When making a show for children, it can assumed that the character creation and storyline process would be straightforward. All that’s needed is a likeable, cute character that looks approachable enough for a hug and a storyline that teaches a lesson. This process sounds simple enough, but as hidden meanings resurface across scenes in the most beloved of television shows, it’s clear that many children’s programs are packed with innuendos and adult themes under the guise of attempting to entertain “watch-along” parents.

Anyone who’s privy to owning a social media account will have seen at this point in time, the many creepified images of childhood favourites such as Barnie or The Teletubbies, wherein the wholesome and inviting image is shattered; creating an eerie realism that breaks the fourth wall. This might be simply when the characters are exposed without their mascot heads, or darker, through the inferred connection of subliminal messaging or cult relations— the Youtube rabbit hole on the subject is a worthy watch. What we’ve discussed so far are beloved characters however, despite the fact that there have been unsettling inferences, these shows have clearly won their way into the hearts of children and accomplished the feats of becoming a successful program.

This prompts one to wonder about the shows that didn’t make their way into the limelight. In pursuit of the unnerving, GATA has scoured the interweb to bring you the strangest of the strange from around the globe. These personas follow none of the standard settings for what usually constitutes a suitable children’s show character. While these characters were made seemingly with the best of intentions, they completely miss the mark, appearing instead as though they were hatched from the likes of a horrid LSD-induced fever dream. Below we've gathered a list of thirteen unintentionally disturbing characters from aound the world, that are sure to make you shudder.

1. Fofão: Balão Mágico, Brazil

Fofão is a character that is beloved amongst Brazilian audiences. The character has become a household name and has entertained audiences of all ages for decades. With origins tracing back to the early days of Brazilian television, Fofão's performances often speak on and make light of the struggles of the everyday Brazilian person. Accreditations aside, it’s difficult to ignore Fofão’s unusual appearance, and why anyone would choose a character design with such obvious underlying insinuations. The question of why Fofão appears as he does is never explained or even inquired, audiences take him as he is, as though it’s completely normal. In fact, the only negative association with Fofão in Brazilian media is an urban legend stemming from the sale of dolls in his likeness. It was said that many of the dolls contained a hidden knife within their stuffings, and in the middle of the night the doll would awaken and murder you. It’s most likely that this rumour came about following the release of the film Chucky in the 90s due to the likeness of the two characters.

3. Mr. Blobby, United Kingdom

First arising to fame from the late 90s British TV program, “Noel’s House Party,” Mr.Blobby is a nonsensical character that quickly won of the hearts of British youth. Renowned for his erratic behaviour and guttural one-worded speech, many felt that Mr.Blobby incited a poor image of British culture and promoted bad behaviour. Despite Mr.Blobby being a general hit with children for his all-around strangeness, many felt that the character was offensive and created intentionally for the purpose of being irritating. When watching Videos of Mr.Blobby in action, it’s difficult to not be disturbed by the character’s absurd choice of actions. Working in tandem with his ceaseless smirk and his almost digestive-sounding sound effects Mr. Blobby is a character that’s definitely the stuff of nightmares.

4. Peppermint Park, USA

Peppermint Park was an eerie show that aired between the 1980s and early 1990s. Positioning itself as an educational program for children, Peppermint Park followed the adventures of strange human-like-animal characters in a mystical world. Despite the show's intention to portray positive and moralistic messages, it often lacked nuance and it’s characters, meant to entertain and be relatable for children, instead created a strange sense of discomfort inducing an uncanny valley.

5. Mummenshanz: The Muppet Show, USA,

Mummenshanz was a Swiss theatre group formed in 1972. Although they did not explicitly perform for children, their sets were created with the aim to be approachable for all ages. The group rose to popularity for their abstract performance style through the usage of peculiar masks and forms, light and shadow, and their subdued choreography. In 1976 Mummenshanz appeared on the children’s television show The Muppets. While this assisted Mummenshanz in the proliferation of their career, many found their performance unnerving and a stark contrast from the consistently comedic nature of The Muppets Show.

6. The phone: Telechat, France

First aired in the late 1970s, Telechat is a show that was known for it’s experimental parodies and outlandish humour. While there is much that provokes the side-eye when experiencing this program, the strangest of attributes is the landline phone character. With it’s chill-inducing whispers, in tandem with an eerily cherub-esque face, it's probably best to leave this phone unanswered.

7. Ananas: Telefrancais, Canada

“What better way to get children interested in French, than to traumatize them? “ Is probably what the producers behind Telefrancais were thinking with the inception of Ananas. Despite it’s unconventional appearance, this pineapple with teeth and two black holes for eyes, was indeed the perfect character to educate and win over the hearts of children and did indeed become a beloved staple in French-Canadian television.

8. Wiz: Wizbit, United Kingdom

Imagine a story wherein a cheese-shaped alien wizard, and a giant rabbit venture across a whimsical world in order to teach a moralistic lesson. Does this sound like the plot of a sound children’s show or the result of too many psychedelics? Despite what the photos that accompany this blurb may suggest, this is indeed the plot of the British children’s television series, Wizbit. The program follows the titular character Wiz, our cheese-shaped alien; as he ominously appears to spread vaguely threatening messages in order to help juvenile audiences in avoiding the allures of mischievous behaviour. Being scarred straight may be the factor they were trying to achieve with this one!

9. Mommi Ja Aabits, Estonia

Mommi Ja Aabits was an Estonian television show created with the wholesome intention of teaching children the alphabet. Instead, what was delivered was adults dressed in large animal heads, their human mouths visible, dancing and singing around a set. While you may be thinking this show is just a 1970s ode to furries, the visuals of this costume design truly induce sinister sentiments.

10. Ratafak Plachta: Slniecko, Czech Republic,

Ratafak Plachta is a character that hosted the Czech television show Slniecko, a show produced during the communist rule of Czechoslovakia at the time, interestingly enough Ratafak Platcha taught children to break from the hive mind and question authority when offering its moralistic lessons. While the message and intention are great, it is undeniable that the character looks like something from the depths of a Creepypasta.

11. Mr Nosey Bunk: Jigsaw

Probably the most disturbing character on this list, Mr.Nosey Bunk is a character that looks straight out of a horror film. It’s a wonder that anyone deemed him an appropriate character for children’s television. With his grotesquely wide smile, protruding nose, and ghostly white skin this character seems better suited to be starring in something more dystopian like The Purge than a puzzle-adventure program.

12. EC (faceless child) Lift Off, Australia

Created to represent “every child” in Australia, the EC otherwise known as the faceless child was a mysterious character in the Australian program “Lift Off.” Through it’s faceless, genderless and colourless appearance, EC was meant to be inclusive, a progressive idea ahead of it’s time - yet, the character design instead appeared to be of a mummified demon baby come back to life.

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