No Such Thing As A Fish

607: No Such Thing As Teletubby TikTok Tummies

30 snips
Oct 30, 2025
Veteran British comedian and author Ben Elton joins the conversation with the hosts to dive into a mix of topics. They hilariously dissect the Tinky Winky controversy and the evolution of children's TV. Ben shares personal stories about infertility that inspired his film 'Maybe Baby.' The discussion takes a historical turn with tales of cavalry lances and Vatican banking quirks. They also tackle Shakespeare's family literacy and critique authorship conspiracies, offering a blend of humor and insight.
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ANECDOTE

Tinky Winky Casting Upheaval

  • Ben Elton recounts that Dave Thompson, a friend, was sacked as Tinky Winky, possibly over giving the character a handbag.
  • Thompson's physical comedy and risks in the suit made him proud but devastated when removed from the role.
ANECDOTE

Teletubbies Reboot Embraces Vertical Video

  • Ben Elton notes modern Teletubbies have vertical screens showing TikToks in their tummies.
  • He contrasts the reboot with the original, saying changes felt immediate and odd to him.
ANECDOTE

Anger At Barney Helped A Locked-In Boy Recover

  • The podcast tells the story of Martin Pistorius, who was conscious in a coma and used anger at Barney to train himself out.
  • He eventually recovered, became a wheelchair racer, married and had children.
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