Well, there’s something I’d never think about. I loved watching Teletubbies as a kid, it was such an entertaining show. I never thought anyone would ever analyse it further than what it is on the surface, to pre schoolers anyway. Of course as we grow and develop, we view certain things from different perspectives. I always saw the Teletubbies as these strange loveable creatures who spread love and joy amongst youth. Whilst reading this weeks reading by Alan McKee, an interesting view of the show was mentioned.
American tele-evangelist Jerry Falwell, sees the British show as ‘promoting homosexuality’. Saying that it is evident in the show that Tinky-Winky is that of a homosexual nature. He is voiced by a male, seen carrying a red purse, is coloured purple (gay pride colour) and has a triangular shaped antenna (gay pride symbol). Here is a prime example of textual analysis. Falwell, has identified signifiers and associated them with connotative meanings. By doing so he is able to generate a plausible social code employed by the text.
Of course, I don’t see the point in going to such effort to analyse the Teletubbies in this context. I mean, it’s not life changing at all, I feel it’s not even worth knowing. I don’t know about you, but I would have died a happy person even if I never knew Tinky-winky was homosexual.