Behind The Scenes of The Teletubbies (1997)
Meta Title: Behind The Scenes of Teletubbies (1997): Secrets of the Beloved Children’s Show
Meta Description: Uncover the magic behind Teletubbies (1997)! From the famous Baby Sun to the quirky costumes, explore the untold stories of this iconic kids’ series.
Behind The Scenes of The Teletubbies (1997): How BBC’s Strangest Kids’ Show Became a Global Phenomenon
In 1997, four colorful, giggly creatures living in a grassy dome-dotted utopia took children’s television by storm. Teletubbies, created by Anne Wood and Andrew Davenport for Ragdoll Productions, became a worldwide sensation—and a source of bafflement for adults. But beneath its surreal surface lay ingenious creativity, technical innovation, and educational intent. Here’s how the show came together.
The Birth of the Teletubbies
Wood and Davenport aimed to craft a show for toddlers (ages 1–4), tapping into early childhood development. Their philosophy? Repetition, simplicity, and sensory engagement. The Teletubbies’ gibberish (“Eh-oh!”) and belly-screen videos encouraged speech mimicry and curiosity—while fluffball “Tubby Toast” and dancing rabbits kept things whimsical.
Filming in a Real-Life “Tubbyland”
The iconic rolling hills of Teletubbyland weren’t CGI—they were real! Exterior scenes were shot at Overton Hill, a 1,200-acre farm in Warwickshire, England. The pastoral site had one problem: unpredictable British weather. Crews often waited days for sunny skies, and the domes were digitally added in post-production.
Inside the Tubby Domes
The futuristic underground home featured practical sets, including slides for exits and blinking “Tubbytronic” machinery. Characters like Noo-Noo (the sentient vacuum) were puppets operated by off-screen crew. The larger-than-life flowers and talking trumpets? All physical props designed to mesmerize young viewers.
The Famous Baby Sun (and How She Was Cast)
The giggling infant sun, which opened every episode, was played by 9-month-old Jessica Smith. Her face was superimposed onto the sun using emerging CGI tech. Rumor says she was cast via newspaper ads—and her giggles were real reactions to crewmembers making funny noises!
Surviving the Costumes (Literally)
Actors endured heavy, foam-lined suits weighing over 20 pounds (9 kg) each. Ventilation was poor, visibility was limited (actors saw through mesh mouths), and heat exhaustion was common. Each “Tubby” had two performers: one for body movements, and a voice actor off-camera.
Child Development Meets Criticism
While praised for its toddler-focused design, Teletubbies faced backlash. Critics claimed its “baby talk” would delay speech (studies later debunked this). Others found it downright bizarre—especially Tinky Winky’s purple purse, which sparked unfounded rumors about LGBTQ+ symbolism (the creator called it “a magic bag”).
Global Takeover and Legacy
Translated into 45 languages, Teletubbies aired in 120+ countries, sold 1 million+ videos in its first year (U.S. alone), and spawned toys, books, and even chart-topping music. Its reboot in 2015 introduced HD filming and a multicultural cast.
5 Teletubbies BTS Secrets You Never Knew
- Noo-Noo’s Voice Came From a Kazoo: The vacuum’s slurping sounds were made by blowing into a kazoo underwater.
- The Rabbits Were Stars Too: Trained rabbits (real animals) were tended to by an on-set handler.
- Tinky Winky Was Controversial in Conservative Circles: Some groups labeled him a “gay icon” for his triangle antenna and purse—a theory the BBC denied.
- The Domes Still Exist: The iconic hillside set was dismantled in 1998, but concrete dome foundations remain in Warwickshire.
- It Inspired a Parody for Adults: TV Go Home’s mock spin-off Tellytubbies featured characters like “Boozy Winky.”
Why Teletubbies Still Matters
More than quirky entertainment, Teletubbies pioneered immersive, development-focused programming for babies. Its trippy aesthetic and bold risk-taking—costumes, puppetry, and all—proved that kids’ TV could be weird, wonderful, and wildly influential.
ALT Text for Images (Hypothetical):
- Teletubbies cast in costumes on set: Four actors in colorful Teletubbies suits filming on the grassy hills of Warwickshire.
- Baby Sun close-up: Smiling infant face blended into a golden sun graphic.
- Noo-Noo puppet operation: Puppeteer manipulating the blue vacuum cleaner off-camera.
- Original Teletubbies dome set blueprints: Technical sketch of the underground home’s playful design.
Whether you loved it or found it fever-dream surreal, the story behind Teletubbies is a masterclass in creative problem-solving, proving that children’s TV is anything but simple. 🌞
