Brace Yourselves Parents, There Will Be A ‘Teletubbies’ Reboot
Didn’t get enough of Tinky Winky and his colorful pals? Then brace yourselves — Nickelodeon is getting ready for a Teletubbies reboot.
Nickelodeon Acquires BBC #Teletubbies Reboot http://t.co/mVVcsTrvmU pic.twitter.com/JwgZ4Ur4g5
— THR International (@THRGlobal) June 12, 2015
The Teletubbies, which first aired in 1997 and in over 120 countries, aired 365 episodes before ending in 2001. The show was picked up by the BBC’s CBeebies channel and began airing in the U.K. last June. Now, according to the Huffington Post, Nickelodeon has picked up “60 new 12-minute episodes in the U.S. on Nick Jr.”
The show’s original creator, Anne Wood, has said she will not be a part of the new and improved Teletubbies reboot though.
According to TV Guide, Wood commented on being a part of or even watching the Teletubbies reboot, saying, “I couldn’t bring myself to. I mean, I have nothing against them; it might be brilliant. They tell me they’ve got the best producer possible on it, so that’s a good sign.”
Wood added, “But how could I watch it? All my programs are like my children. It’s like seeing a child remade in somebody else’s image. So good luck to them. They bought it and I can’t do anything about that.”
Wood went onto to comment on what she thought about rebooting any show, not just the Teletubbies.
“I’m a bit sad. It comes down to the times we’re in: People feel safer remaking hits of the past rather than investing in something new.”
The Teletubbies, which featured the smiling creatures known as Tinky Winky, Po, Laa-Laa, and Dipsy, was a popular show among children and aired on PBS.
While it’s unclear if the actors of the first series will jump aboard for the Teletubbies reboot, there will be some new faces joining the Teletubbies cast.
Academy Award winner Jim Broadbent, known for playing Professor Slughorn in the Harry Potter movie series, will voice a talking trumpet. Also, Jane Horrocks of Absolutely Fabulous fame will “lend her voice to the new Tubby Phone.”
And just in case it turns out that the Teletubbies reboot just isn’t for you, you can check out the Teletubbies YouTube channel, which still “attract(s) nearly 50 million views per month.”
Nickelodeon also picked up the rights to play the original 365 episodes on their new subscription service, Noggin.
Brace yourselves — Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa, and Po will be returning to your TV’s in the Teletubbies reboot in 2016.
[Photo Courtesy of The Chronicle Herald]
