Teletubbies

a popular British television series (1997– ) for young children. Its main characters are Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po, four large creatures covered in brightly coloured fur, with television screens on their stomachs, who talk a simple language like that of very young children. In 1997 the characters appeared on a successful pop record, Teletubbies Say Eh-Oh!.

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▪ British television show

      British children's television show featuring the carefree lives of four colourful, childlike creatures.

      The Teletubbies, portrayed by costumed actors, were soft, round humanoids of toddlerlike proportions, with simple, smiling faces, uniquely shaped aerial antennas on their heads, tummy-mounted silver television screens, and age-appropriate waddles. Tinky Winky was predominantly purple, Po red, Laa-Laa yellow, and Dipsy green. Each had unique interests and favourite toys—such as a ball or a scooter—but all four were sweet and friendly and loved toddlers. They inhabited a peaceful, brightly coloured place called Teletubbyland, where even the sun was baby-faced. Fanciful items of technology supplied their every need—including machines that produced toast and custard and a cheerful blue vacuum cleaner that kept their home spotless.

      In each episode of Teletubbies, created for the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) in 1997 by producer Anne Wood and writer Andrew Davenport, the characters explored their world and interacted with its inhabitants. Episodes included videotaped segments (shown on the tummy screens) featuring real children, which—with many other key elements of the show—were always repeated at least once (to familiar requests of, “Again!”).

      The last of the 365 original episodes aired in 2001; the entire series continued to air in more than a dozen countries—including the United States, beginning in 1998. In 1999 Tinky Winky became the target of the American televangelist Jerry Falwell (Falwell, Jerry), who claimed Tinky Winky was gay and warned parents that the character was a bad role model for children. Falwell cited Tinky Winky's colour, his triangle-shaped antenna, and his attachment to his red purse, or “magic bag,” as subtle and intentional representations of his sexual orientation. Among other objections, some child psychologists objected to the characters' use of made-up or mispronounced words (such as “eh-oh!” for “hello”) and to the show's targeting of very young viewers. Nevertheless, the show's producers maintained that Teletubbies helped children learn to participate in the world around them, and the series' popularity seemed consistent with their claims.

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