's popularity, it was heavily parodied.

  • Several episodes of The Simpsons contain references to the Teletubbies. Notable episodes include "Days of Wine and D'oh'ses" where a character called Gaa Gaa says "hurt everyone" which goes unnoticed because of the character's "cute name", and "Blame it on Lisa" in which Bart watches a Brazilian children's learning show called "Teleboobies" which has a different premise but the title is an obvious pun. In "Hello Gutter, Hello Fadder", Homer dresses up as a Teletubby to entertain Maggie. His line, "...and I'm all man, in case you heard otherwise" is a reference to the Tinky Winky controversy. In "Missionary: Impossible", several PBS mainstays chase Homer for reneging on a pledge to donate money to public television. In the crowd is also the teletubbies whose headgear shoot lasers. Character Milhouse Van Houten is apparently a closet fan, as evidenced by his undergarments and his private TV viewing.
  • The Australian sketch show Full Frontal included many sketches featuring "Telestubbies" named Tipsy, Drinky-Drinky, Blah and Paro. These four Teletubby look-alikes, emblazoned with Australian beer labels and with beer taps on their heads, would wander around aimlessly committing crimes.
  • The New Zealand show Mai Time had a sketch entitled Smellie Grubbies, the characters names being Stinky Winky, Dipstick, Mars Bar and Poo.
  • In an episode of Grounded for Life, Claudia thought that Jimmy was high on drugs because he was laughing while watching Teletubbies. Eddie then asked Jimmy why he was laughing. Jimmy responded "Oh. Po tripped over Laa-laa and fell in the flower bed." Eddie then explained it to Claudia.
  • In an episode of Arthur, Buster claims Muffy as "the fifth Teletubby" in "The Contest", the first segment of "The Contest/Prove It". There also seems to be at least three Teletubbies equivalents in the series, known as "Love Ducks", "Vidiboobies", and "Silly Squirrels".
  • In an episode of the British cartoon sketch show 2DTV, "The Talibannies" are featured, one of them being "Bin-LaLa", referencing The Taliban and Bin Laden.
  • In the webstrip Sluggy Freelance, dated 03/09/99, the characters Torg and Riff discuss the fact that "Drinky Winky" from the "Teletubbles" is "an abusive drunk because of the bottle of booze he carries", says Torg reading from a newspaper. Riff counters saying "That's not a bottle of booze! It's his magic bottle that makes his problems go away! (...) never mind." Torg goes on reading, "The abusive side of Drinky Winky is demonstrated by..." to which Riff argues "Tipsy and Hoe had it coming!"
  • Tom Fulp of Newgrounds created a spoof of "Teletubbies" called "Telebubbies" which resulted in a law suit from the BBC.
  • In an episode of the HBO prison series Oz an allusion to a 'Twinky Dink' is mentioned in conjunction with the comments made by evangelist Jerry Falwell's 'outing' of Tinky Winky.
  • In an episode of The Fairly Oddparents, when Timmy was trapped by his "imaginary" friend from preschool revived into real life, the Teletubbies were ordered to attack him.
  • In an episode of Kim Possible where a few characters are sent into television programmes, one of the channels shown features Teletubby-like creatures. An enormous one called Mr Sit Down stomps on various villains over the course of the show by sitting on them.
  • In the episode "Junk in the Trunk" of Robot Chicken, an orange Teletubby is seen smoking a cigarette.
  • In the Netherlands, the Dutch public channel had a version called 'De Teringtubbies'. This was broadcasted at Ned2, and was part of the BNN programming. It recieved various critics, many people (especially the young) thought it was funny, hilarious, and perhaps even cult, but at the same time, many people (including the creators of the Teletubbies) thought it went too far over the edge, for one Teringtubbie was called 'Tietentubbie' (Titstubbie), a 'tubbie' wandering around in a yellow Lala outfit, with her breasts hanging out of the costume, and the name of the programme litteraly ment Tuberculosistubbies. There were only 10 episodes made of 'the Teringtubbies'.
  • In one episode of Family Guy, Stewie is forced to watch Teletubbies after his mom catches him reading mature books.

Alternative names

Teletubbies has been reversioned for many different countries, sometimes involving a change of title.

Broadcasters around the world

See also

References

  1. ^ Literacy Today article regarding a study which found Teletubbies had a negative impact on toddlers in both vocabulary size and expressive language use.
  2. ^ Live Local map/photo
  3. ^ Google map/photo
  4. ^ multimap.com map/photo (1999)
  5. ^ Rusak, Gary (March 12, 2007). "Teletubbies celebrate 10th anniversary in high style". KidScreen Magazine. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ "Teletubbies Pop-Up Shop".
  7. ^ BBC News article on the Polish gay Tellytubby controversy
  8. ^ "Polish watchdog backs away from Teletubbies probe", cbc.ca, May 30 2007, [1], retrieved May 31 2007
  9. ^ Dotinga, Randy (April 12, 2000). "Lawsuit to Target Teletubbies for Gun Talk". APBNews. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

External links

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