Teletubbies get ‘X-rated’ makeover for Gen Z and millennials, but not all are thrilled: ‘This is sacrilegious’

(Left) Woman wearing Teletubbies clothes. (Right) Women wearing Teletubibies clothes. (Inset) Teletubbies partying with Gen Z fan.
The humanoid stars of Y2K children's show "The Teletubbies," have recently undergone a "X-rated" makeover to appeal to Gen Z and Millennials.
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Is that Tinky Winky twerking?

Once upon a time, the Teletubbies were a cutesy quad of 10-foot, childlike humanoids sporting signature onesies.

The color-coded TV characters brought wholesome joy to infants, toddlers and tykes of the late 1990s and early aughts from their grassy hill house in Teletubbyland.

But now, the faux babies have become fashion-obsessed, booty-bouncing badasses.

Social media users remain divided amid a controversy sparked by the “X-rated” resurgence of the rave-hosting, nightclubbing Teletubbies. Teletubbies / Instagram
Social media users remain divided amid a controversy sparked by the “X-rated” resurgence of the rave-hosting, nightclubbing Teletubbies. Teletubbies / Instagram

And their “X-rated” makeover is breaking the internet.

“Come and RAVE with the Teletubbies,” wrote the foursome — comprised of plushy pals Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa Laa and Po — in the caption of a recent Instagram Reel.

The eye-popping post, topping 715,000 views, emerged as a promo for the kiddie crew’s new collaboration with San Francisco streetwear label, Dolls Kill.

But visuals of the once-snuggly sweeties shaking their stuffing to club music have outraged some Gen Zs and millennials who grew up watching their purple, green, yellow and red friends frolic under the beaming warmth of “Sun Baby.”

Since rolling out their new fashion collection with streetwear brand, Dolls Kill, the Teletubbies have been spotted partying, clubbing and raving all over social media. Dolls Kill / Instagram
Since rolling out their new fashion collection with streetwear brand, Dolls Kill, the Teletubbies have been spotted partying, clubbing and raving all over social media. Dolls Kill / Instagram
Adults who fondly remember watching the Teletubbies as tots are split over whether the characters’ new online personas are appropriate. Fairfax Media via Getty Images
Adults who fondly remember watching the Teletubbies as tots are split over whether the characters’ new online personas are appropriate. Fairfax Media via Getty Images
Online, haters have labeled the Teletubbies’ adult-like looks “gross” and “wrong.” @victoriavenin/Instagram
Online, haters have labeled the Teletubbies’ adult-like looks “gross” and “wrong.” @victoriavenin/Instagram

“This is sacrilegious to me,” commented a disapproving detractor.

“So gross, drug-oriented, pedophilic and wrong,” spat an equally perturbed spectator.

“The Teletubbies X-rated version,” another sneered.

In separate snippets, the cartoonish cuties can be seen gyrating to trendy tracks such as “I Luv It” by Camila Cabello and Playboi Carti, and jamming out to hits on Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” anthology.

The series of wild antics — presumed attempts at remaining pop-culturally relevant — have left confused commenters asking, “Isn’t this a kids’ show?”

Fans of the Y2K children’s show were stunned to see its lamb-like stars gyrating to hits from rapper Playboi Carti. Teletubbies/Instagram
Fans of the Y2K children’s show were stunned to see its lamb-like stars gyrating to hits from rapper Playboi Carti. Teletubbies/Instagram
Teletubbies star Laa-Laa recently channeled her inner Beyoncé for social media clout. Teletubbies / Instagram
Teletubbies star Laa-Laa recently channeled her inner Beyoncé for social media clout. Teletubbies / Instagram
Unimpressed digital audiences have deemed the Teletubbies’ recent behavior “gross.” Teletubbies/Instagram
Unimpressed digital audiences have deemed the Teletubbies’ recent behavior “gross.” Teletubbies/Instagram

But this isn’t the goo-goo-gaa-gaa group’s first social media scolding for inappropriateness.

Parents virtually spanked Tinky Winky after a resurfaced episode showed the purple plaything tickling Dipsy‘s green derrière with a party balloon in April 2023.

“What did I just watch?” questioned a mom who shared the shocking viral footage with her more than 70,000 TikTok followers.

“That was the most strangest children’s program I’ve ever seen,” wrote a creeped-out critic beneath the clip.

However, not all 20- and 30-somethings are giving the Tubbies’ newfound cheekiness a thumbs down.

Online, fans of Dipsy, Laa-Laa, Po and Tinky Winky defended the gang’s trendy new swag. @itslitdawgs/TikTok
Online, fans of Dipsy, Laa-Laa, Po and Tinky Winky defended the gang’s trendy new swag. @itslitdawgs/TikTok

In fact, some young adults find comfort in seeing their childhood idols mature into stylish party animals.

“Bringing nostalgia to your feed with a splash of sunshine and tubby custard,” said Claire, an adult fan of the Y2K show, while rocking the funky “Telly Memories Intarsia sweater” from the troupe’s edgy apparel line in a clip.

“We’re the Telletubby generation all grown up,” she added.

The viral “Harbin sisters,” a group of six voguish siblings, also wowed their more than 870,000 followers in saucy pieces from the Teletubby and Dolls Kill collection — including the $88 cow-printed, lime green-trimmed “Dipsy style faux fur coat” and the $78 “Po fuzzy jacket.”

Tubby-happy hipsters, too, stomped around in the gear on the desert grounds of Coachella this year.

The $88 “Dipsy” jacket has been a hot-ticket item with Tubby trendsetters everywhere. Teletubbies / Instagram
The $88 “Dipsy” jacket has been a hot-ticket item with Tubby trendsetters everywhere. Teletubbies / Instagram
Teletubbies outerwear has been a hit with a handful of Y2K-loving Gen Zers and millennials. Teletubbies / Instagram
Teletubbies outerwear has been a hit with a handful of Y2K-loving Gen Zers and millennials. Teletubbies / Instagram
Folks unabashedly rocked out to their favorite bands in Teletubbies hoodies that feature the show stars’ antennas. Teletubbies / Instagram
Folks unabashedly rocked out to their favorite bands in Teletubbies hoodies that feature the show stars’ antennas. Teletubbies / Instagram

But the not-so-babyish band is actually showing up late to its own apparel party.

New York fashion designer Christian Cowan previously premiered a line of Teletubbies togs, including a pair of neon green, knee-high “Dipsy” boots that retail for $2,500, in March 2023.

“We were throwing around lots of pop culture icons, and then it struck us, let’s do THE icons,” said Cowan following the debut of his duds — which garnered “big hugs” from the Tubbies.

“We treated Dipsy, Laa-Laa, Po & Tinky-Winky like the legends they are.”