The Teletubbies are one of the most iconic and beloved children’s television shows in history. First airing in 1997, the show centers around four colorful characters – Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa, and Po – and their adventures in Teletubbyland. Though seemingly simple, the show captivated both children and adults alike with its playful storylines and quirky cast of characters.
Two of the most popular Teletubbies are Tinky Winky and Dipsy. With their distinct appearances and personalities, these characters have sparked much curiosity and debate over the years – particularly regarding their genders. In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the evidence surrounding Tinky Winky and Dipsy’s genders and try to settle the debate once and for all.
The Case for Tinky Winky Being Male
When the Teletubbies first debuted, many viewers automatically assumed Tinky Winky was male. Standing at over 6 feet tall, Tinky Winky has a larger frame compared to the other Teletubbies. His triangular antenna is also straight and rigid, unlike the curved antennas of the other characters. Even Tinky Winky’s name sounds more traditionally masculine than the others.
Additionally, in the original British version of the show, Tinky Winky was voiced by actor Dave Thompson and had a lower pitched, stereotypically masculine voice. The character often took on leadership roles within the group or initiated playtime activities, exhibiting qualities often associated with masculinity at the time.
Finally, the purple color of Tinky Winky’s costume and his red bag were considered by some to be signs of homosexuality or gender nonconformity. The character was infamously outed as gay by Reverend Jerry Falwell in 1999, sparking major controversy and accusations of pushing a homosexual agenda to children.
The Case for Tinky Winky Being Female
However, there is also plenty of evidence suggesting Tinky Winky may actually be intended as a female character. Most convincingly, in 2008, Teletubbies creator Anne Wood finally settled the debate and confirmed that all four Teletubbies are supposed to be androgynous characters and are neither distinctly male nor female.
Additionally, in the U.S. version of the show, Tinky Winky was voiced by actress Jess Smith and given a high pitched, feminine sounding voice. The character’s movements and mannerisms also took on a softer, more delicate nature. Tinky Winky enjoys activities like carrying a handbag that are seen as traditionally feminine.
The purple color scheme has also been interpreted by some not as a homosexual reference but rather as a feminine color, in contrast to the blue of Dipsy’s costume. And the triangular shape of Tinky Winky’s antenna is meant to resemble a stereotypical woman’s hairstyle more so than a masculine trait.
The Case for Dipsy Being Male
In contrast to the debate around Tinky Winky, most viewers have traditionally assumed Dipsy to be male. For starters, Dipsy possesses a deep, masculine voice in both the British and American versions of the show. Actor John Simmit voiced the character with a calm yet authoritative tone.
Dipsy’s movements and mannerisms also exhibit traditionally masculine qualities – he frequently takes initiative, marches around decisively, or partakes in “male” activities like construction projects. His straight, rigid antenna adds to his masculine vibe.
The green color scheme of Dipsy’s costume and lack of any overtly feminine accessories also cause most to assume Dipsy is a male character. And his name carries fewer feminine connotations than the other Teletubbies.
The Case for Dipsy Being Female
As with Tinky Winky though, Teletubbies creator Anne Wood has stated that Dipsy is also intended to be an androgynous character without a defined gender. The show purposefully avoided giving any of the Teletubbies overtly gendered characteristics or roles.
Dipsy’s voice may be lower pitched for a female, but still lies within a feminine range and lacks any distinctly masculine qualities. And Dipsy’s antenna is not as rigidly triangular as Tinky Winky’s, taking on a more curved, feminine shape.
The green color of Dipsy’s costume holds just as much potential to be interpreted as a feminine color as Tinky Winky’s purple. And Dipsy occasionally takes on nurturing, domestic roles like caring for a baby that contradict the assumption of masculinity.
So while most viewers see Dipsy as male, that perception is not universally agreed upon and quite possibly unintentional by the show’s creators.
Conclusion
The genders of Tinky Winky and Dipsy on Teletubbies have sparked heated debate and speculation ever since the show first aired in 1997. While most initially assumed Tinky Winky was male and Dipsy female, over time it’s become clear the intentions of the show’s creators were for both characters to be gender neutral.
The evidence can reasonably be interpreted either way for both Tinky Winky and Dipsy’s genders. Factor in the show creators’ statements, and it seems clear they wished to craft four characters defined by their personalities rather than traditional gender roles. While viewers will likely continue debating, the ambiguity appears to be by design.
In the end, does it really matter whether Tinky Winky and Dipsy are boys or girls? As beloved childhood icons, they represent the power of playful imagination and acceptance. By keeping their genders flexible, both characters take on universal qualities all children can see themselves in and learn positive lessons from. That’s something truly special that goes beyond any gender.
| Character | Evidence For Male Gender | Evidence For Female Gender |
|---|---|---|
| Tinky Winky |
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| Dipsy |
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