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{{articleissues|refimprove=September 2008|cleanup=September 2008|npov=September 2008|or=October 2008}} {{refimprove|article (and section)|date=September 2008}}
{{Infobox_Television
{{Infobox Television
| show_name = Teletubbies | show_name = Teletubbies
| image = ] | image = ]
Line 6: Line 6:
| format = ] | format = ]
| runtime = 25 minutes | runtime = 25 minutes
| starring =
| creator = ]<br/>Andrew Davenport | creator = ]<br/>Andrew Davenport
| developer = ] | developer = ]
| executive_producer = David G Hiller <br/> Vic Finch | executive producer = David G Hiller <br/> Vic Finch
| narrated = ], ], ] | narrated = ], ], ]
| currently_airs = ] | airs = ]<br>]
| country = United Kingdom
| formerly_airs = ]<br>]
| country = United Kingdom
| language = English | language = English
| network = ] | network = ]
| first_aired = 31 March 1997 | first_aired = 31 March 1997
| last_aired = 5 January 2001 | last_aired = 5 January 2001
| num_episodes = 365 | num_episodes = 365
| list_episodes = List of Teletubbies episodes | amg_id = 1:161778
}}
| imdb_id = 0142055
}}


'''''Teletubbies''''' is a ] ] winning ], primarily aimed at ] viewers, produced from 1997 to 2001 by ]. It was created by ] ], Ragdoll's creative director, and Andrew Davenport, who wrote each of the show's 365 episodes. Narrated by ], the programme rapidly became a critical and commercial success in Britain and abroad (particularly notable for its high production values),and won its BAFTA in 1998. Although the show is aimed at children between the ages of one and four, it has a substantial ] with older generations, mainly ]<ref>{{cite web | url = http://cas.umkc.edu/comm/faculty/gutenko/abstract/ttabs.html | title = Deconstructing Teletubbies: Differences between UK and US college students' reading of the children's television program. | accessdate = 2008-09-30 | last = Gutenko | first = Gregory | publisher = College of Arts & Sciences, University of Missouri-Kansas City | location = Kansas City, Missouri, USA | archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20060922052957/http://cas.umkc.edu/comm/faculty/gutenko/abstract/ttabs.html | archivedate = 2006-09-22 | quote = Unexpectedly, the four furry alien-like "techno-baby" Teletubbies and their surreal Tubbyland world have also generated a cult following among college students. (The campus activities calendar at Imperial College includes the airtimes and episode highlights for each show).}}</ref>, who bought the customary regulation T Shirts. The mixture of bright colours, unusual designs, repetitive non-verbal dialogue, ritualistic format, and the occasional forays into physical comedy appealed to a demographic who perceived the show as having ] connotations. ''Teletubbies'' was controversial for this reason, and also for a perception that it was insufficiently educational. "]", a single based on the show's theme song, reached number 1 in the ] in December 1997 and remained in the Top 75 for 32 weeks, selling over a million copies. '''''Teletubbies''''' is a ] ] winning ], primarily aimed at ] viewers, produced from 1997 to 2001 by ]. It was created by ] ], Ragdoll's creative director, and Andrew Davenport, who wrote each of the show's 365 episodes. Narrated by ], the programme rapidly became a critical and commercial success in Britain and abroad (particularly notable for its high production values), and won its BAFTA in 1998. (A woman named Dolly O'Neal had a short-run cable-access TV show about the Teletubbies called ''Dolly O'Neal with Tubby Talk'' in ], making her and her Tubby backpacks local celebrities.)
Although the show is aimed at children between the ages of one and four, it is a substantial ] with older generations, mainly ] ]<ref>{{cite web | url = http://cas.umkc.edu/comm/faculty/gutenko/abstract/ttabs.html | title = Deconstructing Teletubbies: Differences between UK and US college students' reading of the children's television program. | accessdate = 2008-09-30 | last = Gutenko | first = Gregory | publisher = College of Arts & Sciences, University of Missouri-Kansas City | location = Kansas City, Missouri, USA | archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20060922052957/http://cas.umkc.edu/comm/faculty/gutenko/abstract/ttabs.html | archivedate = 2006-09-22 | quote = Unexpectedly, the four furry alien-like "techno-baby" Teletubbies and their surreal Tubbyland world have also generated a cult following among college students. (The campus activities calendar at Imperial College includes the airtimes and episode highlights for each show).}}</ref>, who bought the customary regulation T Shirts. The mixture of bright colours, unusual designs, repetitive non-verbal dialogue, ritualistic format, and the occasional forays into physical comedy appealed to a demographic who perceived the show as having ] connotations. Teletubbies was controversial for this reason, and also for a perception that it was insufficiently educational. Teletubbies is also controversial
because of one Teletubby, Tinky Winky, who has a "magic bag" which some belive to be a woman's handbag.
== Plot ==
=== Summery ===
Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa, and ], the four adorable colorful Teletubbies coo and 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 in their bellies. Mysterious pinwheels and telephones rise out of the meadow 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.

=== Premise ===
The series is a celebration of children's play which introduces young children - ages one to three - to the wonders and magic of high-tech in a safe and friendly way.Each program features the Teletubbies in Teletubbyland, which hums with the play technology that supplies their every need - Tubby toast, Tubby custard and a conscientious comic vacuum cleaner, the Noo-noo. The Teletubbies' tummies become TV screens that light up, bringing them pictures of happy children from the real world because, next to each other, the Teletubbies love children best of all. In January 2003, a new addition called 'Teletubbies Everywhere' was introduced which focused on early learning concepts. These 10-minute segments feature the Teletubbies in a visually unique, studio-based environment, combining the irresistible humor of the original with a series of simple games, counting exercises, musical patterns and rhythms specially designed to develop children's cognitive skills.Each episode showcases a live-action insert of children from around the world including Russia, South Korea and India.Teletubbies is a responsible, enjoyable half-hour where our youngest viewers find their place: a playful, imaginative world inhabited by gentle, loving characters exploring and experiencing everything around them. The series is also a wonderful opportunity for parents to share the joy of first discovery through children's eyes.<ref>http://pbskids.org/teletubbies/parentsteachers/progsummary.html</ref>


== Overview == == Overview ==
{{Confusing|section|date=September 2008}} {{Refimprove|section|date=September 2008}}
The programme features four colourful cretures: Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and ], 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 ]s (although birds are often heard, particularly ]s and ]s). The climate is always sunny and pleasant save for occasional inclement days, with rain and puddles, and snow at ] 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 Teletubbies appear not to wear real clothes. They are instead furry, and have metallic silver-azure rectangular "screens" adorning their ]s. 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 ] inserts are default.) The Teletubbies have the body proportions, behaviour, and language of ]s. The pacing and design of the show was developed by ] 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. There was also help from Shatarra Willis the stage manager who helped the show to become a success.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.<ref> regarding a study which found Teletubbies had a negative impact on toddlers in both vocabulary size and expressive language use.</ref> (A similar complaint was made forty years previously about another children's series, '']''.)The Teletubbies 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" (]), as in: "Eh-oh, Laa-Laa", to which Laa-Laa will respond, "Eh-oh, (other Teletubby's name)", "Uh-oh", a common toddler response to anything that's untorward, "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. But perhaps the most common exclamation 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.Their diet seems to be almost exclusively "Tubby Tustard" (which is sucked through a spiral straw) and "Tubby Toast" (circular toast with a smiley face on it, which some{{Who|date=September 2008}} have taken to be representative of ]), and they are spectacularly messy eaters. In one episode, the "Tubby Toaster", the machine that makes "Tubby Toast" went seriously wrong and filled the Teletubbies' house with toast. Fortunately, one of their companions is Noo-Noo, a ].Machines like Noo-Noo,the 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<ref> http://crossroad.to/text/articles/teletubbies10-99.html</ref>. The Teletubbies' landscape is an outdoor set located in rural ], ], at Sweet Knowle Farm, Redhill Bank Rd, Whimpstone, CV37 8NR (between ] and ], close to the ]<ref>Sweet Knowle Farm is at coordinates {{coord|52.125515|-1.703446|type:landmark|name=Sweet Knowle Farm}}</ref>). At the end of the show, all the Teletubbies say "Bye-Bye" three times. The narrator bids each Teletubby goodbye, and they disappear, but reappear a moment later saying "Boo!". The narrator then says "No", (which they copy) and proceeds to say goodbye to each Teletubby again. The sun is then shown setting, and the Teletubbies each say goodbye again, before jumping down a hole in the roof of their house. Finally, one Teletubby says goodbye a fourth time - they pop out of a hole in the house and say "Bye-bye!". For special episodes, and at the end of the "Fun With The Teletubbies" cassette, all four Teletubbies say "Bye-bye" in this way. Many of the occurrences of the show, including the end sequence, and the scene preceding the short film broadcast on a character's tummy were shot only once, and the same scenes are used in each episode. The ] environment is an evocation of a ]'s perception of the world,{{Fact|date=September 2008}} 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 ] that has an image of a smiling 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. There are some {{Who|date=September 2008}} who believe the baby in the sun to be the most frightening "Big Brother" entity in the whole of children's television while others {{Who|date=September 2008}} think it's the best part of the show. In 2001, production was cancelled and it was announced that no new episodes would be produced. (However, BBC ran a few in-the-can episodes from mid 2001 to early 2002.) {{Fact|date=September 2008}} It is often alleged {{Who|date=September 2008}} that this was due to substantial pay raise 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,{{Fact|date=September 2008}} and the existing 365 episodes have been played in re-runs untill January 2008.
The programme features four colourful characters: ], ], ] and ], 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 ]s (although birds are often heard, particularly ]s and ]s). The climate is always sunny and pleasant save for occasional inclement days, with rain and puddles, and snow at ] time. The Teletubbies are played by actors dressed in bulky costumes, although the sets are designed to give no sense of scale. The Teletubbies don't normally wear real clothes other than the colored suits they wear. They have metallic silver-azure rectangular "screens" adorning their ]s. 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.)


== Characters ==
The Teletubbies have the body proportions, behaviour, and language of ]s. The pacing and design of the show was developed by ] 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. There was also help from Shatarra Willis the stage manager who helped the show to become a success.
These are the characters from the show.Most of them have started ] because of there behavers.<ref></ref>
=== Tinky Winky ===
Tinky Winky (played by ], Mark Heenehan, and Simon Shelton) is the first Teletubby. He is the largest of the Teletubbies, is covered in purple terrycloth, and has a ] ] on his head. He is notable for the red luggage (described by the show as a "magic bag", but often described by other media as a handbag) he always carries. His character has caused much controversy due to allegations that his character's behaviour and body color carried homosexual undertones.
=== Dipsy & Laa-Laa ===
Dipsy (played by ]) is the second Teletubby.He is ] and is named "Dipsy" because his horn resembles a ]. He likes his black and white furry top hat,which he once lost. Laa-Laa found it, but instead of simply returning Dipsy's hat to the stricken Dipsy, she ran around it for about ten minutes shouting "Dipsy Hat! Dipsy Hat!".He is the most stubbon of the Teletubbies, and will sometimes refuse to go along with the other Teletubbies' group opinion. His face is also notably darker than the rest of the Teletubbies, which is why he's considered to be ].<ref></ref>The creators have atmited that he is ].<ref>http://pbskids.org/teletubbies/parentsteachers/progfaq.html</ref>Laa-Laa is the third Teletubby. She is yellow, has a curly antenna, and is ]ed with the ] of all.She's the best singer of all the Teletubbies <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evpGgrhnsL8</ref> (as well as the best ]r of the Teletubbies)<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxciMdQ8iq8</ref>, and is a "]", party-girl, and ]ly type. Her favorite thing is a bouncy, orange ball, which is almost as big as she is.


=== Po ===
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.<ref> regarding a study which found Teletubbies had a negative impact on toddlers in both vocabulary size and expressive language use.</ref> (A similar complaint was made forty years previously about another children's series, '']''.) The Teletubbies 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" (]), as in: "Eh-oh, Laa-Laa", to which Laa-Laa will respond, "Eh-oh, (other Teletubby's name)", "Uh-oh", a common toddler response to anything that's not good, "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 the Teletubbies get. But perhaps the most common exclamation 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.
] (played by Rebecca Marr) is the fourth (and last) Teletubby. She is red, has an antenna that is shaped like a stick used for blowing ], is the smallest of the Teletubbies (possibly the youngest), and is most often the one who always gets into trouble. She also says the word "Eh-oh" (hello), a word used by all of Teletubbies, and is cubby and cute. Her favorite object is her ], which she calls "scoota" (she also calls it "Po 'cooter!",or just "cooter"). Po often wants attention and can sometimes be mischievous and naughty when she disobeys the commands of the "voice trumpets".She is the only ] Teletubby, speaking ] (the broadcasting country's language) and ], is a problem solver and "spider-fighter", and is a ] type.Of all the Teletubbies, Po usually becomes most involved with the audience. She loves both attention and her curly red circular antenna on her head. In the Teletubbies' house, she sleeps at the side of all the other Teletubbies and sometimes eats ] ] while the others are sleeping. Po is voiced by ], which is why she can speak in dual languages.


=== Noo-Noo ===
All the Teletubbies say "Bye-Bye" three times. The narrator bids each Teletubby goodbye, and they disappear, but reappear a moment later saying "Boo!". The narrator then says "No", (which they copy) and proceeds to say goodbye to each Teletubby again. The sun is then shown setting, and the Teletubbies each say goodbye again, before jumping down a hole in the roof of their house. Finally, one Teletubby says goodbye a fourth time - they pop out of a hole in the house and say "Bye-bye!". For special episodes, and at the end of the "Fun With The Teletubbies" cassette, all four Teletubbies say "Bye-bye" in this way. Many of the occurrences of the show, including the end sequence, and the scene preceding the short film broadcast on a character's tummy were shot only once, and the same scenes are used in each episode. The ] environment is an evocation of a ]'s perception of the world,{{Fact|date=September 2008}} 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 ] that has an image of a smiling baby superimposed upon it. The baby in the sun occasionally laughs out loud in short bursts. To adults{{Who|December 2008}} the laughter does not seem to be in response to any stimulus or humorous developments in the plot line of the episode. There are some{{Who|date=September 2008}} who believe the baby in the sun to be the most frightening "Big Brother" entity in the whole of children's television while others{{Who|date=September 2008}} think it's the best part of the show. {{Or|date=December 2008}}
Noo-Noo (prononced '''Nuu-Nuu''') seems to be both the Teletubbies guardian and housekeeper, due to its resemblance to a ], which is its initial purpose in the house. Noo-Noo hardly ventures outside, instead remaining indoors and constantly cleaning with its sucker-like nose. It does not speak like the other characters, instead communicating through a series of slurping and sucking noises. At times, Noo-Noo gets annoyed with the Teletubbies antics and can vacuum their food or toys. This usually prompts the Teletubbies to scold Noo-Noo through a cry of "Naughty Noo-Noo!". Usually after this, Noo-Noo flees and the Teletubbies pursue it comically around the house until they grow tired, are distracted by something, or forgive Noo-Noo. This sequence ends with them hugging it, or with it shooting out their absorbed objects.


=== Other ===
Their diet seems to be almost exclusively "Tubby Tustard" (which is sucked through a spiral straw) and "Tubby Toast" (circular toast with a smiley face on it, which some{{Who|date=September 2008}} have taken to be representative of ]) {{Fact|date=December 2008}}, and they are spectacularly messy eaters. In one episode, the "Tubby Toaster", the machine that makes "Tubby Toast" went seriously wrong and filled the Teletubbies' house with toast. Fortunately, one of their companions is Noo-Noo, a ]. Machines like Noo-Noo, the 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<ref> </ref>. The Teletubbies' landscape is an outdoor set located in rural ], England, at Sweet Knowle Farm, Redhill Bank Rd, Whimpstone, CV37 8NR (between ] and ], close to the ]<ref>Sweet Knowle Farm is at coordinates {{coord|52.125515|-1.703446|type:landmark|name=Sweet Knowle Farm}}</ref>).
The show also features the voices of ] and ], and occasionally ] and ], all of whom provide narration.The only physical cast member is Tamzin Griffin, who plays the manic "Funny Lady".The Sun is ] with the face of baby ], who is believed to have been around seven months old at the time of filming<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.everyhit.com/record3.html | title = Singles : Artists : Age | accessdate = 2008-09-30 | work = Record Breakers and Trivia | publisher = EveryHit.com | quote = Jessica Smith played the part of 'Baby Sun' in the Teletubbies TV programme. Her giggle was used on The Teletubbies 1997 chart-topper "Teletubbies Say Eh-Oh!" Though not credited for this 'performance,' she is the youngest person to have appeared on a no.1 single. We are currently trying to ascertain her precise age at the time of recording; it is certainly less than one year old and thought to be around the seven month mark.}}</ref>. Her giggle was included in the single ''Teletubbies Say Eh-Oh!''. Although she was not credited, this does make her technically the youngest person ever whose vocal appeared on a number one song.


== Character mnemonics ==
In 2001, production was cancelled and it was announced that no new episodes would be produced. (However, BBC ran a few in-the-can episodes from mid 2001 to early 2002.){{Fact|date=September 2008}}It is often alleged{{Whosaid|date=September 2008}} that this was due to substantial pay raise demands by the previously anonymous actors portraying the Teletubbies. {{Fact|date=December 2008}} However, since the four years of production had exceeded the target audience's age span, it was deemed that continuation was unnecessary,{{Fact|date=September 2008}} and the existing 365 episodes will be played in re-runs for years to come.
For parents and others who don't watch the show, but want to tell the characters apart, say, for a toddler who wants you to get them a particular doll, the antenna shapes provide mnemonic clues:


* '''T'''riangle: "Tinky-Winky"
== Characters ==
* '''D'''ipstick: "Dipsy"
* '''Tinky Winky''', played by (], Mark Heenehan, and Simon Shelton), is a purple male Teletubby. 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 ]<!-- Not a "purse", which is something else in UK English. -->) he carries. His character has caused much controversy due to allegations that his character's behaviour carried homosexual undertones. He is also found performing his ''Tinky Winky Round and Round Dance'' in a ballet-style tutu from time to time, which is also often worn by Laa-Laa.
* cur'''L'''y: "Laa-Laa"
* circle: "O" shape rhymes with "Po"


== Teletubbies Say Eh-Oh!: The CD Single ==
* '''Dipsy''', played by ], is the second ] and is green in colour. His name stems from the straight ] antenna on his head. His favorite 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. His face is also notably darker than the rest of the Teletubbies.
{{Single infobox
| Name = Teletubbies Say "Eh-Oh!"
| Artist = Teletubbies
| Genre = ], ]
| Label = ]
| Producer = Andrew McCrorie-Shand and Steve James
| Writer = Andrew McCrorie-Shand and Andrew Davenport
| Chart position = <ul><li>#1 <small>(])</small></li></ul>
}}


In December 1997, ] 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 ] in the ], and mostly a remix of the theme song from the hit ] performed by the series characters written by Andrew McCrorie-Shand and Andrew Davenport. Produced by McCrorie-Shand and Steve James, this single reached number 1 in the ] in December 1997, remaining in the Top 75 for 32 weeks after its release, selling over a million copies. A ] of this single can be fouund .
* '''Laa-Laa''', played by Nikky Smedley, is a yellow female Teletubby. She has a curly antenna and is very concerned with the welfare of all. She's the best singer of all the Teletubbies. "Drama queen", party-girl and mother type. Her favorite thing is a bouncy, orange ball, which is almost as big as she is.


{{start box}}
* '''Po''', played by ], is a red female Teletubby with a short antenna that has a circle on top. Po is the smallest of all the Teletubbies and often the one who gets into innocent trouble. Her favorite thing is her scooter as she calls it ("Po 'cooter!"). Of all the Teletubbies, Po usually becomes most involved with the audience, and is the only bi-lingual Teletubby, with her second language being ].
{{succession box
| before = "]" by ]
| title = ] ]
| years = ] ] for 2 weeks
| after = "]" by ]
}}
{{end box}}


== The Teletubbies and their Instruments ==
* '''Noo-Noo''' seems to be both the Teletubbies guardian and/or housekeeper, due to its resemblance to a ], which is its initial purpose in the house. Noo-Noo hardly ventures outside, instead remaining indoors and constantly cleaning with its sucker-like nose. It does not speak like the other characters, instead communicating through a series of slurping and sucking noises. At times, Noo-Noo gets annoyed with the Teletubbies antics and can vacuum their food or toys. This usually prompts the Teletubbies to scold Noo-Noo through a cry of "Naughty Noo-Noo!". Usually after this, Noo-Noo flees and the Teletubbies pursue it comically around the house until they grow tired, are distracted by something, or forgive Noo-Noo. This sequence ends with them hugging it, or with it shooting out their absorbed objects.
*Tinky Winky: ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]
*Dipsy: ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]
*Laa-Laa: ], ], ], ], ]s, ], ]s, ]s, ], and ]
*Po: ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]


== Teletubbies 10th Anniversary events ==
* '''The Sun''' is personified with the face of baby Jessica Smith, who is believed to have been around seven months old at the time of filming<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.everyhit.com/record3.html | title = Singles : Artists : Age | accessdate = 2008-09-30 | work = Record Breakers and Trivia | publisher = EveryHit.com | quote = Jessica Smith played the part of 'Baby Sun' in the Teletubbies TV programme. Her giggle was used on The Teletubbies 1997 chart-topper "Teletubbies Say Eh-Oh!" Though not credited for this 'performance,' she is the youngest person to have appeared on a no.1 single. We are currently trying to ascertain her precise age at the time of recording; it is certainly less than 1 year old and thought to be around the 7 month mark.}}</ref>. Her giggle was included on the track '']'', which reached number one on the ]. Although she was not credited, this does make her technically the youngest person ever whose vocal appeared on a number one song.
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 2007.<ref name="tenth anniversary"> {{cite news | author=Rusak, Gary | date=], ] | title=Teletubbies celebrate 10th anniversary in high style | publisher=KidScreen Magazine | url=http://www.kidscreen.com/articles/daily/20070312/teletubbies.html}} </ref>
*The characters appeared outside of Teletubbyland for the first time on ], ] in London, England at an invitation-only event to officially begin the programme's tenth anniversary year sponsored by BBC Worldwide, the programme's licensees.
*They appeared in the United States for the first time. They made appearances in ] ], ], and ]. They also appeared on ] on ] ]. The episode included the first ever televised interview with the actors outside of their costumes.
*A partnership was formed with ] in which Isaac designed Teletubbies-inspired bags to be ]ed off to benefit the ] and ] charities.
*A new line of clothing was launched to be sold in the Pop-Up Shop and other specialty stores.
*] ] announced ], ] "Teletubbies Day" and gave the ] to the Teletubbies.


=== TakeTheTeletubbiesTest.com ===
The show also features the voices of ] and ], and occasionally ] and ], all of whom provide narration; the only (semi)regular physical cast member is Tamzin Griffin, who plays the manic "Funny Lady".
launched on ] ]. 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.


== Reception== === Pop-Up Shop ===
*A Pop-Up Shop opened in ] ] from ] to ], ].<ref name="popup shop"> {{cite news| title=Teletubbies Pop-Up Shop | url=http://www.taketheteletubbiestest.com/love_it/}} </ref> The opening night party was DJ'ed by MisShapes. A percentage of the store's profits went to the ] and ] charities.
=== Tinky Winky controversy===
*DJs from all different genres of music (], ], ], ], ] and ]) played in the store in the evenings. Some evenings included DJ ] lessons and record spin art.
Tinky Winky started a still hinted-at controversy in 1999 due to his carrying a bag that looks much like a woman's handbag<!--not "purse", which has a different meaning in UK English--> (although he was first "]" by the academic and cultural critic Andy Medhurst in a letter of July 1997 to '']''). He aroused the interest of ] in 1997 when Fallwell alleged that the character was a "gay role model". Falwell issued an attack in his ''National Liberty Journal'', citing a ] "In/Out" column which stated that homosexual comedian ] was "out" as the chief national gay representative -- while trendy Tinky Winky was "in."This has caused many ] to ] Teletubbies because it makes them think that Teletubbies support homosexuality. {{Fact|date=October 2008}} He is also found performing his Tinky Winky Round and Round Dance in a ballet-style tutu from time to time, which is also often worn by Laa-Laa.(Supporters of the interpretation that Tinky Winky is gay may take this as evidence){{Fact|date=October 2008}}
*On ], ], the store held a 12-hour Teletubbies viewing ].


=== Teletubbies live events ===
A February 1999 article in the ''National Liberty Journal'', published by evangelical pastor ], warned parents that Tinky Winky could be a hidden ] symbol, because "he is purple, the ] colour, and his antenna is shaped like a triangle, the gay pride symbol".<ref>http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F05E4DD1F3BF932A25751C0A96F958260</ref>
Following the Teletubbies' appearance in ], they went on their first live European tour, performing shows in ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ].
A spokesman for Itsy Bitsy Entertainment Co., who licenses the characters in the United States, said that the bag was just a ] 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.


=== Are You the 5th Teletubby? ===
In May 2007, Polish Ombudsman for Children ] revisited the matter, and planned to order an investigation.<ref> on the Polish gay Tellytubby controversy</ref> She said in the 28 May 2007 edition of Polish magazine '']'' that the woman's handbag-carrying Tinky Winky could promote ]. ]s 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 ]s to look into the allegations "and judge whether it can be shown on public television and whether the suggested problem really exists."
Also in celebration of the Teletubbies' 10th anniversary, a contest is being held at where fans can create videos of themselves as the "5th Teletubby," a character of their own creation. Audio and video clips from the show are available on the website for the entrants to use in creating their videos.


== Controversies ==
But on 30 May 2007, Sowińska said in a public statement that she no longer suspected the Teletubbies of promoting homosexuality. She said: "The opinion of a leading ], 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."<ref>"Polish watchdog backs away from Teletubbies probe", ''cbc.ca'', 30 May 2007, , retrieved 31 May 2007</ref> 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!", a catchphrase from the show. <ref name="tinky gun">{{cite news | author=Dotinga, Randy | date= 12 April 2000 | title= Lawsuit to Target Teletubbies for Gun Talk | publisher= APBNews| url=http://web.archive.org/web/20000510155551/www.apbnews.com/newscenter/breakingnews/2000/04/12/teletubbies0412_01.html}}</ref>
Because of the show's popularity, many controversies have emerged from "Teletubbies". The Teletubbies say the word "Eh-oh", which means]."Eh-oh" is considered by many to be another word for ]<ref>http://manaboutthehouse.wordpress.com/2007/04/04/hello-world/</ref>Also,people have said that Teletubbies is uneducational<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/287940.stm</ref>.The creators have stated their opinons on the matter.<ref> http://crossroad.to/text/articles/teletubbies10-99.html</ref>Another wide-ranging controversy is about the alleged gender confusion caused by two of the characters having homosexual traits: one of the male characters have female traits, and one of the female characters have male traits. At least one young children's teacher in Brazil conduced experiments involving children's reaction to some episodes, and found they experienced problems with the gender roles of the characters and their own identification with them. Some parents as a result have forbidden their children watching the program, and others do allow but with direct supervision to ensure the children identify only with the "straight" characters.Other commentators have complained about the "psychedelic" nature of the program, claiming that parts of some episodes resemble drug-induced hallucinations: one episode in which a character is crushed by a falling letter E was taken to be a direct reference to the drug ecstasy.The owners of the series have also been extremely strict in the protection of their copyright and, as such, have refused to allow the Teletubbies characters to be used in school plays or any production outside those commercially controlled by the production company.A Boston lawyer once accused Dipsy, as a bath toy, of child endangerment. He was put on a 10 most dangerous toy list, later joined by the Laa-Laa bath toy. Their antennas were hard plastic and understandably a jabbing concern in a slippery, wet tub.In the show's native UK most of these controversies either went by largely unnoticed, and indeed reports of the controversies of Tinky Winky's alleged ] and the alleged psychedelic nature of the programme from other countries were met with amusement by the media. The exception to this is the controversy over the Teletubbies speech possibly harming the linguistic development of children which had wide media exposure, but ultimately nothing came of it.<ref>http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Teletubbies_-_Controversy/id/5509312</ref>


=== Teletubbies in popular culture === === Tinky Winky Controversies ===
Tinky Winky started a still hinted-at controversy in 1999 due to his carrying a bag that looks much like a woman's handbag<!--not "purse", which has a different meaning in UK English--> (although he was first "]" by the academic and cultural critic Andy Medhurst in a letter of July 1997 to '']''). He aroused the interest of ] in 1997 when Fallwell alleged that the character was a "gay role model". Falwell issued an attack in his ''National Liberty Journal'', citing a ] "In/Out" column which stated that homosexual comedian ] was "out" as the chief national gay representative -- while trendy Tinky Winky was "in."This has caused many ] to ] Teletubbies because it makes them think that Teletubbies support homosexuality. {{Fact|date=October 2008}} He is also found performing his Tinky Winky Round and Round Dance in a ballet-style tutu from time to time, which is also often worn by Laa-Laa.(Supporters of the interpretation that Tinky Winky is gay may take this as evidence){{Fact|date=October 2008}}
At the height of the show's popularity, it was referred to widely in other shows and publications.


=== Po Controversy ===
* In the ] ] dated 9 March 1999, 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!"
A girl's talking Po doll was thought to be saying "faggot faggot, faggot faggot, faggot faggot, bite my butt!", as well as "fatty, fatty". The toy was recalled and it was revealed to have said "fidit, fidit," (] for "faster, faster.")<ref> http://crossroad.to/Q&A/Toys-Games/teletubbies.htm Teletubbies Q&A's</ref>


== Teletubbies in popular culture ==
] with a Tinky Winky doll on the cover of ]]]
]
* Several episodes of ''The Simpsons'' contain references to the Teletubbies. Notable episodes include "]" where a character called Gaa Gaa says "hurt everyone" which goes unnoticed because of the character's "cute name", and "]" 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 "]", 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 "]", several PBS mainstays chase Homer for reneging on a pledge to donate money to public television. The crowd includes the Teletubbies whose headgear shoots laser bursts. On another occasion, the Teletubbies make what the announcer calls "their first live appearance since Tinky Winky was acquitted of manslaughter". Character ] is apparently a ] ], as evidenced by his undergarments and his private TV viewing. Also on "]", Milhouse has Dipsy and Tinky Winky briefs.
In the British sitcom '']'', Alice Tinker has her ]s dressed in Teletubby costumes for her wedding in the episode "Love and Marriage".
* The Danish talk show ''den 11. time'' features a series of shorts called ] which tries to envisage what Teletubbies would have looked like if it had been produced by the Nazis.
* In the episode of ] "A hero sits next door", Stewie is forced to watch Teletubbies' after Lois catches him reading mature books. Stewie then gets sucked into the show and cannot get his focus off the TV until Peter changes the channel to watch his own programme. In "Road To Europe", Stewie attempts to run away to join a London-based Teletubbies-style TV show, but he and Brian end up on a plane for Saudi Arabia. They later find out that behind-the-scenes, the apparently lovely cast turn out to be unruly Victorian Cockneys.
*In an episode of '']'' called "]", ] is watching the Teletubbies at home while stoned.
* The Australian sketch show '']'' included many sketches featuring "Tele]" named Drinky Drinky, ], Blah-Blah, and ]. These four Teletubby look-alikes, emblazoned with ] labels and with ]s on their heads, would wander around aimlessly committing crimes.
* The New Zealand show ''] ]'' had a sketch entitled "Smellie Grubbies", the characters names being Stinky Winky (Wairua Rutene), Dipstick (James Sutherland), ] (Jordan Sutherland) and ]o (John Bright).
* In an episode of '']'', 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. ] tripped over Laa-laa and fell in the flower bed." Eddie then explained it to Claudia.
* In an episode of ], 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".
* An episode of the TV sketch show ] featured a "Telecockneys" sketch based on four ] characters Lovely Jubbly, Geezer, Beer Gut and Boff (together with the "Loo Loo") in a pub.
* In an episode of the British cartoon sketch show '']'', "The Talibannies" are featured, one of them being "Bin-Laa-Laa, referencing the ] and ].
In the '']'' episode "Daletech," a TV show resembling Teletubbies is seen, with the four teletubbies hugging and giggling.
* In the ] ] ] ]], 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!"
* In '']'', the "Rendoosian" word for "television" is "Telebooby", which sounds like "Teletubby".
* In 1998, Tom Fulp of Newgrounds created a spoof of Teletubbies called "Teletubby Fun Land"<ref></ref>" which resulted in a law suit from the ]<ref></ref>. This resulted in a boost of notoriety and media ],and the video was renamed "''Tellybubby'' Fun Land". * In 1998, Tom Fulp of Newgrounds created a spoof of Teletubbies called "Teletubby Fun Land"<ref></ref>" which resulted in a law suit from the ]<ref></ref>. This resulted in a boost of notoriety and media ],and the video was renamed "''Tellybubby'' Fun Land".
* In an episode of the ] prison series '']'' an allusion to a "Twinky Dink" is mentioned in conjunction with the comments made by evangelist ]'s "outing" of Tinky Winky.
* In an episode of '']'', when Timmy was trapped by his "imaginary" friend from preschool revived into real life, the "Teebietubbies" were ordered to attack him.
* In an episode of '']'' 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 "]", there is a segment in which the red Teletubby, ], is shown smoking.
* In an episode of '']'', during a game of Film/TV/Theatre Styles, Teletubbies was performed, with ] warning the others of the "evil purple one".
* In the ], the Dutch public channel had a version called ''De Teringtubbies''. This was broadcast at ], and was part of the ] programming. It received 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 literally ment Tuberculosistubbies. There were only 10 episodes made of ''The Teringtubbies''.
* In 2007, Australian comedy team ] sent a person in a Tinky Winky suit to a gay bar and a Polish club to see what the general reactions would be. Tinky Winky was welcomed into both establishments.
* The '']'' episode "]" features the ] commenting on an episode of ''Teletubbies'': "Televisions in their stomachs! That's evolution!" This is an allusion to the classic series story '']'', in which the Master is seen enjoying '']'' and making a similar sarcastic comment on the characters.
* The BBC series '']'' presents a supposedly Indianised parody of the show, called ''Delhitubbies''.
* The ] video of "]" features creatures that interact with the band that heavily resemble the Teletubbies.


== Teletubbies in other media == == In other media ==
* In 2007, a ] commercial featured Jeeps driving through famous scenes in history and popular culture, including an ] film, a ] film, the moon landing, ], a ] cartoon, a ] documentary, ] "]" music video, at the fall of the ], an episode of '']'', and in Teletubbyland with Laa-Laa and Po.<ref></ref> * In ], a ] commercial featured Jeeps driving through famous scenes in history and popular culture, including an ] film, a ] film, the moon landing, ], a ] cartoon, a ] documentary, ] "]" music video, at the fall of the ], an episode of '']'', and in Teletubbyland nd Po.<ref></ref>
* In ] ], in a hazing ritual for the ], pitcher ] and his translator, Masa Hoshino, dressed as Dipsy and Tinky Winky, respectively.<ref></ref>


== Aferlife of Set ==
* In September, 2007, in a hazing ritual for the ], pitcher ] and his translator, Masa Hoshino, dressed as Dipsy and Tinky Winky, respectively.<ref></ref>
Since filming ended, the fixtures and fittings have been removed from the set, and it appears to have been flooded to form a pond (two fields South of the farmhouse, which is where the postcode points to on the online maps). The paved track leading to the former set still exists, so is the only extant reminder. Until recently, the MS Live Maps view showed the site "in action" - complete with numerous articulated trucks parked at the end of the track. Their image has now been updated as well, but a copy has been preserved at . The farm has found a new way to supplement their income - an aquatics centre (fish and pondplant sales).


== Alternative names ==
*In the 2007 episode of ]'s ], ''The Sound of Drums'', the Doctor's nemesis ] watches television and upon encountering the Teletubbies, marvels at the evolution that has given them televisions in their chests.
Teletubbies has been ] in many different countries, thus involving a foreign title.
{|
|-
| style="vertical-align: top"|
* تيليتابيز ] title
*天線得得B - ] title
*天线宝宝 - ] title (tiגnxiאnbǎobǎo)
*天線寶寶 - ] title (tiגnxiאnbǎobǎo)
*Teletupsud - ] title
*Teletapit - ] title
*Les Télétubbies - ] title
*Os Teletubbies - ] title
*ტელეღიპუცები - ] title
*Τελετάμπις - ] title
*טלטאביז - ] title
*Stubbarnir - ] title
*Teletubbanna - ] title
*Teletubbies (テレタビーズ) - ] title (])
*Teletobi (꼬꼬마 텔레토비) - ] title
| style="vertical-align: top"|
*Los Teletubbies (pronounced /te.leˈtub.bis/) - ]n title
*Teletabiai - ] title
*Teletubbiene - ] title
*Teletubisie - ] title
*Телепузики- (Telepuziki) - ] title
*Телетабиси - ] title
*Telebajski -]
*Teletubbies- ] title
*Teletabiler - ] title
*เทเลทับบี้ - ] title
*Teledo'mboqlar - ] title
*Teletybis - ] title
|}


== Broadcasters around the world ==
===CD single===
{| width="100%"
In December 1997, ] released a CD single from the series, "Teletubbies Say Eh-Oh!", a remix of the theme song performed by the series characters written by Andrew McCrorie-Shand and Andrew Davenport. Produced by McCrorie-Shand and Steve James, the single sold over a million copies. It reached number one on the ] on 7 December 1997 where it remained for two weeks; it remained in the Top 75 for a total of 32 weeks.
|-
| style="vertical-align: top"|
*Spain: ]
*Korea: ]
*France: ]
*Switzerland: ], ] and ]
*Netherlands: ]
*New Zealand: ]
*]: ] and ]
*China: ]
*Denmark: ]
*Norway: ]
*Finland: ]
*Estonia: ] (Formerly ])
*Galicia: ]
*USA: ]
*Mexico: ]/]
*Malaysia: ]
*Russia: ]
*Poland: ] and ]
{| width="100%"
|-
| style="vertical-align: top"|
*Brazil: ]
*Australia: ]
*Canada: ], ] and ]
*Sweden: ]
*Italy: ]'s RAISat Yo-Yo (Italian website: )
*Israel: ],The Kids Channel
*India: ]
*Singapore: ]
*Philippines: ]
*Greece: ]
*Bulgaria ]
*Iceland: ]
*Germany: ]
*Japan: ]
*Dominican Republic: Telecentro
*Hong Kong: ] World
*Portugal: ]
*Belgium: ]
*Venezuela: ]
*Taiwan: Fubon MomoKids
|}

== ] ==
*] (1999-2000)
*KB Kids.com (1999-2000)
*] (1997 Present)
*] (1997)
*] (2000-2001)


== References == == References ==
<references/>
{{reflist}}

== See also ==
*]
*]
*]
*], the type of building they live in


== External links == == External links ==
{{Wikiquote}}
*
* *
* *
* *
*
*
*
*{{imdb title|id=0142055|title=Teletubbies}} *{{imdb title|id=0142055|title=Teletubbies}}
*
*
*
* , a licensee.
* (1999)
*


{{CurrentPBSKids shows}} {{PBSKids shows}}

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Revision as of 02:30, 28 December 2008

This article (and section) needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this article (and section). Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
Find sources: "Teletubbies" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (September 2008) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
Teletubbies
From left: Dipsy, Laa-Laa, Po, and Tinky Winky
Created byAnne Wood
Andrew Davenport
Developed byRagdoll Productions
Narrated byTim Whitnall, Toyah Willcox, Eric Sykes
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes365
Production
Running time25 minutes
Original release
NetworkBBC
Release31 March 1997 –
5 January 2001

Teletubbies is a BBC BAFTA winning children's television series, primarily aimed at pre-school viewers, 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), and won its BAFTA in 1998. (A woman named Dolly O'Neal had a short-run cable-access TV show about the Teletubbies called Dolly O'Neal with Tubby Talk in Cambridge, Massachusetts, making her and her Tubby backpacks local celebrities.) Although the show is aimed at children between the ages of one and four, it is a substantial cult following with older generations, mainly college students, who bought the customary regulation T Shirts. The mixture of bright colours, unusual designs, repetitive non-verbal dialogue, ritualistic format, and the occasional forays into physical comedy appealed to a demographic who perceived the show as having psychedelic connotations. Teletubbies was controversial for this reason, and also for a perception that it was insufficiently educational. Teletubbies is also controversial because of one Teletubby, Tinky Winky, who has a "magic bag" which some belive to be a woman's handbag.

Plot

Summery

Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa, and Po, the four adorable colorful Teletubbies coo and 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 in their bellies. Mysterious pinwheels and telephones rise out of the meadow 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.

Premise

The series is a celebration of children's play which introduces young children - ages one to three - to the wonders and magic of high-tech in a safe and friendly way.Each program features the Teletubbies in Teletubbyland, which hums with the play technology that supplies their every need - Tubby toast, Tubby custard and a conscientious comic vacuum cleaner, the Noo-noo. The Teletubbies' tummies become TV screens that light up, bringing them pictures of happy children from the real world because, next to each other, the Teletubbies love children best of all. In January 2003, a new addition called 'Teletubbies Everywhere' was introduced which focused on early learning concepts. These 10-minute segments feature the Teletubbies in a visually unique, studio-based environment, combining the irresistible humor of the original with a series of simple games, counting exercises, musical patterns and rhythms specially designed to develop children's cognitive skills.Each episode showcases a live-action insert of children from around the world including Russia, South Korea and India.Teletubbies is a responsible, enjoyable half-hour where our youngest viewers find their place: a playful, imaginative world inhabited by gentle, loving characters exploring and experiencing everything around them. The series is also a wonderful opportunity for parents to share the joy of first discovery through children's eyes.

Overview

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The programme features four colourful cretures: 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 Teletubbies appear not to wear real 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. There was also help from Shatarra Willis the stage manager who helped the show to become a success.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. (A similar complaint was made forty years previously about another children's series, Flower Pot Men.)The Teletubbies 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 Teletubby's name)", "Uh-oh", a common toddler response to anything that's untorward, "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. But perhaps the most common exclamation 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.Their diet seems to be almost exclusively "Tubby Tustard" (which is sucked through a spiral straw) and "Tubby Toast" (circular toast with a smiley face on it, which some have taken to be representative of LSD), and they are spectacularly messy eaters. In one episode, the "Tubby Toaster", the machine that makes "Tubby Toast" went seriously wrong and filled the Teletubbies' house with toast. Fortunately, one of their companions is Noo-Noo, a vacuum cleaner.Machines like Noo-Noo,the 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. 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). At the end of the show, all the Teletubbies say "Bye-Bye" three times. The narrator bids each Teletubby goodbye, and they disappear, but reappear a moment later saying "Boo!". The narrator then says "No", (which they copy) and proceeds to say goodbye to each Teletubby again. The sun is then shown setting, and the Teletubbies each say goodbye again, before jumping down a hole in the roof of their house. Finally, one Teletubby says goodbye a fourth time - they pop out of a hole in the house and say "Bye-bye!". For special episodes, and at the end of the "Fun With The Teletubbies" cassette, all four Teletubbies say "Bye-bye" in this way. Many of the occurrences of the show, including the end sequence, and the scene preceding the short film broadcast on a character's tummy were shot only once, and the same scenes are used in each episode. 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 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. There are some who believe the baby in the sun to be the most frightening "Big Brother" entity in the whole of children's television while others think it's the best part of the show. In 2001, production was cancelled and it was announced that no new episodes would be produced. (However, BBC ran a few in-the-can episodes from mid 2001 to early 2002.) It is often alleged that this was due to substantial pay raise 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 have been played in re-runs untill January 2008.

Characters

These are the characters from the show.Most of them have started controversies because of there behavers.

Tinky Winky

Tinky Winky (played by Dave Thompson, Mark Heenehan, and Simon Shelton) is the first Teletubby. He is the largest of the Teletubbies, is covered in purple terrycloth, and has a triangular antenna on his head. He is notable for the red luggage (described by the show as a "magic bag", but often described by other media as a handbag) he always carries. His character has caused much controversy due to allegations that his character's behaviour and body color carried homosexual undertones.

Dipsy & Laa-Laa

Dipsy (played by John Simmit) is the second Teletubby.He is green and is named "Dipsy" because his horn resembles a dipstick. He likes his black and white furry top hat,which he once lost. Laa-Laa found it, but instead of simply returning Dipsy's hat to the stricken Dipsy, she ran around it for about ten minutes shouting "Dipsy Hat! Dipsy Hat!".He is the most stubbon of the Teletubbies, and will sometimes refuse to go along with the other Teletubbies' group opinion. His face is also notably darker than the rest of the Teletubbies, which is why he's considered to be racist.The creators have atmited that he is Black.Laa-Laa is the third Teletubby. She is yellow, has a curly antenna, and is concerned with the welfare of all.She's the best singer of all the Teletubbies (as well as the best dancer of the Teletubbies), and is a "Drama queen", party-girl, and motherly type. Her favorite thing is a bouncy, orange ball, which is almost as big as she is.

Po

Po (played by Rebecca Marr) is the fourth (and last) Teletubby. She is red, has an antenna that is shaped like a stick used for blowing soap bubbles, is the smallest of the Teletubbies (possibly the youngest), and is most often the one who always gets into trouble. She also says the word "Eh-oh" (hello), a word used by all of Teletubbies, and is cubby and cute. Her favorite object is her scooter, which she calls "scoota" (she also calls it "Po 'cooter!",or just "cooter"). Po often wants attention and can sometimes be mischievous and naughty when she disobeys the commands of the "voice trumpets".She is the only bilingual Teletubby, speaking English (the broadcasting country's language) and Cantonese, is a problem solver and "spider-fighter", and is a Tomboy type.Of all the Teletubbies, Po usually becomes most involved with the audience. She loves both attention and her curly red circular antenna on her head. In the Teletubbies' house, she sleeps at the side of all the other Teletubbies and sometimes eats Tubby Toast while the others are sleeping. Po is voiced by Pui Fan Lee, which is why she can speak in dual languages.

Noo-Noo

Noo-Noo (prononced Nuu-Nuu) seems to be both the Teletubbies guardian and housekeeper, due to its resemblance to a vacuum cleaner, which is its initial purpose in the house. Noo-Noo hardly ventures outside, instead remaining indoors and constantly cleaning with its sucker-like nose. It does not speak like the other characters, instead communicating through a series of slurping and sucking noises. At times, Noo-Noo gets annoyed with the Teletubbies antics and can vacuum their food or toys. This usually prompts the Teletubbies to scold Noo-Noo through a cry of "Naughty Noo-Noo!". Usually after this, Noo-Noo flees and the Teletubbies pursue it comically around the house until they grow tired, are distracted by something, or forgive Noo-Noo. This sequence ends with them hugging it, or with it shooting out their absorbed objects.

Other

The show also features the voices of Toyah Willcox and Eric Sykes, and occasionally Sandra Dickinson and Penelope Keith, all of whom provide narration.The only physical cast member is Tamzin Griffin, who plays the manic "Funny Lady".The Sun is personified with the face of baby Jessica Smith, who is believed to have been around seven months old at the time of filming. Her giggle was included in the single Teletubbies Say Eh-Oh!. Although she was not credited, this does make her technically the youngest person ever whose vocal appeared on a number one song.

Character mnemonics

For parents and others who don't watch the show, but want to tell the characters apart, say, for a toddler who wants you to get them a particular doll, the antenna shapes provide mnemonic clues:

  • Triangle: "Tinky-Winky"
  • Dipstick: "Dipsy"
  • curLy: "Laa-Laa"
  • circle: "O" shape rhymes with "Po"

Teletubbies Say Eh-Oh!: The CD Single

"Teletubbies"
Song

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 UK, and mostly a remix of the theme song from the hit Television program performed by the series characters written by Andrew 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. A music video of this single can be fouund here.

Preceded by"Perfect Day" by Various Artists UK Singles Chart Number 1 single
December 7 1997 for 2 weeks
Succeeded by"Too Much" by Spice Girls

The Teletubbies and their Instruments

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 2007.

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

Teletubbies live events

Following the Teletubbies' appearance in New York City, they went on their first live European tour, performing shows in London, Paris, Bremen, Darmstadt, Halle (Saale), Hamburg, Köln, and Hannover.

Are You the 5th Teletubby?

Also in celebration of the Teletubbies' 10th anniversary, a contest is being held at 5thTeletubby.com where fans can create videos of themselves as the "5th Teletubby," a character of their own creation. Audio and video clips from the show are available on the website for the entrants to use in creating their videos.

Controversies

Because of the show's popularity, many controversies have emerged from "Teletubbies". The Teletubbies say the word "Eh-oh", which meanshello."Eh-oh" is considered by many to be another word for SatanAlso,people have said that Teletubbies is uneducational.The creators have stated their opinons on the matter.Another wide-ranging controversy is about the alleged gender confusion caused by two of the characters having homosexual traits: one of the male characters have female traits, and one of the female characters have male traits. At least one young children's teacher in Brazil conduced experiments involving children's reaction to some episodes, and found they experienced problems with the gender roles of the characters and their own identification with them. Some parents as a result have forbidden their children watching the program, and others do allow but with direct supervision to ensure the children identify only with the "straight" characters.Other commentators have complained about the "psychedelic" nature of the program, claiming that parts of some episodes resemble drug-induced hallucinations: one episode in which a character is crushed by a falling letter E was taken to be a direct reference to the drug ecstasy.The owners of the series have also been extremely strict in the protection of their copyright and, as such, have refused to allow the Teletubbies characters to be used in school plays or any production outside those commercially controlled by the production company.A Boston lawyer once accused Dipsy, as a bath toy, of child endangerment. He was put on a 10 most dangerous toy list, later joined by the Laa-Laa bath toy. Their antennas were hard plastic and understandably a jabbing concern in a slippery, wet tub.In the show's native UK most of these controversies either went by largely unnoticed, and indeed reports of the controversies of Tinky Winky's alleged homosexuality and the alleged psychedelic nature of the programme from other countries were met with amusement by the media. The exception to this is the controversy over the Teletubbies speech possibly harming the linguistic development of children which had wide media exposure, but ultimately nothing came of it.

Tinky Winky Controversies

Tinky Winky started 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). He aroused the interest of Jerry Falwell in 1997 when Fallwell alleged that the character was a "gay role model". Falwell issued an attack in his National Liberty Journal, citing a Washington Post "In/Out" column which stated that homosexual comedian Ellen DeGeneres was "out" as the chief national gay representative -- while trendy Tinky Winky was "in."This has caused many Christians to boycott Teletubbies because it makes them think that Teletubbies support homosexuality. He is also found performing his Tinky Winky Round and Round Dance in a ballet-style tutu from time to time, which is also often worn by Laa-Laa.(Supporters of the interpretation that Tinky Winky is gay may take this as evidence)

Po Controversy

A girl's talking Po doll was thought to be saying "faggot faggot, faggot faggot, faggot faggot, bite my butt!", as well as "fatty, fatty". The toy was recalled and it was revealed to have said "fidit, fidit," (Cantonese for "faster, faster.")

Teletubbies in popular culture

File:BSpearsRstone99.jpg
Britney Spears with a Tinky Winky doll on the cover of Rolling Stone
File:Teletubbies11x15.png
The Teletubbies chase Homer Simpson
  • 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. The crowd includes the Teletubbies whose headgear shoots laser bursts. On another occasion, the Teletubbies make what the announcer calls "their first live appearance since Tinky Winky was acquitted of manslaughter". Character Milhouse Van Houten is apparently a closet fan, as evidenced by his undergarments and his private TV viewing. Also on "Wild Barts Can't Be Broken", Milhouse has Dipsy and Tinky Winky briefs.

In the British sitcom The Vicar of Dibley, Alice Tinker has her bridesmaids dressed in Teletubby costumes for her wedding in the episode "Love and Marriage".

  • The Danish talk show den 11. time features a series of shorts called Nazitübbies which tries to envisage what Teletubbies would have looked like if it had been produced by the Nazis.
  • In the episode of Family Guy "A hero sits next door", Stewie is forced to watch Teletubbies' after Lois catches him reading mature books. Stewie then gets sucked into the show and cannot get his focus off the TV until Peter changes the channel to watch his own programme. In "Road To Europe", Stewie attempts to run away to join a London-based Teletubbies-style TV show, but he and Brian end up on a plane for Saudi Arabia. They later find out that behind-the-scenes, the apparently lovely cast turn out to be unruly Victorian Cockneys.
  • In an episode of South Park called "Ike's Wee Wee", Mr. Garrison is watching the Teletubbies at home while stoned.
  • The Australian sketch show Full Frontal included many sketches featuring "Telestubbies" named Drinky Drinky, Tipsy, Blah-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 (Wairua Rutene), Dipstick (James Sutherland), Mars Bar (Jordan Sutherland) and Poo (John Bright).
  • 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".
  • An episode of the TV sketch show Harry Enfield and Chums featured a "Telecockneys" sketch based on four Cockney characters Lovely Jubbly, Geezer, Beer Gut and Boff (together with the "Loo Loo") in a pub.
  • In an episode of the British cartoon sketch show 2DTV, "The Talibannies" are featured, one of them being "Bin-Laa-Laa, referencing the Taliban and Bin Laden.

In the King of the Hill episode "Daletech," a TV show resembling Teletubbies is seen, with the four teletubbies hugging and giggling.

  • In the webstrip Sluggy Freelance dated 9 March 1999, 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!"
  • In The Amazing Adrenalini Brothers, the "Rendoosian" word for "television" is "Telebooby", which sounds like "Teletubby".
  • In 1998, Tom Fulp of Newgrounds created a spoof of Teletubbies called "Teletubby Fun Land"" which resulted in a law suit from the BBC. This resulted in a boost of notoriety and media exposure,and the video was renamed "Tellybubby Fun Land".
  • 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 "Teebietubbies" 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 Robot Chicken episode "Junk in the Trunk", there is a segment in which the red Teletubby, Po, is shown smoking.
  • In an episode of Whose Line is it Anyway?, during a game of Film/TV/Theatre Styles, Teletubbies was performed, with Ryan Stiles warning the others of the "evil purple one".
  • In the Netherlands, the Dutch public channel had a version called De Teringtubbies. This was broadcast at Ned2, and was part of the BNN programming. It received 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 literally ment Tuberculosistubbies. There were only 10 episodes made of The Teringtubbies.
  • In 2007, Australian comedy team The Chaser sent a person in a Tinky Winky suit to a gay bar and a Polish club to see what the general reactions would be. Tinky Winky was welcomed into both establishments.
  • The Doctor Who episode "The Sound of Drums" features the Master commenting on an episode of Teletubbies: "Televisions in their stomachs! That's evolution!" This is an allusion to the classic series story The Sea Devils, in which the Master is seen enjoying The Clangers and making a similar sarcastic comment on the characters.
  • The BBC series Goodness Gracious Me presents a supposedly Indianised parody of the show, called Delhitubbies.
  • The Stone Temple Pilots video of "Sour Girl" features creatures that interact with the band that heavily resemble the Teletubbies.

In other media

Aferlife of Set

Since filming ended, the fixtures and fittings have been removed from the set, and it appears to have been flooded to form a pond (two fields South of the farmhouse, which is where the postcode points to on the online maps). The paved track leading to the former set still exists, so is the only extant reminder. Until recently, the MS Live Maps view showed the site "in action" - complete with numerous articulated trucks parked at the end of the track. Their image has now been updated as well, but a copy has been preserved at this fansite. The farm has found a new way to supplement their income - an aquatics centre (fish and pondplant sales).

Alternative names

Teletubbies has been broadcast in many different countries, thus involving a foreign title.

Broadcasters around the world

Funding

References

  1. Gutenko, Gregory. "Deconstructing Teletubbies: Differences between UK and US college students' reading of the children's television program". Kansas City, Missouri, USA: College of Arts & Sciences, University of Missouri-Kansas City. Archived from the original on 2006-09-22. Retrieved 2008-09-30. Unexpectedly, the four furry alien-like "techno-baby" Teletubbies and their surreal Tubbyland world have also generated a cult following among college students. (The campus activities calendar at Imperial College includes the airtimes and episode highlights for each show).
  2. http://pbskids.org/teletubbies/parentsteachers/progsummary.html
  3. Literacy Today article regarding a study which found Teletubbies had a negative impact on toddlers in both vocabulary size and expressive language use.
  4. http://crossroad.to/text/articles/teletubbies10-99.html
  5. Sweet Knowle Farm is at coordinates 52°07′32″N 1°42′12″W / 52.125515°N 1.703446°W / 52.125515; -1.703446 (Sweet Knowle Farm)
  6. http://pbskids.org/teletubbies/parentsteachers/progfaq.html
  7. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evpGgrhnsL8
  8. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxciMdQ8iq8
  9. "Singles : Artists : Age". Record Breakers and Trivia. EveryHit.com. Retrieved 2008-09-30. Jessica Smith played the part of 'Baby Sun' in the Teletubbies TV programme. Her giggle was used on The Teletubbies 1997 chart-topper "Teletubbies Say Eh-Oh!" Though not credited for this 'performance,' she is the youngest person to have appeared on a no.1 single. We are currently trying to ascertain her precise age at the time of recording; it is certainly less than one year old and thought to be around the seven month mark.
  10. Rusak, Gary (March 12, 2007). "Teletubbies celebrate 10th anniversary in high style". KidScreen Magazine. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  11. "Teletubbies Pop-Up Shop".
  12. http://manaboutthehouse.wordpress.com/2007/04/04/hello-world/
  13. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/287940.stm
  14. http://crossroad.to/text/articles/teletubbies10-99.html
  15. http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Teletubbies_-_Controversy/id/5509312
  16. http://crossroad.to/Q&A/Toys-Games/teletubbies.htm Teletubbies Q&A's
  17. Newgrounds Presents: Teletubby Fun Land
  18. Newgrounds Literature
  19. "Jeep Touts Timeless Fun" - Ad Week, July 30, 2007
  20. "Just Call Matsuzaka ‘Dipsy’" - The New York Times, September 17, 2007

See also

External links

PBS Kids original programming
Current
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