Here's a warning to all American parents of toddlers (most of the rest of the world's already been clued in): If you thought Barney drove you crazy you've not seen nothing yet! The Teletubbies are here and their patented brand of simplistic, repetitive, and sometimes surreal children's entertainment has arrived on American shores (courtesy of PBS).
Actually it's a bit late for a warning as this British kiddie invasion has already become must-see TV for the diaper and bottle set. and this is just the beginning. Now comes the merchandising ! If the recent Teletubbie toys premier at NYC's FAO Schwarz is any indication, trips to your local toy store are set to become pilgrimages for the latest Teletubbie merchandise.
The Teletubbies, produced by Britain's Ragdoll Productions and originally broadcast by the BBC, are four colorful creatures who fairly ooze happiness and childlike joy. It's hard not to like them...until you've spent enough time watching them and having your wee ones imitate them...then, Barney-like, comes the backlash. As a parent of a child who has just gotten over the purple dinosaur (and who at 3 1/2 finds the Teletubbies too babyish) I heartily recommend sticking with them. The messages and characters are truly appealing and good and once you view the show from your child's perspective you'll see it's not that bad. (So long as you don't need a second mortgage to satisfy the inevitable consumer cravings the show will awaken in you kids, the only real concern a parent need have about a show like this)
In case you haven't yet experienced Teletubbie mania (or if you run screaming from the TV room when it comes on) here is a very basic primer. The Teletubbies, Po (the little red one), Tinky-winky (the purple one who carries a handbag), Laa-laa (the happy-happy yellow 'tubbie), and Dipsy (the reggae loving green one), live together in their Teletubbie house in Teletubbie land and have Teletubbie adventures during which their Teletubbie tummies become Teletubbie TV screens and...umm...well, you really have to see it for yourself . Have no fears, though, it's all good clean fun.
BBC Education has a great Teletubbie site called Time for Teletubbies, complete with interactive games, activities and a section for grownups that covers things like safe web surfing for your kids. PBS has also created a Teletubbie site called PBS Kids The Teletubbies with lots of Teletubbie info and goodies.
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